From: query@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (Samuel Green)
Subject: Re: internet abuse & its affects
Organization: Northwestern University, Evanston Illinois.
Distribution: alt
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1992 09:23:41 GMT

	I guess I'll put my 2 cents in here...  
	I am under the impression that there are certain "rights" we are
*given* by the Constitution.  I put "rights" in quotes, because, if they
really were "rights" then we would not need anything to gaurantee them.
	Anyway, I figure that "might makes right" in almost any given case.
I will explain:
	I have the freedom to do what I want, go where I choose, and all
without any real supervision.  No one will stop me if I choose to break the
law, until after I break it.  SO, technically, I have the 'right' to commit
a crime.
	Now, if I commit a crime (and, in some cases, even if I am only
suspected of committing a crime) the police or what have you, have the
'right' to nab me, or shoot me, or what have you...   Because, by the time
all that was over, it would be irrelevantr (I would be either dead if shot,
or in prison) whether or not I had any 'rights' origionally.  
	Sorry to be a bit out of it, but I am a bit tired.
	Anyway, we all have the right to *try* to do something, and others
have the right to either help or hinder, because we all have free will.  I
think that these rights can be abused.  Take the case of someone who goes
out and kills or steals because he can... or, the petty beuracrat that
denies access to something merely out of spite.  That is abuse...
	The "rights" gauranteed by the Constitution are privalleges, and
they *CAN* be taken away, rather easily.  How?  Examples:

	The 'right' to vote:  Convicted felons can't vote in federal
elections.  And, lets face it, there are a lot of people convicted of
bullshit felonies.
	Martial Law: No problems with rights then... you don't have any.
This loophole was thoughtfully provided for you by the Constitution.
	Over zealous police:  All it takes is one bullet to take away any
rights you may have had...  and the cop doing the shooting will probably
not get much by way of punishment.
	Free access top roads,etc:  The Denver Boot.  Impound lots.
Federal and state requirements for emissions and insurance.  Drivers
licenses (wellm, you can use the roads, but you better not get caught!) 
	Access to computers, ownership of property:  Granted, the chances
of anyone being raided are slim, but, ask the people who have been raided
about their equipment being impounded etc.  Out of all the people raided, I
am sure that there were a few innocents who had their stuff taken forever.
	Pursuit of happiness:  What a joke...  A 17 year old can't go out
and rent an x-rated film (im most states, I believe), you can't smoke dope,
cant drink, cant do a lot of things that make some people happy, unless you
are a certain age, or, worse, you cannot do them at all.  What if smoking
dope is what makes me happy?  Or anything else that is either outlawed or
age restricted?

	Basically, what I am saying is that you only have one right:  Do
what the hell you want and can.  Other people have the same right.
	So, if I want to flame someone on the net, and they can get my
account revoked, then thats the way it is.  If I want to go and get my
access back, or hack an account, then I have the right.  Of course, then
the loop goes on...   

	I couldn't care less about whether or not the net is a right or a
privellage, and, if my access were revoked, I would either get it back or
leave it alone.  And anyone else can do the same.

	Lastly, please do not take what I say about certain behavior to be
my condoning it.  If I do or not is irrelevant.  Hopefully this will avoid
the waste of time that numerous flames of "I bet he's just pissed cause
dope is illegal" or whatever would take up.  I would preferr just a
discussion of whether or not we really have any rights other than free
will.

	Maybe I'm wrong, but, I have that right.... 
	Sam
Newsgroups: alt.personals