SOCIAL NETWORKS ARE NO LONGER 'OH WOW!' NOVELTIES -

Social networks and other large, public conversational spaces on the net were once quaint, "Oh Wow!" novelties. They are no longer that.  They are now essential implements for being an effective member of our society and participating fully as citizens in our democracy.

'OWNERSHIP' IS NO EXCUSE FOR THE ABUSE OF CITIZEN RIGHTS

With the Net and its various social and civic platforms we are now in the realm of the public commons. The days must come to an end where the owners of networks such as facebook or google can arbitrarily, capriciously or selectively exclude users intrude on a citizen's privacy or otherwise manipulate us under cover of "ownership". 

These spaces are now no different than other public commons and public accommodations such as restaurants, buses, golf-courses, restrooms, social clubs and the like.  There is no more reason for invasive "real name" policies, or barring access for content or opinion or any other reason than patently abusive speech (outright threats, blatant vulgarity and other violations of universal norms of conduct, which also regulate the use of real world public commons.)   

The "private ownership" excuse of these networks  for violating such rights as those granted through Constitutional guarantees or Civil Rights legislation for their real-world cousins  must be prohibited by law. "Ownership" must no longer be tolerated as a license to violate citizen rights in order to serve the ambitions and self-interests of owners.  

IT IS UP TO ALL OF US TO PUT AN END TO THIS ABUSE OF POWER BY OUR SOCIAL NETWORKS AND DEMAND FULL PROTECTION OF OUR CIVIL RIGHTS BY INCLUDING THE PUBLIC COMMONS OF THE NET WITHIN THE LEGAL SCOPE OF THOSE PROTECTIONS - MAKE IT SO:

                                            SIGN THIS PETITION

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

This petition didn't suddenly appear out of thin air.  What got my dander up was a personal assault on my account and the pages of my newspaper THE SACRAMENTO Z  by Facebook. That lockout was wrongful, arbitrary, capricious and damaging not only to me, but to the ability of our press, The Z, to function. Facebook has since rescinded its action (we don't know why, or for how long) HOWEVER, I WISH TO MAKE IT CLEAR, THIS PETITION IS NOT ABOUT 'RED SLIDER' or THE SACRAMENTO Z or their troubles.  Through that experience we became aware of just how damaging and anti-american it is to continue to leave the matter of basic citizen rights to the arbitrary and unaccountable interests of private ownership.  You are invited to learn more about the case of Red Slider and The Z Newspaper in our current story on the matter and in future editions of the Z.  - please sign the petition and pass it along to your friends and networks.