[Bradford] [Fwd: Kettling Wikileaks]

[Brian]

The problem with being public though is that you have a lot to lose in this 
country if you are guilty of a DDoS attack. Listening to Radio 4's PM, unless I 
misheard, the penalty can be 10 years in prison. It is all wrong I know but same 
goes for the Digital Economy Bill. This is supposed to be a democracy but it 
isn't really. My first thought, when Julian Assange was accused of rape, was 
that he was probably framed by the CIA. We will probably never know. Also, 
someone in the US was executing a DDoS against Wikileaks - you can be sure that 
he won't be going to court or being harassed by the authorities.
Being Anonymous has it's advantages Al-Qaida seem to do well out of it anyway.
Whilst I stick to the law myself I admire those who stick out their necks to 
stand up for their principles. As a vegetarian I even like to hear when 
McDonalds has had some grief. It is easy to call people cowards for being 
anonymous but when the stakes are high it is quite different to standing by 
one's principles in everyday life. I also think that, when young, many of us 
might do things that we wouldn't do if older and wiser, I know I did, but so 
often we get away with it - it is when we don't that the consequences can have a 
big impact.
So, in summary, I like rebels and admire those who fight for what they believe 
in, even if they are misled and I don't agree with them. For my part, I may have 
been a  bit of a rebel at one time  but now I just wouldn't want the hassle.

The practice of  kettling of people in demonstrations is totally wrong. I can 
understand why some become violent especially when it isn't possible to even use 
a toilet and the Police are hitting people on the head with batons - that is 
simply the action of  arrogant thugs. Again, it's supposed to be a democracy but 
it isn't! Work against the state and, if people start listening to you, 
democracy and fair play go out of the window in favour of those with the money.

Brian







________________________________
From: Alice Kaerast <kaerast at computergentle.com>
To: David Carpenter <david.carpenter at nornir.co.uk>; bradford 
<bradford at mailman.lug.org.uk>
Sent: Sun, 19 December, 2010 14:22:15
Subject: Re: [Bradford] [Fwd: Kettling Wikileaks]


There was a really good talk from an elected EU official in Brussels
yesterday.  To summarise:

The DDOS attacks are probably a good thing because it's showing that
teenagers are actually interested in the world around them.  Teenagers
see very little reason to vote because it doesn't really make any
difference which name the current government goes by.

This DDOS was good because it brought to light a greater evil.  And we
shouldn't charge people making these attacks unless it is financially
motivated (like in Spain).

But we also need to be more open about making these attacks.  Randomly
attacking people and things is not going to make any difference unless
we explain why, and we can't explain very well if we are anonymous or
Anonymous.  It's also cowardly to anonymously make attacks.  If we
believe something then we should be open about our attacks - as the guy
who got arrested was.

To compare the ddos attacks to the protests outside Topshop is also
flawed.  By blockading Topshop we are more visible both to the customers
and to the lower level staff but it also means fewer people can take
part - and this is important.  The DDOS attacks were launched by people
who opted in to the network - they weren't zombie PCs.  All of the
machines attacking were actually owned by people doing it for a
political reason.

Alice




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