From: Ann Shumelda Okerson <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Tue, 7 Apr 2015 14:32:11 -0400

Dear liblicense-l list members:  Our colleague Peggy Hoon (lawyer and
scholarly communications librarian at North Carolina Charlotte, and a
long-time advocate for libraries in so many ways) has written -- after
certain postings, which thoughtlessly invoked the old Shakespearean tag
"kill all the lawyers" -- to remonstrate in the strongest possible terms
against that sort of propagation of the language of violence and bias.
When I read her note, I realized that of course she is right.  What might
still pass as blustering jocularity among friends has no place on a serious
discussion list.  I wholeheartedly apologize for sending through these
quotations, and I go away sobered, wiser, and regretful.

Additionally, she wrote this:
I am fairly certain that most librarians are happily ignorant, as they are
in so many legal areas, of the rigorous ethical standards lawyers are held
to both in their initial law exams, even having the right/opportunity to
take the bar (must get affidavits regarding moral turpitude) and constant
yearly ethical continuing education credits in order to remain in
practice.)  Thank you for your willingness to pass my concerns on.


As one who values the work of the lawyers in our scholarly communications
realm, I express thanks to Peggy for a sharp and necessary wakeup call.
And now back to the business of simplifying licenses, which is no small
task.  Even though it may at times seem hopeless, it's a worthy
undertaking.  (See Peggy's bio at:
http://www.educause.edu/members/peggy-hoon)

Ann Okerson