I think this dispute is overblown, and kind of silly on both sides.
I see no harm in Krivit discussing leaked messages. The messages do not seem particularly important and I can't imagine why they are secret in the first place.
On the other hand, the CMNS people can set any rules they want, and their rules do not interfere with Krivit's freedom or anyone else's.
Steven Krivit wrote:
It is true that the CMNS list has a rule about secrecy. However, this rule is unjust and ill-founded.
I think it is ill-founded, but I see nothing unjust about it. They can have any rules they like.
The CMNS list secrecy rule is a constraint on my personal civil liberties as well as an obstruction of free press.
Nonsense. It is does not constrain your liberties. You don't have to be a member.
As you can tell, the people (not just one) who are leaking list messages to me . . .
In that case, McKubre should be upset with those people, not with Krivit.
. . . 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.
I agree that secrecy is not in the best interests of the scientific society. That's why I quit CMNS. But it is for them to decide. People are allowed to act contrary to their own interests.
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.
That is because it is the government. That has nothing to do with private conversations.
- Jed
