It's such a great treaty for everyone that you're not even allowed to know what's in it. That really inspires confidence.<p>The question is, what can we <i>do</i> to fight this band of scummy bastards who are trying to take our online freedom of speech and thought away from us to save the livelihoods a bunch of coke-addled record company executives? Anyone know?
The constitution, in Article II Section 2, gives the president the power to make treaties, but two-thirds of the Senate has to approve the treaty. I don't see how they can vote on it if they can't see it. (Even if they don't tend to read what they vote on, they have to be _able_ to read it.)<p>I suppose the entire Senate could be sworn to secrecy, along with their aides who do most of their reading for them, but I'm sure a bunch of them will object to that and vote no. And even if they don't, sooner or later the law has to be made public so it can be enforced, so any senators who vote for it will be held accountable. (To the extent they're ever held accountable for their votes.)<p>So this may be classified now, but I don't see how it can remain that way if it's going to become a treaty. It'd have to become a classified executive order that's not subject to congressional approval. That may not satisfy whoever is pushing for a full-fledged treaty, though.
This is the way our governments are going. The business of government is so sensitive and delicate that it must be done quietly, by experts who understand all the issues, and can be trusted to do the job right. We must give them the privacy they need to do that job. Scrutiny from the public, ignorant and clamouring, can only be detrimental to that lofty goal. We know what is best for you. Don't worry, we'll take care of it for you. Just turn the TV on and soothe yourself with the latest episode of X Idol. Everything will be fine.<p>If this doesn't worry you, you should read this book:<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Voltaires-Bastards-Dictatorship-Reason-West/dp/0679748199/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255564508&sr=8-2" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Voltaires-Bastards-Dictatorship-Reason...</a><p>And if it does worry you, you'll also find it interesting.
The description of the treaty based on the supposedly leaked documents makes it sound absolutely horrible.<p>I'd be tempted to say that it must be a nasty rumor but if that was the case, the logical course of action by the government would be to make portions of the treaty public to lay to rest the concerns.<p>They haven't, which leads me to wonder if it really <i>is</i> as bad as the rumors indicate.
We would not even have developed Language if these kinds of rules existed in the past.<p>Really. You spoke of what you saw? That's a public performance. Pay up.