August 25, 2005
German Level 3 and Jugendschutz Censor Ogrish.com
To whom it may concern,
It has recently come to our attention that several thousand European visitors have been denied access to Ogrish.com and we've received many complaints by visitors worried that we are blocking them.
Initially, we believed this to be due to a temporary technical problem, however now?three weeks later?Ogrish.com is still blocked. After thorough investigation, we concluded that a German organization called "Jugendschutz.net" has been pressuring the American IP Carrier Level3 to block access to the Ogrish.com IP. Without an official legal order Level3 Germany went ahead with the block.
Feel free to email Level3 at
[email protected] or give them a call regarding this issue.
Not only are many German ISPs affected by this unjust action, but ISPs in other European countries (who have nothing to do with the German legal system), such as Holland, France and Poland, are also being denied access because of this German block.
This action is outright censorship and is not justified. Everything that can be seen on Ogrish.com is included in everyday life?it's grim reality presented in an unbiased way. Nobody is forced to look at this material and to discourage accidental viewing by sensitive or underage visitors, we have established a warning and age verification page for first time visitors. We may even consider a German-language warning page. However, please remember that limiting underage access to adult material is the responsibility of parents?and there's sufficient software to aid parents in this endeavor.
With the nature of the Internet and free speech, it is up to the population to decide whether or not to visit Ogrish.com?the government should not make that decision for them.
Germany is trying very hard to shut us down and the "Jugendschutz.net" organization previously contacted our advertisers and payment systems to try to do as much damage as possible.
Obviously we will fight against these ridiculous actions.
Sincerely,
Ogrish.com
http://www.ogrish.com/archives/germa...g_25_2005.html
do you remember eye of the beholder by metallica?
Do you see what i see?
Truth is an offence
You silence for your confidence
Do you hear what i hear?
Doors are slamming shut
Limit your imagination, keep you where they must
Do you feel what i feel?
Bittering distress
Who decides what you express
Do you take what i take?
Endurance is the word
Moving back instead of forward seems to me absurd
Doesn't matter what you see?
Or into it what you read
You can do it your own way
If it's done just how i say
Independence limited
Freedom of choice
Choice is mad for you my friend
Freedom of speech
Speech is words that they will bend
Freedom with their exception
Do you fear what i fear?
Living properly
Truths to you are lies to me
Do you choose what i choose?
More alternives
Energy derives from both the plus and negative
Do you need what i need?
Boundaries overthrown
Look inside to each his own
Do you trust what i trust?
Me, myself and i
Penetrate the smoke screen i see through the selfishlie
Doesn't matter what you see
Or into it what you read
You can do it your own way
If it's done just how i say
Independence limited
Freedom of choice
Choice is mad for you my friend
Freedom of speech
Speech is words that they will bend
Freedom with their exception
Do you know what i know?
Your money end your wealth
Your silence just to hear your self
Do you want what i want?
Desire not a thing
I hunger after independence lengthen freedom's ring
Doesn't matter what you see
Or into it what you read
You can do it your own way
If it's done just how i say
Independence limited
Freedom of choice
Choice is mad for you my friend
Freedom of speech
Speech is words that they will bend
Freedom with their exception
Doesn't matter what you see
Or into it what you read
You can do it your own way
If it's done just how i say