[ale] [OT] rights and wrongs [politics] (was Re: Linux apparently illegal in MA)

[Robert Reese~]

Hi Jim,

(I've added an OT tag and a 'politics' tag to the subject line which was changed 
to more reflect more accurately the contents.)

>> OTOH, you are right that not every Constitutionally guaranteed
>> right exists on private property or in other private situations.  
>> A prime example is that no one has the 1st Amendment right on my
>> private property.
>>
>>
> It would make for a more interesting world if the freedoms set down
> in the Constitution were backed by something similar to the GPL. My
> rights exist and no one has the right to lessen them.

My rights end where yours begin; when I'm on your private property, I am subject 
to your rights.  And vice versa.  ;c)


> I have a
> responsibility to ensure that the rights I have are both passed to
> and protected for all those who cross my little chunk of dirt.

That is your choice.  Incidentally, how do you feel about spam, telemarketers, 
and junk faxes?  Do you vigorously defend their rights on your little chunk of 
dirt (or PCB)?


> It seems to me as things are now with the rights in the
> Constitution have the ability to be switched off at will by some
> citizens
> (employers in particular.) that perhaps they are not really rights
> but merely privileges.

They are asserting their rights by doing so.  No one is being forced to endure 
them.  That is, employees and guests are not bound servants.  Everyone has a 
truly inalienable right called Free Will to leave or to not go in the first 
place.  Furthermore, you have a right to go establish your own business and 
protocols on your own private property where you decide how employees and guests 
are treated.  And doing so would be no different than those who decide to limit 
or restrict none, some, many, or all of another's rights while that person is on 
that property.  That, too, is a facet of free will.

However, when rights are switched off at will by government at any level by any 
representative of that government that is cause for great concern for citizens 
and society as a whole.  Which, interestingly, was the entire point of the 2nd 
Amendment: to ensure the people always had a way to defend themselves from their 
government or invading governments.  But I digress... (with apologies to 
Geoffrey and Mr. Ratliff)


> Maybe if more people, teachers and congress-critters especially,
> had a real gut-level understanding of the social and philosophical
> implications of the GPL we could have a better society that doesn't
> have as much potential for a small percentage of often thuggish
> people to abuse the extra powers they receive in exchange for a
> tremendous responsibility.

Which version of the GPL?  v1, v2, or v3?

Just kidding!!  Of course, you are right!

Cheers,
R~