Thought on email- don't put an address on a draft until it is finished (in case you hit "send" instead of "save") Subject: Shi Tao

"I find this case to be most troubling. Tao's post was to a Web site here in the United States and in so much as Yahoo is an American company, whatever deference it feels towards local (Chinese) law, I would hope that it would be guided in its corporate actions by the principles of intellectual freedom that have so enabled Yahoo's growth.

I have a blog and a background in journalism. I strongly believe in the notion of activist, civic journalism. What that means to me is that as a journalist (and publisher) I should engage in activities that will bring to the light of knowledge those matters for the furtherance of the community of humanity. I, personally, find the actions of a number of American companies in the service of Chinese government repression quite despicable. To my present knowledge, however, the actions of Yahoo in this case are the most egregious to date.

I see from your site that your organization is lobbying for intercession by former President Clinton. I understand his cache is considerable. But, realistically, his chances of swaying the Chinese government are limited "...

What I was about to propose was direct action; a boycott. I realize that Yahoo might seem beyond the reach of a pitiful few. Sometimes a fight is worth it, even if your chances look slim.  ¶ 9/09/2005 08:26:00 PM