Off topic post.
The First amendment explicitly states your right as a United States Citizen.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
I started this blog to own my social media. Simple enough right? I wanted to share things I found on the Web about tech and bikes that I was already sharing on Tumblr, Posterious, Facebook, Twitter, and a myriad of other social networks. Aside from the obvious (family and friends) technology and cycling are the two most important things to me in life. Take one away from me and I’m useless. Emerging technologies, the best way I can put it, inspire me. Riding is simple, it IS my life. But the developments from Iran throughout today profoundly changed the way I view those values and my first amendment rights. I do take for granted that I can randomly chose to start a blog and write whatever I want. I can criticize my government to my hearts content without fear of retribution, torture, or death. So today, aside from a few tech posts, through 3:00 PM EST, I didn’t feel right. I was missing something.
I promised myself years ago I would never watch footage of the death of another human being online again. No mater how newsworthy. Today, I broke that promise and watched a young Iranian women die in front of my eyes. I cannot begin to presume the pain and suffering her family and loved ones are going through at this time. If that event is a catalyst for continued demonstration and change so be it, but the video is both disturbing and incredibly sad to watch.
I spent a lot of time today on Twitter, FriendFeed, and Facebook, I watched news reports on CNN and visited a myriad of blogs and websites. I couldn’t help but to follow the most recent developing stories from Iran. There is an obvious technology tie in, Mashable continues to report on the crises with stories Iran Election Crisis: 10 Incredible YouTube Videos and Useful Google Map: Embassies Accepting Injured in Iran, Twitter’s trending topics have consistently listed #iran, #iranelection, Iranians etc… and a host of news reporting agencies acknowledge the roll of social networks in telling the Iranian story, as it unfolds. As I followed throughout the day, I couldn’t help myself but think about the relatively secure, open, and government friendly lives we lead in the US.
I live in Brooklyn, aside from the sh*te you can get into while walking to the corner bodega you don’t have that much to worry about when it comes to basic human rights (exclude the obvious.) Unequivocally, at times I just assume I have a basic human right as a citizen living under this democracy to demonstrate and display discontent. That is not what’s happening today in Iran.
“The right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
