of censorship and etiquette

["Lewis A. Mettler" <lmettler@lamlaw.com>]

Justice Anthony Kennedy has commented upon occasion that whenever anyone
suggests censorship might be in order the same person never has a
problem being the one to carry it out.

Personally, I have never suggested censorship of any kind.  In fact, I
publish any and all articles submitted by authors on my own web site
regardless of their view. If anyone really wants to draft an article
supporting bundling or any other issue related to the current antitrust
litigation, I'll publish it myself.

I would also like to add that the use of the name of any other person in
the text of their posts to this list is almost always a personal attack
and not on topic.  

Every time you mention the name of someone else in your text (unless
they authored a document elsewhere) you only deprive the reader of their
own evaluation of your point.  That is why only comments in context are
meaningful and almost all out of context are only personal attacks.

There is a very important reason why I only comment on the views of
others (except in a general non directive way) in "their" context.

How I suggested others may be only promoting their products rather than
representing consumers?  Sure.  But, I never use names.  Only the reader
can make that connection.  And, they can only make that connection if
they read the authors post themselves.  If some think the shoe fits,
then fine.  But, I did not make the connection.

I only argue the issue.  I have no interest in using the name of someone
else just to discredit them.  In fact every time you see the use of
someone name it is almost always an attack without any material that
would permit the reader to either agree or disagree with the
characterization.

When you put your critical comments in context, some readers may agree
with the original idea.  I guess that is why many make comments out of
context and just conduct their personal attack.

-- 
Lewis A. Mettler, Esq.(Attorney and Software Developer)
lmettler@LAMLaw.com
http://www.lamlaw.com/ (detailed review of the Microsoft antitrust
trial)