[mwfunk]

I would guess that most of the people who downvoted it, did so because they were opposed to the idea of a Muslim registry (as am I). If you're opposed to it, and hope that he is also opposed to it, then the last thing you want to do is to force him to go on record at this stage in his career as being opposed to it. That may do nothing, or it may hurt him, but it's not going to help him or the opposition to the registry.

On the other hand, if you're in favor of a Muslim registry and fear that he might oppose it, then it makes total sense to ask him this question at this time. In fact that's the only reason it makes sense to ask him this question at this time. Hence downvoters, assuming that the majority of HN is against a Muslim registry.

[1888franklin]

As the asker, I will say I'm opposed to the registry, and I disagree a bit with your notion on strategy. I see what you're saying. But I think it's important to establish a norm in our communities now (perhaps like http://neveragain.tech/), rather than being silent and hoping that we will have "sleepers" in the right positions that can stop it later on.

[forrestthewoods]

Given that no "Muslim Registry" has ever been proposed or supported by anyone it is not the most pressing question.

[matt4077]

So much of tech opinion is shaped at HN, I believe it's worth it to share – and in a way collectively rehearse – personal reactions to some of these hypotheticals.

I hope that if I were to be given a task so clearly violating rights, I would follow through with what my first reaction now is: sabotage it, using means usually considered illegal if necessary, up to and including property damage.

edit: I'm not at USDS, nor anything similar, nor a US citizen. So the above is pretty cheap talk – nobody would ever ask /me/ for their illegal Orwellian IT project. I was just trying to express an attitude that I hope exists where it actually matters.

[pc86]

> So much of tech opinion is shaped at HN

You grossly overestimate the reach and importance of HN

[enraged_camel]

I just took the question at face value. It's pretty silly to try to read too much into it, in my opinion.

[snowwrestler]

No, it's a reasonable question about personal intent and I hope Matt answers it.