[free-sklyarov] Science Friday interview

[Roger Kramer]

Dear Ms. Gross,

I have been following and participating in the Sklyarov case since last week. 
I was encouraged that NPR _finally_ woke up to the issue and interviewed you 
on Science Friday this morning.

You and the EFF certainly know more about the legal angles and probably how 
to best spin this to the public than I, but I was disturbed by one oversight 
this morning.

I believe that there must be public acknowledgement that, yes, there ARE 
illegal uses for the eBook Reader just as there are quite similar illegal 
uses for a hairpin (lock picking) and absolutely any other tool or technology 
you care to name. If this sort of full disclosure is not made, it sounds to 
those capable of understanding the issue like we're hiding something. You 
emphasize that there are legal issues, but I'd focus on the distinction 
between "tool" and "intent." I realize there are certain 
"breaking-and-entering" images we want to avoid, but blue-collar America, in 
particular, may actually grasp the issue if  Title 17, Section 1201 is 
paraphrased as a ban on hammers and crowbars. Even the consumate layperson 
could understand that's bloody absurd.

Thanks for your work!
Roger Kramer
mailto://rwkramer@premier1.net
http://www.premier1.net/~rwkramer