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OUR PARADISE - FREEDOM OF SPEECH

Discussion in 'Amateur Radio News' started by Guest, Aug 26, 2001.

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  1. Guest

    Guest Guest

    wb6bnq writes "Hello David (F1SXC / W5SXC), </p></p>

    In response to your article "TROUBLES IN FRANCE SINCE 1996," I feel a rebuttal is necessary. I have no doubt that circumstances are different in France, just as they would be in any other country. To the casual visitor, it indeed looks like the United States is paradise, and for most it is. However, I think your youthful exuberance in this matter is seriously lacking in wisdom, experience, and historical education. This paradise did not happen overnight and it did not happen because everyone sat in the proverbial garden and quietly meditated. It came at a price, and a big one at that ! </p></p>



    Our paradise started because of the wisdom and foresight of the founding fathers of this country, the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. Their extremely insightful visions laid the foundation for our success. While divided in thought, they masterfully debated their positions before agreeing on the result. </p></p>

    The key factors, besides limiting the government's control over personal freedoms, are the two-party process and three distinctly separate branches of government that provides a system of "checks and balances." In a ONE party system, like the ARRL, you do not have a government of, by, and for the people; you have a dictatorship. </p></p>

    Nothing is ever permanent, and freedoms won need to be constantly safeguarded against erosion. History details many crusades, while in the name of religion, peace, or other precept that were really campaigns to gain power and control at the expense of someone's freedom. Erosion occurs even on a small scale and within local arenas. The history of the United States is not without many such trials and tribulations in all sectors of our society. This covers actions by Congress, but also at the very local level of your next door neighbor. </p></p>

    For example, it used to be that when you bought a piece of property it was yours to do with as you so wished. Nowadays you need a permit for just about anything you want to do. So do we really own the property anymore ? The answer is NOT REALLY !!! Depending upon where you live, it could be the neighborhood from hell. </p></p>

    In tightly controlled housing areas, your neighbor can complain about the color of your house and force you to change it. Also, they can force everyone to park their cars in the garage and not in the driveway, as happens in some parts of Southern California. Legally called covenants and deed restrictions, developers use them to make sure that conditions do not change while they are trying to sell all of their units. Also, while the developer is still in control, he will create a housing association that controls these covenants and administers the common areas of that particular housing development. After the developer is gone, the local citizens are placed in control of the association with voting rights. Generally, the vocal ones seem to stay in power, making everyone's life miserable. </p></p>

    How does this relate to the ARRL ? While the ARRL has done some good, it is not without an intent to gain wealth. From an organizational point of view, wealth is stability and the means to carry out its agenda. Therefore, the prime directive is to gain wealth to further its prosperity. </p></p>

    Amateur Radio is a limited environment, both in terms of the numbers of people and as a base of wealth to cash in on. If the ARRL cannot get everyone to join on their own, then the ARRL has to find ways to influence the rest of the Amateur community to join, whether they want to or not. </p></p>

    The United States Government has been contracting many job functions to the private (i.e., non government) sector. The FCC has done similar activities with certain functions. One approach used by the ARRL is to try to gain control of some areas of the Amateur environment through privatization. If the ARRL can get the FCC to privatize some, if not all, aspects of the Amateur administration, then all Amateur radio operators in the United States would feel compelled to join the ARRL to make sure they are represented. This would go a long way to increasing the wealth of the ARRL. Of course, such a notion is a complete fallacy. </p></p>

    The United States of America is a REPUBLIC. A REPUBLIC is a representative form of government. This means that the citizens vote for a representative, who then votes on the issues before the body of representatives (i.e., Congress). </p></p>

    The ARRL, like the United States, is also a REPUBLIC form of government, with one BIG difference. It does not have a two-party process, nor does it have any system of "checks and balances." So, those in power are in total control, no matter what the member's wishes may be. </p></p>

    The ARRL has been secretive in their nature, obfuscating, if not outright misrepresenting, the facts and deceptive in their intent with many issues. For example, and contrary to FCC rules, the ARRL tried to get the FCC to make a declarative agreement on their version of a band plan. The deceptive intent was to gain a defacto codification of their band plan. In a secretive effort and hoping for no public disclosure, the ARRL submitted a "REQUEST FOR CLARIFICATION." This informal process normally requires no public disclosure or comment. </p></p>

    Fortunately, those of us that try to keep an eye on such underhanded dealings became aware of this submission and filed opposing comments. The FCC recognized and obviously felt that it was a hot issue. In action unheard of, the FCC assigned a "RULE REQUEST" number to the "REQUEST FOR CLARIFICATION" and opened it up to public comment. The ARRL filed a rather pointed response to all this that clearly proves the facts in my previous paragraph. Read the public record by searching for "RM-9259" on the FCC ECFS web site. In another attempt, "RM-9150," the ARRL tried to have control of the enforcement of the Amateur community through privatization, although it, most likely, would have been challenged in court. </p></p>

    One of the most guarded rights in this country is the right to freedom of speech. You have a right to voice your opinion and be heard by your government. The ARRL does not have, nor to my knowledge subscribes to, such an edict. To my knowledge, the ARRL has never published a dissenting point of view in their publications, no matter how well the author may have written it, even if from one of their own members. </p></p>

    Both of the above requests for "Rule Making," and others, have been turned down because of public sentiment expressed through comment. The "Freedom of Speech" that you so cavalierly want to deny us is the very essence that makes our society the paradise that everyone seems to like. </p></p>

    While your plight is unfortunate, by your own admission, it is the fault of the Amateur radio operators in France. Perhaps, if they put more effort into meaningful discourse they could find a way to change those conditions. Suggesting that one forgoes his right to freedom of speech just because it is better at his location is definitely not the answer. </p></p>

    73's....Bill....WB6BNQ </p></p>"
     
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