Is the Internet a right or a privilege?

[MikeSouth]

Technically it may depend on how you define a "right"

legally speaking rights are not tangible things you have a right to bear arms for instance but that doesnt mean that you have the right to expect taxpayers to provide you with a gun

by the same token you may well argue that you have a right to purchase internet connectivity and I wouldnt disagree with you but you have no right legally or otherwise to force the government to give you internet service at the expense of taxpayers any more than they should be required to provide you with a gun.

rights are something you exercize not something that someone gives you.

[EmporerEJ]

Originally Posted by MikeSouth

rights are something you exercize not something that someone gives you.

especially the unalienable ones......

[Rcourt64]

Originally Posted by EmporerEJ

especially the unalienable ones......

If they can take it away from you, or charge you for it, then it wasn't yours to begin with.

[Rcourt64]

Originally Posted by MikeSouth

Technically it may depend on how you define a "right"

legally speaking rights are not tangible things you have a right to bear arms for instance but that doesnt mean that you have the right to expect taxpayers to provide you with a gun

by the same token you may well argue that you have a right to purchase internet connectivity and I wouldnt disagree with you but you have no right legally or otherwise to force the government to give you internet service at the expense of taxpayers any more than they should be required to provide you with a gun.

rights are something you exercize not something that someone gives you.

ok, So how are my rights to purchase Internet decide on or taken away or even charged to retain and keep??? they're suppose to be free?
..my rights I mean. not the Internet or the gun or the drivers license.
In a society when exercising my rights has become a necessity of survival to be able to cope with todays advanced technologies and lifestyles, and keeping a roof over my head? and the kids in school? ......hmmm. should I continue...
But to be able to exercise my free rights, I need to seek permission first. and that's wrong.

[EmporerEJ]

Originally Posted by MikeSouth

Technically it may depend on how you define a "right"

legally speaking rights are not tangible things you have a right to bear arms for instance but that doesnt mean that you have the right to expect taxpayers to provide you with a gun

by the same token you may well argue that you have a right to purchase internet connectivity and I wouldnt disagree with you but you have no right legally or otherwise to force the government to give you internet service at the expense of taxpayers any more than they should be required to provide you with a gun.

rights are something you exercize not something that someone gives you.

Since we are slicing and dicing this issue, I take some exception with you on the "force the government to give you internet service at the expense of taxpayers" statement.


There is a tiny flicker of an argument for this statement. The "internet" or Darpanet/Arpanet was originally created with taxpayer's money, and so "belongs to the people."
It is still "controlled" to a degree by the government through various rules, regulations, sponsorships etc.
So, at it's core, it DOES belong "to the people." And to an extent, they ARE entitled to it, or at least, equal access. (And now we start the tier argument)

[ali25extreme]

Get a nanny cam on them....help the employment of others..and have the offenders pay for that privilege to earn their rights back!!!