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RE: Federal charges in MySpace suicide case
Everyone take at least 1 step back from "reactionary," or we're as guilty of going too far as some claim the prosecutor is. Let's all remember:(1) The federal prosecutors have seen ALL the evidence; we've only seen sketchy news accounts. (2) "Intent" is important in a case like this, but for all we know, this woman knew of the girl's depression and was playing to it. (3) If a cruel physical prank perpetrated on a child by an adult caused the child's death, wouldn't there be consequences? Should a virtual prank be any different? (4) These are just charges. At trial, they may be reduced, a plea may be arranged, or the woman could be found not guilty. (5) If this were YOUR daughter, depressed or not, who might have been driven to suicide by someone's cruel and deliberate act, what would YOU want done?

The free speech argument is specious at best. Free speech is a right and a privilege, but it's not a shield against the consequences of irresponsible behavior. You're not protected by the Bill of Rights if you shout "Fire!" in a crowded theater or "I have a bomb!" in an airport. Some responsibility must come with the right to free speech.
Posted by: cmwilliams@...   Posted on: 05/16/08 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
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Indictment Sad Misplacement of Justice  honkymagoo | 05/15/08
Sticks and stones...  ye | 05/16/08
details  rkoman@... | 05/16/08
I've read details from another source and...  ye | 05/16/08
I may have it wrong, but  clfitz | 05/16/08
i guess you were a confident secure teen with no issues  jhand47201 | 05/22/08
Cause and Effect?  SteveMak | 05/16/08
Pretense?  axisiiad@... | 05/16/08
Hopeless optimism  SteveMak | 05/16/08
Bravo!  darkmoonman | 05/16/08
too bad  jhand47201 | 05/22/08
RE: Federal charges in MySpace suicide case  billo1955 | 05/16/08
Taking responsibility for ones actions  Marty R. Milette | 05/16/08
"Driving a child to suicide"  axisiiad@... | 05/16/08
RE: Federal charges in MySpace suicide case  morecrush@... | 05/16/08
RE: Federal charges in MySpace suicide case  billjacobus1 | 05/16/08
These charges need to be overturned  Spiritusindomit@... | 05/16/08
correct  shydae00 | 05/16/08
Correct  law_n_disorder | 05/16/08
RE: Federal charges in MySpace suicide case  shydae00 | 05/16/08
+1  Spiritusindomit@... | 05/16/08
Emo child?  TG2 | 05/16/08
Hugely bad precedent  johndoe445566 | 05/16/08
You were naughty. Here's some charges.  axisiiad@... | 05/16/08
two wrongs dont make a right  shydae00 | 05/16/08
Just trying to cover their collective behinds  Steve Goldman | 05/16/08
RE: Federal charges in MySpace suicide case  seannj427 | 05/16/08
At last something positive was done ...  OldGuru | 05/16/08
Utterly Ridiculous  donkere.prins@... | 05/18/08
RE: Federal charges in MySpace suicide case  yachard@... | 05/16/08
RE: Federal charges in MySpace suicide case  freshmanj | 05/16/08
computer harassment is a crime in some places  TG2 | 05/16/08
Free speech?  skeptik | 05/16/08
Bad comparion  sdc100 | 05/16/08
point, missed  skeptik | 05/18/08
Not all speech is protected.  trent1 | 05/19/08
RE: Federal charges in MySpace suicide case  ryanlee05 | 05/16/08
RE: Federal charges in MySpace suicide case  ryanlee05 | 05/16/08
RE: Federal charges in MySpace suicide case  mostlyharmless22 | 05/16/08
RE: Federal charges in MySpace suicide case  cmwilliams@... | 05/16/08
"No Fire"  pranavb99@... | 05/19/08
RE: Federal charges in MySpace suicide case  storm@... | 05/16/08
RE: Federal charges in MySpace suicide case  sframberger@... | 05/16/08
RE: Federal charges in MySpace suicide case  serenitylodge@... | 05/17/08
The law being used to ruin people.  axisiiad@... | 05/17/08
I doubt it  serenitylodge@... | 05/18/08
Do not prosecute speech!  pranavb99@... | 05/19/08
RE: Federal charges in MySpace suicide case  trent1 | 05/19/08
RE: Federal charges in MySpace suicide case  JoesCat | 05/19/08
RE: Federal charges in MySpace suicide case  abear4562 | 05/19/08
Accountability is lacking in USA  Hates Idiots | 05/19/08
Look at the charges  conspicuouschick | 05/19/08
Another parent's solution  dave@... | 05/19/08
RE: Look at the charges  techbuzzard | 05/19/08
RE: Federal charges in MySpace suicide case  PeterPac | 05/19/08
What if there were no computer in this story?  bernalillo | 05/21/08
The issue isn't that kids..  nysha@... | 05/21/08
RE: Federal charges in MySpace suicide case  nysha@... | 05/21/08
RE: Federal charges in MySpace suicide case  StycMan | 06/18/08
my space & blogs / as protected computers  TG2 | 06/18/08

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