CompuServe Messages

Thol, Ok, a more exact definition of terms then. Words, transfering ideas through semantic interpretation, can inspire actions that lead to death. The 'indirect' is shorthand for the entire mechanical process of transfering some idea through the medium of either speech or writing. Think upon a mute world, and you'll have to agree that the exchange of ideas or information through _any_ medium can be both a wondrous and a dangerous thing. Bullets by themselves are pretty tame things, and incapable of causing much damage (unless they are ingested or dropped upon the target in great quantities, that is) Combined with the proper firearm, they become deadly. Since words are the medium of exchange of ideas, and one cannot regulate ideas themselves, the only recourse is to attempt to control the medium through which they are exchanged. Indirectly, as I stated before. 8) Words in and of themselves are pretty harmless, but the idea they pervay may indeed be deadly. If I am addressing an angry mob, point to you and say, "There's the bugger! Get him!" and they tear you to bits, the words themselves did not kill, but I am still guilty of inspiring murder. I managed to convey the idea to the mob through words and a gesture, and may be held responsible for your demise. Pressing a trigger never killed anyone. It is the bullet that does it. But the action is directly related to the outcome. Doug