Newsgroups: comp.org.eff.talk
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!think.com!redsox!campbell
From: campbell@redsox.bsw.com (Larry Campbell)
Subject: Bill Kennedy blames the victim (was Re: Repost from Telecom)
Message-ID: <1991Jun24.025209.16106@redsox.bsw.com>
Date: Mon, 24 Jun 91 02:52:09 GMT
Reply-To: campbell@redsox.bsw.com (Larry Campbell)
References: <91174.131736ELE@psuvm.psu.edu>
Organization: The Boston Software Works, Inc.

Bill Kennedy, I'm appalled.  In the ultimate "blame the victim" trip, you
accused Len Rose of responsibility for wrecking careers and for raids on
innocent bystanders.  "Oh," you concede, "these wrongs were actually
perpetrated by the feds, but if Len had just kept his nose a little cleaner
they never would have happened, therefore he is responsible."

Bullshit!

What the feds did was *wrong*.  Stupid, irresponsible, and immoral.  The
fact that some of their actions were provoked by Len Rose does not exonerate
them.  Nor do their actions exonerate Len Rose.

Look, if I spot a vandal trying to spraypaint my house, and I whip out my
Uzi and empty a clip at him, accidentally killing the neighbor who happened
to be standing nearby -- it's *my* fault, not the vandal's.  The vandal is
guilty of vandalism.  I'm guilty of manslaughter (at least).

Even if I'm generally known in the neighborhood as an Uzi-toting maniac, the
vandal is *still* not guilty of manslaughter.  Stupidity, yes; manslaughter,
no.

Len Rose is probably (I say probably since I'm not privy to all the details
of the case) guilty of stupidity, indiscretion, carelessness, and a callous
attitude towards intellectual property rights.  Heck, probably copyright
violation too.

However, it's the feds who raided Steve Jackson Games.  Len Rose did not
make them do it.  It's the feds who raided your Unnamed Person in Austin.
Len Rose did not make them do it.  It's AT&T and Southeastern Bell who
harrassed their employees and ruined their careers.  Len Rose did not make
them do it.

I think it's cruel to blame Len for the actions of a bunch of bullying thugs
with no sense of proportion and no respect for the Constitution.
-- 
Larry Campbell             The Boston Software Works, Inc., 120 Fulton Street
campbell@redsox.bsw.com    Boston, Massachusetts 02109 (USA)