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In light of the recent revelation of both hacking and theft of subscriber information/bank accounts with the execution of actual monies transferred without subscribers' awareness from Stratfors, I have a question for members of the MWP and
supporters who ally themselves with the OWS movement. Given the support and accolades I have read in the media by OWS for these actions by "Anonymous", at what point do illegal actions cross the line from being merely a publicity ploy to outright criminal activity involving theft?
In other words, in my opinion it is one thing to provide awareness of a security "GLITCH" with regards to lack of encryption, etc....but to steal monies from both organizations and individuals is now criminal intent. Is this the intent of OWS and other associated groups?
As an addendum to my post, I see no real difference between what happened at Stratfors and what has occurred via the the greed of managers at various hedge fund groups discussed ad nauseum over the past several decades. While the "aim" of the former may be interpreted as altruistic versus targeted greed by the latter...the common denominator remains that money was stolen pure and simple.
At what point does American society at large come to the understanding that both are
equally wrong?
Sure the information should have been encrypted and this will help it to be encrypted from now on, I am sure. Still, anytime anything is stolen it is a crime regardless of the reason and they should be punishable by law.
On the other hand the actions of a few should not taint some of the valid points being brought up by OWS, which have been brought up before by the Whigs and even before by others.
Still, those who stole should be punished by the law and the Whigs will not support those actions, ever.
Anonymous has a function in society. Taking money is theft.
Some say taxation is theft. Others say profit is theft. I say we need a new economic 'ism' for the future, but I'll post somewhere else.
Since it's been over a month from the last post, I'll submit that Anonymous has been doing some enlightening actions.
Whistle-blowers are Freedom and Liberty for these draconian times of Dictatorship.
These two sets of individuals are scorned and hunted as criminals. I say they must not, nor should any American, regardless of party cast them as criminals when their actions expose crimes.
Decency is an ever short of supply item.
Greed is an ever abundant in supply item.
Throughout American history, we have both praised and vilified those who broke the law. For example, Oklahoma University takes as its nickname, the name of those who broke the law to get an unfair advantage, Sooners. One old book suggests that, "we do not despise someone who steals bread when they are hungry." Whistle blowers almost always are breaking some rule in order to get the word out.
We need to offer both justice and mercy.
Yes, it is wrong to steal money. That the money taken was given to charity still does not make it right to steal. Our response to that lawbreaking needs to be measured, not seeking vengence. I would suggest that we call for the money taken to be repaid.
At the same time, it is vital to ask if those who are wealthy are getting better treatment from the courts than the poor. If they are, that is a distortion of justice deadly to our society.
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