Tweet
I sent this letter to the Governor of Georgia using the link supplied on the site there. (I am signator #11,475 to the petition)
Let's hope he gets a good lawyer in any case..
Governor Barnes,
While it may be true that David McOwen used computer equipment entrusted to his care for uses unapproved, he did so without any criminal or other harmful intent, knowing as he did that this software would use only unused cycles in the said computers. His actions cannot be said to have resulted in any harm to the owners of these computers, and indeed many of these distributed programs (which would be equally prosecutable for using in this way) are of great benefit to mankind, such as the cancer and genome projects. Further, the bandwidth McOwen used in this case was probably no more wasteful of resources than had he used the school phone to call home. And for this the State of Georgia thinks he should not only lose his job and become untouchable by other employers (as if this was not bad enough), but that he should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the (extremely poorly thought out) law, which includes punishment more severe than many murderers receive, and extremely exhorbitant fines. That such legislation exists and can be abused so in its enforcement should be embarassing to those who drafted it. I'm sure the intent of this law was to stop true harm from being done to computer networks and not to ensnare an easy target like Mr. McOwen, who probably could not have imagined that such penalties existed for the very minor offense of which he is guilty. Nevertheless, laws in general which define offenses so broadly and show a complete lack of regard for what little true harm was done when committing said "offenses" ensure nothing but abuse in their enforcement. Further, the outrageously severe punishment proscribed here for something which did no harm and had no criminal intent associated with it distorts all that a decent society should value. Those seeking this prosecution are guilty of infinitely more evil than he whom they accuse. They have destroyed the life of a decent citizen on a whim because the law allowed them to do so.
When mundane things become crimes, we all become criminals; enforcement authorities are then free to prosecute anyone they choose, perhaps based upon nothing but whim or bribery. This is known as a police state. Is this what Georgia has become? Your pardon power can answer this question, and I encourage you to use it. Further, this law must be reformed so that it is no longer an offense to the public interest as it so obviously has been shown to be in the McOwen case. Thank you for your time and considered thought upon this matter.
Sincerely,
Charles Morris
While it may be true that David McOwen used computer equipment entrusted to his care for uses unapproved, he did so without any criminal or other harmful intent, knowing as he did that this software would use only unused cycles in the said computers. His actions cannot be said to have resulted in any harm to the owners of these computers, and indeed many of these distributed programs (which would be equally prosecutable for using in this way) are of great benefit to mankind, such as the cancer and genome projects. Further, the bandwidth McOwen used in this case was probably no more wasteful of resources than had he used the school phone to call home. And for this the State of Georgia thinks he should not only lose his job and become untouchable by other employers (as if this was not bad enough), but that he should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the (extremely poorly thought out) law, which includes punishment more severe than many murderers receive, and extremely exhorbitant fines. That such legislation exists and can be abused so in its enforcement should be embarassing to those who drafted it. I'm sure the intent of this law was to stop true harm from being done to computer networks and not to ensnare an easy target like Mr. McOwen, who probably could not have imagined that such penalties existed for the very minor offense of which he is guilty. Nevertheless, laws in general which define offenses so broadly and show a complete lack of regard for what little true harm was done when committing said "offenses" ensure nothing but abuse in their enforcement. Further, the outrageously severe punishment proscribed here for something which did no harm and had no criminal intent associated with it distorts all that a decent society should value. Those seeking this prosecution are guilty of infinitely more evil than he whom they accuse. They have destroyed the life of a decent citizen on a whim because the law allowed them to do so.
When mundane things become crimes, we all become criminals; enforcement authorities are then free to prosecute anyone they choose, perhaps based upon nothing but whim or bribery. This is known as a police state. Is this what Georgia has become? Your pardon power can answer this question, and I encourage you to use it. Further, this law must be reformed so that it is no longer an offense to the public interest as it so obviously has been shown to be in the McOwen case. Thank you for your time and considered thought upon this matter.
Sincerely,
Charles Morris
.
Comment