Opinions on control of speech tactics - How capitalism gets

[Exploited Class]

Lately we have seen a lot of action by large corporations to derail one of the most basic rights of humans, the right of free speech.

We've seen a lot of the following, Dixie Chicks over seas the lead singer says only that "She is embarresed to be from Texas like Bush." and clear channel? which ones most the radio stations in the country pulled thier music.

Danny Glover was pulled from MCI ads because of statements he said, off work.

Sean Penn was attacked for his belief that there were no WMD in Iraq and a war was unjustified.

They refused to play a baseball movie that Tim Robbins was in at the baseball hall of fame. They also did not allow him to come and speak because they hid behind it Controversial and him being Political.

The right wing uses the defense in many of these cases as, "Corporations have the right to use whomever they chose to represent them." or that "They respond to customers and pull ads or songs that customers/viewers/listeners dislike.

Is this a great way to take away a right without actually taking it away? Instead of the controlling government it is the controlling companies. Same ruling class, different branch.

People and right wingers will agree, it is a companies provacative, it is the government that can't take away your rights.

So we all know that it is the same people, getting the same goal accomplished. Methods of course different.
It shows that dissent will be dealt with, it removes the unwanted speakers.

What are some other examples?

What is a good debate tactic.
I use the "So American companies dislike America and what it stands for? They hate America so much that they remove our most cherished right. Why do we let them do that? If they don't love they should leave it"

Is capitalism a perfect setup for control, does it allow for companies to dictate what is okay with bans that the government can not?

Ideas, debate?

[ChiTown Lady]

This is just the beginning. Many of the recent laws that have been passed since 9/11/2001 are setting this place up for a scenario whereby freedom of speech will be outlawed on an even broader scale than what you are currently seeing. There are already laws on the books that have been passed and/or federally mandated at the presidential level that make it possible to arrest and hold people for “suspicion of” terrorist activity, and they can be held indefinitely in jail without charging them with any specific crime or allowing them the right to legal council. Likewise, there have been laws enacted that make it mandatory for corporations here to withhold payouts of any kind (bank accounts, payroll moneys, dividends, retirement pay etc.) to those people who’s names are added to the federal OFAC list of people “suspected of” terrorist activity. You can be cut off from all of your assets if you happen to have your name put on this list – even now.

And the definition of terrorist activity is very subjective. It keeps changing. There has been legislation up for vote in some states to even consider participating in a peace demonstration as a terrorist activity.

The implications of where this could ultimately lead are something to be very concerned about indeed.

[Hate Is Art]

does this remind anyone else of 1984? The thing is youd don't notice most freedoms are gone because they go slowly, firs you'll lose the right to speak against the governmeant - but you won't be told.

The maybe you'll realise you can be stoped and imprisoned indefinatly without reason but you won't know until your in prison. Then freedom of to write what you believe and freedom of religion. Soon we have 1984,

"Freedom is Slavery" and most importantly for America "Ignorance is strength"

[Dr. Rosenpenis]

Excellent point EC. It seems to completely escape capies that corporate America and the U$ government are working for the same goals, for the same poeple, and with the use of the government itself.

[Exploited Class]

Quote: from Victorcommie on 7:15 pm on May 20, 2003
Excellent point EC. It seems to completely escape capies that corporate America and the U$ government are working for the same goals, for the same poeple, and with the use of the government itself.

I am starting to think of the term conditioning by corporate America. It does it first, we can't do anything about it because it is hey, "Free to do what it wants, it is his buisness, yadadada" Like security cameras everywhere, we get conditioned to it. We get conditioned to having our belongings searched prior to going into our workplace.
We are conditioned so we don't fight it when the police want to do.
I am conditioned that no matter what my morals are, I have to do what my employer asks. If I don't like it I can find another job, how much more subserviant can I get?

Corporations can check the emails of their employees, what is in the cars of employees parked on their property, search them before going to work, monitor and record their phone conversations. It is just a giant luke warm pot of conditioning.

Then you get these safe forms of censorship.
They can hide behind terms like Radical, Controversial or unsympathetic to current tragedies.

I just see it as a giant condition bowl of society.

Exactly about being in the same bed with government.
Look at poster boy Cheney, Haliburton with residuals checks and a million plus dollars for retirement. It should be blatanly obvious I think.