[NTLK] h*cks, kr*ks, SN

[Dana W Cook]

excerpt of Ken's message below:

> So if you are going to use a piece of software without adhering to  
> laws or contracts, admit that your actions are criminal and stop  
> rationalizing and making excuses for your behavior. Some people live  
> their lives without regard for others, that's their choice 

This long discussion reminds me of many of my students, for instance, that want to wear their hat in the hallway.  They rail up and down about how any teacher is a nazi or an ogre if they dole out consequences for wearing said hat.  But in the end, the student knew the rule, broke it and must face consequences when caught.  And, yes, those trying to use the idea that the law is dynamic and fluid - agreed as well.  But that does not necessarily allow for the blatant disregard of law in order to change the law.  There are procedures is place to do so.  Some of the scenarios about breaking the law in order to drive change such as civil liberties are the exception, not the rule.  I have had discussions with students to petition and sit in order to have rules at our school changed.

And, even in discussion with a student today who is having an 18-year-old buy a hamster for her because she is to young to do so, it took her TOO long to understand that all I was looking for was that she understand that she is circumventing the law and I was not saying or indicating that she was evil in any way.  I just wanted to her to fully understand the choice that she was making.

Dana