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From: jb10320@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Desdinova)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2,comp.sys.amiga,comp.sys.mac.misc,comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc,misc.legal,rec.music.synth
Subject: Re: Do *NOT* reveal or mention "hacking" information (was Re: paper clip trick)
Message-ID: <1990Nov14.225408.19202@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu>
Date: 14 Nov 90 22:54:08 GMT
References: <14087@arisia.Xerox.COM> <56332@brunix.UUCP>
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In article <56332@brunix.UUCP> man@cs.brown.edu (Mark H. Nodine) writes:
> ... But you have to look at the way the larger culture views
>the computer network, which it does NOT understand (witness the flap that happened
>over rec.humor.funny about a year ago that resulted in some very negative press
>against the net and the moderator of that group).  If the media report that the
>network is a tool of Satan for disseminating pornography, encouraging the use
>of illegal drugs and gambling, and teaching people how to infiltrate Pentagon
>computers and fire off nuclear missiles, the vast majority of the public is going
>to give some credence to the report.  Many people will believe it because it
>makes a good story.  If enough people in Congress believe it, perhaps legislation
>could be passed to "pull the plug" on the net, though I doubt it.

  You know what's right. Go tell them!  You elected these people, and if they're
about to do something you think is wrong, it is your DUTY to tell them about it.
Don't wimp out.
  And we're not talking about breaking into sensitive Pentagon computers, 
we're not talking about obscenity, and I can guarantee that nuclear missiles
can't be launched by computer. (You too are a victim of the misinformation of
"War Games"). 

>One of the changes that has occurred in our culture over the last few years is
>that people, especially law enforcement officials, are getting much more worried
>about computer crime and "cracking".  When you post cracking information to the
>net, you give ammunition to those unstable people who do not understand the net,
>but are looking for some "righteous" cause, or maybe just a good story for their
>newspaper.
>
>So as I say, it has nothing to do with the legality of possessing or spreading
>the information, although even there one might make a case  Free speech is a right
>under the constitution, but if I use my right of "free speech" to form a 
>conspiracy to overthrow the government, or to slander somebody, then I have still
>done something illegal.  But mostly I am making a plea to protect what freedom we
>currently have on the network.
    I really don't see how in any stretch of the imagination you can equate
fair use of software (guaranteed by law) with a plot to overthrow the 
governmen .
    Soundt like you're willing to give up your freedoms, only to save some
hassle.  I can't believe this... I used to think Americans took their liberties
for granted.  Now I see that they're willing to give them away in the name of
the almighty "easy way out".
    I urge anyone who cares about this nation and the ideals it was founded
upon to FIGHT any such attempt at appeasement.  The Computer/Information
revolution is the fountainhead of learning and progress in the world.  What
does it make us look like to those who disagree if we're not even willing
to fight for what we believe?
    I'm disgusted.

>	--Mark


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