Date   : Wed, 23 May 1984 03:43:15 PDT (Wed)
From   : Jerry Sweet <jsweet@Uci-750a.ARPA>
Subject: Re: BBS Confiscation

While I will agree that the judicial branch has managed to reinterpret
laws so as to decrease personal freedoms, you are mistaken in pointing
the finger at the judiciary in this case.  This appears to be a law 
designed specifically to protect the phone company.
No interpretation by the judicial branch will be rendered until
law is challenged.  I'd be curious to know exactly which law was
violated in this BBS case and what steps the sysop can take to 
recover his system.  If this case were taken all the way to the
supreme court, it could be ten years before the system is returned.

There are still some kids here in Irvine whose systems are in the
custody of the FBI, although to my knowledge these juveniles have
yet to be formally charged with a crime--MONTHS and MONTHS after
the fact.

Gee, it never ceases to amaze me how easily democracy is eroded
by the forces of apathy, bureaucracy, and ignorance.

-jns