From: sje@xylos.ma30.bull.com (Steven J. Edwards)
Subject: Re: Dershowitz on Fischer
Reply-To: sje@xylos.ma30.bull.com
Organization: Bull HN, Worldwide Information Systems, Billerica, Mass., USA
Date: 16 Dec 92 15:42:03

In article <1gnt6nINNr0g@agate.berkeley.edu> jeff@econBerkeley.EDU (Jeffrey C. Ely) writes:
> Today on National Public Radio, Alan Dershowitz was laying out a possible 
> case for Bobby Fischer should he choose to face the charges in court.  The case
> would rest on the argument that enforcing the sanctions in this case would
> be a violation of Fischer's First Ammendment rights.  Dershowitz was saying
> that Fischer could argue that playing chess was more of a form of artistic
> expression than a commercial venture.

This makes me doubt that Dershowitz has any knowledge of the past
events of Fischer's career.  Of all the well known chessplayers,
Robert Fischer would be the least likely candidate for a defense that
the commercial aspects of tournament and match competition are
secondary to artistic expression.  Even a modest perusal of chess
history will show that Fischer has always been in the forefront for
more money for both appearence and prize funds.  (I do not necessarily
believe this is a bad thing.)  I think that it's obvious that most
artistic expression (outside of problem and study composition) is done
by chess book publication; Fischer has done only a very few (two?)
books and these were reportedly ghosted by others.

> Why Dershowitz was speaking for Bobby was not made clear.  It was never stated
> that he had been hired by Fischer or if he was just giving his opinion for free.  
> From what I know about Dershowitz, I personally find the latter unlikely.

I think Dershowitz is looking for publicity.  I think that this is one
of the reasons he has an occasionally appearing syndicated newspaper
column.  This is not necessarily a bad thing; every lawyer
pontificating in the press is one less lawyer in the courtrooms.

Maybe Dershowitz and Fischer deserve each other.

I think that the United States is wrong in trying to prosecute
Fischer.  I seriously doubt that Fischer has given any "aid or
comfort" to the "enemy".  I'm not even sure that such is possible
given that no official State of War has been declared.  Of course,
minor issues like legality have not stopped witch hunts in the past
and maybe the State Department feels that it needs to prosecute
Fischer to maintain it's self proclaimed superior level of morality.

Doesn't the fact that Fischer took over 3*10^6 US$ hard currency out of
Yugoslavia actually hurt that country far more than it helps it?

Perhaps Fischer is a good choice for a whipping boy.  He is obviously
saddled with some mental difficulties and is probably unable to mount
a coherent legal defense.  He has few, if any, friends in high places
and so there is little worry of government offending anyone or any
country.  Fischer now has a big chunk of money and so is a good target
for those who support confiscation of assets of everyone richer than
they are.  A thorough prosecution (persecution, really) of Fischer
would send a sign to other individuals not to mess with the mighty,
"we know what's good for you" leaders at State and elsewhere.  Gosh,
look at the practice that they've already had with that much sadder
excuse for a human, Manuel Noriega.

If I were running things, I'd offer Fischer a chance at return to the
US without fear of prosecution if he were to pay the same taxes as
everyone else and to enroll in some sort of rehab psychotherapy
program.  He'd have plenty of money to pay for it and would likely be
a better man afterwards.  After all, given that the US did little or
nothing to help Fischer when he needed it (1975 and onwards), it
should not be so eager to harm him today.

 [The above opinions expressed are my own; not necessarily held by others.]
      == Steven J. Edwards           Bull HN Information Systems Inc. ==
      == (508) 294-3484              300 Concord Road         MS 820A ==
      == sje@xylos.ma30.bull.com     Billerica, MA 01821          USA ==
"That Government which Governs the Least, Governs Best." -- Thomas Jefferson
Newsgroups: rec.games.chess