Path: utzoo!utgpu!watmath!clyde!ima!minya!jc
From: jc@minya.UUCP (John Chambers)
Newsgroups: comp.unix.wizards
Subject: Re: Implications of recent virus (Trojan Horse) attack
Keywords: security ethics culture
Message-ID: <136@minya.UUCP>
Date: 20 Nov 88 16:58:29 GMT
References: <1698@cadre.dsl.PITTSBURGH.EDU> <8844@smoke.BRL.MIL> <8909@smoke.BRL.MIL>
Distribution: na
Organization: (none)
Lines: 20

In article <8909@smoke.BRL.MIL>, gwyn@smoke.BRL.MIL (Doug Gwyn ) writes:
> The problem is, ethics and legality have little logical connection
> with each other.  One does not solve an ethical problem by passing
> crime laws.  To take Mumaugh's example of playing "rogue", it IS
> technically a crime to do so with Federal facilities.  

And it's also a violation of almost all employers' rules (including
the government) for an employee to have a picture of his/her family
members on their desk.  This is, after all, a use of the employer's
property for purposes of personal entertainment.

Ask any lawyer about the meaning of the phrase "De minimus non curat
lex".  (Also, while you're at it, ask for the well-known limerick that
ends with that line.)

-- 
John Chambers <{adelie,ima,maynard,mit-eddie}!minya!{jc,root}> (617/484-6393)

[Any errors in the above are due to failures in the logic of the keyboard,
not in the fingers that did the typing.]