You misquoted me. I didn't write known.

The whole point of my request was to show the absurdity of justifying spreading rumors about someone simply because their bad behavior is known.

A firsthand account is not a rumor.

It's not objective fact either. We don't know Stallman's side of the story.

Besides which, you're dodging my point.

Stallman is free to provide his side of the story. Miguel de Icaza doesn't need Stallman's permission to provide his own story, nor does anyone need anyone's permission to point out that de Icaza told that story.

Stallman isn't obligated to swoop in and give his side to the story everytime someone says something nasty about him. That's a ridiculous standard especially for someone as famous and controversial as he.

Yea, I agree you don't need anyones permission to post this kind of stuff, it is free speech, afterall. I just object to you justifying it as somehow being moral, just because it's relevant information to someone who might interact with him in the future.

This is a public forum, and posting this kind of stuff here is being an asshole. That's my only point.

It's literally a thread about people potentially lending guest bedrooms to Stallman, and a comment from someone who did that.

So? A group of people all getting together to dig out the dirty laundry of someone together, doesn't make your participation any better. I'm not trying to single you out, but there is no "reply all" button.

It used to be possible to reform one's reputation. Now, people with a grudge will spread old stories about you to strangers for as long as you live and make it impossible for you to get back on your feet. Is that a just society?

The guy is an old man who's already been stripped of all positions of influence. Why do you want to make him sleep on the street too? At what point will you believe justice has been served? Attacking the defenseless and powerless is cruelty itself.

You're hyperventilating. I don't want anyone to sleep on the street and very much doubt Stallman will meet that fate. At the same time: Stallman has a reputation as a houseguest, and it is relevant to this branch of the discussion.

You're breaking the site guidelines in multiple ways. Would you please review them and stop doing this? We've had to ask you several times before.

https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html