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During the past decade, our society has become based solely on the ability to move

large amounts of information across large distances quickly. Computerization has

influenced everyone's life. The natural evolution of computers and this need for

ultra-fast communications has caused a global network of interconnected computers

to develop. This global net allows a person to send E-mail across the world in mere

fractions of a second, and enables even the common person to access information

world-wide. With advances such as software that allows users with a sound card to

use the Internet as a carrier for long distance voice calls and video conferencing, this

network is key to the future of the knowledge society. At present, this net is the

epitome of the first amendment: free speech. It is a place where people can speak

their mind without being reprimanded for what they say, or how they choose to say it.

The key to the world-wide success of the Internet is its protection of free speech, not

only in America, but in other countries where free speech is not protected by a

constitution. To be found on the Internet is a huge collection of obscene graphics,

Anarchists' cookbooks and countless other things that offend some people. With over

30 million Internet users in the U.S. alone (only 3 million of which surf the net from

home), everything is bound to offend someone. The newest wave of laws floating

through law making bodies around the world threatens to stifle this area of

spontaneity. Recently, Congress has been considering passing laws that will make it

a crime punishable by jail to send "vulgar" language over the net, and to export

encryption software. No matter how small, any...