Path: utzoo!utgpu!watmath!uunet!algor2!jeffrey From: jeffrey@algor2.UUCP (Jeffrey Kegler) Newsgroups: gnu.gcc Subject: Re: The boycott moves forward Message-ID: <449@algor2.UUCP> Date: 7 Jun 89 05:17:14 GMT References: <8906021909.AA00268@sugar-bombs.ai.mit.edu> Reply-To: jeffrey@algor2.UUCP (Jeffrey Kegler) Distribution: gnu Organization: Algorists, Inc., Reston VA Lines: 44 In article <8906021909.AA00268@sugar-bombs.ai.mit.edu> rms@AI.MIT.EDU writes: >I agree that my stubborn refusal to cooperate with a project, such as >porting GCC to AU/X, is a form of hostilities. And about time, too. I decided to boycott Apple when they sued Steve Jobs. I told nobody and assumed my endeavor was doomed to futility, but it definitely made me feel better. Buying from Apple is trading with the enemy. I could not stand reading about what Apple is doing, and knowing I had helped, even in a tiny way. I do not mean a personal criticism of any person owning Apple equipment, or working for Apple. You trade with the enemy in cases of dire necessity, or if you don't see them as the enemy. Everyone knows there are those people who file meritless lawsuits in order to harass. Unfortunately, in order to allow truly wronged people to have their day in court, this is necessary. But we do not have to invite John Scully over for dinner. And we do not have to pay his lawyers with our money. No free speech issue is involved in excluding ads for Apple software, or anything else, from this newsgroup. Where someone controls a medium he has the right (and duty) to exercise judgement and taste in controlling what goes over it. The quality of that judgement and taste will vary, and errors are not only possible but probable, but that is a necessary evil. Suppose _National Review_ were forced to give equal time to socialism? Would that advance free speech? Free speech includes the right to establish your own forum of expression with other consenting people, excluding whatever in your own arbitrary judgement you feel does not belong. A person wanting to promote Apple software using GNU can easily feel this decision as hostile. That seems to be the intention and I heartily agree. People with entirely innocent and honorable intentions who have connections with Apple they cannot sever will be arbitrarily hurt, and I sympathize to a small extent. I am a lot more worried about what Apple is doing to the industry. Apple GNU users are free to start their own forum, though this will be difficult. They will certainly get no help from me, for what little that means. -- Jeffrey Kegler, President, Algorists, jeffrey@algor2.UU.NET or uunet!algor2!jeffrey 1762 Wainwright DR, Reston VA 22090