[NEOPO]

Without naming names I wanted to talk about something that has been bothering me for quite some time but is really starting to fester and come to a head right about now.

A strange silence by certain people on certain issues.

There is one issue in particular, one huge issue indeed that certain people seem to be avoiding like the plague.

They do this while others with just as much if not more to lose, in the same arena, bravely confront the crowd and proclaim what they feel is the truth.

One must wonder why.

I can only think that a group of these certain people have decided to not come out on this issue collectively.

If this is the case then I feel it is shrinking from controversy and cowardice.
I also feel that if this be the case then ALL of these people should remain silent on the issue just like they have decided is best for the collective hive.

Its hard to complain about shit that is free - yet again - nothing is free.......

[seldom_seen]

NEOPODUNK

[GreenMarine]

What are these certain issues?

[leal]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('seldom_seen', '[')color=white]NEOPODUNK[/color]

[erl]

I'm in:

[NEOPO]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('leal', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('seldom_seen', '[')color=white]NEOPODUNK[/color]

[Ludi]

What issue? Which people?

[MD]

Who knows. He'll tell us eventually, maybe.

[AirlinePilot]

I know I know!!!

Heh, Neopodunk good one.

[Daculling]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('NEOPO', '
')One must wonder why.

[TITAN]

Ok, let's play 'guess that issue!'

I am guessing...

'The fact that most people today think it's cool to be dumb?'

[Jack]

Several issues might fit the bill. But as to why people avoid controversial issues, let us consider the elements of Federal conspiracy law. They are:

1) Two or more individuals, not including Government agents and

2) Discussing a specified unlawful activity and

3) A preparatory act.

The canonical example: Two individuals, neither a government agent, discuss the murder of a high elected official. One individual then procures a firearm.

At that juncture, a criminal offense has been committed. It does not matter if, at some subsequent time, the individual disposes of the firearm. It does not matter if one or both individuals repudiate the action they discussed. The offense has been committed. If memory serves, a conspiracy offense is one degree less than the offense discussed.

So, conspiracy to commit a first degree felony would be a second degree felony.

Since we don't know what the other members of an open forum might do, it seems prudent to avoid discussing certain sensitive issues.

Your mileage my vary.

[Doly]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Jack', 'B')ut as to why people avoid controversial issues, let us consider the elements of Federal conspiracy law.

[Jack]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Doly', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Jack', 'B')ut as to why people avoid controversial issues, let us consider the elements of Federal conspiracy law.