I Can't Do _____ Because It's Blocked

We've alll had this experience--found a great new online tool or website, only to discover it's blocked by the filter.  If it were up to me, we wouldn't block anything for 7th grade on up, and would spend a great deal of time teaching students about appropriate use, analyzing sites for value and authority, etc.

But it's not up to me.  And it's probably not up to you, either, but that doesn't mean we can't fight the good fight to at least loosen up the controls.

Wes Fryer has created some good tools for the argument with his Unmasking the Digital Truth wiki.  From the wiki:

A basic level of content filtering is required in the United States for schools and libraries receiving federal E-Rate funding, and the purpose of this project is NOT to argue against all forms of content filtering in all situations. In some cases, however, educational leaders are obfuscating the issues relating to content filtering and access to web 2.0 websites in schools. This wiki seeks to unmask those reasons to provide facts, options and alternatives for community leaders interested in promoting broader access to web 2.0 tools in schools.