[Linux-aus] Seeking feedback - EFA Citizens Not Suspects campaign

[Bret Busby]

On Mon, 10 Jun 2013, Paul Shirren wrote:

> Date: Mon, 10 Jun 2013 11:40:25
> From: Paul Shirren <shirro at shirro.com>
> To: linux-aus at lists.linux.org.au
> Subject: Re: [Linux-aus] Seeking feedback - EFA Citizens Not Suspects campaign
> 
>
> I think the greatest value is when an org like LA brings a specific,
> unique viewpoint to issues like this and we should perhaps get behind
> the campaign based on the extent to which it interacts with open source
> development and use rather than its broader impact on citizens which is
> perhaps best left to other entities.
>
> LA needs to be able to work with a broad range of organisations and
> political parties on a range of issues. I think that might be easier if
> we consistently base arguments on impacts to open source users and
> developers rather than being caught up in the broader debate on Internet
> liberties.
>
> While I personally object greatly to data retention which pretty much
> denies the legal presumption of innocence to which we should all be
> entitled I think the second and third bullet points might be the ones we
> are best able to provide organisational comment on.
>
>
>

Here is an aspect that people may not have considered; with ASIC 
apparently randomly blocking access to web sites, using the pretense 
that the web sites that it is blocking without any accountability, are 
not consistent with government objectives, and, given the obsession that 
some levels of government, and, government departments, have, with 
banning everything but MS Windows, it would do well to remember the 
words attributed to Pastor Neimuller;

"
First They Came - Pastor Martin Niemoller

First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me
"

What happens, when, because of the assumed support by Linux Australia, 
for the "security measures", by the silence and lack of support by Linux 
Australia, for opposition to the Internet Oppression, the web site and 
mailing lists, and, possibly, the organisation itself, of Linux 
Australia, are each shut down, by ASIC or otherwise by the oppressive 
federal parliament, for not being sufficiently obsequious?

--
Bret Busby
Armadale
West Australia
..............

"So once you do know what the question actually is,
  you'll know what the answer means."
- Deep Thought,
   Chapter 28 of Book 1 of
   "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy:
   A Trilogy In Four Parts",
   written by Douglas Adams,
   published by Pan Books, 1992
....................................................