[Patents] No point in everybody agreeing in a discussion

[Luuk.van.Dijk@xs4all.nl (Luuk van Dijk)]

On Sun, 01 Apr 2001 21:27:45 Krzysztof Sobolewski wrote:
> Hello,
> dear anti-patent (anti-slavery) friends.
> Now, when Greg is becoming more and more funny (for example, in 
> his attacks against Pilch) maybe it's a good time to point out 
> WHAT exactly we've lost because of his presence here, and 
> speakiong with him.

<SNIP>

Dear mr. Sobolewski,

as someone actively lobbying against swpats in the Netherlands, I wish to
distantiate myself from your statements on this list.  

First of all I object to the identification of slavery with the patent
system, and I do not think that the anti-lobby's arguments are better 
heard when this association is pursued in public statements, any more
than the statement that Hitler was a vegetarian would help the meat industry.

Secondly, I am sure I speak on behalf of many readers of this list
when I say I find Greg's contributions extremely valuable.  He often
gives me a good run for my arguments, and he has certainly provided
well-informed input to this whole discussion.

Remember that if dissenting opinions are not heard, there is little
use in having a discussion.  This mailinglist would only serve to preach for
our own parish, as a Dutch saying has it.

AND PLEASE STOP SHOUTING.

Luuk van Dijk