Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sun-barr!newstop!texsun!letni!mic!montagar!fallout!wisniewski
From: wisniewski@fallout.uucp
Newsgroups: comp.org.decus
Subject: Re: DECUS badge-pulling decisions (was re: Ray Kaplan)
Message-ID: <1489@fallout.uucp>
Date: 6 Feb 91 19:54:00 GMT
References: <910124092032.00000A80011@mwvms.mitre.org> <00943303.CDEDA880@KING.ENG.UMD.EDU> <1991Jan25.100847@mccall.com> <1991Jan30.025554.2081@dcs.simpact.com> <1991Jan30.084433.1@rogue.llnl.gov>
Followup-To: comp.org.decus
Organization: DECUS DFWLug BBS - Dallas, TX
Lines: 78

> 
> I'm still trying to get the issues clarified. I'm far from deciding if policy
> needs changing or if I feel that the leadership has exceeded its authority.
> There are several unanswered questions about this affair. But my gut reaction
> leans towards Kevin's side. (Hey, I'm from the SF area. You know, all us raving
> crazy rights advocates.)
> 
> 					R. Kevin Oberman
> 					Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
> 

Kevin,

Didn't you read the Cockoo's Egg? 

Hackers are just waiting to take over and steal our systems ;-] 

But seriously, speaking as a computer professional with a colorful 
history (and who reading this doesn't fit that catagory), if a 
"PUBLIC" well known hacker/cracker with a "RECENT" record showed up 
at a computer seminar I was managing, I'd have to think long and 
hard about his status and attendance.

It isn't so much as wanting to give him another chance as asking him to 
prove his stablility in the real world as a professional before being 
readmitted into the ranks and responsibilites of that profession.

Everyone in this business starts out as a professional, but consistantly
screwing up jobs, rubbing folks the wrong way, and being known as a 
hacker/cracker is the quickest way I know to become an outsider.

Crossing the outlaw line once, perhaps that's pushing the envelope and 
youthful exhuberance, more than that, you have to wonder about the 
individual.

Many folks have committed lesser sins in this industry and suffered much 
more than the humiliation of a DECUS badge revocation.  

I agree with the Symposia staff who made that decision, it was their
call to make in a short period of time.  I don't envy them their choice,
but I support their call.

Most DECUS members have too much interesting work than to pursue the 
outlaw life.  Breaking into systems isn't a hobby I'd really enjoy. 
(although I want to know "ALL" the backdoors available too! Now there's
 session topic if I ever heard one...)

Breaking in, or interfering with someone else's work is inconsiderate
at best, criminal at worst. In this industry, people associated with 
this type activity have to work twice as hard to prove themselves to 
the professional and general community.  There should not be a problem 
with that type of probation for a hacker/cracker. 

Now if a known hacker, solves his legal problems, works quietly in the
industry for a couple of years, and show's interest in the straight and 
narrow, I'll be the first person to welcome them back to the fold, as a 
professional with all the rights and responsiblities. 

Some folks are emotionally disturbed, some never grow up, others need
to call attention to themselves in whatever walk of life they chose.

Hacking/cracking is not a sign of great giftedness as the media would
make it out, it's a cry for help. A cry for help the same way that drugs,
antisocial behavior, or violence is. A computer or computer system can't 
give the type of help that individual needs. (today!?!Any OEMs listening?)  

Get a life, not a modem,

+-----------------+--------------------------------------------------------+
| John Wisniewski |         Consultant/DFW DECUS LUG Counterpart           |
| +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ |   Voice:           214-404-6412                        |
| |d|i|g|i|t|a|l| |    UUCP:  ...utacfd!montagar!fallout!wisniewski        | 
| +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ | At Work:  wisniewski@dpdmai.enet.dec.com               |
| Dallas, TX  USA |                                                        |
+-----------------+--------------------------------------------------------+
This message has been crafted using the DECdisclaimer(TM) product from 
Digital.  DECdisclaimer(TM) bypasses all layers, and good sense, by 
simply posting the author's opinion.  Copyrighted 1991