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Archiver > DEVON > 1999-12 > 0945533064


From: Michael H Thorne <>
Subject: Re: Data Protection Act
Date: Sat, 18 Dec 1999 11:04:24 -0500


Brian,

Thank you for sharing the whole text of the explanation of the Act. I
work for the US government so have more than a passing familiarity with
the propensity of born and bred bureaucrats to think they can somehow
provide "freedom for the individual" by imposing "restrictions on
everyone". It only goes to show that George Orwell had it right all
along.

Having read every word of your message, I note that no mention was made
about extradition of violators of the Act. This is to serve notice that
should your bureaucrats deem that I have violated their Act, I will spare
no expense to fight extradition. (On second thought, given that they're
generally a well intentioned but anal lot with no sense of proportion or
humor, to them I need to point out that the above is just a joke.)

As an individual, I will be guided by the following: 1) I will personally
exercise the best care I can not to reveal anything to any party that
would inappropriately compromise the privacy of any individual; 2)
regarding Acts built on the specious logic that allows anyone to possess
a phone book but not to copy even a part of it without becoming a
criminal, I will have to give serious consideration to practicing civil
disobedience (or just giving up on my Devon ancestors and cousins).

Perhaps the best thing that can happen with an Act so poorly written, at
least as interpreted by your officials, is that your Government enforce
is vigorously. Ulysses S. Grant, when he was President, said "The
fastest way to get rid of a bad law is to enforce it." He was right.

Best wishes to all this Christmas season, Mike

p.s. The following information has been automatically attached to this
message. Given the Act, I need to inform one and all that I do NOT
authorize anyone to forward my name, addresses or anything about me to
any official of your Government. That would place you in violation of
the Act and I would be forced to prosecute.


<>
(my new version of Juno accepts e-mails WITH attachments if you care to
send any)
Mike Thorne
9 Winthrop Ct
Durham, NC 27707
**********************************************************
(I hope everyone recognizes that, while I think the Act is not well
thought out or even reasonable relative to genealogy, this letter was
written with my tongue firmly planted in my cheek. Mike)
**********************************************************

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