Subject: New attack on free speech Fri Aug 07, 2009 11:47 am
From the “ACLJ.org” web site
New Attack on Free Speech A very troubling development in Washington - a new attack on the free speech of Americans from the Obama Administration. Yesterday, Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) wrote to President Obama expressing his concerns about a recent post on the White House blog written by Macon Phillips, the White House Director of New Media. In his post, Phillips notes there is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there both on the web and floating around in chain emails. Phillips states that since we cannot keep track of all of them here at the White House, we are asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov. In a nutshell, the White House is asking you to report on your neighbors, family, and friends who disagree with the Presidents policy choices on health care. The White House is also implying that you should think twice before sending an email disagreeing with the President, since it might end up being forwarded to them. The White House email address says it all let’s “flag” those who disagree with us. For what purpose are these individuals being flagged? In his letter, Senator Cornyn rightly seeks assurances from President Obama that this new reporting program will be carried out in a manner consistent with the First Amendment and America’s tradition of free speech and public discourse. He poses several questions, including, how do you intend to use the names, email addresses, IP addresses, and identities of citizens who are reported to have engaged in a “fishy” speech and what action do you intend to take against citizens who have been reported for engaging in fishy speech The First Amendment states, in part, that “Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble”. Our Founding Fathers fought and died for the right to speak openly and freely about the government. President Obama campaigned on the promise of a more transparent and open government. His new White House reporting program seems aimed at stifling debate on his health care reform plan. While he knows that he cannot ban such speech, I imagine that he thinks that the fear of being reported to the authorities will discourage many naysayers from speaking out. I am concerned about what White House program will come next. Who else do we need to flag? Will it be those who attend town halls and speak in opposition to health care reform? What about those who write op-eds? Or perhaps those who speak out against mandated abortion coverage on the radio? We are sending President Obama a letter demanding that he withdraw and rescind this citizen reporting program. You can read the letter here. I have also expressed our concern in a posting to The Hill's Congress Blog. That is posted here. We will continue to monitor the situation.
Ray_L
Posts : 119 Thumbs : 249 Reputation : 0 Join date : 2009-08-06 Age : 53 Location : Zephyrhills, Fl
Subject: Re: New attack on free speech Fri Aug 07, 2009 12:02 pm
This is the beginning of the well civilian force. He called his obamabots to action!
Thank you for writing to President Obama expressing his (OUR) concerns about a recent post on the White House blog written by Macon Phillips.
I am a registered independent in Florida but even from here I can appreciate what you did and let you know I, and many like me will support candidates like yourself.
Subject: New attack on free speech 
Fri Aug 07, 2009 11:47 am