The MySpace Suicide Case
The Christian Science Monitor reports that some civil libertarians and legal experts believe that an L.A. jury's verdicts against Lori Drew will "chill" Internet speech.
I normally am all about the first amendment, but I think Internet speech can afford to be chilled. One expert says that this could dampen America's long history of anonymous free speech. But the Internet has taken it to a different level, making it easy for anyone around the world to harass someone else. There does have to be some accountability. And let's bear in mind that Drew wasn't found guilty of any felonies, just misdemeanors.
I've kept quiet on a lot of things said here at the blog over the years (virtually everything, I think), and that's been in the face of a lot of outrageous debates and assertions.
In this case, I think I hafta stand up and say something.
We are a nation of laws. Laws are formed of words. The laws are what defines us as a nation and a society from something like, say, a total state of anarchy.
In essence, this implies that for us, words need to mean something.
Instead, based purely on the emotion you have invested in this case, you suggest that the words "computer fraud" be contorted to mean "create a fake profile on MySpace."
Do you not see where this isn't a civil liberties issue and just an issue of common sense?