wrote in message
ups.com...
John Smith wrote:
"Slow Code" wrote in message
...
The way I understand our constitution, a man creates a debt to society
with
crime, once he pays this debt he is to have his rights restored; this
keeps
society from creating dangerous and dark forces through abuses of its'
citizens. While I do believe special arguments can be made of the type
of
crime a criminal commits, child molestation, premeditated murder, rape,
etc., in most instances the above should be followed. I think one clue
is
the statement in our constitution, paraphrased here, " ... endowed with
unalienable rights by
his creator ..." This is best seen when one applies thought and sees
that
any tampering with such rights immediately infringes upons ones rights to
the "pursuit of happiness", freedom and access to those resources granted
us
by our creator.

That's certainly one way to look at it.

Here's another, somewhat similar view:

An amateur radio license is not a right. It is a privilege, granted by
a process that includes passing the required examinations *and*
demonstrating that the licensee is trustworthy to follow the rules and
regulations.

The FCC assumes that all license applicants are trustworthy, unless and
until they prove they are not. Conviction of a serious crime is
considered by the FCC to be an indication of not being trustworthy.

Note that the conviction is considered to be an indication, not proof.
License revocation is not automatic. The person whose license was
revoked was offered the opportunity to show that they were still
trustworthy in terms of an FCC license. But the person in question did
not reply to the FCC's letter at all, so FCC had the license revoked.

I am no attorney, however, I suspect that could only be made to work
against
felons who are incarcerated or on probation/parole.

Maybe. OTOH, the argument that a license is a privilege and not a right
might win out.

Still, the logic fails me of why you would ever revoke someones license
who
had been convicted of, say, a felony regarding bank fraud--felony drunk
driving--manslaughter--etc.

Because such convictions indicate a lack of trustworthiness. Or to put
it another way, the ability to make good choices and control one's
behavior. Someone convicted of felony drunk driving obviously has
problems in those areas.

And note again that the revocations are not automatic.

This type of logic, once again, demonstrates
why I hold such a low esteem for some in amateur radio.

It is the FCC, not amateurs, who make these decisions.

Most likely, in all cases, if the criminal had spent more time in the
hobby
aspect of radio his desire to commit a crime would have been diminished!

Maybe.

It would be interesting to see the rate of serious criminality among
licensed radio
amateurs compared to the general population.

Best we help this criminals before society suffers, rather than punish
them
after the fact (and someone ends up without his/her property, or worse,
dead!)

You're talking prevention rather than punishment - and I agree.

73 de Jim, N2EY


I "suppose" they (the FCC) could consider a way of reinstating said
license - much like any State Bureau of Motor Vehicles would for a person
found DUI/etc - if proper conditions were placed into effect. I doubt that
will ever happen.

Quite frankly, I don't see what "CB/Ham/2 way" radio in general - has to do
with a "Felon" - UNLESS they were used in the commission of said crimes -
which by the way - carries additional penalties.

I mean - if a person has it in them to kill someone - rob a bank, etc.....
radio "didn't" drive them to it - unless maybe they're looking for cash to
build a bigger station, etc. That is laughable. People commit crimes for
various reasons. Money, Jealousy, definate Mental impairment which breeds
anti-social behaviour - and so on. Was Hitler a "ham"? Probably not. Was
Osama Bin Laden or any of his ass kissing henchmen? Probably not! I am
willing to bet - the majority of criminals have had NO or very little
exposure to radio - with exception of maybe CB and FRS - since they're so
prevalent and easily used and acquired. But even at that - the
aforementioned issues are mainly at fault and I'm sorry - I fail to see
where "Radio" has anything to do with it.

I will agree with the one poster - had anyone "convicted" of a crime who
"was" into Ham - been more involved in the hobby, it "may" have prevented
said crimes. FWIW - crimes differ from state to state as to what may be
considered as a "felony". What may be a felony in one state, may not be in
yet another.
Then again - some people - regardless if it is "ham" radio, "CB", pick up
games of sports, etc. - lose their cool so very easily - and BAM - a crime
is committed. People have died at youth sports games when the "parents" went
nuts and attacked others. You can't blame the "Youth" sports for those
deaths - anymore than you can Ham radio for a crime. People are just going
bonkers more and more now days and they use any little excuse to try to
justify their cause.

Not only "Ham", but CB and FRS as well, AND even on a Police channel on the
scanner - a couple times - I've heard people argue to the point of telling
others - they were going to kiss their ass. Yes, I've heard COPS get into it
on the radio. Talk about "professionalism"! Yes, I've heard of fights on Ham
and CB where one person is "trying" to talk and another - instead of acting
like a gentleman - acts like an ass - and whalah - an argument ensues.
Instead of changing channels or letting the issue drop - they pursue it.
Some - yes - to the point of personally hunting the other down for an ass
kicking or murder. That is "rage" which was brought on - not by radio - but
by those who have issues dealing with others - who don't like to be crowded.
The radio was only a means of them asserting their behaviour publicly - and
finding a victim. Not much different than Road Rage.

You can't pick "just" HAM RADIO out of the bunch - any hobby, sport,
activity, job, etc - can set people off.
Conducting research to see how many hams committed crimes - would be "less"
interesting than one which shows how many accidents were as a result of
using all radio modes while driving - be they Ham, CB, 2 way, etc. - AS
OPPOSED to CELL PHONE! I don't EVER recall seeing the states cracking down
on CBers or Hams - due to "irratic driving" as they are now - with Cells.

With the heavy use of Cell Phones, I'd be willing to bet that Ham radio "IF"
responsible for ANY crimes - is like maybe 1/1000th of a percent - compared
to cells - which are used for harassment, stalking, spying, etc.
"Maybe" - just "maybe" - I could go along to some very minor extent - but
for the most part - I DOUBT Ham is as responsible for crimes as this post
seems to suggest. IF there are any "psychologists/psychiatrists" out there
or "social workers" who read these, PLEASE DO - chime in. I'd love to see
your opinion as well.


It's not "ham radio", CB, vehicles, etc.......... it is SELF CONTROL - which
makes the difference.