I saw a nice story at BBC News about how the Egyptian government has banned The Matrix: Reloaded because the religious scenes may cause crises. I have trouble believing that the citizens of any country would allow a board of 15 people to determine what entertainment is suitable for them. Why makes people cede to this type of "protection?" Do they honestly believe such a system that benefits them or are they just not able to organize enough strength to change the system?
Of course at the same time in my own country I see citizens embracing the USA PATRIOT Act, ignoring the lack of charges being brought against prisioners in Guantanamo Bay, and allowing the government even more power to snoop and intrude on their lives with things like more lax wiretapping regulations. So I can't chide other countries citizens much when our own allow, or even approve of our government eroding our rights a little bit more.
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." --- Benjamin Franklin
Posted by johnm at June 12, 2003 01:00 PM