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by notthegov 2552 days ago
In my view, if you’re hacking for espionage purposes as a nation who defends classical liberalism, then I’d argue your actions are justified. I do not understand why sources involved with this (or related stories) would talk to reporters.

Despite our flaws, there’s a difference in Russia or China hacking and the US. To suggest otherwise is advocating moral relativism in my opinion.

I do, however, support a pardon for Snowden and Assange.
5 comments
RomanBob 2552 days ago
>Despite our flaws, there’s a difference in Russia or China hacking and the US.

the difference is you identify the US as 'our'.

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astazangasta 2552 days ago
Err? So, suggesting a uniform standard that says hacking is bad is advocating moral relativism?

There is no end to this "ends justify the means" crap. "Well, we're the good guys, so it's ok for us to torture, depose governments, nuke civilians, fix elections, assassinate foreign leaders, spy on our citizens..." Etc.

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Veen 2551 days ago
It doesn't matter whether "we're" the good guys or even if there are any good guys. Where there are groups with different interests there will always be conflict.

Given that there will always be conflict, you can choose to do nothing and be out-competed, you can act in the interest of the group to which you belong, or you can act in the interest of the other side.

It's possible to argue that these actions are not, in fact, in the interest of your group, but that has nothing to do with some facile Hollywood conception of international relations as good guys vs. bad guys.

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thrwayxyz 2552 days ago
Yes, we need to hack the British for their opposition to the classical liberal position of free exchange of slaves between states.
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codedokode 2551 days ago
Why would Assange, who is neither citizen nor resident of US, need a pardon from US? That's a political case.
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gerdesj 2552 days ago
Are you having a laugh? "as a nation who defends classical liberalism" Why should: "actions are justified"

If you think you hold yourself to a higher purpose, then why not behave as such. I'm not sure what "moral relativism" even means.

"there’s a difference in Russia or China hacking and the US" - no, that's bollocks. I'll assert that and stick to it.

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perfmode 2552 days ago
given this persons previous posts, i wouldn’t take what they’re saying too seriously:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=17061936

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