🚀 go-pugleaf

On Wed, 01 Jul 1998 16:14:47 GMT, fjb@torfree.net (Jim Butterfield)
wrote:

>>Simply restating the laws is fine, however unnecessary, but saying
>>that *WE* will take *ACTION* and *DISCIPLINE* users based on our own
>>*INTERPRETATION* of the laws is thuggery, no better than a lynch mob.
>
>There may be further questions involved.
>
>As a hypothetical example (but one I don't think is too far fetched):
>Suppose a posting appears in a TFN newsgroup saying something like "A
>doctor who performs abortions lives at 1234 Anywhere Street .. I think
>somebody with a rifle should visit him/her".  The poster may be
>readily identifiable, or may not.  The posting may originate from
>within the TFN, or not.
>
>Now consider:  this posting is drawn to the attention of the TFN
>Executive and Board of Directors, who decide to let it sit there until
>"a judge rules on the matter".  Perhaps they tell the complainant that
>it's nothing to do with the TFN, and if such person is concerned he
>should go to the police; meanwhile, the message will be left in place.
>And should the posting appear to have originated from a TFN member,
>that member wouldn't even be asked about it.

Jim, what you're basically saying is UseNet is so new and different
that the justice system can't protect people from being hurt on it,
and so therefore you're advocating that the Free-Net's BOD augment the
justice system, deputize themselves to uphold the law because the
justice system can not.

Please reflect on this point of view, reflect on the fact that the
*EXACT* same justification is used by lynch mobs, vigilantes, street
gangs. You know the routine; "the Cops can't protects us so we got to
protect ourselves. We got to take the law into our own hands."

This is wrong headed thinking, if you feel the justice system is
lacking, then work towards fixing it, by attempting to work around it
you only extend and compound the problem in addition to undermining
justice.

>It's clear that other ISPs in the Toronto area would deep-six such a
>posting FAST.

Other ISPs are not publicly funded, are not volunteer supported, do
not posses the status of a charity, their responsibility is to their
stake holders, *OUR* responsibility is to the greater good of our
community, and unless we serve as a vanguard of free speech and
justice, we are *NOT* working in the best interest of our community.

[remaining sensationalism snipped]