Path: utzoo!utgpu!watmath!clyde!att!osu-cis!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!rutgers!cmcl2!polyof!kepler1!rjfrey
From: rjfrey@kepler1.UUCP (Robert J Frey)
Newsgroups: comp.misc
Subject: Re: CALL FOR VOTES:  DID HE DO US A SER
Message-ID: <22@kepler1.UUCP>
Date: 28 Nov 88 12:05:39 GMT
References: <1330@stiatl.UUCP> <79700016@p.cs.uiuc.edu> <1564@stiatl.UUCP> <15@kepler1.UUCP> <22740@cornell.UUCP> <617@white.gcm> <374@eda.
Reply-To: rjfrey@kepler1.UUCP (Robert J Frey)
Distribution: na
Organization: Kepler Financial Mgmt, Setauket, NY
Lines: 34

In article <374@eda.com> jim@eda.com (Jim Budler) writes:
>
>Many states have 'deep pockets laws' which result in any liability, even
>1%, under the law being 100% liable.
>
>In the RTM/Cornell case, if tried in California, any amount rewarded, would
>be paid by the combination of RTM and Cornell. After RTM put up his $10,
>the balance of the penalty would be paid by Cornell, even if the jury
>judged Cornell only 1% responsible. 
>

My original comments about Cornell _possibly_ being liable were simply
about that, to the extent that Cornell was liable it must be held accountable.
One may or may not agree with the "deep pockets" laws, but they are a fact
of life.  I own a restaurant and am quite familiar with their application
vis-a-vis DWI-related accidents, etc.  My reaction to someone who feels my
original comments were unfair or threatening is that, first, I didn't intend
them to seem so in any personal way, but, second, educational institutions
are no different that a lot of other organizations in that they must be
held responsible for some of the acts of their constituent members.

People in universities have to understand that computers are a mature
technology.  We don't "do interesting things" on our computers; we use them
to run our business.  Grown-ups take responsibility for what they do.  It's
not always comforting and it often feels "threatening", but the choice is
to hide under a rock and do nothing at all.

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|Dr. Robert J. Frey               | {icus, spl1, dasys1}!acsm!kepler1!rjfrey |
|Kepler Financial Management, Ltd.|------------------------------------------|
|100 North Country Rd., Bldg. B   | The views expressed are wholly my own and|
|Setauket, NY  11766              | and do not reflect those of the Indepen- |
|(516) 689-6300 x.16              | dent Republic of Latvia.                 |
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