Iranians Outwit Censors With Falun Gong Software 171
Hugh Pickens writes "The NY Times reports that since last year more than 400,000 Iranians began surfing the uncensored Web using software created for the Falun Gong, a spiritual movement that has been suppressed by the Chinese government since 1999. More than 20 countries now use increasingly sophisticated blocking and filtering systems for Internet content, according to Reporters Without Borders, including Iran, China, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Syria. The creators of the software seized upon by Iranians are members of the Global Internet Freedom Consortium, based largely in the United States and closely affiliated with Falun Gong. Interestingly enough, the United States government and the Voice of America have financed some of the circumvention technology efforts, and a coalition is organizing to push for more Congressional financing of anti-filtering efforts, bringing together dissidents of Vietnam, Iran, the Uighur minority of China, Tibet, Myanmar, Cuba, Cambodia, Laos, as well as the Falun Gong, to lobby Congress for the financing. 'What is our leverage toward a country like Iran? Very little,' said Michael Horowitz, a fellow at the Hudson Institute. 'Suppose we have the capacity to make it possible for the president of the United States at will to communicate with hundreds of thousands of Iranians at no risk or limited risk? It just changes the world.'"
I have a dream... (Score:5, Funny)
Patronizing as hell (Score:2, Funny)
"'Suppose we have the capacity to make it possible for the president of the United States at will to communicate with hundreds of thousands of Iranians at no risk or limited risk? It just changes the world.'"
Right, because those dumb Iranians couldn't possibly know anything until POTUS tells 'em about it. Obama will just do a two minute webcast on how many great jobs are available in the American auto industry, bookended by lolcats, and the government will fall!
Sheesh.
Re:Information does not "want" to be free. (Score:5, Funny)
Anthropomorphism hates being used in an analogy.
Re:As the son of an Iranian refugee (Score:1, Funny)
really bizarre things like ultra-temporary marriages to allow single men the pleasures of prostitutes legally under Sharia.
1:01am Get married
1:02am Get divorce
1:03am Profit
Re:Great Idea, but Wait 4 Years Please (Score:4, Funny)
Yes "I'm sorry we didn't prevent the Islamic revolution in 1979".
Re:As the son of an Iranian refugee (Score:2, Funny)
This is Slashdot, so you're probably right about the time estimate.
More death to America (Score:1, Funny)
After downloading videos of Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Michael Jackson and the Octomom, Iranians will probably turn off their computers and go outside to continue their "Death to America" chant!