Dear Socially Uncensored Community,
When I started Socially Uncensored, I wanted to develop a community to which everyone could freely express themselves and openly talk about any topic. For me making such a community was both personal and to help solve an ongoing public problem.
At the turn of the last century it would have seem that we had begun to reached a climax were free speech and information was freely evolving. Many new thoughts, ideals, information, and opinions were open for further reflection, debate, and public discussion. But some where or some how, society hit a wall and either began to revert back or simply stop its growth.
In today's society, it has almost become "taboo" (not recommend or not completely allowed) to openly and freely speak out on select subject of interest. It has become "taboo" in many societies to freely express ones point of view or self-expression. This is an ongoing issue to which affects many individuals in everyday life. More than often, in today's society; speaking openly and freely has become discouraged.
Perhaps the majority of society knew things were not turning out for the best out in the public world, in regarding freedom of information and self-expression. Or maybe the majority felt it was just easier to take their information and self-expression into the digital world we call The Internet (The World Wide Web). I can only speculate the how or why and I just assume everyone who has done so or simply followed suite, has had their own personal reasons.
Now today, once again; society seems to be hitting yet another wall. Our digital world (The Internet) to which many have flocked to continue to share their opinions, thoughts, self-expression, and information; continues to be threatened by individuals, organizations, and even governments whom which to further make it "taboo" (not recommend or not completely allowed).
I can only speculate or often make a good educated guess as to; why? But it is happening.
Most disappointingly, the country to which is attempting to lead the world in further censoring The Internet and the flow of information, opinions, and self-expression on The Internet is not China... As you can not attempt what you have already accomplished, but you can further develop on your accomplishments. Rather my deepen disappointment is knowing that the county to which has shouted out to the world, about freedom of information, opinions, thoughts, and ideals... Is indeed the country today, to which is seemingly seeking to censor The Internet; America.
In the last few years, no other leading county in the world has passed so many laws or has attempted to pass so many bills and enactments, to which would further restrict privacy, impose censorship, and restrict the freedom of information on The Internet. You only need to do some searching on CBS News, Fox News, ABC News, or even The BBC to get a small sample on how much pending legislation has been written up for future debate or has already been passed into law.
An example of such is last month, a legal and valid company in Spain, which was not an American company or even employed a single American or ever did business in America; was such down online because it did not comply to American standards. If today, you Google the word INTERNET in Google News, you will find a few hundred news reports (on valid sources) on how our government is attempting to censor, restrict, or even limit privacy, information, and self-expression through The Internet.
The truth is America controls all .Com , .Net , .Org , and .Info domain names. So it really does not matter where on the planet you live, do business, or pay your taxes. If you own a .Com , .Net , .Org , or .Info domain name; The American Government can without a fair trial or warning, shut down your website and take full control over it. If you search Google or even CNN, you will learn that our Government is even trying to find ways to shut off The Internet, if they feel the need.
So now we have to face a few simple facts....
Socially Uncensored is an uncensored community. And we want to remain an uncensored community. Socially Uncensored has always respected our member's privacy. And we want to continue respecting our members and their privacy.
I have no disillusion. At this time, there is no perfect place in this world. We can only hope for the best. And for sometime now, the best has not been here. In regarding to the freedom of information, the freedom of the press, and the freedom of speech to discuss thoughts, opinions, ideals, and to openly debate on The Internet; a few other countries do stand out above The USA. And there are some things I feel I should do, to protect our ever-growing community and it's members.
---- I will be changing Socially Uncensored from its domain, SociallyUncensored.com to SociallyUncensored.eu . This domain name is govern with The European Union. This will help prevent a single country's government, from discontinuing our domain name.
---- I will be moving our community to be hosted in Sweden. This is the leading developing county which supports The Freedom of Speech, The Freedom of The Press, The Freedom of Information, and has better privacy laws. This will allow Socially Uncensored to remain uncensored.
---- Our Terms of Services, will no longer be governed through The Laws of The United States, but rather will be governed through The Laws of Sweden.
Members will not need to re-register (re-join) and no forum post or blog post will be lost. Members will not need to update their bookmarks, but you are encouraged to do so after the name change. SociallyUncensored.com will automatically send you to SociallyUncensored.eu once the change takes effect.
I truly feel this is indeed what is best for our community. But should anyone have any questions, concerns, or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment.
