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Gov Parson pushes to prosecute reporter who found security flaw in state site

missouriindependent.com

11–20 of 564 posts

Re: Gov Parson pushes to prosecute reporter who found security flaw in state site

#11
post #3

Here is a potentially dumb idea: Before someone can declare candidacy for a public office, they should pass an exam that tests them on general and basic knowledge on a wide variety of topics that proves that the person has some level of general awareness of tech that is so ubiquitous.

This sort of thing was used in the past to keep Black people from voting.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literacy_test#Voting

Re: Gov Parson pushes to prosecute reporter who found security flaw in state site

#12
post #3

Here is a potentially dumb idea: Before someone can declare candidacy for a public office, they should pass an exam that tests them on general and basic knowledge on a wide variety of topics that proves that the person has some level of general awareness of tech that is so ubiquitous.

Your proposal suggests that this result is due to lack of knowledge, rather than malice. While I'm a fan of Hanlon's Razor in the absence of evidence to the contrary, the Governor's office clearly employs technologically competent people.

That means that the Governor is either persisting despite knowing better, or is remaining deliberately ignorant despite the expertise at his disposal. Either way, this is at least somewhat intentional.

Re: Gov Parson pushes to prosecute reporter who found security flaw in state site

#13
post #7

I find the article title kind of curious, given that it states Parson has "doubled down" which suggests that the video the article references is an active effort on Parson's part. It then goes on to state that the video was produced by a PAC Parson created but doesn't give direct input to. Comes off as unnecessarily inflammatory to me I suppose. Having said that, this situation in particular really tests my willingne…

> is he legitimately without a single person close to him that could inform him of how misguided this line of aggression is

I would not be surprised if that is the case. Or if he does have such a person he is only hearing what he wants to hear.

Re: Gov Parson pushes to prosecute reporter who found security flaw in state site

#15
post #11
post #3

Here is a potentially dumb idea: Before someone can declare candidacy for a public office, they should pass an exam that tests them on general and basic knowledge on a wide variety of topics that proves that the person has some level of general awareness of tech that is so ubiquitous.

This sort of thing was used in the past to keep Black people from voting. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literacy_test#Voting

The OP is saying the test is for holding office, not voting. There absolutely should be a higher bar for holding office than for voting.

Re: Gov Parson pushes to prosecute reporter who found security flaw in state site

#16
post #11
post #3

Here is a potentially dumb idea: Before someone can declare candidacy for a public office, they should pass an exam that tests them on general and basic knowledge on a wide variety of topics that proves that the person has some level of general awareness of tech that is so ubiquitous.

This sort of thing was used in the past to keep Black people from voting. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literacy_test#Voting

Very true. Just like gifted programs in schools. We should keep the bar as low as possible so that no one can ever claim we're racist.

Re: Gov Parson pushes to prosecute reporter who found security flaw in state site

#18
I'd hope that a court would (quickly!) find the truth of the matter, and the Gov further humiliated. If there is in fact a legal violation to stick here then there's even more of a public service done in highlighting that stupidity as well.

This is what newspapers are supposed to do innit?

Re: Gov Parson pushes to prosecute reporter who found security flaw in state site

#19
post #3

Here is a potentially dumb idea: Before someone can declare candidacy for a public office, they should pass an exam that tests them on general and basic knowledge on a wide variety of topics that proves that the person has some level of general awareness of tech that is so ubiquitous.

Your proposal suggests that this result is due to lack of knowledge, rather than malice. While I'm a fan of Hanlon's Razor in the absence of evidence to the contrary, the Governor's office clearly employs technologically competent people. That means that the Governor is either persisting despite knowing better, or is remaining deliberately ignorant despite the expertise at his disposal. Either way, this is at least s…

> due to lack of knowledge, rather than malice

I suspect it's a mix of both.

Re: Gov Parson pushes to prosecute reporter who found security flaw in state site

#20
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This sort of thing was used in the past to keep Black people from voting. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literacy_test#Voting

The OP is saying the test is for holding office, not voting. There absolutely should be a higher bar for holding office than for voting.

The point is that it's too easy for a malicious actor to utilize this kind of thing to keep the "wrong" people from participating in politics.

I am sure the OP's suggestion was in good faith, just that they weren't aware of some of the history and potential repercussions.

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