Xref: utzoo comp.sys.next:10599 alt.religion.computers:2190 Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!ames!vsi1!ubvax!pyramid!athertn!Atherton.COM!dlw From: dlw@Atherton.COM (David Williams) Newsgroups: comp.sys.next,alt.religion.computers Subject: Re: lawsuit flame (Was: NeXTStep 2.0 Completed) Keywords: demeaning_the_holocaust Message-ID: <33894@athertn.Atherton.COM> Date: 12 Dec 90 01:11:09 GMT References: <352@atncpc.UUCP> <57237@brunix.UUCP> <356@atncpc.UUCP> <359@atncpc.UUCP> Sender: news@athertn.Atherton.COM Reply-To: dlw@Atherton.COM (David Williams) Organization: Atherton Technology -- Sunnyvale, CA Lines: 48 Perhaps Mr. Wallace... Some might find it offensive and demeaning that you trivialize the experience that 6 million jews suffered at the hands of Nazi's during WW II by saying that Ashton-Tate's lawsuit is equivalent in scope [one can only assume this from your "good german" quote]. The metaphors of LPF & GNU supporters on "Look and Feel" lawsuits and boycotts towards the holocaust and the experiences of Blacks in South Africa, lead one to wonder just what sort of sheltered life they lead. Six million people were butchered in the holocaust. Blacks in South Africa suffer under a repressive police state, with a below poverty standard of living. Can either of these experiences be compared to the *IDEAL* or struggle you engage in for "free" software? I think not. Some might find it offensive if they happen to be of German ancestry that you use the term "good german" which equates to a Nazi your example. Some might find it offensive if they happen to be of Jewish ancestry and you use the term "good german" and apply it to them. Some might wonder why all who rabidly attack those who do not agree with the beliefs of Richard Stallman and GNU--find a *REAL* cause to work for with the same fervor. One that helps mankind, or helps to end the violence and suffering that occurs in their native society. I mean it appears to this reader of usenet news that GNU followers expend a *GREAT* deal of energy on in a manner that does not communicate with others, but rather dictates-- If you work for [fill in the blank here] you are slime... If you purchase software from [fill in the blank here] you are slime... If you purchase hardware from [fill in the blank here] you are slime... If you support patents and copyrights on software you are slime... These companies [fill in the blank here] are slime... Hardly the way to effectively communicate your views without alienating the person you supposedly are trying to engage in a dialog! Perhaps GNUbelievers ought to try and emulate what Doug Englebart is trying to do with Augment and the Bootstrap consortium....Understand WHY he embarked on his mission to help mankind improve the way we work and communicate with one another. What if GNU/LPF/FSF embraced this work! Ideals are nice things to have indeed...yet must they be expressed by constantly ATTACKING the views of those who disagree with you? It seems as if in the not too distant future one will find that every thread on usenet will find itself degenerating into a flamewar over GNU...or my computer is better than yours. David Williams