As many cities continue to try to close down their local branches of the Occupy movement (Wall Street’s generators have been confiscated with a massive snow storm on the way, for example), one has to wonder why freedom of speech is such a dangerous thing. Obviously, the government isn’t fond of it:

PROTECT IP Renamed E-PARASITES Act; Would Create The Great Firewall Of America
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20111026/12130616523/protect-ip-renamed-e-parasites-act-would-create-great-firewall-america.shtml

Sounds like something that should have come from The Onion, doesn’t it? The piece explains it much better than I could, and even includes a copy of the act itself for perusal. Suffices to say that it’s time for another round of letters and petitions. Of course, they can just find other ways to criminalize you and stifle communication:

Rise in UK requests for Google content removal
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15459123

and

Google: Governments seek more about you than ever
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-20125483-83/google-governments-seek-more-about-you-than-ever/

While I think it a good thing for the Internet and governments to coordinate on say… actual crime, I’m pretty confident most of it has nothing to do with that. America has a HORRENDOUS track record of protecting the sanctity and privacy of its citizens for all its claims and insistence that it does and must. Of course, this couldn’t have anything to do with:

Why Has Income Gone Up So Much For The Top 1 Percent?
http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2011/10/26/141716961/why-has-income-gone-up-so-much-for-top-earners?sc=nl&cc=pmb-20111026

And the charming news out of the UK:

Directors’ pay rose 50% in past year, says IDS report
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15487866

How curious, especially when so many businesses are forcing their employees to take patriotic pay cuts, reduced benefits, crapped out retirements, and so forth. Even goverments seem keen to make the average-to-disadvantaged Joe get what they ‘deserve’. You’d almost think that there were a few super-powerful folks recklessly controlling the whole shebang… oh. Well then.

As dark as it is, you, the Average Joe, can make a difference and effect change. It’s not easy, and it’s not fast, but it can happen. A prime example from the past week would be how many financial institutions are keen to not make the mistake of Bank of America:

Big Banks Blink on New Card Fees
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204505304577002041853240850.html

That didn’t happen because these institutes suddenly found a heart; this isn’t a tale of the Grinch. This is because money speaks, even your meagre stash, and they are keen to keep your money for you. Granted, to gamble it as much as they can get away with (which is a lot because of deregulation), but it is proof positive that you can make your voice heard to effect change. What’s the harm of it, outside of police brutality? Stand up, make your voice heard, and also make your representatives in government work for you. It’s your life to improve or decimate as you choose – choose intelligently.

And y’know, have a good Saturday.

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