Get a cable modem, go to jail (1999)

Post by OhMeadhbh » Tue, Sep 05, 2023, 7:00 AM UTC

morpheuskafka wrote: post #71

Hizonner wrote: post #7

While Comcast should get plenty of blame here, it's also true that it's flat out dereliction of duty for a prosecutor to file a case based on nothing but an uninvestigated complaint from some random corporation. At least Comcast made some attempt to fix it... and also got stonewalled by the State's Attorney's office.

As soon as the DA got the letter from their only witness stating that no crime occurred (unless they thought Comcast was lying then, which doesn't seem very possible in this scenario), they would have been obligated by Model Rule 3.8(a) to discontinue the prosecution. Whether or not it was "already scheduled" should have been irrelevant.

Post by mohinder » Tue, Sep 05, 2023, 7:01 AM UTC

chmod600 wrote: post #157

wkat4242 wrote: post #131

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think the whole concept of "carrying guns to prevent a police state from taking over our country" is a bit outdated. These days this is not done with bullets but with carefully planned public manipulation through media and social networks. And if it really comes down to bullets, the government owns a lot bigger guns than you do.

The recent surge in violence as DAs have stopped fully prosecuting criminals -- including those who commit violent gun crimes -- has blurred the line between criminal violence and state violence. That renews the argument for self defense. In other words, as the state declines to protect you, you have a better claim on the natural right to protect yourself.

Post by hnben » Tue, Sep 05, 2023, 7:06 AM UTC

solidsnack9000 wrote: post #207

wkat4242 wrote: post #89

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The amount of incidents involving firearms is astonishing. I'm glad I live in Europe where literally nobody has guns except police and heavy criminals that only really use them to shoot their rivals. I thought most people in the US were proud of their firearm handling professionalism which of course includes not brandishing, threatening or murdering people. I'm really a bit surprised to hear this. I did a similar job…

In Europe, it is not literally true that "...nobody has guns except police and heavy criminals..."; but it is true that owning pistols and AR-15s is relatively rare in Europe. My understanding is that the only country with a well-established concealed carry community is Czechia.

Post by OhMeadhbh » Tue, Sep 05, 2023, 7:09 AM UTC

ETH_start wrote: post #145

dools wrote: post #20

Here in Australia, you would just need to call the TIO to get it sorted out. Likewise if financial institutions are stuffing you about, call ACMA. If it's an energy company, call Energy and Water. A perfect example of how the private sector cannot self regulate to the benefit of consumers simply because a profit motive exists. Every time I've made an ombudsman complaint I have received Good Service™ from the company…

The private sector is not expected to be able to self-regulate by free market advocates. With the exception of anarcho-capitalists, those who believe in a free market regard the government's role as integral, in providing public goods like an effective justice system that polices misbehavior like fraud. What distinguishes a belief in free markets is believing that misbehavior—that government bodies have a right to pu…

Post by OhMeadhbh » Tue, Sep 05, 2023, 7:11 AM UTC

debaserab2 wrote: post #174

owenmarshall wrote: post #16

I feel like this story could be titled “In Which a Smart Person Overestimates Their Competency With The Legal System” Always get a lawyer.

She got everything dropped and her record expunged and didn't pay a dime in lawyers fees... seems like she estimated her competency with the legal system pretty accurately actually. * EDIT: fixed gender pronouns