Internet Declaration of Independence
When in the Course of human
events, it becomes necessary for one people to join the political bands
which have long separated us from each other, and to assume among the
Powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws
of Nature and of Nature's Creator entitle them, a decent respect to the
opinions of mankind requires that we should declare the causes which impel
us to unity.
We hold these truths to be self-evident,
that all people are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator
with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty, and
the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments
are instituted among Men, deriving their powers from the consent of the
governed. That when any Form of Government relinquishes their Authority,
that Government becomes a Blessing to All People. The Past, Present, and
Future Internet Overseers' accept full responsibility for the future of
the Planet, the Children of the World, and the distribution of information
thereof; and to institute a new System, laying its foundation on such
principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem
most likely to effect the Safety and Happiness of All.
Prudence, indeed, will dictate
that Governments long established should not be changed for light and
transient causes; and accordingly all experience has shown, that mankind
is more prone to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves
by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. It is the
right and solemn duty of Free People to provide new Guards for the security
of All.
The History of the United States shall show that democracy has and always
will triumph over tyranny.
Freedom has always come at a price. To prove this, let Facts be
submitted to the candid people of the world.
The thirteen original colonies were founded on the Principles of Freedom
and Respect for all people.
During the American Civil War - People from all sides shed their blood
for the sake of Freedom in One’s own personal beliefs.
The first World War showed that all war is senseless and that All Nations
shall have the unalienable Right to maintain their independent sovereignty
and will.
World War II showed that trying to win back land that was lost in previous
wars only creates more death. Within the Leadership of the Internet
Community we commit to the task of making sure that no Tyrant or Dictator
shall ever become a leader to the People, but rather a Prince of Peace,
and that all People shall maintain their Right to Free Thought, and that
Internet Domains shall be registered and maintained in a fashion that
is based on Honor, Loyalty, and Longevity for the sake of all people.
The present governing agency has willingly Assented to Laws, the most
wholesome and necessary for the public good.
That the financial resources of the People of the World have contributed
to the growth of the Internet. Thereby, the present government overseeing
committee has caused others to be elected; whereby the capable powers,
have returned to the People at large for their exercise.
That We understand that this decree shall Never render any Military Organization
independent of and superior to the Civil Power and Right of the People.
This document shall ensure that Free Trade shall be open to all and remain
with all peoples of the free world:
That no Past, Present, or Future Nation or Government shall impose Taxes
on the Internet without the Consent of the Free People of the World:
That no Past, Present, or Future Nation or Government shall deprive us
of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
That no Past, Present, or Future Nation or Government shall transport
any Internet Community members beyond Seas and National boundaries, which
boundaries shall have been previously ascertained by law, to be tried
for pretended offenses:
That no Past, Present, or Future Nation or Government shall take away
our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and alter fundamentally
the Forms of our Independent Governments:
That no Past, Present, or Future Nation or Government shall suspend our
own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate
for us in all cases whatsoever.
That the People of all Nations shall be declared in the Protection and
waging of War from any Power that may try to come against us.
That any Character of Government, whose every act which may define a Tyrant,
will be determined unfit to be the ruler of a free people, and shall be
deposed.
We must, therefore, submit to the necessity, which announces our Unity,
as we all mankind, Friends in Peace.
Article I
No Government shall make Internet law respecting an establishment of religion,
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of
speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble
in cyberspace, and to petition any government for a redress of grievances.
Article II
A well regulated Internet Security Force, being necessary for the protection
of the free flow of information, the Right of the Children to keep themselves
from information that has been determined by the Majority of People to
be declared as offensive material by the Parents of said Children, shall
not be infringed.
Article III
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, internet
and/or digital transmissions, papers, and effects, against unreasonable
searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall be
issued, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and
particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things
to be seized.
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land, sea, and air forces, or in the global security forces, when in actual service in time of war or public danger;
Article V
Nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Article VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the governments and nations wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
Article VII
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed the legal expenses determined by the People at Large, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the Internet Counsel, than according to the rules of the common law.
Article VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Article IX
The enumeration of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Article X
The powers not delegated to the Internet Community, nor prohibited by it to the Nations, are reserved to the Nations respectively, and to the people.
Article XI
That unsolicited bulk-email and unauthorized cyber-spam will be eradicated from the Internet, and that the free flow of information will continue as long as the earth is in existence with respect to All People, All Nations, and All Beliefs.
Article XII
That a Blue Butterfly placed within a Circle shall become the Symbol of Peace and Harmony throughout the World, signifying an all inclusive system, and that this Internet Declaration of Independence shall not be overthrown by any Past, Present, or Future Tyrant, Dictator, or Government; and that All Free People shall have the unalienable Right to freely express their thoughts; so long as their thoughts do not infringe upon the Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness of All.
We, therefore, the Representatives
of the Internet Community, in General Congress, Assembled in Cyberspace,
appealing to the Supreme Creator of the Universe for the rectitude of
our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of
the World, solemnly post, publish, and declare, that no boundaries shall
exist in the Management and Administration of the Internet, and of our
Right to be proclaimed as a Free and Independent People; and that
as Independent and Free-Thinking People, we have the Power to contract
Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which
Independent Free People have the Natural given right to do. And
for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the Protection
of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our
Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
Hans
Schnauber
International Federation of Butterfly Enthusiasts
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