SPEWS in the real world

[Colin]

I found this in an piece on MSNBC about the battle for SPAM:

Such actions have hardened the zero-tolerance attitude of some in the anti-spam community and fueled the development of what is considered by some to be the online equivalent of a weapon of mass destruction — the anonymously run SPEWS (Spam Prevention Early Warning System).

SPEWS lists swaths of Internet real estate (IP addresses) that are known to be sources of spam, belong to spam-friendly Internet service providers or host Web sites advertised in spam. The list is used by some ISPs and network administrators to block e-mail from would-be spammers before it is sent, which sometimes results in “inadvertent blocking” of messages from Internet users and ISPs that have nothing to do with spam.

Hermione would be delighted!

[Hermione]

Interesting, Colin! But I don't know if that's what Hermione had in mind for SPEW

[Colin]

One of the overriding themes in these books is racism. I am certain JKR will address this in the last two books. Something will have to change.

Elves have a brain and you can see where it is:)

Oh! What if Hermione actually gets a house elf? I'd bet her attitude would chage then:) Maybe Winky?

[Ju-DedoH]

the thing is that house elves are tied to a house/family and Hermione is muggle born, so I don't see how she could get one ...

[Hermy]

What about the ones at Hogwarts? They are not exactly tied to a family. What about Winky and Dobby. Surely once they have been dismissed from a family they would be free to be taken into service by anyone else?