Protect your freedom!
Posted under: democracy, English, Indonesia, politics 5 comment(s)A few days ago, I had a conversation with a friend about the government’s banning on websites that contain adult materials.
Him (H): Good! I support the government’s policy to block all porno websites!
Me (M): Why?
H: Because it is impossible for parents to control what their kids are doing on the internet.
M: But, if it’s so difficult for parents to control their own children, do you think the government can do it?
H: Yes, of course, just block all porno! It’s much easier and it’s part of the government’s responsibilities.
M: I still think it’s the parents’ responsibility. They should not expect other people to do their job. If you let the government do it for you, it will not only be about adult contents. It will spread to other things that they consider ‘inappropriate’ based on their own judgements. You should never let your freedom taken away from you!
Now, the government has also blocked YouTube and My Space. This time the reason is ‘for the sake of religious harmony that is threatened by a Dutch movie'.
UPDATE 9/4: Read a good article by Andre VItchek,"The New Face of Indonesia’s Islamic Fundamentalism: Pornography Ban Ignores the Starving", Japan Focus, April 8, 2008.
The article has the same concern as written in my previous post, "Religious Sentiments and Economic Problems".
Posts
8:31 AM
as a parent i agree with you that it is the duty of the parents to teach the children about the insane world, instead of keeping the children away from the real world.
9:56 PM
Yep, Indonesia's been overeacting again.
I really don't get people with issues concerning what they call "sensitive" such as religions, racism, etc. If we feel secure of what we are or what we believe in, why bother and feel affected by such a provocator! :) No one is going to be lower anyway just because somebody esp an opportunist like this Geert guy is trying to tell the world that they are bad. The provocator should be the loser, not the other way around.
It is a big unfortunate the way Indonesia react to Fitna. Now the guy gets attention, soemthing that he has been aiming for. Don't forget this guy needs vote for his political career. I think it would have been a lot more elegant for Indonesia to just ignore this insignificant thing and guy.
I have always had access to Youtube, but I refuse to see the video because it only adds statistic & clicks to the video. Something he might be able to use and abuse for whatever his intention is. Enak aja, gengsi dong! Hehe..
Anyway, same as pornography. Indonesia is again, way too insecure.
2:59 AM
Hey, I agree that if you let the government take away some of your freedom, even if you think it is for a good cause, it grows stronger and can next time ban something which is dear and important to you.
People should just be responsible.
9:28 PM
It's really a pity if authorities use time and money for the wrong issues. It's a temptation the high and mighty seem almost unable to resist. As politicians they are especially vulnerable to "easy" issues that will, the think, please a great number of voters.
So the abominable Wilders pleases his voters with anti Islam rhetoric (of disgusting inferior quality) and the Indonesian government uses the opportunity to please it's own constituents by doing what they presume is what the majority will like (at the cost of some essential liberties).
Indeed,like you said, the priority should have been elsewhere: the economy.
colson
6:44 PM
Dear friend ,
Banning is not a sufficient solution but awaring our child is permanent stopping the adult sites .
It is the duty of parents , it is duty of Govt. , It is duty of teacher to educate on this matter to all the children of world that this is not good for the development of character of any person .As a Indian I surely support of banning of all porn sites .