Posted ByAl Thorn on July 17, 2001 at 13:54:48:
Your intrepid reporter has been attending every hour of the Phartgate Hearings, and is here making his weekly report.
Unfortunately, not that much has happened since last week's report. With the issue of correct legal name of the Hearings shunted off indefinitely into sub-committee, the sessions have mostly focused on creating a set of working definitions for other terms likely to be used in the Hearings. The terms proposed for definition thus far include: Bull Board, Message, Author, Writer, Creator, Private, Instigate, Instigator, Honorable, Intimidation, and Member.
Hardly gripping stuff. Roshambollah has stopped wearing his suit to the Hearings, RockItMan has taken to playing video games in the back bench, and Freddy Flambe made a great scene when he stormed out of the Hearings after being summoned to testify and then told that his testimony has been postponed indefinitely until the Definition Committee has finalized its report. (He did, however, show up in a stunning one-piece pink rhinestone jumpsuit.)
I am convinced that a great deal hinges upon the outcome of these Hearings. Believe me, I am no fan of Roshambollah, and do indeed hope that he gets what is coming to him. However, significant Freedom of Speech and other Constitutional Rights (not just the WRPSS Constitution, but also the US) issues are at stake here. The draconian nature of the proceedings seems to be scaring away forces that might otherwise be helpful. A representative from the Electronic Frontier Foundation showed up the first day of the hearings and was never seen again. The ACLU has expressed every desire to stay as far from the case as possible.
That leaves me, Al Thorn, as your only bastion of truth and information. I will continue to attend all Hearings (sometimes up to 12 hours a day) and will update you all next week of any findings.
Al Thorn