Author: Bob Stewart at -Internet Date: 3/14/ 0 11:56 AM Priority: Normal BCC: citation at AO-OCPPO TO: at -Internet Subject: RE: ABA proposal RFC Gentlemen: I will ask you to consider the fact that ignorance is not an excuse for violating the laws, those laws are further defined by legal precedence which is set in the opinions of the court. To have a lawful online society we must extend the access to that knowledge to it's citizens. I strongly urge you to adopt the overall principal of the freedom of information. Our tax dollars fund our government and it's activities are owned by the people. Modest fees for the expenses of collection, duplication, and distribution are appropriate. However duplicating electrons costs nothing, distributing electrons costs next to nothing and the costs of collection are becoming increasingly more reasonable with the advent of technology in the courts. Apparently West Publishing, the company with the current monopoly on federal circuit and district court citations, has lobbied the judiciary very aggressively on this issue, and a number of federal judges are said to have already sent in letters in opposition of a public domain citation. This speaks of a level of fear, uncertainty and doubt combined with a degree of disregard for the tenets of our constitution. These opinions must not carry any more weight than any other citizens. Rather I'd guess this is yet a ploy to keep sacred and inviolate the mysteries of our own countries legal system. To the profit of the few at the expense of the many. Put the documents into the public trust. Sincerely, Bob Stewart President VRmedia Internet Publishing Corporation PO BOX 2597, Kennebunkport, ME 04046 mailto:Webmaster@VRmedia.com 207-967-8824 FAX-967-5034 http://www.VRmedia.com Netscape DevEdge Gold Developer Partners Internet Society member since 1994.