Michael Dalton (the lawyer) has done work for me before and I can attest that he's an ethical person who I suspect is just carrying out the will of his client. Nevertheless I think there are times when clients should be advised that they are in the wrong and that this is probably one of them.
Here's a letter I've sent to the parties involved.
I really would like to see a clear statement of why Theos Software thinks they have both the right and the responsibility to take action in this case. At the moment I suspect/hope if the fellow from Theos Software had to present his case without Michael's help its ethical grounds (or lack thereof) would be plain to everyone.
Michael,
I have been a client of yours for the past few years. From time to time I've asked you to review contracts for me.
I'm writing you to indicate my profound displeasure upon hearing that you are personally involved in a matter against another personal acquaintance of mine, Theo De Raadt, in the action described on his web site (http://www.theos.com). Theo is a person of remarkable integrity and ability whose efforts over the past several years have benefited a large number of people.
Based on my past experience with him, I'm strongly inclined to believe the information he has presented on his web site. And based on my experience with you, someone whose legal and ethical judgement I've come to trust, I'm inclined to believe you would not take part in this kind of action if things are as Theo's site suggests.
Unfortunately, I haven't found any clear statement of your client's position on his site. So, in absence of information, it is my theory that there is either some sort of confusion here or that your client must have some evidence Theo's site has not presented that would explain why legal action is appropriate in this case or perhaps both.
So my question to you and your client is: can you direct me to a website where I can read your statement of your reasons for consdering bringing legal action against Theo? If you do I promise you I (and others) shall read it carefully without prejudice before considering what steps we should take.
Should your client remain silent on this issue, I would have no recourse but to believe Theo's version of these events in which case I would feel obligated to do what I could to oppose this action.
I would like to be able to rapidly filter out most AC comments. If there were an option I could set to sort AC's last (in both tree and flat modes) then I would be happier.
Of course, as evidenced by the frequency of "first comment" posts, I'm sure others would like to be able to sort their comments first.
So Rob, why not make everyone happier and just add a sort-preference option?
Slashdot Mirror
Here's a letter I've sent to the parties involved.
I really would like to see a clear statement of why Theos Software thinks they have both the right and the responsibility to take action in this case. At the moment I suspect/hope if the fellow from Theos Software had to present his case without Michael's help its ethical grounds (or lack thereof) would be plain to everyone.
Michael,
I have been a client of yours for the past few years. From time to time I've asked you to review contracts for me.
I'm writing you to indicate my profound displeasure upon hearing that you are personally involved in a matter against another personal acquaintance of mine, Theo De Raadt, in the action described on his web site (http://www.theos.com). Theo is a person of remarkable integrity and ability whose efforts over the past several years have benefited a large number of people.
Based on my past experience with him, I'm strongly inclined to believe the information he has presented on his web site. And based on my experience with you, someone whose legal and ethical judgement I've come to trust, I'm inclined to believe you would not take part in this kind of action if things are as Theo's site suggests.
Unfortunately, I haven't found any clear statement of your client's position on his site. So, in absence of information, it is my theory that there is either some sort of confusion here or that your client must have some evidence Theo's site has not presented that would explain why legal action is appropriate in this case or perhaps both.
So my question to you and your client is: can you direct me to a website where I can read your statement of your reasons for consdering bringing legal action against Theo? If you do I promise you I (and others) shall read it carefully without prejudice before considering what steps we should take.
Should your client remain silent on this issue, I would have no recourse but to believe Theo's version of these events in which case I would feel obligated to do what I could to oppose this action.
Regards,
Cimarron Taylor
cimarron@taylors.org
CC: Theo De Raadt, Tim Williams
Your post reads like a zippy cartoon. Are we having fun yet?
Enough Said,
Cimarron Taylor
I would like to be able to rapidly filter out most AC comments. If there were an option I could set to sort AC's last (in both tree and flat modes) then I would be happier.
Of course, as evidenced by the frequency of "first comment" posts, I'm sure others would like to be able to sort their comments first.
So Rob, why not make everyone happier and just add a sort-preference option?
Enough Said,
Cimarron Taylor