Thanks for admitting that you operate completely within your own anomic, normative bubble. But I would caution you not to confuse what RAN’s ethical/moral code is with that of larger society, because the social-psychological weight and inertia of the latter, as reflected in the larger discretion of judges and juries, will eventually crush you if you continue to skirt its boundaries. That’s why I mentioned consulting with a disinterested civil rights expert like Avery S. Friedman. Someone with his background can put it all into perspective for you. I only keep mentioning the justice system because, although people like me can withdraw our support for RAN, the former will eventually bring you into line through the long reach of due process of law, whether it be civil, criminal, equitable or administrative in nature, should you continue to flout it.

Since you mention it, ethics (much like logic) is an entire branch of philosophy that is guided by norms and mores that originate outside of RAN, too.

Consider and balance the interests of all who are affected by your actions.

Thanks for contributing to the intellectual diversity of my retirement, regardless of how banal it may appear.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to strategize about how I’m going to snatch some petty little punk through his backside for skimming my gratuities with a heavy hand.

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P.S.: I like your independent attitude, but you can’t ignore the fact that pay backs are a bitch. Please don’t think I’m not empathetic about the backlash you have to deal with. Even though I take a perverse enjoyment in Larry Flint’s exposés, I’ve had to put up with the sex industry’s amateurish antics over some bogus business interruption claims I put the spotlight on, and I’ve had to deal with a bunch of ethnic-based crime organizations for squelching their rent-a-patient scams. Actually, when it comes to big money being laundered through legitimate investments, at some level all these crooks sleep in the same bed; the beast is more like a multi-headed hydra.

We operate by our own non-violent ethical code. When governments and industry refuse to take responsibility, who will hold them accountable? Groups like NRDC do great work in the courts; we work in the streets. Given the stakes, both approaches are more than justified.

You know what? This culture is evolving a let’s-see-what-we can-get-away-with”-ethos, and now I’m just happy to deliver sandwiches and live on my litigation settlements.

Don’t be so paranoid. I’m not the one who’s obsessed. I signed a bunch of your petitions and supported your symbolic demonstrations up until you guys crossed the line with barricading Citi’s doors. In fact, I thought scaling that crane and hanging a banner off of it was downright gutsy. But I’m not just going to let you tap dance around the issue and think you’re going to bamboozle me into going away.

To be fair, if someone built a coal-fired power plant and spewed fossil fuel effluent into my backyard (thus imperiling my health and property value), I would get medieval on their cases too, and barricading their doors would be the least of their concerns. But I’m neither going to interfere in the banking transactions of their financiers customers, nor force their tellers and clerks to leave work early.

Get a sense of perspective and proportionality, and step outside of your self-centered perception of your own self-importance. I doubt I’m alone in how others see you. I’m just a more vocal representative of people who believe that First Amendment causes have their legitimate limitations and boundaries.

Are you a police officer, a former police officer or merely a private security agent? I kind of feel like I am conversing with an agent of the state when I read your posts. Looking at your myspace profile a bit closer, I see your background is a law enforcement background.

Tell me, who are you working for? Which government or corporate entity that will “mess us up” pays your rent?

Inquiring minds want to know.