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Sneak attack on Internet freedom of speech
By Mr. Blint (about the author) Page 3 of 4 page(s)
The Implications
Knight-Jadczyk and Honegger are not the only truth activists to be attacked, to be sure. The difference in this particular case is the fact that a lawsuit against writings unrelated to truth activism has been filed against a truth activist that could well lead to a crackdown on all speculation and the free exchange of information that is not officially endorsed, across the Internet.
In other words, this case really appears to be about silencing dissent and controversial research via a variation on the "Thirty-Six Stratagems". The fact that it easily flies under the radar of most public awareness, appearing to be some sort of turf way, may be deliberate if one looks at this with a wider view. Make no mistake about it, this IS a turf war, but the turf is the Constitution of the United States. The turf is our right to examine the world in the way we see fit, to share the results of our examinations and to speak out against what we perceive as lies and injustice.
What is at stake could well be the ability of any of us to speak truth in public at all, ever.
Ms. Knight-Jadczyk seems to be making the most of the time we have left to speak openly. She has freely posted the various legal documents filed in this case, providing a truly unique inside look at a very important suit. A summary of the charges filed by Pepin can be found here with the full complaint and demand for jury trial here. Documents filed in response can be found on the forum in question here. I would encourage you to read the entire forum thread, though it is quite long. It is very informative and interesting reading, providing an inside look at the way the truth is twisted to silence any search for the truth.
For example, in the original complaint, Pepin's attorneys state, "HBI is dedicated to helping its customers relieve stress, reduce anxiety, and achieve emotional balance and spiritual enlightenment through meditation techniques." All of that seems pretty much in line with mainstream meditation.
However, the HBI website claims that by taking their "Core 1" course, "you will acquire a foundation of knowledge and techniques that will develop your Dimensional Consciousness and begin to activate your Sixth Sense...learn how to feed and enhance your energy body with prana...cultivate and harness energy that you can direct towards experiencing profound states of consciousness." Typical snake-oil, reminiscent of the convolutions and outright fabrications of the Bush administration in justifying attacking Iraq.
Pepin's attorneys go on to claim that, "Many of HBI's existing and potential customers read the SOTT [sott.net] website as a source of alternative media." There is the heart of the matter. Even a cursory reading of SOTT shows that this is a site that encourages you to think, to look at things in a way you probably haven't before. Pepin's site, on the other hand, reminds one of a hypnotist chanting, "Listen to my voice, you will do everything I say. Go to sleep and forget about 9-11 and Truth and activism."
If this suit was only about this suit, I suppose you would be justified in asking, "So what?" But this suit is about much more. Those who write for the alternative media or follow the evidence that denies the official story about 9-11 or the war in Iraq face this every day. You understand how the snake-oil salesmen do everything they can to marginalize you and shut you up.
This suit is about legal precedent.
What I find most interesting about the claims made by Pepin and his attorneys is that, "According to the SOTT website, 'cointelpro' is essentially 'any covert or underhanded activity aimed at destroying movements or ideas the power structure finds threatening while maintaining deniability.'" This is what he is fighting against? Well, I'm sorry Mr. Pepin, but that makes me want to join hands with the folks who run SOTT. Clearly, they have a clue about what is going on.
The question is, of course, how, exactly, can someone can get away with suing over a comment made on a public forum about articles printed in public media and conclusions they have come to after reading those articles? It's very simple, and it should strike fear in the hearts of every commenter, blogger and journalist, and even ordinary citizen out there. How many times have you read the facts about anything at all and formed an opinion based on those facts and then expressed that opinion by voice or in writing?
Are you ready to give up that right?
When one has a good deal of money, as Pepin clearly must if his sales are such that this comment could cost him over $1 million, one can easily hire an attorney and file the suit. When the suit is filed against someone who apparently has no money, which seems to be the case here as sott.net actually had to ask its readers for donations in order to hire an attorney to defend itself, one also has a tremendous head start toward winning the suit. As a matter of fact, in this case Pepin has even more of a head start since Knight-Jadczyk apparently does not even reside in the United States. What a setup.
But it's not just a set-up for sott.net or Knight-Jadczyk, it is a set-up for society, for the Internet in particular, and for activism and dissent specifically. That should give us pause to consider what is driving Eric Pepin besides money?
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