IP: DH virus alert

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

> Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2000 09:09:07 -0500
> From: Weisberg <weisberg () texoma net>
> Organization: Internet Texoma
>
>
> The following alert was issued in response to the condition described by
> Gov. George W. Bush in Wednesday's presidential debate.  In that debate,
> Mr. Bush identified a malady  "where a child can walk in and have their
> heart turned dark as a result of being on the Internet and walk in and
> decide to take somebody else's life."
>
> http://www.debates.org/transcripts/textfiles/CPD_Debate_3_Final_Transcript_(English).txt
>
>                                 ---------------------------------
>
> ALERT!!!
>
> A new Internet virus has been identified by someone seeking to be the
> highest U.S. authority on the subject.   The resulting condition has
> been dubbed "Darkened Heart" (or, DH), and is characterized by a penchant for
> wearing trench coats, reading neo-Nazi literature, building bombs and
> shooting up schools.  The rampage at Columbine is attributed to DH
> (hence, to accessing the Internet).
>
> New legislative proposals to fix perceived defects in the current
> Internet system causing such disease should be introduced in late January.
> In the mean time, citizens are urged to use extreme caution in allowing
> Internet access by  persons likely to be influenced by erroneous or
> objectionable thoughts.  And, governments are urged to institute
> rigorous programs to scan Internet content for offending materials and review
> Internet tools to determine if they may be used for improper purposes.  The
> safest policy remains "just say no."  If in doubt as to your own resistance,
> don't use the Internet.  And, definitely, don't let children use it.
>
> This alert does not apply to persons who have been inoculated against
> wrong thinking and questionable behavior.  Such persons are encouraged
> to continue their safe use of the Internet, especially in furtherance
> of proper political goals.  The heart condition from which they are more
> likely to suffer, Hardening-of-the-Heart (HOTH), is not a variant of the
> virus which is the subject of this alert.  Indeed, there are some who argue
> that HOTH may be ameliorated through "liberal" exposure to the Internet.
>
> Please pass this alert on to others who may be exposed to the risk of DH.