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Feds Demand Reddit Identify Users of a Dark-Web Drug Forum

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Re: Feds Demand Reddit Identify Users of a Dark-Web Drug Forum

#51

Post by mirimir »

pavel_lishin wrote: post #28
mirimir wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

See https://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/list-of-the-best-enc...

I'm amused that this pops up two scary security warnings in Chrome, presumably due to the fact that it's a self-signed cert and is using what Chrome says is outdated crypto.

Yes, it's a self-signed cert. But hey, can we really trust cert authorities? Other than that, SSL Labs gives it an A rating " rel="nofollow">https://www.ssllabs.com/ssltest/analyze.html?d=wilderssecuri.... I wouldn't know about Chrome. Don't trust it ;)

Re: Feds Demand Reddit Identify Users of a Dark-Web Drug Forum

#52

Post by pyre »

sliverstorm wrote: post #48
hnnewguy wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> It just always makes me chuckle when criminals won't face the fact that they are criminals. "I know, right? Why don't all those damn sodomites just take their chemical castration and shut up and accept the fact they're criminals?"

My favorite legal defense, moral relativism. "One day, this heinous crime I have committed might not be illegal. Knowing that, how can you possibly convict me!?"

The general stance that "you broke the law, now you're a criminal" may be technically correct, but most people issuing such statements group "criminals" into a singular group and feel that the serial murderer and the child rapist are no different than the guy that forgot he had an orange in his car when crossing the border. "You've broken the rules of society, you are no better than a vagabond!"

In light of this, how can one not lose faith in the law when so many laws that punish people for stupid things are on the books just because a bunch of religious people want to force everyone to "follow their religion" to a minor extent or how the system is setup in a way that encourages government prosecutors to view the people in the cases that are put on their desk as little more than pawns in a game to "make a name" for themselves?

[There's also the fact that judges/lawyers try to hide the idea of jury nullification from juries too...]

Re: Feds Demand Reddit Identify Users of a Dark-Web Drug Forum

#53

Post by sliverstorm »

dataker wrote: post #39
ianstallings wrote: post #15

Warning: this opinion probably won't fit into the HN zeitgeist. If you commit a crime online don't be surprised when they seek to gain evidence against you. This isn't a liberty issue. This is a you're probably a criminal issue and law enforcement is coming after you. I don't protect drug dealers in my neighborhood because of their right to free speech and personal liberty so why would I protect these guys? It just a…

This matter is beyond using or selling drugs. The definition of crime is based on a law which isn't necessarily morally right. For example, in my country, discussing LGBT or even marijuana would get you into serious trouble. Hence, as internet users, we should look beyond our time and space, ensuring freedom of speech.

The definition of crime is based on a law which isn't necessarily morally right.

So what is the correct action for the Fed? To ignore the law and not enforce it?

Re: Feds Demand Reddit Identify Users of a Dark-Web Drug Forum

#54

Post by moskie »

kohanz wrote: post #36
dublinben wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>they are criminals They likely disagree that their "crimes" ought to be illegal, and do not accept the legitimacy of any punishment for such behavior. Why should they have to "make a choice" and make "better decisions" when they don't believe what they've done is wrong?

... and how well does a society function if everyone gets to decide for themselves what rules they follow?

You're describing reality. When was the last time you jay walked?

Re: Feds Demand Reddit Identify Users of a Dark-Web Drug Forum

#55

Post by im2w1l »

pjc50 wrote: post #44
nickysielicki wrote: post #3

We (speaking as a netizen) need Usenet 2.0; eg: something that can fulfill the role of reddit that is decentralized/distributed. Perhaps reddit can even transition into being a reader (a la google reader) for people that don't want to set up their own node. I'm not saying that drug discussion is the quintessential act that deserves to be protected, but I am worried that the government has such an easy avenue to get t…

Well, Usenet 1.0 was decentralised, and people need to think about the disadvantages. In the early 2000s well over 50% of the traffic was spam cancels. An forum without an "owner" who can delete posts and effectively ban spammers and "abuse" will promptly be filled with spam and abuse. The issue of "abuse" which is harmful to people other than users of the forum should also be considered carefully.

Web of trust-based spam filtering takes some effort to use, but is a workable solution.

Re: Feds Demand Reddit Identify Users of a Dark-Web Drug Forum

#56

Post by RexRollman »

nickysielicki wrote: post #3

We (speaking as a netizen) need Usenet 2.0; eg: something that can fulfill the role of reddit that is decentralized/distributed. Perhaps reddit can even transition into being a reader (a la google reader) for people that don't want to set up their own node. I'm not saying that drug discussion is the quintessential act that deserves to be protected, but I am worried that the government has such an easy avenue to get t…

It's a good idea but spammers and trolls ruin everything. It's the reason why many places are tightening down on Tor users.

Re: Feds Demand Reddit Identify Users of a Dark-Web Drug Forum

#57

Post by jjbiotech »

thejrk wrote: post #35
dublinben wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>they are criminals They likely disagree that their "crimes" ought to be illegal, and do not accept the legitimacy of any punishment for such behavior. Why should they have to "make a choice" and make "better decisions" when they don't believe what they've done is wrong?

It doesn't matter if you disagree or not, it IS illegal.

Here's a hypothetical situation that will give you some perspective to consider:

Eating unhealthy food with a high fat and sugar content in your country is highly illegal. In this hypothetical country you live in, the offence of eating unhealthy food is a felony and punishable by time in prison. This law makes sense: It's for the good of the people. It's a victimless crime, but the war on unhealthy food needs to be enforced or else society will become so fat the entire system will collapse. People will be gorging themselves on big macs instead of showing up for work. Think about the children! The kids will get so fat they'll be unable to find a partner, and won't be able to get a job. People will become addicted to unhealthy food and permanently damage their bodies, causing them to die early.

We need to ban unhealthy food, and throw all of the law breakers in prison like they deserve.

It doesn't matter if you disagree or not, it IS illegal.

Re: Feds Demand Reddit Identify Users of a Dark-Web Drug Forum

#58

Post by ianstallings »

guelo wrote: post #43
ianstallings wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I had a whole response here but I took it out. I'll put it this way - you don't know what you're talking about and my name is right there in my nick. Do some investigation then return and tell me I'm lying.

OK tough guy. Maybe you just have a lot less empathy than the average criminal.

Most guys I know that have done time certainly don't love the cops. But when you get caught doing a crime they don't protest either.

And you call me tough guy. That's funny. I told you I committed crimes, that I was a violent person in the past. Then you attack me and you want me to be civil? I don't have that in me sorry. I'm a victim of the system you see. Pity me.

Re: Feds Demand Reddit Identify Users of a Dark-Web Drug Forum

#59

Post by trhway »

sliverstorm wrote: post #53
dataker wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This matter is beyond using or selling drugs. The definition of crime is based on a law which isn't necessarily morally right. For example, in my country, discussing LGBT or even marijuana would get you into serious trouble. Hence, as internet users, we should look beyond our time and space, ensuring freedom of speech.

The definition of crime is based on a law which isn't necessarily morally right. So what is the correct action for the Fed? To ignore the law and not enforce it?

my understanding of the US legal system is that Feds really get to choose which laws they are going or not going to enforce. At the top level it is what is called executive action and power of pardon. For example, Obama has followed moral instead of laws in his immigration actions.

Re: Feds Demand Reddit Identify Users of a Dark-Web Drug Forum

#60

Post by crazypyro »

sliverstorm wrote: post #53
dataker wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This matter is beyond using or selling drugs. The definition of crime is based on a law which isn't necessarily morally right. For example, in my country, discussing LGBT or even marijuana would get you into serious trouble. Hence, as internet users, we should look beyond our time and space, ensuring freedom of speech.

The definition of crime is based on a law which isn't necessarily morally right. So what is the correct action for the Fed? To ignore the law and not enforce it?

Seems to be exactly what the president has ordered w.r.t. Colorado/Washington legalization of marijuana, which is a schedule 1 drug...
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