FC: The witches of the web made her do it... (and a correction)

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

[A correction to my last Subject: line, which incorrectly identified the 
company from which Phil Zimmermann is departing. That firm is of course 
Network Associates, which was properly identified in the body of the 
message. Sorry for the typo. --Declan]

************

From: "Jack Dean" <JackDean () WebCommanders com>
To: "Declan McCullagh" <declan () well com>
Subject: The witches of the Web made her do it . . .
Date: Tue, 20 Feb 2001 15:29:10 -0800

Declan,

Here's the kind of story the old media loves -- the ultimate scare
story -- combining the Internet AND witchcraft!

http://www.latimes.com/print/metro/20010220/t000015212.html

  Family Fears Missing Teen
  Was Lured Away by Internet Contacts

  Disappearance: Girl's parents describe inordinate computer
  use, interest in witchcraft.

It's a gripping headline, but near the end of the article is this
sentence:

  Although police said Monday they have found no evidence of an
  Internet connection to the case, they said they will have the
  family's computer examined to see whether it contains any clues
  to the teenager's whereabouts.

Gimme a break!

Los Angeles' TV stations have had an especially good time
sensationalizing this story on the evening news.

Jack




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