Apalachin Community Press, May2001
What’s Happening Under the Covers
Part 4
by Fred Hume

  For the last three months I have been telling you about a lot of things that are happening in the world of the Internet that you may not be aware of. 

Things like the Government trying to pass legislation to force schools and libraries to install blocking software on their computers to "protect" us and our children from things we shouldn't see or know about.

Also about how corporations are making a living selling information about you and everyone else that happens to stumble or go willing into their clutches.

What I have stated in those articles was gleaned by an amateur doing a little research and reading. The information is available in news groups and has been published in newspapers and on the Internet. 

Am I stating all this to scare you away from the Internet? No! Am I saying, "Don't take what appears to be offered free?" No! Am I saying, "Don't protect your children from trash on the web??" No! What I am saying is this.

You are the best arbiter of what happens to you and your family. The Internet is not a toy, nor is it a babysitter. And I won't even get into the really dangerous stuff like Usenet and chat rooms.

Are we really so naive as to think our government really knows what's going on enough to provide meaningful legislation in these areas? Do we really think their concern is for our betterment? Or is it as it appears - knee jerk politics to protect mainly themselves and the interests that support their political aspirations. 

Do you think that any corporation in America wouldn't sell out your privacy for a buck? Do you really think there is any altruistic ideal that drives business? Aren't these wonderful examples to export to the rest of the world? We'll show them how it really works? 

Our best protection is ourselves. We shouldn't rely on Government to do our jobs for us. We can't rely on business to always be forward and above board. We all need to pay attention to our world and what's happening in it, and protect ourselves.

The price of freedom is constant vigilance.