[tn135]

Sorry. I do not think people commenting on some document has anything to do with democracy that might be mob or troll rule but it isn't democracy (not that I am a fan of democracy either).

Personally I agree with FCC's stand and keeping governments and elites who want everyone else to pay more for their "fair use" out of the equation looks like a good thing for me. I don't have time to comment on that document because I agree with administration.

[loup-vaillant]

> Sorry. I do not think people commenting on some document has anything to do with democracy

What would have something to do with democracy, then?

[tn135]

Voting.

[nerdponx]

It's a shame you're being downvoted for sharing your opinion. Personally I think you're delusional, but it's not like downvotes are going to change your mind.

[sdoering]

Thanks for being a voice of reason and free speech. I also do not agree in the slightest with the OP, but non the less being down-voted to hell is a bit harsh imho.

That is not how democracy should work. We should counter his (missing) arguments. Sadly he/she/it did not provide anything substantial on that one could base a valid argument.

[croon]

> Thanks for being a voice of reason and free speech. I also do not agree in the slightest with the OP, but non the less being down-voted to hell is a bit harsh imho.

> We should counter his (missing) arguments. Sadly he/she/it did not provide anything substantial on that one could base a valid argument.

The last part is really the point though, isn't it?

"Free speech" is continually misused, in the sense that people expect everyone else to listen to mad ramblings. Presenting a "counterpoint" (on whichever platform/venue/outlet) in the quest to be fair when the original point is simply a fact isn't fair coverage, it's pandering to lunacy.

[mrout]

Sorry for the harsh language, but that's fucking ridiculous in this context.

Free speech? Free speech doesn't exist so that people can make ridiculous comments like 'taking comments from the public into account when making policy is mob rule'. Free speech exists so that people can make those comments on policy and have them heard.

[nerdponx]

You're wrong too --- but only in my opinion. What free speech really "exists for" is hard to pin down[1].

It's actually an interesting legal perspective. These are unelected officials, appointed by an indirectly elected official (albeit confirmed by directly elected ones) interacting directly with the public. It's a bizarre reversal of the Jeffersonian republic, like a direct democracy nested deep inside a republic. The fact that the poster is totally wrong does not alone make the idea worth censoring.

If you don't listen to people who disagree with you, how can you hope to engage them in debate? Case in point: you got downvoted so many times you were [flagged] and [dead], and I vouched for you. 1) You didn't deserve it. 2) I wanted to bring you back so I could make the point that, under your idea of free speech, you'd still be [dead].

[1]: https://www.thefire.org/a-reminder-about-shouting-fire-in-a-...

[tn135]

> Free speech? Free speech doesn't exist so that people can make ridiculous comments like 'taking comments from the public into account when making policy is mob rule'. Free speech exists so that people can make those comments on policy and have them heard.

You are flat out WRONG.

Free speech exists for all sort of speech including mocking, ridiculing and being outright stupid and retarded too.

> Free speech exists so that people can make those comments on policy and have them heard.

Free speech has nothing to do with policy, government, state or laws. It is an independent right that exists for no specific purpose other than itself.

And in this case it appears to be "free speech for you as long as you voice your support for me".

[tn135]

I am the OP. I don't even bother to look at downvotes and the fact that an opinion is unpopular does not really say anything about the merits of the argument.

I am pretty sure HN crowd will hound anyone who claims to agree with FCC on this point which I do.