8 ms·

US Senators generally are not powerful enough to have people shot.

jessaustin 11y ago
They can do favors for such people.
rm_-rf_slash 11y ago
Not openly, but let's say some powerful people have powerful friends in government, who both have troublesome enemies. If those troublesome enemies were no longer a part of the picture, things would work out so well for everyone, don'tcha think?
mc32 11y ago
I'm not sure I'd take that assertion at face value. It seemed to read more on par with something like "I took my moms car for a ride, if she finds out, she'll kill me" kind of hyperbola. Could be wrong, since there are arms dealers involved, but still, I don't think they rub people out like that and risk exposure.
the_ancient 11y ago
Depends on which Sub Committee they are on, and what position they hold on it....
leoc 11y ago
They've had to resort to drowning people themselves on occasion.
golergka 11y ago
Having someone shot is pretty cheap.
kbenson 11y ago
You are assuming the violence would be carried out using senatorial powers. Senators are generally very wealthy people, and it doesn't take that much money to hire someone to kill another person[1]. 1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contract_killing#Statistics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contract_killing#Statistics [2] 2: I have to say I was fairly hesitant to search for that data. It's not the kind of thing you want showing up in your search history...
- LyndsySimon 11y ago
  > I have to say I was fairly hesitant to search for that data. It's not the kind of thing you want showing up in your search history... That, in and of itself, is a very interesting phenomenon, don't you think?
  - kbenson 11y ago
    Yes and no. My hesitation was twofold. On one side, there was the thought that if there was tracking, it could flag something, but I viewed that as mostly an irrational fear, since I doubt there's any other indicators I put out, and I doubt I'm worth following that closely. On the other, it's just kind of embarrassing if I had to explain why that showed up in my search history if for some reason it was exposed. That's also an irrational fear, since there's no reason anyone I know would see it, but I generally try to error on the side of caution when it comes to privacy. Really, I was thinking "I hope I remember to look up this comment if this ever comes up for any reason, because that could be awkward..."
    - peterkelly 11y ago
      It's not an irrational fear. Here's what happened when a husband and wife separately searched for information on pressure cookers and backpacks: http://www.thewire.com/national/2013/08/government-knocking-doors-because-google-searches/67864/ http://www.thewire.com/national/2013/08/government-knocking-...
- stordoff 11y ago
  > The study [by the Australian Institute of Criminology] also found that the average payment for a "hit" was $15,000 That's a surprisingly low amount. I'd've guessed $100k+ or more.
  - jacquesm 11y ago
    Lower still in places like Amsterdam. Really.
  - 11y ago
prdonahue 11y ago
What a blanket statement with no backing. Do you mean in their official capacity? If so, state this. Do you mean they don't have the unofficial connections? If so, you're out of your mind.
cbsmith 11y ago
I wouldn't assume it was the US Senator who'd want to have him killed.
gnaritas 11y ago
Sure they are, anyone with money is powerful enough and Senators generally have truck loads of money.

They can do favors for such people.

Not openly, but let's say some powerful people have powerful friends in government, who both have troublesome enemies. If those troublesome enemies were no longer a part of the picture, things would work out so well for everyone, don'tcha think?

mc32 11y ago

I'm not sure I'd take that assertion at face value. It seemed to read more on par with something like "I took my moms car for a ride, if she finds out, she'll kill me" kind of hyperbola. Could be wrong, since there are arms dealers involved, but still, I don't think they rub people out like that and risk exposure.

the_ancient 11y ago

Depends on which Sub Committee they are on, and what position they hold on it....

leoc 11y ago

They've had to resort to drowning people themselves on occasion.

golergka 11y ago

Having someone shot is pretty cheap.

kbenson 11y ago

You are assuming the violence would be carried out using senatorial powers. Senators are generally very wealthy people, and it doesn't take that much money to hire someone to kill another person[1]. 1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contract_killing#Statistics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contract_killing#Statistics [2] 2: I have to say I was fairly hesitant to search for that data. It's not the kind of thing you want showing up in your search history...

LyndsySimon 11y ago
> I have to say I was fairly hesitant to search for that data. It's not the kind of thing you want showing up in your search history... That, in and of itself, is a very interesting phenomenon, don't you think?
- kbenson 11y ago
  Yes and no. My hesitation was twofold. On one side, there was the thought that if there was tracking, it could flag something, but I viewed that as mostly an irrational fear, since I doubt there's any other indicators I put out, and I doubt I'm worth following that closely. On the other, it's just kind of embarrassing if I had to explain why that showed up in my search history if for some reason it was exposed. That's also an irrational fear, since there's no reason anyone I know would see it, but I generally try to error on the side of caution when it comes to privacy. Really, I was thinking "I hope I remember to look up this comment if this ever comes up for any reason, because that could be awkward..."
  - peterkelly 11y ago
    It's not an irrational fear. Here's what happened when a husband and wife separately searched for information on pressure cookers and backpacks: http://www.thewire.com/national/2013/08/government-knocking-doors-because-google-searches/67864/ http://www.thewire.com/national/2013/08/government-knocking-...
stordoff 11y ago
> The study [by the Australian Institute of Criminology] also found that the average payment for a "hit" was $15,000 That's a surprisingly low amount. I'd've guessed $100k+ or more.
- jacquesm 11y ago
  Lower still in places like Amsterdam. Really.
- 11y ago

prdonahue 11y ago

What a blanket statement with no backing. Do you mean in their official capacity? If so, state this. Do you mean they don't have the unofficial connections? If so, you're out of your mind.

cbsmith 11y ago

I wouldn't assume it was the US Senator who'd want to have him killed.

gnaritas 11y ago

Sure they are, anyone with money is powerful enough and Senators generally have truck loads of money.