Kathy Sierra and Chris Locke talked on the phone last week, thanks to the intercession of peacemaker Tim O'Reilly, and before long were "swapping industry war stories -- and laughing!" But on the matter of hate speech and freedom of speech, both are serious as a heart attack. The two appeared on CNN this morning, and also issued a coordinated pair of statements. For those too busy to watch the video or read the parallel statements, here's what they both agree on:
- Chris Locke, Jeneane Sessums, and Frank Paynter had nothing to do with the threatening posts and images that appeared on the "meankids" and "unclebobism" blogs
- Those posts were frightening, disgusting, and tasteless
- It would be tragic if this incident were used by people to limit "free and open exchange"
It's not exactly a statement of undying friendship, but both say they are united in their opposition to the -- still unnamed -- blogger who posted pictures like this one. In other words, they agree that free speech is a crucial right, and they're both are appalled at what that freedom can produce. If it's possible to wave an EFF banner and a NOW banner at the same time, these two are trying to do it. More power to them.
