🚀 go-pugleaf

  The message from Europe complaining about FSF's concern with politics
and copyright is very interesting. It gives me a chance to earn my keep 
as a guest on the gnu computers.
  The reason FSF spends so much time worrying about politics is because
one silly lawsuit can stop the whole project. The costs of defending a
copyright or patent challenge in the United States could drain the FSF's
budget. And this would be true even if FSF wins the case. I am very
sad to say that in the USA today, hoards of well paid lawyers are 
determined to surpress freedom of speech and the press as it concerns
writing computer programs.
  I hope that the European attitude towards protecting authors rights
never follows the current attitude in the United States. The granting
of copyrights and patents confers a monopoly; the dangers associated
with this seem to have been forgotten. I hope the legal systems in
Europe remember these dangers and will set a good example for the 
United States to follow. We need it.
  As for writing new and original software, that is certainly a good
idea. It is not really a popular one. How many people want to forget
what they already know about using computers and start learning all
over again? There are many computer languages and operating systems
that are orignal, creative and efficient. But if you want to use a
big new computer you probably will have to learn to use Unix. The
alternatives I've seen are worse or haven't been finished yet. 
  The FSF's idea that everyone should have the source for their
system is not new, original or creative, but it is an idea that
many do not understand. If the FSF can show the world that free source
code is similar to and as important as free speech and a
free press, it will be a great help to everyone who wants to have
new creative computer systems.