Category Archives: Freedom

Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga and Virudhunagar Collectors hoist the national flag, take the salute and inspect the guard of honour

Distribution of welfare assistance and recognition for commendable services marked the 66th Independence Day celebration in Ramanathapuram and Sivaganga districts on Wednesday.

The Ramanathapuram Collector, K. Nandakumar, hoisted the national flag and took the salute, accompanied by Superintendent of Police Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar and inspected a colourful march past. Children from different schools presented variety entertainment. Tyagis from the district were honoured and presented with shawls by the Collector on the occasion.

As many as 434 beneficiaries received welfare assistance to the tune of Rs. 1.73 crore from the Collector which included monetary and non-monetary assistance from Social Welfare, Agriculture/Horticulture, Backward Classes Welfare, Differently-abled Welfare Departments. The ex-servicemen welfare aid was given and 25 self-help-group womenfolk received assistance from the Collector.

Around 30 police officers including Inspectors, Sub-Inspectors, Home Guards and Friends-Of-Police were honoured for their commendable services, during the I-Day celebrations. The students, who presented yoga among other programmes, received applause from the audience.

The Deputy Inspector General of Police (Ramanathapuram Range), M. Ramasubramani, DRO (in-charge) Sugumar, PRO Rajarajeswari, APRO Balasubramanian among others participated.

In Sivaganga, Collector V. Rajaraman hoisted the national flag and took the salute from the police personnel. Superintendent of Police M. Paneerselvam accompanied the Collector, who inspected the march past. On the occasion, the Collector presented welfare measures worth Rs. 48 lakh to 35 persons. District Panchayat chairman Sivdevkumar, DRO S. Dhanapal, PRO Kannadasan and other officials participated. The freedom fighters were honoured and school children presented a variety entertainment.

The 66th Independence Day was celebrated with the unfurling of the national flag. Vice-Chancellor Prof. S. Sudalaimuthu took the salute and inspected a guard of honour on the university campus in Karaikudi. According to a press release, Prof. Sudalaimuthu said that India had made tremendous progress in all fronts during the last 65 years in spite of obstacles, which impede our progress. To overcome these obstacles, all should work with unity and realise our responsibilities, the Vice-Chancellor stressed. The university, had made rapid strides in the higher education scenario for which all the staffs and students have been working tirelessly. Syndicate members Dr. T.R. Gurumoorthy, Registrar (incharge) Dr. K. Uthyasuriyan, Controller of Examinations A.M. Partheepan and others participated, the press release said.

Honouring of freedom fighters and distribution of welfare assistance marked the 66th Independence Day celebration in Virudhunagar on Wednesday.

Collector T.N. Hariharan unfurled the national flag at the function held at Armed Reserve Grounds. Later, he inspected the guard of honour presented by the police and fire and rescue service personnel, home guard and National Social Service volunteers.

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Freedom fighters honoured, assistance given during Independence Day celebrations

In an attempt to woo so-called "Internet voters," both the Republican and Democratic parties are considering adopting official positions supporting a free and open Internet in their upcoming party platforms at their respective conventions, according to sources familiar with party platform drafting.

Earlier this year, Internet users organized massive online protests of several Congressional bills, such as the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), which critics said would have censored certain webpages and CISPA, a cybersecurity act that may have allowed companies to share user data with the federal government. Prominent sites such as Reddit and Wikipedia went dark on January 18 to protest SOPA, which may have shown lawmakers that Internet users would fight back against legislation they thought would hinder a "free and open" Internet.

[Photos:Online SOPAProtests]

Lawmakers "were woken up by the blackout, it was a real gamechanger for them," says Rainey Reitman, activism director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a nonprofit organization that fights for digital freedom. "I think that politicians are definitely starting to court the Internet vote," she adds.

Organizations such as the EFF and Demand Progress, a grassroots group fighting for Internet freedom, are beginning to gain traction with those in Washington as both parties consider taking official stances on the issue.

Kirsten Kukowski, a spokesperson for the Republican National Committee, said that Internet freedom and net neutrality will be among the issues discussed as the RNC decides on its official platform before this month's convention. And a source involved with drafting the Democratic National Committee platform says that early drafts included language that "advocated Internet freedom globally." The source couldn't confirm if the provision made it into the final platform.

"We heard from many people who care very passionately about a free and open Internet," he says, and that input from Internet freedom activists caused drafters to "put tougher language" in the platform.

[Four ThingsAmericansHave Learned From the SOPAFight]

Both Republicans and Democrats are in a race to capture the Internet's voting power, but if campaign donations are anything to go by, Republicans seem to have a slight lead. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, 54 percent of the $4 million that Silicon Valley-based PACs have donated have gone to Republican causes and candidates. Companies that have given more to GOP PACs include Intel, Microsoft and Facebook, while Google and Oracle have given more money to Democrats.

David Segal, head of Demand Progress, which just launched a campaign to ask both RNC and DNC officials to include Internet freedom in their party platforms, says his organization has been "talking to people on both sides" about the issue.

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Democrats Consider Officially Supporting Internet Freedom; GOP to 'Discuss' Issue

AUG 15 Media practitioners are well aware that there is no government that does not wish to suppress freedom of the press and freedom of speech in the world. And there is no political party that does not wish to manipulate the media and public opinion.

You might have heard this clich a thousand times over, but I still have to mention it here. That is, there is no absolute freedom in the world, but only relative freedom.

If you understand the above-mentioned reality, you will then find it not difficult to understand why governments around the world always introduce laws to restrict freedom of the press and freedom of speech.

Originally, the formulation and adoption of any statutes in democratic countries should consider the following points:

1. Is it necessary?

2. Is it reasonable?

3. Is it urgent?

4. Have adequate consultation, discussion and debate sessions been conducted?

The answers are not absolute for the same questions.

It depends on your viewpoint and what stand you take. Take Section 114A of the Evidence Act for example; it is definitely necessary, urgent and reasonable in the eyes of the ruling coalition.

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Rights and freedom — Lim Mun Fah

15 August 2012 Last updated at 15:59 ET

Sir Chris Hoy is set to be awarded the Freedom of Edinburgh if councillors vote to approve the honour next week.

Edinburgh's Lord Provost also vowed the city would welcome home Sir Chris and other Olympic heroes despite official celebrations being in Glasgow.

It comes after SportScotland confirmed the official victory parade for Scotland's Olympians will be held in Glasgow on Friday 14 September.

Scottish athletes won a record 13 medals at the London Games.

Lord Provost of Edinburgh Donald Wilson said the capital would host its own parade for Edinburgh Olympians.

Mr Wilson said: "While I am naturally disappointed the parade for our Olympians and Paralympians will not be held in the nation's capital, I am pleased that their fantastic achievements are being celebrated.

"This does not affect Edinburgh's intention to welcome our own local Olympians and Paralympians to their home city and to show them how proud we are of their achievements."

Sir Chris won two gold medals at the Games in London to become Britain's most successful Olympian.

Councillor Steve Cardownie added: "There is no higher - or more fitting - recognition for Sir Chris than to offer him the Freedom of the City of Edinburgh."

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Hoy set for Freedom of Edinburgh

15 August 2012 Last updated at 01:01 ET By Josephine McDermott BBC News, London

A Freedom Pass entitles Londoners to free travel from the age of 62. But few exploit the potential of free travel across the entire capital, from Hillingdon to Havering, Barnet to Bromley, quite like three retired ladies.

They have set themselves the challenge of travelling on every bus route in London from end to end and blogging about it in numerical order.

Later, the self-styled "ladies who bus", Jo Hunt, 68, from Camden, north London, Mary Rees, 68, from Peckham, south London, and Linda Smither, 65, from Forest Hill, south-east London, will take the 381 bus which passes the Freedom Pass office.

They started their challenge in March 2009 and aim to complete every journey up to the number 549, plus the 600 routes which are not school buses.

Mrs Hunt, a former History teacher at Watford Girls' School, said: "It was probably my idea. I'm not a Londoner like the other two and I was completely gobsmacked how far the buses go.

"It's amazing how lovely they are."

She said she had long been intrigued by destinations such as Creekmouth and Ponders End and the question: "What would happen if you didn't get off the bus?"

But she added: "We could still be doing this on our zimmer frames."

Before they retired Mrs Smither, Mrs Hunt's sister-in-law, was a social worker in Wandsworth and Lewisham and Mrs Rees, Mrs Hunt's cousin, was a doctor in Lambeth.

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Freedom Pass trio ride 381st bus

COLOGNE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

GAMESCOM - SteelSeries, the leading manufacturer of premium-quality, gaming peripherals today announced the SteelSeries Freedom to Play product line-up. Designed to provide Smartphone and Tablet users with a more enhanced and precise mobile gaming experience, the product line-up includes the SteelSeries Free Mobile Gaming Controller (previously introduced as Ion), the SteelSeries Free Touchscreen Gaming Controls, the SteelSeries Flux Headset, and the SteelSeries Flux In-Ear Pro Headset.

Freedom to Play is about providing players with solutions that will allow them to seamlessly choose where, when, and how they play their game without sacrificing the quality of the experience, said Bruce Hawver, SteelSeries CEO. There are companies that are working towards improving mobile gaming, from the mobile device manufacturers to the game publishers and even mobile carriers and retailers. There are a number of SteelSeries employees, including myself, who have a background in mobile and recognize that this seamless consumer experience requires all facets of this industry to work together and collaborate. The SteelSeries Freedom to Play product line-up is designed for players who want to play and experience more than just swiping and word games on their tablets and phones.

SteelSeries Free Mobile Gaming Controller - $79.99 / 79.99

The SteelSeries Free Mobile Gaming Controller is a wireless Bluetooth controller designed for cross-platform use on PC/Mac, Android Smartphones and Tablets, iPod touch, iPhone and iPad. This new breed of gaming controller brings together a compact and lightweight design with the industrys best cross-platform capability. Users will immediately recognize its familiar, classic button layout similar to Nintendo and PlayStation controllers, which includes, a Dpad button on the left, a four-button cluster on the right, select and start in the middle, 2 mini-analog sticks, and 2 shoulder buttons.

Its rechargeable, lithium battery hosts an estimated 20hrs of casual gameplay and 10hrs of non-stop playtime. Its power-save mode will turn the controller off after 3 minutes of idle time, helping to conserve its battery life. The SteelSeries Free can be easily charged by plugging in a USB/mini USB cable to your computer or mobile device. It has play-and-charge functionality, which allows users to connect the cable, charge the battery, and keep playing via Bluetooth.

PC and Mac users will be able to remap and customize all 12 buttons to their liking via the SteelSeries Engine, while mobile users will be able to download and access the SteelSeries Engine App. The SteelSeries Free Mobile Controller will be available starting in October 2012.

SteelSeries Flux Headset - $99.99 / 99.99

The SteelSeries Flux is a cross-platform, on-ear headset that can be completely customized from the way it looks to how its used. The SteelSeries Flux Headset is lightweight and comfortable, with its adjustable, FluidFIT headband and SteelSeries sound isolating, SNDBlock ear cushions that are created with a breathable, mesh-cloth material. The SteelSeries Flux may be small in stature, but its sound is loud, crisp and clear thanks to its 40mm premium-quality driver units.

Designed for maximum portability, the Flux can fold up neatly in a couple of convenient ways. The headset can fold up towards the band. In addition, each earcup can be rotated to fold the headset flat for easy storage or to comfortably show it off around your neck. The Flux offers two interchangeable cable options, one for PC and one for Mac and mobile devices. With 2 input jacks, one on each earcup, you can choose into which side the microphone cable can be plugged. The remaining input jack can be used to share your sound by simply plugging another headset into the Flux so multiple users can listen to the same device.

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SteelSeries Introduces “Freedom to Play” Mobile Gaming Peripherals Line-up

The group has raised $3 million ahead of schedule to help secure costly TV buys in Maine, Minnesota, and Washington, with help from major Republican donors including Paul Singer.

Freedom to Marry, the campaign working for marriage equality nationwide, announced that it has already met its goal of raising $3 million to be invested in three states facing ballot measures this November, with more than one third of the contributions coming from a group of major Republican donors including the billionaire hedge fund manager Paul Singer.

The organization said Monday it reached the $3 million mark with a $500,000 pledge to match donations in Washington Statedollar for dollar through August 31. In addition to Washington, Freedom to Marry is raising and channeling money to Maine and Minnesota through its Win More States Fund.

More than $1 million of the money raised for the three states has come from a group of leading Republican-affiliated donors. The group includes Singer, a major booster of presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, who diverges from his backer in supporting a federal constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. Singer has a gay son and son-in-law and has invested a total of $1.7 million in Freedom to Marry starting with campaigns in New York and New Hampshire last year, according to a spokesperson for the organization.

The Win More States Fund launched in March with a goal of raising $3 million in five targeted states for the entire campaign season, but it has reached that goal in just three states, more than two months ahead of schedule. Campaigners report intense early pressure to secure TV buys, which have skyrocketed in price this year because of competition from candidate campaigns and super PACs. Prices in the Seattle market have doubled in recent months, and costs haveincreased by nearly 30% in Portland, Maine. The money raised is also being used for public education, new media engagement tools, and field campaigns.

Early and strategic support shows that our movement has evolved into a sophisticated campaign equipped to win at the ballot box in November, said Evan Wolfson, founder and president of Freedom to Marry, in a statement. In an election season where candidate campaigns and Super PACs are snapping up television airtime, Freedom to Marry is especially pleased to be able to provide crucial early funding to support TV buys and other ways of making the case for the freedom to marry.We will continue to raise dollars and channel them into campaigns to ensure we get family stories in front of the voters and make the most personal and powerful case for why marriage matters.

The announcement follows last weeks report that the Human Rights Campaign plans to direct $1 million to the marriage campaigns in four states, sending $250,000 apiece to Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, and Washington. HRC said it has spent $4.8 million on legislative and electoral marriage issues in the 2011-2012 cycle, with more contributions expected before the campaign ends.

Marriage equality advocates hope to break a long losing streak at the ballot box this year, as polls show that increasing majorities of Americans support the right of same-sex couples to marry. Fund-raising has already broken records, where Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife MacKenzie last month contributed $2.5 million in Washington, the largest donation ever publicly reported for a marriage campaign.

While advocates currently lead opponents in money and polling, group such as the National Organization for Marriage have entered states and run advertisements at the last minute in past campaigns. The three campaigns in Maine, Minnesota, and Washington still need to raise more than $10 million, according to Freedom to Marry.

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Freedom to Marry Pours $3 Million into State Marriage Battles

AUG 13 Apparently, the government has not learned a lesson in law formulation, as the recently-passed amendments to the Evidence Act have again triggered unnecessary controversy.

Under section 114(a), those charged under the law would have to disprove their alleged wrongdoing although the posted comments might have been issued by hackers. The vague wording of the provision might also suppress the freedom of speech on the Internet. Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said that any person who posts unfavourable seditious, abusive, disinformation or spreads false or defamatory statements through conversations, conferences, telephone conversations or social media such as Facebook and Twitter, causing harm or troubles to others, the acts would be considered as criminal offences.

However, how should we define seditious remarks? It is in fact very subjective. It is the peoples right to criticise the government but some comments might be alleged to cause public discontent and thus, classified as seditious.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced on July 12 that the Sedition Act 1948 will be repealed and replaced by the National Harmony Act as an effort of the Government transformation Plan (GTP). However, the governments credibility is undermined as it is now trying to tighten control over the freedom of speech online.

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah are against section 114(a). Saifuddin said that the Bill was tabled in the Dewan Rakyat without a prior consultation with BN lawmakers. He also believes that the Dewan Rakyat should have an in-depth debate, while the responsible minister should explain further.

It is a flaw in the legislative process. Views of elected representatives, professionals and interest groups are not consulted before Bills are hastily passed in the Dewan Rakyat. Lawmakers neglect the seriousness of the Bills because there is no proper explanation from the responsible ministers as there are too many Bills to be debated within a limited time. As a result, Bills are opposed by the members of the public after they are passed in the Dewan Rakyat.

Although the government had promised not to censor the Internet when it launched the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) in August 1995, regulatory actions have in fact started. The Computing Professionals Act 2011 was planned to register all workers in the information and communications technology industry, triggering a concern that the Act might be used to control blogs, websites, Facebook and Twitter.

For new media, many countries are still in the learning and exploring process. For example, a US federal judge said clicking the Like button on Facebook is not constitutionally protected free speech. Fired Facebook users do not accept it and are now making their appeal.

Undeniably, online violence and disorder problems in Malaysia have become increasingly serious. The specification of the Internet, however, should be divided into two parts, namely the government and private use.

The authorities should retain the peoples right to criticise the government and appraise public issues. If they insist on tighter control and cause an online white terror, it will then suppress the freedom of the public to supervise the government. It is detrimental to democracy in the long run.

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Internet freedom and democracy — Lim Sue Goan

By LIM SUE GOAN Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE Sin Chew Daily

Apparently, the government has not learned a lesson in law formulation, as the recently-passed amendments to the Evidence Act have again triggered unnecessary controversy.

Under Section 114(a), those charged under the law would have to disprove their alleged wrongdoing although the posted comments might have been issued by hackers. The vague wording of the provision might also suppress the freedom of speech on the Internet.

Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said that any person who posts unfavourable seditious, abusive, disinformation or spreads false or defamatory statements through conversations, conferences, telephone conversations or social media such as Facebook and Twitter, causing harm or troubles to others, the acts would be considered as criminal offences.

However, how should we definite seditious remarks? It is in fact very subjective. It is the people's right to criticise the government but some comments might be alleged to cause public discontent and thus, classified as seditious.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced on July 12 that the Sedition Act 1948 will be repealed and replaced by the National Harmony Act as an effort of the Government transformation Plan (GTP). However, the government's credibility is undermined as it is now trying to tighten control over the freedom of speech online.

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah are against the Section 114(a). Saifuddin said that the Bill was tabled in the Dewan Rakyat without a prior consultation period with BN lawmakers. He also believes that the Dewan Rakyat should have an in-depth debate, while the responsible minister should make more explanation.

It is a flaw in the legislative process. Views of elected representatives, professionals and interest groups are not consulted before bills are hastily passed in the Dewan Rakyat. Lawmakers neglect the seriousness of the bills because there is no proper explanation from the responsible ministers as there are too many bills to be debated within a limited time. As a result, bills are opposed by the members of the public after they are passed in the Dewan Rakyat.

Although the government had promised not to censor the Internet when it launched the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) in August 1995, regulatory actions have in fact started. The Computing Professionals Act 2011 has planned to register all workers in the information and communications technology industry, triggering a concern that the Act might be used to control blogs, websites, Facebook and Twitter.

For new media, many countries are still in the learning and exploring process. For example, a US federal judge said clicking the "Like" button on Facebook is not constitutionally protected free speech. Fired Facebook users do not accept it and are now making their appeal.

See the original post here:
Internet freedom and democracy

(Photo: InterVarsity Press)

Cover of A Free People's Suicide: Sustainable Freedom and the American Future 2012, by Os Guinness, and published by InterVarsity Press.

(Photo: The Christian Post/Hudson Tsuei)

Os Guinness, critic, international speaker and author, speaks at Lausanne III in Cape Town on Monday, Oct. 18, 2010.

August 13, 2012|8:44 am

Guinness was born in China to medical missionaries and raised in England. He holds a doctorate degree from Oriel College, Oxford, has been a guest scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Studies and the Brooking's Institution, and is the author of over 25 books.

In an interview with The Christian Post, Guinness talks about his new book, immigration, the role of religion in a free society, "ordered liberty," and why the tea party and Occupy Wall Street movements have more in common than you might think.

The following is an edited transcript of that interview:

CP: What was your main purpose for writing this book?

Guinness: I think the deepest issue in America is the crisis of freedom. I'm a strong believer in St. Augustine's idea that you judge a nation by what it loves supremely. And there's no question that, over many centuries, what Americans love supremely is freedom. So I think you can judge the health of a nation by the health of freedoms today.

The rest is here:
Interview: Os Guinness Warns of Loss of Freedom in America