[ale] [OT] rights and wrongs [politics] (was Re: Linux apparently illegal in MA)

[Geoffrey]

Jim Kinney wrote:
> On Mon, Apr 20, 2009 at 10:08 AM, Robert Reese~ <ale at sixit.com> wrote:
>> Hi Jim,
>>
>> (I've added an OT tag and a 'politics' tag to the subject line which was changed
>> to more reflect more accurately the contents.)
>>
>>>> OTOH, you are right that not every Constitutionally guaranteed
>>>> right exists on private property or in other private situations.
>>>> A prime example is that no one has the 1st Amendment right on my
>>>> private property.
>>>>
>>>>
>>> It would make for a more interesting world if the freedoms set down
>>> in the Constitution were backed by something similar to the GPL. My
>>> rights exist and no one has the right to lessen them.
>> My rights end where yours begin; when I'm on your private property, I am subject
>> to your rights.  And vice versa.  ;c)
> 
> It's more an overlapping rights mesh network than a hard end/beginning
> situation. Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness are not by
> definition a cause of rights conflict between individuals unless on
> persons happiness is another persons misery. At that point the
> non-removal of happiness should trump the acquisition of happiness.

I agree with this point, a good example is smokers.  Feel free to smoke, 
just don't make me breath your 2nd had poison.

-- 
Until later, Geoffrey

Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little
temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.
  - Benjamin Franklin