David Brodbeck wrote:

> Hams tend to know the value of following the rules.  They know that what
> the FCC giveth, the FCC also taketh away.  Hams have access to some
> pretty valuable areas of spectrum, and they're disinclined to do
> anything that would give an excuse for the government to close it down
> and auction it off to corporate interests.

you are -exactly- correct.  the same stands for
hackers, scripters, gamers and simple vanagon
folks wanting to get the latest from the list.

your point seems to be ignored by the other's
desire to suggest opposing views.

the same stands true for wireless internet access.
  what the isp giveth, the isp can but doesn't
take away.

if they put it out there and i use it (-many-
cities are offering free wireless ports simply to
attract internet junkies) it is -not- illegal.

if i pump 452 messages containing child porn into
your mailbox, then yes, it is wrong.  and illegal.
  but only because of the content.

if i'm just traveling the country catching up on
email....well, seriously now.  how often do you
bleed and clean the inside of your brake lines?

another point.  hams are old school and old
technology (albeit -excellent- technology).

we have a new system in place where the current
'hams' aren't satisfied with people trying to
control -their- domain.  the jokers who piss and
moan about file sharing and wireless internet
ports are trying to bug in and scam a buck where
they have no right to.  they are -clueless- on how
to script, hack, write virii or even check their
email without extensive tutoring.

we -make- the rules.  this is -our- domain.  doubt
it?  do you have anti virus software?  why?

the internet is as free as language and should be
treated as such.

i still fail to see the 'abuse' of a vanagon owner
checking his email.

Rik