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Post by Evs on Sept 19, 2013 2:42:41 GMT
Hello,
Well, I knew this one would come up.
All I know is that train hopping is illegal much more often and in more places than it is legal, and I don't know much about the liability of advising people to, or advising how to do something that is illegal.
I don't know whether a 'for entertainment purpose only' notice, or just a standard "Website" Privacy Policy and Disclaimer are sufficient to protect a site from potential legal action, in the case of a Train Hopping forum.
Can anyone shed any light on this?
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Post by lightfoot on Sept 19, 2013 2:51:14 GMT
Morgan did have a good reason for not having specific train-hopping info on the site. I just can't remember what it was. KaBar might know. Will try to PM the guy.
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Post by benwanderer on Sept 19, 2013 15:03:04 GMT
I feel like freedom of speech, while rapidly disappearing in this country, protects us in this case. It isn't illegal to tell someone the best way to rob a bank, as long as you keep it non-specific. It isn't illegal to TELL someone how to cook meth. This is America, you can advise people in general how to do things all day long. It's a difference between TALKING and PLANNING. And even then, we are a website for 'travel bums'. I find it hard to believe anyone would go about suing us.
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Post by lightfoot on Sept 20, 2013 2:40:06 GMT
Interesting article about this topic: www.northbankfred.com/nytimes.htmlI think if hardcore sites like North Bank Fred shy away from publishing training hopping specifics, we should at least take a serious look at the reasoning behind it. The railroads are a powerful entity. |
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roaddog
thumbing.it Helper
Posts: 22 
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Post by roaddog on Sept 22, 2013 6:46:20 GMT
But isn't hitchhiking illegal almost every state in the U.S.? In the 1990's, so many times I was stopped and searched by police claiming it was illegal to hitchhike. Or, I could stand only on the off-ramp in some states and in other states, I could walk by the interstate or highway but not have my thumb out???
I'm wondering if there's a double standard here.
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Post by lightfoot on Sept 22, 2013 12:40:00 GMT
I understand what you are saying, Roaddog. But we must remember Morgan never said "no" to anyone's suggestion to adding a new forum. He was, however, very set against publishing train-hopping specifics. Other sites seem the same way. There has to be a reason for it. I don't think I would do it if I were starting up a new site but I'm not going to worry about it either way.
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Post by thewindandrain on Sept 23, 2013 17:09:30 GMT
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roaddog
thumbing.it Helper
Posts: 22
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Post by roaddog on Sept 26, 2013 4:59:02 GMT
Hmm, I can't imagine that someone would try hopping a train just from reading a description- but folks just ain't too bright- so I see the point.
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Post by lightfoot on Oct 3, 2013 23:59:12 GMT
KaBar finally got back to me. He says he thought the old site was "too restrictive" in banning specific train-hopping info. That's good enough for me.
Kabar: "I would think that a disclaimer admonishing people that trainhopping is illegal and not to do it would be adequate, but I'm no lawyer."
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