Stumbling toward 1984

[rfunk]

The U.S. government now requires publishers to seek licenses in order to publish works by dissident and non-dissident writers from sanctioned countries.

"These are countries that pose serious threats to the United States, to our economy and security and our well-being around the globe," Millerwise said, adding that publishers can still bring dissident writers to American readers as long as they first apply for a license.

That's funny, I don't remember the first amendment saying anything about "if the government grants a license."

(Our local paper buried this story on page G-7, a few pages beyond the advice columnists and letters to Santa.)

Comments

RE: Slouching towards Orwell

[arakinpurgatory.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I saw that. My conservative friends seem to think it's not a big deal, since it's obviously unconstitutional and will surely be ruled so -- as if the chilling effect it will have until it's overturned isn't reason enough to find it evil.