Censorship

Looking through the list of websites and content that have been shut down by the US Government and other large scale entities, I notice that some have good reason to be shut down, but it is arguable that these censorship activities may have ulterior motives and selfish interests.

The 2 examples of content that were censored after 9/11 includes (but is not limited to) the following: (source)

A. Michael Moore's publisher insisted that he revise his book to be less critical of Bush. Discouraging a citizen from criticizing the government is basically going against what this nation was built upon. As long as it is not entirely slander, then it should be a valid comment by a concerned citizen on the state of the nation. Shutting out that dissenting voice only allows the government to continue down a path that may not be beneficial to the nation.

B. Baraboo News Republic cans Todd Persch - being fired for expressing one's viewpoints, the company may have its own interests to protect, but it is ideally wrong when comparing to the right to freedom of expression that we are endowed by the Bill of Rights.

Those are just two examples, but it is apparent that there were and probably are numerous instances where dissenting voices are muffled by higher powers. Not only does it violate the 1st amendment, but it also shows that citizens must not be passive and let these voices be muffled by the government or selfish interests that may damage the public good.