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hn_throwaway_99yesterday at 10:24 PM6 repliesview on HN

Ambiguous laws (which in this case are by definition impossible to comply with) which are capriciously enforced are a hallmark of authoritarian and fascist regimes. Sadly ironic, the US government used to highlight this fact:

"Authoritarian regimes’ unclear laws make anyone a suspect" - https://ge.usembassy.gov/authoritarian-regimes-unclear-laws-...


Replies

throw0101ayesterday at 10:57 PM

“For my friends everything, for my enemies the law.” ― Oscar R. Benavides, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Óscar_R._Benavides

geoduck14yesterday at 10:38 PM

Of note, the article seems to mention 3 things: 1) Vague laws 2) Arbitrary Enforcement 3) Lack of due process

All three seem to be important facts for an Authoritarian Regieme

I point this out, because I believe the US has long had vague laws, and our Due Process helps kick out arbitrary enforcement. I also believe that our Checks and Balance system (part of Due Process) is currently broken

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firefaxyesterday at 11:09 PM

If laws are ambiguous, governments run the risk folks will conclude they'll get in trouble no matter how diligently they try to suss out the spirit of said laws.

When combined with a comical inability to secure government systems, it's honestly super cute that any federal agency thinks engaging in such dark patterns is in any way, shape, or form going to achieve their goals.

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terbotoday at 1:05 AM

Reminds me of this:

"They devise laws that are broad and vague, but then they apply them like a scapel against those that they deem a threat" - William Dobson

thwartedtoday at 1:26 AM

being specific is the essence of lawmaking and the whole difference between having a Congress and having a mom

~ P. J. O'Rourke, "Parliament of Whores"

jugginayesterday at 11:46 PM

[flagged]

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