Obama supports limiting of free speech to bar criticism of religion

Alright, the continuation of Bush-era surveillance and rendition policies was rather expected, but this is straight out of left field. Obama has joined with other UN members pushing a resolution to restrict free speech in the case of blasphemy. Obama is looking more like a hard-core right-wing fundamentalist by the day.

Nike tries to out anonymous Chinese blogger

This is quite an interesting interplay indeed going on between China an US Corporations. Some, such as Yahoo, are taking fire for outing formerly anonymous Internet commentators and do so only when they have to. Others, such as Nike, jump at the chance to subvert freedom of speech. Nike is trying to co-opt the Chinese government to out an anonymous blogger who said some not-so-nice things about their brand. It's sad to see American corporations to stoop to the level of an oppressive authoritarian state, but I guess I should have seen it coming. Something tells me China won't have much a problem complying with Nike's request, given all the other ways in which they mistreat their citizens.

"We want to act to protect our brand reputation in the same way as any corporation would want to if people were posting or writing false accusations," [the Nike spokesperson] said. "This isn't about a debate on freedom of speech. It's simply helping us to identify the person who posted it."

Sure this isn't about freedom of speech... if you're brain dead.

Malaysia: hopefully not the future U.S.A.

Malaysia will potentially use anti-terror laws to crack down on free speech, specifically that which insults those in power or the predominant religion of the country. Insults to those in power or the perceived national heritage have been used in other countries as well, such as Turkey, to stifle critics of the powers that be.

Unfortunately, the United States seems to be creeping towards this state of affairs itself. The president already gave himself dictatorial powers, we're detaining people indefinitely that are suspected "terrorists" and respected politicians have already claimed that we should re-examine our free speech beliefs to stay ahead of terror.

What's the next logical step? Something like what Malaysia is doing now?

Is free speech terrorism?

Well, Newt Gingrich thinks so. He believes that re-examining our ideas about free speech will enable us to stay ahead of the terrorists. The irony of all of this is that he was speaking at an event that honored those that stood up for first amendment rights. I'm exercising my right to freedom of speech -- I guess that makes me a terrorist. Leaving the country keeps sounding better and better...