On 05/28/01, Mitch Halmu <mitch@netside.net> wrote:
So here's the essence of my reasoning: your approach to combat spamming and your methods of enforcement are wrong. You employ the same argument to restrict relays as used against lawful gun owners by those that want to take them away. You are unwilling to go after the actual spammers, and instead punish network owners for someone else's client deeds. Well, that won't fly in America. There is your legal precedent in spirit.
The core problem with your reasoning is that you consider any site's refusal of your mail to be "enforcement," presumably some type of punishment, while most of the folks who deny your mail see it as security. They are protecting themselves from the people that YOU have allowed to abuse your mail server. They don't know or care who you are, who your users are, or what your reasons for allowing that abuse might be. I don't expect you to admit to being wrong this late in the thread, but please, think about that difference for a while, even if you disagree with it.
I am in favor of explicit federal legislation regulating this aspect of electronic communications. Then we'll all know exactly what's legal and what's not, and the playing field becomes level again for all. That would likely put you out of a job, I'm afraid...
It is the fervent wish of every sane anti-spammer (and yes, I know, there's a lot who aren't sane) that we could stop doing this work entirely. Oh, and you appear to be mistaken about which organizations I am currently involved with. I will endeavor to ensure that all relevant web sties are updated. -- J.D. Falk SILENCE IS FOO! <jdfalk@cybernothing.org>