support blogging rightsIt’s a crazy world these days, and blogs are a wonderful way of voicing concerns, opinions and ideas in a format where these things can be read and discussed by a great number of people all over the world. The blogosphere has become an essential part of global discourse, and its rapid rise has caught quite a few off guard.

As such, the U.S. government has been trying to place a harness on the free exchange of ideas and opinions on the internet. There have been moves – by both Republicans and Democrats – to constrain online freedom of speech, to stifle open discourse and dialogue, to essentially keep us firmly in the 20th century. Indeed, the blogosphere has, in many respects, become as much of a news resource as the traditional press, and a great deal of political discussion and organization has moved into the digital age within the past decade – these politicians, rather than embracing the digital domain, are afraid that their jobs are in danger. The natural response: hobble the digital lines of communication.

But it shouldn’t be this way – and that’s why I support the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

EFF is essentially the ACLU of the digital age, and they are fighting to keep the internet safe for all discussion. As with the ACLU, there are times when the EFF will defend the rights of those with whom I disagree. But allowing for an honest, open dialogue is what drove this country – and, indeed, the world – to progress, to learn, and to grow. The internet needs to be a free place, and the EFF is on the front lines.

So check ’em out, and give if you can. This site will be proudly wearing the EFF badge, and I’ll keep on sharing my thoughts, dreams, rants, fears and cheers as long as I can.