and then there's that monkey thing

I read the article and, from what I've read, I agree that enforcing these regulations, which have actually been in place since 1917, is a bad idea. Does this mean that the regulation will stand, or that President Bush is trying to "sanitize" information coming into this country? That is a big stretch.

First of all, there is a very real chance the regulation will be shot down in court. Secondly, this regulation could hurt the Bush Administration far more than it might help. Take for example books being published by foreign dissidents that support the Bush Administration's stance on the war against terror.

It sounds like there is more to this whole issue than this one article is willing or able to discuss.

Thanks,

David

Wow... but nothing surprises me anymore. We live in a time where government doesn't listen to anyone anymore. I guess this is "political capital", to stop free thought... now I get it.

That's why blogs provide a voice to the individual, which can be amplified and broadcast far more effectively, IMHO than books. Dead wood is passe, methinks, as a form of publication.

books have their place but compared to the Internet they are v-e-r-y s-l-o-w

you rarely need to use your imagination for anything on the Internet. Books allow that.

I think that skill is falling and failing.

Sometimes, often s-l-o-w is better for understanding but peoplearejustinahurry.

Government doesn't listen anymore? Tell me when it did. Each administration of either party tries to manipulate and spin public opinion. I've never seen otherwise in my lifetime.

Not a justification of the Bush Admin, though. I would like to see US publishers free to print whatever the heck they like.

Books aren't dead, just a luxury... a cold rainy day inside with a hardcover and a tea is a comforting day to be sure.

The 'sanitizing' remark is a cumulative observation based on this, the unwillingness to show the wounded soldiers, the coffins of the dead, the blackout on honest reporting on WMD's before the war, etc.

The fact that the administration is resurecting an unused regulation at this point in history does give one pause however, but point taken on the reverse application.

I absolutely agree with Temple that there is no substitute for a good book on a rainy day - my, and I believe others' point is that for those unable to express themselves in print, the Internet is a valuable mode of information dissemination.

Of course, remember that over 80% of the Internet is still text, and imagination runs wild with text, paper or electronic.

Aaman what is rthe difference between expressing yourself in prnt and expressng yourself on the Internet.

Cost obviously, but it seemed you were saying something more. And I am relieved people still like books - because I plan to sell one soon (and not my dog-eared copy of Dune either.

On the plus side,

1. Reach - easily propagated memes

2. Unrestrained expression

On the minus side,

1. lack of editorial control means poor presentation,

2. Inability to be heard in the crowd - graphomania as a form of censorship (there's a thought)

I'm sure there are more aspects that can be cited.

And if that was your point, then saying Dead wood is passe, methinks, as a form of publication.
seems ot say a wee bit more tan that.

Well, let's get off dead wood and onto the topic at hand - stifling dissent. The Internet is more adept at circumventing such measures than publishers. Thus, my point.

I see it as looking at two ends of a funnel: the narrow end is tradtional publishing, with high barriers to entry, and the open end is the Internet where the barriers are very low making it very hard if not impossible to stifle dissent or anything else

In case you haven't seen it already, the latest Straight Up column on the main page of blogcritics reports on the same theme that the US government has finally allowed Shirin Ebadi to publish her books, besides dropping restrictions on other foreign writers.

Did blogcritics affect the meme?

A blog doesn't look right on the coffee table.

great to hear regardless...

I do not seef the rise of the Internet as reflecting negatively upon books, but as a complement and supplement to them. Books are completed wholes while the Internet is an unending work in progress. We need both