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by dolni 1600 days ago
A law to do what, exactly? Criminalize the omission of facts from a statement? Criminalize ignorance?

Who decides when a fact was omitted? Was the fact pertinent (note: there's a lot of wiggle room here)? How much investigation has to be done to uncover whether there was a lie by omission or actual ignorance?

What would the penalty be?

Thinking you can legislate your way out of this is hopeless idealism.

1 comments

It is physically impossible for anyone to express all facts in finite time. Every expression is, at best, a selection among the facts of that which is adjudged relevant. Legislating what would be relevant in every situation is likewise impossible.

Demonstrating that a fact is omitted with dishonest intent is tricky business. That doesn't mean we can't guess, but the law does not go by guesses.