my thoughts on this lori drew case...

i've been watching this case kinda closely because i think it's going to set a great precedence for the future regarding cyber laws and terms of usage. i really kinda feel like this federal case is a stretch and the loosest possible interpretation of the crime she is charged with. for example, should she be found guilty, it sets a precedence where, for example, an individual using someone else's username and password to spy on their myspace/email/facebook/ebay etc activity for no reason other than to know what they are doing and saying and what not - could also receive prison time for the act of fraud - not to mention stalking - and hacking and whatever other interpretations they can come up with....

think about that. prison time for reading your ex's email.

it's a stretch - but i think it's true.

and for the record, i just don't really buy the defense of "i didn't read the terms of agreement so how did i know i was violating them" - well you clicked that you read them. it's like saying "i didn't open and read my gas bill so i didn't know i had to pay it".

the whole story is tragic. and unfortunately appropriate cyber laws were not in place for her to be held responsible for the cyber harassment she allegedly inflicted and she can't be charged in retrospect after the laws are created. this case is the only way for justice for the alleged acts and i kinda feel it's really reaching. while i think that the alleged acts are horrible and wish the laws were in place to begin with - i kinda think that this case isn't going to bring any more closure to the situation for anyone. mark my words - no matter the outcome, there's a civil suit down the road. i've been saying that since the story broke a year ago.

the jury begins deliberating tomorrow. the judge is stalling on his decision to dismiss the case. i am putting this in writing now so i can say i was right later. i fully think that judge is going to let that jury decide on a verdict and after it comes down, if they have found her guilty - then he's going to dismiss it.

sigh. i've said this before and still feel this way. we need to teach our kids that they don't have to like someone - but that everyone deserves respect at the very least. and until the people of the world learn to respect each other - this crap will continue to happen.