sting operaton

[Paul Mackin]

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From: 	Joe Varo[SMTP:vjvaro at erie.net]

I'm no lawyer, but doesn't the fact that one has to actually *join* the
P-list, or any mailing list, for that matter, as opposed to a newsgroup,
provide some manner of immunity from the "thought police"?

>>>>In the U.S. at least the doctrine of free speech is very very strong. Nothing on the p-list comes anywhere near the purview of the "thought police" even if there were such an organization. Whether a minor or two accidently gets within earshot doesn't in itself alter the situation. For instance there was a piece in the WP this morning about a young girl who was researching on the net for her book report on _Little Women_ and came across the Women . . . women . . . women. . .  newsgroup. Her mother was outranged but legal opinion suggested no recourse.

Of course as we all know ACTIONS that could be construed as encouraging child porn are less well protected and therefore hot for exploitation. There are tricksters out there who would love to entrap some poor sap and thereby run up a big legal bill for him, even if the guy was only tryin' to be helpful. At least it seems reasonable to assume so.

			P.

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