When I first wrote "responsibility" it was because I felt that I had
not taken any personal action to assure myself that someone in trouble
was being cared for.  I then understood from my museum-l colleagues
that some readers had indeed tried to determine the personal safety of
the writer.  I felt gratified that some folks had had more courage than
I and determined that if the situation would arise again I, too, would
take some action.

Now, however, we all can understand that the situation was much more
drastic than any of us realised.  The person who wrote the piece was
indeed capable of agression that threatened the lives of others and his
own.  He ultimately died a violent death.

So, back to responsibility.  No matter how and why the posting came to
our list, should we have sent this on to local authorities for some
action.  Did the writings serve as one of many warnings about future
more violent action?  Would local authorities have been able to do
something that would have protected the writer and those he held
hostage?  Or since writing e-mail is not a crime, would they have not
been able to do anything?  What local authorities would we have called?

E-mail is a new method of communication.  Museum-l is a wonderful if
unseen community which helps each other out is large and small ways.
Do we have a responsibility in extreme cases to help someone out in
need?  And now, in hindsight, do we also have a responsibility to help
protect the corporate whole?  If so, what could we have done that might
have stopped the tragedy that ensued?

Elaine Heumann Gurian
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