Date: Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:18:24 -0800
To: "michael.mckubre-sri.com" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
From: Steven Krivit <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Freedom of Information and Open Science
Steve; you are obviously monitoring this thread through a second
agent. I would ask both of you to stop. In the event that this does not
stop then I ask you both - and ALL in this situation - to agree as
gentlemen (or gentlewomen) to be bound by the rules of this list. Anyone
who reads this material is de facto a member and I, personally, hold you
to these rules*. This is not to say that I disagree with what you say or
your right to say it. I do not agree with the principle (or value) of
making public, material from an intentionally private list.
Mike,
With all due respect to your outstanding and important achievements and
contributions to the field, I do not agree with the principle (or value)
of intentionally making secret scientific discussions among a
non-commercial group of people.
It is true that the CMNS list has a rule about secrecy. However, this rule
is unjust and ill-founded. Yours, or anyone's judgment about being a
"gentleman" or "gentlewoman" is just that, your judgment.
I am happy that you consider me a member of the list. I cannot, however,
abide by nondisclosure, regardless of whether "you personally," or even
for that matter, if George Bush *personally* holds me to these rules.
The CMNS list secrecy rule is a constraint on my personal civil liberties
as well as an obstruction of free press.
As you can tell, the people (not just one) who are leaking list messages
to me, do not believe that it is in the best interests of this scientific
society to be secretive. I, and perhaps they too, do not believe it is in
the best interests for people who are providing information to this
community via the CMNS list be shielded from the media spotlight.
Free speech and the freedom of the press are fundamental values in a
democratic society. Even people in the U.S. government are subject to the
Freedom of Information Act. I can imagine that people who wish to control
the press might wish to control the press's access to information. You are
treading on sacred ground my friend.
God bless America!
Steve
