The rulers permit (encourage) another aspect of free speech,hopelessness.
In this connection see 'Rogue State' .This is a LONG list of
CIA subversions, all successful.  But of course things are
not at all that bad.  The US did all that it could to squelch
socialism in Russia and China and met with monumental defeat.
w>
> In a message dated 1/14/01 9:25:46 AM Eastern Standard Time,
> [log in to unmask] writes:
>
> > I am surprised by your flipped responds.
> >
> >  The question is a serious question.
>
>    You are referring to my answering, "Four feet.  Any closer and it will
> cost ya".
>
>    I think you will find, FL, that my response is not as flippant as it may
> first appear.  Those who control Governments and other power structures tend
> to allow free speech only to the degree that it does not negatively impact
> them.  If one exercises speech that does impact them, a cost begins to accrue.
> Yours,
> Issodhos
> p.s.  Of course it is also funny, assuming one is not confronting a fellow
> with a 4 foot arm.:-)
>