Mike's Newspaper Column

Mike's Newspaper Column
Read Mike's column weekly in the Times Community Newspaper Family, including the legendary Kettering-Oakwood Times, and posted here the following week.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Keep The Internet Free


Keep the Internet Free
By Mike Scinto
            Let’s start with the bottom line this time. Lawmakers, keep your hands off the Internet! I keep hearing rumblings that Congress would like to control Internet content, and states would like to control profit in order to get their cut of the pie. Obama has indicated he’d like to be able to “take control” of the web if it is in the national interest.

            The Internet is a wonderful tool, research outlet, shopping mall and personal organizer. One of the things that excites people from 5 to 75 is the fact that, for the most part, it is open and easy access to everything. Once the government, at any level, gets into it; well it’s all over.

            Actually, since the Internet is global, my guess is any attempt at controls would be short-lived. There are enough certified geeks who could get around anything the government could throw at the Net.

            Okay, there are inherent problems with having instant access to everything. It allows pedophiles a cyber playground. Would-be terrorists can see how to build their next bomb. Students can easily plagiarize and cheat on exams. But all of those activities will go on with or without the on-line world.

            I believe the good far outweighs the bad. Let’s keep the beauty of cyberspace free, unregulated and open 24/7/365. Admittedly our young people, and some of us fossils, spend much too much time on line. That has to be dealt with at a personal level, not through government over-regulation.

            Let’s all hope this fantastic tool of our generations, will remain of the people, by the people and for the people.