Subj : Re: GNU Public Licences Revisited (again)
To   : comp.programming
From : Gerry Quinn
Date : Tue Sep 20 2005 11:45 am

In article <_zHXe.15811$R5.1145@news.indigo.ie>, 
david.golden@oceanfree.net says...
> Gerry Quinn wrote:
> 
> > in order to
> > support a particular view regarding that sphere
> 
> Again, the quote would still be relevant without attribution.
> However, if I _hadn't_ attributed it, I'd bet you'd now be berating me
> for the hypocrisy of failing to attribute it, particularly since you
> know its origin.

The point is that YOUR ATTRIBUTION CONSTITUTED A LIE.  Not attributing 
it would have been better than falsely attributing it, with the implied 
claim that it represented Meier's opinion, or that of an avatar of 
Meier's.  Which very clearly it did not.

> The quote was a summary of a true motive, possibly the only true motive,
> in restricting and controlling information flow. Control: power over
> others.  I"P" is just one more means to that end.  Hence one of the
> earlier Heinlein quotes:
> 
> "The human race divides politically into those who want people to be
> controlled and those who have no such desire."

And presumably it's just as legitimate to quote this as an endorsement 
for particular S&M practices?  Without any care for context or whether 
the character was expressing the author's views?  Or whether psycho-
political schemas SF novels tend to correspond to fact?  

[Since Heinlein is often thought to have put his politics in the mouth 
of the more lengthily pontificating characters, there might be some 
justice in attributing the words of such characters to him.  IF of 
course there were evidence that this was the context.  Which Heinlein's 
considerable interest in royalties seems to make doubtful...]

- Gerry Quinn

.