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Reporter likely to be charged for using “view source” feature on web browser

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Re: Reporter likely to be charged for using “view source” feature on web browser

#11

stunning..and scary... the root problem here (or at least one of the root problems) is that government workers are not hired or promoted on merit. That leads to people of lesser intelligence being bosses. As evidenced here. That is a bad thing, in my opinion. You want smart people in charge. That's a good thing!

Let's not equate "lack of understanding of a specific piece of technology" with "lesser intelligence", that is not a healthy way to think.

That's true, but insisting that you're right about something that you know nothing about is a sign of lesser intelligence.

Re: Reporter likely to be charged for using “view source” feature on web browser

#12

Am I to understand that a state governer has the power to instruct some lacky-lawyer to charge someone with a crime, and to prosecute them for that crime? In the land of the free, this is not an independent process?

Land of the free... to shut up and pay their credit card debts and student loans.

Re: Reporter likely to be charged for using “view source” feature on web browser

#14
post #7

stunning..and scary... the root problem here (or at least one of the root problems) is that government workers are not hired or promoted on merit. That leads to people of lesser intelligence being bosses. As evidenced here. That is a bad thing, in my opinion. You want smart people in charge. That's a good thing!

Has I said in another comment, it is not about education or intelligence. Read the article. The politicians trying to intimidate the St Louis Post Dispatch have a history of intimidation against journalists. Demagoguery is unfortunately a chronic condition of democracy.

Any thoughts on how to tailor political systems to work around demagoguery but maintain functioning democracy?

Re: Reporter likely to be charged for using “view source” feature on web browser

#16
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Let's not equate "lack of understanding of a specific piece of technology" with "lesser intelligence", that is not a healthy way to think.

That's true, but insisting that you're right about something that you know nothing about is a sign of lesser intelligence.

Maybe, but there a possibility they know it's not a valid argument but believe they can still use it effectively. Just because someone supports a position doesn't mean they know it's valid, not that they know it's moral. Plenty of people, and especially politicians of some persuasions, are happy to spout known lies and deceptions to get to their preferred outcome.

Re: Reporter likely to be charged for using “view source” feature on web browser

#17

stunning..and scary... the root problem here (or at least one of the root problems) is that government workers are not hired or promoted on merit. That leads to people of lesser intelligence being bosses. As evidenced here. That is a bad thing, in my opinion. You want smart people in charge. That's a good thing!

> the root problem here is that government workers are not hired or promoted on merit. That leads to people of lesser intelligence being bosses

That's hardly exclusive to government work.

Re: Reporter likely to be charged for using “view source” feature on web browser

#18
I don't really like the framing that the reporter is framed for using "view source". This reinforces the idea that the people responsible for this are just uneducated. I'm sure, at this point, someone already explained them.

That reporter is a victim of harassment, and that if it wasn't for "view source", it could be for some unrelated stuff. It's the same as protesters being arrested for all kinds of bogus reasons, or random people being arrested with planted evidence. The goal is to deter someone you don't like from exercising their legal right (journalism, protesting, standing in the street in the wrong neighbourhood), by weaponizing unrelated laws.

The only reason "view source" is being talked about is because that looked like the best case when the book was thrown at that journalist.

I hope that case remains at threats and doesn't get to actual charges.

Re: Reporter likely to be charged for using “view source” feature on web browser

#19
> If somebody picks your lock on your house

It's not like picking a lock. It's more like turning over a sheet of paper to read what's on the other side. If this guy gets convicted, I'll eat my hat (I wear a fedora).

"Thy just thow their fedora wherever the floor is And start doing horas and taps".

Re: Reporter likely to be charged for using “view source” feature on web browser

#20

Am I to understand that a state governer has the power to instruct some lacky-lawyer to charge someone with a crime, and to prosecute them for that crime? In the land of the free, this is not an independent process?

You are surprised? We already know that a prosecutor will try for higher sentences near an election and... well, they are elected. It isn't hard to imagine that an elected official works with other elected officials, especially if they want to do other things in government.

I live in the UK. I am very suprised yes
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