MEUCCIS TELEPHONE WTF-VENITISM: TRANSATLANTIC DIGITAL SINGLE MARKET

By Neelie KroesToday I want to post about the relations between EU and US. About what opportunities new technology brings for that relationship. And about how we can share and work together to bring digital benefits to each other – and to the whole world.For any long-term relationship, it's tempting to focus on the difficulties and disputes rather than what binds you together.The relations between the EU and US are a case in point. Those relations are longstanding and vital, but we often find ourselves focusing on the differences and divisions, not the on opportunities.I am a great friend and fan of this alliance. But we need to take account of how the world is transforming: a change that affects each of us and our relationship.Especially when you look at technological advances and the development of the Internet economy.For any new technology, it's easier to spot the threats than the opportunities. My approach is not to ignore those issues; still less to dismiss them. My approach is to understand and learn from them, in all their subtlety and complexity. And figure out what we can do – together - to make the threats benign and the opportunities beneficial.I am an optimist on these issues. I see the positive side – because only then can we seize the great opportunities of digital. But I know not everyone does. And we need to engage with and talk to the sceptics, not ignore them.Recent revelations about mass surveillance and recent examples of Internet fraud, hacking and cybercrime have been deeply shocking: to many in Europe: and to many in the USA too.Shock is a natural reaction; so is outrage. But I look at it slightly more positively and pragmatically.Really this was a wake-up call. Those recent events woke people up to the reality and the risk. It underlined what some have known for ages: we must strengthen our defences. And that is what I am pushing for Europe to do.Because the real risk is a loss of confidence in the Internet. We cannot allow poor planning – or bad sentiment – to endanger the huge economic and social benefits that flow from digital technologies and servicesTake America's dominance in new tech. It's true that many of the big names and big platforms are from America – Apple, Google, Amazon, Facebook. But Europe also offers many startup hubs – and with them, success stories - Skype, Spotify, Swiftkey, Rovio and more.In fact many ICT innovations used across the world came from Europe. From Marconi's radio and Meucci's telephone; from the CD to the standards for GSM, WiFi, Bluetooth and more.Meanwhile European companies like SAP and BMW are embracing and innovating for digital change.I don’t see American leadership as a threat; this is not a competition; at least not one with losers. Wherever they come from, Europeans benefit from those innovations; millions use and enjoy them every day. And we can also learn from how America works and how it innovates.For me it starts with the mindset that is prepared to take a risk. That's something I really saw in Silicon Valley.Hundreds of years ago, the first Europeans left home to sail west.They weren't afraid to take a risk, to leave their comfort zone, to break out somewhere new. That risk paid off. Now we need to learn that lesson back in Europe.If we are serious about nurturing innovation and innovators: Europeans need to realise that it's OK to fail. It's not shameful, it's not a stigma, it's not a black spot on your career.Quite the opposite: it is absolutely needed. You simply cannot innovate without taking a risk. So if you never failed – you probably weren't ever trying.That lesson is just one of many things we can share and learn from each other.And let's remember what the internet can do on the global stage. It is a powerful platform to promote freedom and democracy.Bloggers in Egypt; activists in Azerbaijan; those challenging a Twitter ban in Turkey.Over the years, I have met all those people, and been inspired by them all. They are people fighting for freedom; and their weapon is the Internet, most amazing engine for spreading ideas ever invented.These are not just European values; they are American too. When those same settlers left Europe, they were not afraid to change; but equally they did not abandon their vital values. And today, together Europe and the US are the world's natural home of freedom and democracy. Together we can ensure that helps the world.The fact is: fundamentally the EU and US share many values. The differences between us show – not how far apart we are – but how much we can learn from each other to promote those values. How much we have to gain by trade and exchange; of products, people, ideas.25 years ago, a network, first devised for the US military, benefited from protocols developed by a British scientist working in Switzerland. Today, the Internet is now used by 3 billion people across the world, the platform for billions of dollars of trade.That's what we got through the open exchange of ideas. Now that same spirit can help us make the most of that network.Ultimately what we share is greater than what divides us. We should not forget that. Working together can make us all stronger.The internet succeeds because it is open. That is what makes it the natural home of innovation, the new frontier of freedom. As Vint Cerf put it, this is one of the most powerful amplifiers of speech ever invented, a global megaphone for otherwise feeble voices. The more open we are; the more we will benefit. Within the EU, and within the US; but also between the two continents.That is partly about removing barriers to trade, and opening up markets at all levels. That is what TTIP – the transatlantic trade and investment partnership – is all about. And that will need to have a strong digital component.But it's not just about removing trade barriers and tariffs.We can work together in so many areas to enjoy this digital boost; constructively collaborating to make this platform work across the Atlantic. That is my dream – a transatlantic digital single market.Here's just a few ideas for where to start.First people and businesses need online transactions to be safe and trustworthy. Whether you are signing a contract, or filing your tax return: it's often easier online. But you don't want to be hacked or impersonated.Those online services need to provide both confidence and convenience. In the EU, new rules make that possible: so you can use eIdentification across borders; to prove you are who you say you are, and make the most of Europe's online services.I know the US is working in this area too.But work together and we could expand those benefits even more – even towards mutual recognition of eIdentification. And open up a transatlantic market of online services for hundreds of millions.Second example: as more and more of our economy goes online, protecting those networks and systems becomes essential policy. And as threats and outright attacks grow in number, we need to protect ourselves.In Europe we are planning to do that through an EU Directive, to boost security and resilience; I know the US is preparing legislation too. Once again: if we cooperate and compare approaches, we could enhance the online economy, empower citizens, engender their trust. We already have a joint working group on these issues – now it's time to reinforce and operationalise that work.In fact these are just a couple of ideas. Indeed we have been working hard in many areas to make the EU a digital single market. After I leave- the subsequent team of Commissioners have made clear they will be working very hard at it too. From making it easier for telcos to operate across borders, in open competitive markets: to getting rid of the roaming surcharges that get in the way of holidays and business trips.Those are all good ideas – too good to keep to ourselves. We should take all those ideas for a digital single market – and consider whether they, too, could be transatlantic. That is the real way to spread this digital boost.And finally, we can work together to ensure the digital boost reaches the whole world – with an internet that is governed for the world.That is why we are working with the US to maintain freedom and openness online; and preserve a global, unified network. Not abandoning the current open system for governance, the so-called "multi-stakeholder" system – that would be a mistake.But rather, by modernising it, ensuring it is inclusive and credible enough. So that other, less liberal parts of the world do not simply walk away, seek to impose their own controls, and fragment the network. That is why I welcome the US announcement to globalise key functions for how the Internet is run.And as the system of governance becomes more global, we must also have credible and efficient accountability. With mechanisms to ensure diverse interests are properly taken into account, preserving the legitimacy of the system. That is something where Europe and the United States need to work closely together.In 1989, two walls came down. First the Berlin Wall, heralding the fall the Iron Curtain that split Europe. Many countries to the east have now been transformed, from tyranny and oppression to freedom and openness; they now enjoy democracy, stability, peace and prosperity.In the same year, a second wall came down, in Geneva, when the world wide web was invented; a common language to spread ideas across the globe; an open platform for freedom and democracy.Today, we are still feeling the consequences and echoes of those events. In places like Ukraine. That's a place where you see people longing for the freedom and prosperity we too often take for granted. But we should not take them for granted. Not ever.The EU is all about bringing down barriers: barriers to movement, to trade, to opportunity. And that needs to continue.The evidence shows that – within the EU alone – a digital single market could be worth 4% of GDP; that's on average an extra 1500 dollars a year pocket of each of our half a billion citizens. Make that digital single market transatlantic – and the benefits are there to see: for innovation, for prosperity, for freedom. 

Netherlands leads the way to net-neutrality, whereas Greece lags far behind.  Netherlands versus Neanderthals!   Whenever the internet encounters a bottleneck, such as the freakish government of Greece, it just goes around it, bypassing cybercensorship, stupid regulation, VAT, cancer of socialism, and sadomasochism!  A major benefit of net neutrality is that it allows society to blow off steam.  Broadcasting of ideas releases pressures which otherwise might become destructive.  Free speech also allows the government to gather information about public concerns. FREAKISH GREEK BLOGBUSTERSMost Greeks oppose cybercensorship.GivingcybercensorshiptoGreek blogbusters is giving gin to alcoholics!  Blogbusters galore!  Freak! Freak! Freak!  The freakish government of Greece, the most corrupt country in Europe, steals computers!  Robbing dissident bloggers and locking them in jail is a freakish behavior that does not belong to the European Union, not even to this galaxy! No wonder some vain Greeks boast they come from Andromeda galaxy!The fight againstGreekcybercensorship is more essential than ever. By creating blogs for exchanging ideas and information, internet is a force for freedom. In Greece, where the mainstream media are controlled byGraecokleptocrats, the only independent news and information are to be found on the internet, which has become a forum for discussion and a refuge for those who want to express their views freely.However, more and moreGraecokleptocratshave realized this and persecute dissident bloggers. Greece has been affected by cybercensorship, whether arrests or harassment of dissident bloggers, online surveillance, website blocking, or the adoption of repressive internet laws. Greek dissident bloggers are being targeted byGraecokleptocratreprisals.Free speech, media, and information flows increasingly ignore and elude physical frontiers or national boundaries. Graecokleptocrats fearful of this lack of control, are trying hard to restore or fortify barriers to trace, block, target, and censor those who champion the truth.  A healthy constitution should protect speech even when the subject or manner of expression is uncomfortable and challenges conventional religious beliefs, political attitudes, or standards of good taste. Unfortunately, the constitution of Greece corresponds to Third World countries.Civil society must persuade the freakishblogbusters to stop persecuting and robbing dissident bloggers.  The enemies of blogosphere are Bahrain, Belarus, Burma, China, Cuba, Egypt, Greece, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. Persecuting dissident bloggers often results in their blogs being publicized more widely. TheStreisand Effectis a strong argument for the old adage that the best response to bad speech is more speech, not censorship.The Streisand Effect is a primarilyonline phenomenonin which an attempt to hide or remove a piece of information has theperverse effectof publicizing the information more widely. It is named afterBarbra Streisand, whose attempt to suppress photos of her residence generated further publicity.STANDING UP FOR GREEK FREEDOM ONLINEStanding up for Greek freedom online is the logical next step to Greek age-old endeavor for freedom of speech. For centuries, this fundamental freedom has been the driver of democracy. The fight for freedom of speech continues in Greece. But in the last decades, it has taken on an extra dimension, that of freedom online. Greek freedom of speech online is no different from freedom of speech offline. Only now, Greeks are faced with new technological possibilities and challenges. Greeks are still doing the same, only with different means, and much faster. Protecting Greek freedom online is to safeguard its democratic potential. It is time for Greek politicians, companies, information experts, the academic community and Greek civil society at large to join efforts. Net-neutrality means the internet has no gatekeeper.It encompasses all the issues related to the circulation of information on the internet, such as free speech, access to knowledge, copyright, or innovation. Thanks to this principle, everyone retain the freedom to access and produce the information they want. Socialists want prioritization of certain information flows by taking control of the network. Kleptocrats threaten net-neutrality by seeking to implement filtering techniques in order to re-establish the kind of control they used to have on traditional media.The persecution of Greek dissident bloggers is a worrying example of how freedom on the net is under increasing threat. As more Greeks use cyberspace to communicate, obtain information, express their views, socialize, and conduct commerce, Graecokleptocrats are stepping up their efforts to regulate and control it. Tight control on the internet impinges on Greek freedom of speech, association, and assembly. And it means that violations of other human rights are kept in the dark shadows of Athens.Greeks are increasingly turning to the internet to conduct important aspects of their lives, and they have to make sure that human rights are as respected online as offline.  After all, the right to express one's views, practice one's faith, peacefully assemble with others to pursue political or social change are rights to which all Greeks are entitled, whether they choose to exercise them on Syntagma Square or on a blog. And just as Greeks have worked together since the last century to secure these rights in Greece, they must work together in this century to secure them in cyberspace.Your government is your #1 enemy.  Brutal police and kangaroo courts are tools to enslave you to your government.  But badges and benches do not grant extra rights. It’s your duty as a citizen to become a popopaparazzo, recording police misconduct. Use your smartphone to unmask cops, kangaroos, marilizards, godzillas, and other bastards of kleptocracy. EU practices double standards on civil rights.  It’s freakish for EU to interfere in the civil rights of foreigners, but condone the abuse of my civil rights, a citizen of EU!  EU should get its own house in order before lecturing others. EU should rein inGreece, the most corrupt country of Europe with prisoners of conscience, testilying police, malevolent prosecutors, perjurers, and stupidest jurists.  Basil Venitis,venitis@gmail.com,http://venitism.blogspot.comGreece is an incivil nation with kangaroo justice, overcriminalization, brutal police, huge political corruption, persecution of dissident bloggers, huge bureaucracy, huge taxation, and 23% VAT.  Freakish Graecokleptocrats use the kangaroo justice as a political tool to gag political opponents.  I accuse the government of Greece for:·       Persecuting me for four years·       Stealing my life·       Stealing my computer and files·       Spreading lies about me on all Greek media·       Using the kangaroo justice as a political tool·       Postponing my trial eight times·       Locking me in jail without toilet and pillow for a night·       Taking away my hypertension pills·       Making me urinate in a bottle·       Humiliating me with handcuffs, fingerprints, and mug shotsAN UNCONSCIONABLE SILENCEThe political philosopher Edmund Burke once remarked that all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good folks to do nothing. A glaring example is my persecution by the government of Greece, which grossly violates my civil rights.Martin Niemöller said:  First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Socialist.  Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Trade Unionist.  Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me!It’s been now four years since the government of Greece stole my life, my computer, and my files.  Nobody cares, nobody gives a damn!  I have done absolutely nothing, and I am being persecuted by the Greek government without any real reason.  My ordeal is against all rules of civil society and treaties that Greece has signed. Greece, a country without a functioning justice system, has gone bananas. Graecokleptocrats use the kangaroo justice as a political tool to gag political opponents.   Graecokleptocrats think the laws exist to give them whatever they want!   Basil Venitis,venitis@gmail.com,http://venitism.blogspot.comGEORGE ORWELL’S MINILUV AND MINITRUEMINISTRY OF PUBLIC DISORDER AND CITIZEN HARASSMENTPOLICE STEALING COMPUTERS!On October 18, 2010, a gang of six brutal cops of the violent Greek Cyber-Crime Unit (CCU),a real godzilla, supervised by a dishonest prosecutor,a disgusting liar, raided my home in Athens and stole my computer, software, files, documents, and personal data.The policemenlocked me in jail for a night, they humiliated me with handcuffs, fingerprints, mug shots, and lies, leaked false information to the media parrots, and the Greek government initiated sham ex-officio court proceedings for a stack of freakish trumped-up charges!There was neither pillow nor toilet facility in my jail cell. I had to urinate in a bottle!  I, a 69-years-old man with high blood pressure, was not allowed to keep my hypertension pills with me. There was neither toilet paper nor soap in the whole CCU jail.MINISTRY OF INJUSTICE, OPACITY, AND HUMAN DEPRIVATIONSGreece, a country of infinite political corruption, perjury, injustice, and brutal police, must be revamped. Ex-officio law suit,αυτεπαγγελτος, the most dreadful word in justice, means the state sues somebody without involvement of the accuser.  This terrible scheme has been used by the Greek government to persecute me. Mariliza Xenogiannakopoulou, Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs, sued me, and she wouldn’t show up in court, because the state took over her position! DISGUSTING KANGAROO JUSTICEAt the ex-officio law suit, the accuser just hits and runs!  This hit-and-run justice is the most disgusting kangaroo justice on Earth.  The accused must be in a position to face his accuser eyeball to eyeball. The right to confront and cross-examine one’s accuser is a sign of civility. The malicious accuser slings false accusations against you, the state takes over, the accuser disappears from the court, and the trial is postponed infinite times!  This is penalty of the presumed innocent.  This is penalty without trial.  This is kangaroo justice of Third World countries!  This is barbarity and brutality, pure and simple. Shame, shame, shame on Greece.·       Calling for the immediate stop of the persecution of Basil Venitis.·       Stating that you believe these trumped-up charges to be politically motivated and intended to prevent him exercising his right to freedom of expression against political corruption.·       Seeking assurances that the civil rights of Basil Venitis will always be respected.
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