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by hellofunk 3900 days ago
Maybe it seems simplistic, but frankly that is how the world goes round. A person breaks a law and is held accountable. The article suggests Governor Chafee's reaction that, despite the breaking of a major law, Snowden should just come home free, unconditionally, is somehow the correct approach. That, to me, seems both overly simplistic and unrealistic. Clinton properly acknowledges that a law was broken and you can't just casually dismiss that. That seems much more responsible to me. Now, if a president were to later pardon Snowden, that is also allowable by law.
3 comments
vezzy-fnord 3900 days ago
It seems you revolve around the idea of law being a divine ordinance. That's fine, but also a fringe view. Laws have relevance insofar as the ones subject to it have a consensus, and if there is sufficient interest in the law being enforced. In addition, laws often are dismissed or punitive actions significantly diminished depending on intent, circumstances (political, social or on a case-by-case basis) and perceived justice, the ultimate expression of the latter being nullification which in the U.S. has a notable history. As such, the trite legalism that suggests "the law is the law" as if commanded by a deity and that it must unequivocally be applied to its maximal extent, is the irresponsible and simplistic view.
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hellofunk 3900 days ago
Is your fnord the same user as the other fnord? In any case, feel free to provide further insight here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=10405154
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vezzy-fnord 3900 days ago
I'm not the same commentator as fnordfnordfnord. As for your linked question, it's heavily verging on RTFM territory, so I'll let you do that.
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fnordfnordfnord 3900 days ago
It is simplistic. People break laws all the time and aren't held accountable. Cases in point, the many people involved in illegal spying, torture, banking fraud, etc. Your post simply does not reconcile with reality.
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dllthomas 3900 days ago
"Now, if a president were to later pardon Snowden, that is also allowable by law."

If the President were today to pardon Snowden, that is also allowable by law.

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