Speaking of "getting it", check out this op/ed on this subject in this morning's Washington Post. It was co-written by the presidents of both NARAL an the Christian Coalition.
As the presidents of NARAL Pro-Choice America and the Christian Coalition of America, we are on opposite sides of almost every issue. But when it comes to the fundamental right of citizens to participate in the political process, we're united -- and very, very worried.
Free speech shouldn't stop when you turn on your computer or pick up your cellphone. But recent actions by the nation's biggest communications corporations should be of grave concern to all who care about public participation in our democracy, particularly our leaders in Congress.
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When it comes to censoring free speech, sorry just isn't good enough. Whatever your political views -- conservative or liberal, Republican or Democrat, pro-choice or pro-life -- it shouldn't be up to Verizon to determine whether you receive the information you requested. Why should any company decide what you choose to say or do over your phone, your computer or your BlackBerry? Technologies are converging in our communications system, but the principles of free expression and the rights of all Americans to speak without intervention should remain paramount.
This issue is broader than one organization, one company or one topic. The issue is how communications companies can believe they have the authority to block content in the first place.
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If corporations can't tell Americans what to say on a phone call, they shouldn't be able to control content or tell us what to say in a text message, an e-mail or anywhere else.
That's something all Americans -- regardless of their political views -- can agree on.
Well put.
