-- more on -- Appropriate punishments for hackers

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

> Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2003 22:29:31 -0500
> From: gep2 () terabites com
> Subject: [IP] Appropriate punishments for hackers
> To: dave () farber net, lauren () vortex com
>
> >>> I have less of a problem with house detention than the original 
> author but
> > > strongly believe the book should get thrown at him unless there are 
> mental
> > > problems. I, for one, am getting tired of seeing the net attacked for 
> fun.
> > > Dave [Farber]
>
> >>Dave,
>
> >>In essence, we've created a computing and network environment with the
> >equivalent of big red flashing "DO NOT PUSH" buttons all over the place out
> >in public, and then we act surprised and upset when bright, under-guided,
> >bored kids push them.  That those buttons unleash such expensive
> >consequences speaks mainly to inanity of the environment we've created --
> >and the important applications we've inappropriately deployed in that
> >environment -- and much less about the kids who push the "buttons."
>
> [snip]
>
> >>Hackers need to be held accountable.  But all of us who have built this
> >marvel of computing technology, this delicate networking house of cards held
> >together behind the scenes with the software equivalent of bent
> >paper clips and duct tape, also bear responsibility.
>
> You know, the fact that big plate glass windows are easily broken with a 
> brick
> or that an expensive home can be set ablaze and destroyed with a cheap 
> molotov
> cocktail is NOT an excuse for those vandals and criminals who choose 
> destructive
> pursuits as hobbies and amusements... just because the store or building 
> or home
> "presented an attractive target" or "could have been better armored against
> attack or vandalism" does not mean that those who choose to take advantage of
> that weakness are not to be held accountable.
>
> Most automobile door locks are laughably insecure, most home door locks not a
> lot more so.  Locks and such keep honest people honest.  They are HARDLY
> impenetrable.  Nor should they NEED to be.
>
> Gordon Peterson                  http://personal.terabites.com/
> 1977-2002  Twenty-fifth anniversary year of Local Area Networking!
> Support the Anti-SPAM Amendment!  Join at http://www.cauce.org/
> 12/19/98: Partisan Republicans scornfully ignore the voters they "represent".
> 12/09/00: the date the Republican Party took down democracy in America.

-------------------------------------
You are subscribed as interesting-people () lists elistx com
To manage your subscription, go to
 http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ip

Archives at: http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/