Richard Stallman response to Boston Police efforts

#1

Post by magic5227 » Sat, Apr 20, 2013, 2:15 AM UTC

This is what Stallman wrote right after the suspect was caught.

My personal response is:

There will always be a situation that is worse or where more people died, but that doesn't mean this isn't a very emotional and trying time for many, where the police and people of Boston were desperate to catch a person throwing explosives and shooting magazines of bullets in their city. Telling people to stay home for a few hours does not seem unreasonable in this situation.

Have some decency and respect for the lives lost, and save your opinions for a more appropriate time.

Richard Stallman response to Boston Police efforts
pastebin.com

Re: Richard Stallman response to Boston Police efforts

#2

Post by [deleted] » Sat, Apr 20, 2013, 2:16 AM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Richard Stallman response to Boston Police efforts

#3

Post by sergiotapia » Sat, Apr 20, 2013, 2:29 AM UTC

>4 people killed in a week is not a lot compared with the background level of deaths in the US. It's not as many as in the Texas explosion. Car accidents in the US kill around 100 people a day, and surely grievously injure hundreds more.

============================

Difference being of course, one was a deliberate attack on human life, and the other a very _very_ unfortunate accident.

Stupid comparison to make for the sake of pushing his agenda of "free software". I expected more from someone so smart.

Re: Richard Stallman response to Boston Police efforts

#4

Post by ck2 » Sat, Apr 20, 2013, 2:30 AM UTC

It took hundreds of police and probably millions of dollars to catch a teenager who didn't even bother to leave the area or go into hiding - and even TWEETED after the event.

If we were attacked by real, organized terrorists, we are screwed.

I really do not get all the celebration and back-patting, it's disturbing.

Oh and while this huge distraction was going on - no background checks for guns, the most basic bill failed.

But several senators were quick to voice their desire for no miranda rights.

Re: Richard Stallman response to Boston Police efforts

#5

Post by bung » Sat, Apr 20, 2013, 2:33 AM UTC

sergiotapia wrote: post #3

>4 people killed in a week is not a lot compared with the background level of deaths in the US. It's not as many as in the Texas explosion. Car accidents in the US kill around 100 people a day, and surely grievously injure hundreds more. ============================ Difference being of course, one was a deliberate attack on human life, and the other a very _very_ unfortunate accident. Stupid comparison to make for th…

woosh

Re: Richard Stallman response to Boston Police efforts

#6

Post by john_whelan » Sat, Apr 20, 2013, 2:33 AM UTC

sergiotapia wrote: post #3

>4 people killed in a week is not a lot compared with the background level of deaths in the US. It's not as many as in the Texas explosion. Car accidents in the US kill around 100 people a day, and surely grievously injure hundreds more. ============================ Difference being of course, one was a deliberate attack on human life, and the other a very _very_ unfortunate accident. Stupid comparison to make for th…

+ one of those four people was a police officer

Re: Richard Stallman response to Boston Police efforts

#7

Post by moioci » Sat, Apr 20, 2013, 2:35 AM UTC

Surely it's overly reductive to imply -- as he does -- that it's simply the number of deaths, or even the number of deaths and serious injuries combined that should drive our response to these events. The social significance of a truly terrorist act directed at one of the biggest annual events in the Boston area warrants some degree of extraordinary effort, not to mention the public danger of literal bomb-throwers on the loose.

Re: Richard Stallman response to Boston Police efforts

#8

Post by mikegreen » Sat, Apr 20, 2013, 2:35 AM UTC

Never confuse actual security with the theater of security.

It is the latter than our country wants, or at least our politicians say we want.

Re: Richard Stallman response to Boston Police efforts

#9

Post by magic5227 » Sat, Apr 20, 2013, 2:35 AM UTC

This is what Stallman wrote right after the suspect was caught. My personal response is: There will always be a situation that is worse or where more people died, but that doesn't mean this isn't a very emotional and trying time for many, where the police and people of Boston were desperate to catch a person throwing explosives and shooting magazines of bullets in their city. Telling people to stay home for a few hours does not seem unreasonable in this situation. Have some decency and respect for the lives lost, and save your opinions for a more appropriate time.

Re: Richard Stallman response to Boston Police efforts

#10

Post by ryanhuff » Sat, Apr 20, 2013, 2:36 AM UTC

ck2 wrote: post #4

It took hundreds of police and probably millions of dollars to catch a teenager who didn't even bother to leave the area or go into hiding - and even TWEETED after the event. If we were attacked by real, organized terrorists, we are screwed. I really do not get all the celebration and back-patting, it's disturbing. Oh and while this huge distraction was going on - no background checks for guns, the most basic bill fa…

How about celebration for the simple matter that a couple of murderers are off the street, and people can stop hiding in their houses?