Is it morally wrong to participate in a group effort to overload the server of a site that you find reprehensible?

I don't think it's immoral or illegal (if your part in the DOS is simply downloading their largest file repeatedly), but I may be wrong about the illegal part.

In fact, one person in the comments at Digg says that it's an assault on free speech to make the WBC have to pay extra for their bandwidth by overloading it, but I disagree. Hitting them in the pocketbook (as long as you're not the government) seems like a perfectly valid and reasonable way to express your dislike of their message. It's not that much different from an organized boycott of a company that expresses ideas you strongly disagree with.

Free speech means they're free to say whatever they want. It doesn't mean they shouldn't have to pay money for it (provided you're not the government)

It's my fault. I got your note, but I'd spaced that it was the day you were traveling, and by the time I got it, the SO already had the car all day. I meant to bring him with me, I wanted him to meet you. I should have just called to let you know why not, but phone fear! So, my apologies.

We'll get together yet, another time.

Hitting them in the pocketbook (as long as you're not the government) seems like a perfectly valid and reasonable way to express your dislike of their message. It's not that much different from an organized boycott of a company that expresses ideas you strongly disagree with.

Except that in this case it seems more likely to push up their Google rankings than to crash their server. I'd rather ignore them entirely than risk a scheme like this backfiring.

I wish my vet had an office kitty. When I was there for the first (and so far, only) time, they did have one of their patients/boarders out playing in the office--a great big boxer who was very curious about all of the animals being brought in for checkups and he was also a big "pet me, everyone!" slut.

Speaking of, my brother's two Malamutes were hanging out on their deck when I went over to his house yesterday (Kip was giving me a ride to the airport), and they lovelovelove getting attention. Of course, I was wearing a black knit shirt that had to be thoroughly lint-brushed afterwards, but I couldn't resist wrestling/scratching those two big goofballs.

I'm with Jessica. Taking part in the effort means I'd have to go to Phelps's Web site. Which just ain't gonna happen.

Doesn't help that diggs's site wouldn't respond on my browser, causing both that window and the b.org window to close.

Hitting them in the pocketbook (as long as you're not the government) seems like a perfectly valid and reasonable way to express your dislike of their message. It's not that much different from an organized boycott of a company that expresses ideas you strongly disagree with.

It's just like how my father used to order every free thing the Christian Coalition (and etc.) offered him for his congregation, and then just throw it out. Except for the google backfire thing Jess mentions that doesn't exist when you're just talking about direct mail.

Our New Year's Eve plans: Nothing. Diplomats are not allowed to attend parties or any social function when a president dies, until the body is interred.

We are kind of thinking about having some other Amerikaniki over for board games or something, as long as we don't wind up in the papers.

Did Almaty used to be known as Alma Ata?

And various government agencies spell it various ways. Although now that the political capital is Astana, that difficulty becomes moot.

IIRC, this article convinced me that Fred Phelps and his family was hardly worth paying attention to. He's, as they put it, "the demented uncle best left locked away in an upstairs bedroom."

Getting a querulous e-mail in response to a read receipt when it's been less than a minute since I sent it, I think, is jumping the gun a bit.

Lady, it takes time to login, fix shit what needs it, and then type a reply. I am neither an Allen, a West, nor a Quick.

Raq, that is of the suck! I mean, I understand respect for the dead. Just, aw.

Except for the google backfire thing Jess mentions that doesn't exist when you're just talking about direct mail.

I used to fill up postage paid envelopes for places I hated with scrap paper, paper clips, cat claw clippings - anything to weigh 'em down over the basic postage amount. Don't know that they actually had to pay it, but it made me feel better.

Taking part in the effort means I'd have to go to Phelps's Web site.

Heh. That's a lot of ugly to have to clean off your shirt.

Off to read bon bon's link.