I myself am unclear where the left and libertarian agendas diverge vis-a-vis the 'net. Perhaps you could enlighten me?

My view would be:

A left liberal would focus on using the Net for the greater good of society; a libertarian would focus on everyone using the Net in whatever way they choose, as long as they don't step on anyone else's toes.

And a right-wing conservative would seek to control the Net, for profit or personal agenda.

That was me, BTW.

Hm. Seems to me there's a substantial overlap there. Is it a question of enforcement? I.e. the left would be thought to say that 'net uses not for the greater good should be discouraged/forbidden?

I don't think the left would ever seek to make activity on the Net forbidden, but I don't necessarily see it fighting against copyright laws or for open source.

Making material forbidden can be considered a violation of free speech, and the left would be up in arms about this. However, many in the left wouldn't see anything harmful in a copyright, or enforcing a copyright.

I'm screwed up when it comes to this. On so many things I agree with the left. Then again, on so many things I agree with the right.

Actually, I'm pretty sure that's why I don't appear on more blogrolls. I piss too many people off :)

You would think me libertarian. But they don't believe in the government providing a support system to provide tools for self sufficiency, for those that live in poverty. They also are pure free-market capitalists. Do away with the FDA, or with EPA. Not my style.

So I'm just screwed. I'm a registered Democrat however. And I really identified with our former mayor Ed Rendel and former President Clinton's 'New Democrat' concept.

Um, no. You say "A left liberal would focus on using the Net for the greater good of society..." as though anyone else would not focus on the greater good. That's just plain wrong.

Both spectrums - and all flavors in between - strive for what they percieve to be the greater good. It's in how they define that greater good that's different.

Take something like online prn for example. Most all agree that minors should not have access to it. But the right mainly strives to restricct access by eliminating the source through federal regulation. The left usually feels it's best left to the individual households.

I really think your 'leftist' bias is way offbase here Shelley. If you wish to work for a common ground compromise, you need to soften those words.

Better yet, look at the recording industry and the things they are attempting to have passed in congress. Just as many Democrats are influenced by the same special interests as Republicans.

Just trying to show a different perspecitve. With all due respect.... :-)

No DD. You're wrong. From the left, the focus is on the greater good for all. From the right, the focus is on a fallacious belief that individual profits and lack of democratic control will somehow allow everyone to get just what they deserve. From the left, there are some basic definitions, some safety net concepts that say that nobody deserves less than three hots and a cot, decent medical care, and an opportunity to participate in the culture and in the marketplace. The right doesn't agree with this, the libertarian - when pressed - will often agree in principle but likely be too busy with self actualization to attend his local communist cell or democratic party committee meetings to realize the dream.

shoot... it doesn't process the {joke}{/joke} tags. Pointy bracket bounded mark up disappears, even if the tag isn't supported. Gee whiz. Poop.

Use &lt; in place of < and &gt; in place of >, Frank. All will then be well.