So far I have replied individually to complaints about the noise coming from L. Detweiler. My response has been, and continues to be, that he has the right to post in public any opinion he may construct. Some of you have begun to conclude that these postings constitute real threats and libel. I have been reluctant to get involved, but these claims of illegal activity force me to respond. Most of the complaints refer to a document recently posted to many public mailing lists via remailer services. This document apparently describes a fictitious contest or game called SQUISH. Individuals named in this document have written to me claiming that L. Detweiler <ld231782@lance.colostate.edu> is the author and is responsible for posting it. They also claim it is libelous and threatening. These folks are understandably offended at the references to themselves and to the invasive method of distribution. But the connection to Mr. Detweiler and to the systems I administer is indirect and assumed. I have spoken with Mr. Detwiler and he claims he did not post it. I have seen no evidence that he posted it. His name was not attached to the document in any copy I've seen. It was distributed by remailers that remove the source of the message. If you're going to claim libel, you better be able to prove the source. I've seen no proof; I have seen only finger-pointing. As to the substance of the document, it appears to be a joke. The reference to entry deadline of April 1 should tell you to check your sense of humor before taking it verbatim. As for the other references cited, including Usenet postings from anonymous addresses and mailing list articles delivered by anonymous remailers, I find it difficult to accept these at face value. It's possible that Mr. Detweiler composed these. It's equally possible that someone else did so. There are plenty of copycats on the net and they're not easy to separate or identify. I won't even try to sort out the anonymously posted or remailed data. And here's what you've all been waiting for: Regarding Mr. Detweiler's other activities on the usenet and other public lists, he concedes that his crusade of the past 2+ months has been less than productive. He has agreed to cease the postings that have yielded so few results other than inflammatory debate. I expect the noise to quiet. I expect to receive from users at large no further complaints of disruptive data coming from his account here. Finally, I will announce to everyone who wants to file additional complaints that I do not enjoy playing the part of net.policeman, nor net.complaint-dept; that really is not my job. Unless you can show some direct evidence that one of my users is harassing you or otherwise violating your rights, or breaking some law, I don't want to hear about it. Complaints about anonymous posts and remailed data should go to persons administering those services. ================================================================== Steve Dempsey Engineering Network Services steved@longs.lance.colostate.edu Colorado State University root@longs.lance.colostate.edu Fort Collins, CO 80523 postmaster@longs.lance.colostate.edu +1 303 491 0630 ==================================================================