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In reply to the discussion: Neil Gaiman writes "Why defend freedom of icky speech?" [View all]Octafish
(55,745 posts)91. Cass Sunstein doesn't like icky speech that casts government in a bad light.
Obama confidants spine-chilling proposal
Cass Sunstein wants the government to "cognitively infiltrate" anti-government groups
GLENN GREENWALD
Salon, Jan. 10, 2010
Cass Sunstein has long been one of Barack Obamas closest confidants. Often mentioned as a likely Obama nominee to the Supreme Court, Sunstein is currently Obamas head of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs where, among other things, he is responsible for overseeing policies relating to privacy, information quality, and statistical programs. In 2008, while at Harvard Law School, Sunstein co-wrote a truly pernicious paper proposing that the U.S. Government employ teams of covert agents and pseudo-independent advocates to cognitively infiltrate online groups and websites as well as other activist groups which advocate views that Sunstein deems false conspiracy theories about the Government. This would be designed to increase citizens faith in government officials and undermine the credibility of conspiracists. The papers abstract can be read, and the full paper downloaded, here.
Sunstein advocates that the Governments stealth infiltration should be accomplished by sending covert agents into chat rooms, online social networks, or even real-space groups. He also proposes that the Government make secret payments to so-called independent credible voices to bolster the Governments messaging (on the ground that those who dont believe government sources will be more inclined to listen to those who appear independent while secretly acting on behalf of the Government). This program would target those advocating false conspiracy theories, which they define to mean: an attempt to explain an event or practice by reference to the machinations of powerful people, who have also managed to conceal their role. Sunsteins 2008 paper was flagged by this blogger, and then amplified in an excellent report by Raw Storys Daniel Tencer.
SOURCE w/links: http://www.salon.com/2010/01/15/sunstein_2/
Cass Sunstein wants the government to "cognitively infiltrate" anti-government groups
GLENN GREENWALD
Salon, Jan. 10, 2010
Cass Sunstein has long been one of Barack Obamas closest confidants. Often mentioned as a likely Obama nominee to the Supreme Court, Sunstein is currently Obamas head of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs where, among other things, he is responsible for overseeing policies relating to privacy, information quality, and statistical programs. In 2008, while at Harvard Law School, Sunstein co-wrote a truly pernicious paper proposing that the U.S. Government employ teams of covert agents and pseudo-independent advocates to cognitively infiltrate online groups and websites as well as other activist groups which advocate views that Sunstein deems false conspiracy theories about the Government. This would be designed to increase citizens faith in government officials and undermine the credibility of conspiracists. The papers abstract can be read, and the full paper downloaded, here.
Sunstein advocates that the Governments stealth infiltration should be accomplished by sending covert agents into chat rooms, online social networks, or even real-space groups. He also proposes that the Government make secret payments to so-called independent credible voices to bolster the Governments messaging (on the ground that those who dont believe government sources will be more inclined to listen to those who appear independent while secretly acting on behalf of the Government). This program would target those advocating false conspiracy theories, which they define to mean: an attempt to explain an event or practice by reference to the machinations of powerful people, who have also managed to conceal their role. Sunsteins 2008 paper was flagged by this blogger, and then amplified in an excellent report by Raw Storys Daniel Tencer.
SOURCE w/links: http://www.salon.com/2010/01/15/sunstein_2/
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Japan has some incredibly graphic porn and has a much lower rate of sexual assault than the U.S.
mythology
Aug 2014
#39
Lots of countries have obscenity laws that restrict written OR visual sexual abuse.
alp227
Aug 2014
#68
What they were probably referring to is "rape porn" that's indistinguishable from actual rape.
nomorenomore08
Aug 2014
#59
I don't think fiction should be a crime in the great majority of circumstances. As for depictions of
Louisiana1976
Aug 2014
#2
Interesting how so many posters seem to be dancing around that proposition without saying so. n/t
X_Digger
Aug 2014
#28
Hate speech can be defined, banned and fairly prosecuted...every other Western nation knows how.
Fred Sanders
Aug 2014
#14
You exaggerate, free speech is already limited in many ways, it is matter of drawing the line.
Fred Sanders
Aug 2014
#34
Again, you support imprisoning people for up to 5 years for expressing an opinion.
Kurska
Aug 2014
#40
You can't have a hateful opinion or even vile opinion? Don't hide behind the terminology.
Kurska
Aug 2014
#44
If it causes harm to an entire class of people, the opinion is subject to opposition. nt
alp227
Aug 2014
#45
No mask. Only logic and dealing with reality. Flights of fancy I have no problem with, imagination
Fred Sanders
Aug 2014
#83
Nonono, only things that WE DON'T LIKE will get banned, don'cha'know?!? ;) n/t
X_Digger
Aug 2014
#56
That is why we have lawyers and judges and why laymen make poor consultants.
Fred Sanders
Aug 2014
#84
The law evolves over time, as hate speech law has evolved. Continuing education is valuable.
Fred Sanders
Aug 2014
#87
Absolutely. Very strictly construed and narrow by the courts, which has indeed been the experience.
Fred Sanders
Aug 2014
#90
He needs to separate the notion of allowing vile speech but not hate speech that is intended to cite
Fred Sanders
Aug 2014
#86
Just imagine the laws that would spring up in Southern states banning the mocking of Christianity
Nye Bevan
Aug 2014
#16
My strong belief in the freedom of speech is perhaps the only absolutist view I have.
conservaphobe
Aug 2014
#22
Just about anything controversial could be described as hate speech in relation to someone.
Kurska
Aug 2014
#25
All humans have uncomfortable thoughts. Artists explore & unpack them. Thinking isn't criminal.
politicat
Aug 2014
#29
As a fellow fiction writer, I want to say I really appreciate this post.
nomorenomore08
Aug 2014
#64
As a writer myself, I am absolutely opposed to censorship of fictional works.
nomorenomore08
Aug 2014
#67
Yelling Fire at home with family and friends is your prerogative, is your right -
Tuesday Afternoon
Aug 2014
#71
The "fire in a theater" example is overused, and widely misunderstood.
Warren DeMontague
Aug 2014
#77
The whole point of the 1st Amendment is that it protects unpopular or even icky speech.
Warren DeMontague
Aug 2014
#76