Jefferson: Keep the Internet free
by Xiao Zhang, Outpost Staff
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"In an enlightened society, people should get the maximum freedom of expression," said Jefferson, looking as presidential as ever in a black outfit, a white shirt with big ruffles under the collar and a long wig tied in a ponytail.
O.K., it wasn't really Jefferson but Clay Jenkinson, the closest thing we have in Nevada -- or the world for that fact -- to the nation's third president.
Jenkinson as Jefferson spoke to about 50 students and guests in professor Warren Lerude's First Amendment and Society class at the Reynolds School of Journalism. Jenkinson, a Rhodes and Danforth scholar who has portrayed Jefferson at events worldwide, discussed topics at a mock presidential press conference ranging from the impeachment of Bill Clinton to the regulation of the Internet.
Acting as the man who drafted the Declaration of Independence, Jenkinson stressed that freedom of speech, press and religion are unalienable rights.
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On the Web Thomas Jefferson online resources |
"We trust you to regulate, no other people," Jenkinson said, referring to parents.
He objected the idea of government intervention or regulation of the Internet because he thinks if the state can decide what people sexual content people choose to view on the Internet, it can decide voting or other issues for people, too. And that is a threat to people's rights and democracy.
Besides, Jenkinson said children should be exposed to all sorts of things because they are young. He also said it would be hard to come up with a standard to regulate media's content.
"What works in one family may not in others," the Jefferson scholar said.
Jenkinson also expressed his view as an 18th century president on the impeachment scandal of Clinton. He said the American people made the decision that the president's personal life is not as important as his performance in office.
"I always trusted the people," Jenkinson said. "The people are always right even if they are wrong."
But he made a special comment to the media's performance at the time of the scandal. He said it is very odd to him that "your press would be vicious in attacking personal life."
Jenkinson has performed as Jefferson throughout the country and won National Endowment for the Humanities highest honor. He earned an English degree from the University of Minnesota and a degree in Renaissance English literature and theology from Oxford University.
Posted Sept. 22, 1999
Copyright 1999 Nevada Outpost
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