Date: Sat, 20 Apr 2002 16:07:37 -0400
From: Ted White <tedwhite at compusnet.com>
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: My records.
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>

Elspeth Kovar wrote:

> lee gilliland wrote:
> >
> > It matters not one whit WHERE Keith found persaonal information about me or
> > anyone else.  He had no buisness doing so.  It is an invasion of privacy.
> > And against current Virginia statutes.
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
>
> Lee, using Google to look up someone's name is entirely legal.  I've
> done it fairly often myself, most recently to learn more about the
> people that I'm working with on ConJosé.  If you have problems with
> information about you that is posted to on the web it is an issue to
> take up with whoever placed it there, not anyone who has read it.
>
> I've also used Google while trying to learn more about fandom, a
> community that I love, and our history.  The discussion here not long
> ago about fan feuds prompted the latest of those explorations and
> resulted in my spending far more time than I had following links through
> a fascinating tangle of references.  Wonderful stuff!
>
> Despite the efforts of Timebinders much of fandom's history is
> anecdotal, fragments heard and passed along in conversation.  And so,
> sadly, we're losing our history.  I'm much relieved that a number of
> people are trying to keep this from happening, both by writing down what
> is known and by learning it.
>
> An aside to all on accusations: accusing someone of illegal activities
> is a serious matter.  Putting aside the fact that libel and slander are
> also illegal it is something that shouldn't be done without careful
> consideration, solid evidence, and due consultation with the appropriate
> legal authorities.
>
> More importantly here, such gossip is a poison, one that seeps through
> an group and spreads to all.  It doesn't just damage the reputation of
> both accused and accuser, it damages everyone.  I sincerely hope that
> people will keep this in mind.

Hear, hear!   But -- did I come in on the middle of this?  What *preceded* Lee's
post quoted above which prompted her to write it?  I've seen nothing from Keith
on this list that would provoke it.

--Ted White