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> Everything the NZ government has done in regards to this entire case makes me embarrassed Not a Kiwi, but I agree the NZ government has mishandled this situa

> Everything the NZ government has done in regards to this entire case makes me embarrassed Not a Kiwi, but I agree the NZ government has mishandled this situation from day 1. I don't think Kim Dotcom should be extradited to the US. The way this was handled just reeks of judicial overreach by the Americans. But, from everything that I've read, and what I've seen on his Twitter, Kim Dotcom is not someone I would want to be friends with. In general he seems to be a bit of a scumbag. He likes the law, but only when it's in his favour. He even tried to finance a NZ political party, which failed spectacularly. [0] If the Americans are intent to prove a point that he's a criminal, instead of trying to get him for copyright violations (which judges have repeatedly shown don't apply in NZ), they could always chose to hit him for money laundering which is a crime in NZ. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Dotcom#Dotcom.27s_involvement_in_New_Zealand_politics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Dotcom#Dotcom.27s_involvem...

sjwright 10y ago
It makes sense that we want to see someone get a fair hearing in court, even if we didn't particularly like them. If I ever find myself in a similar position, I would want judicial fairness in my case too. I am reminded of a quote from the film The Contender (2000) "Principles only mean something when you stick to them when its inconvenient."
- icu 10y ago
  I echo your sentiment, however after being called into jury service in New Zealand, I was dismayed to discover first hand that the probability of a fair hearing in court is based on the degree to which you can afford a defence. My perspective now is to avoid legal problems at nearly any cost, but to also advocate for understanding, respect--and when necessary--defence of the Law. To give an example, I believe Trey Gowdy (the U.S. Representative) is a shining example of this approach and if you are interested I would recommend watching a few of his speeches on YouTube.
toyg 10y ago
Ernesto Miranda, of "Miranda rights" fame, wasn't a particularly savoury character either. You really demonstrate your adherence to principles and the rule of law when you apply them fairly to people you don't like.
literallycancer 10y ago
>He likes the law, but only when it's in his favour. Would you expect a rational actor to like the law when it's against them? >He even tried to finance a NZ political party, which failed spectacularly. How is trying to start a political party is controversial at all? In the 2014 general election, the joint Internet Party and Mana Movement gained 1.42% of the nationwide party vote but failed to win any seats. This isn't even a spectacular failure tbqh, many small parties don't get over the seat limit in their first few elections. In fact, I've only ever seen political parties do well in their first election when they were funded by extremely rich businessmen (meaning billions in net worth).
- dbmikus 10y ago
  He can be a rational actor and still a moral hypocrite.

sjwright 10y ago

It makes sense that we want to see someone get a fair hearing in court, even if we didn't particularly like them. If I ever find myself in a similar position, I would want judicial fairness in my case too. I am reminded of a quote from the film The Contender (2000) "Principles only mean something when you stick to them when its inconvenient."

icu 10y ago
I echo your sentiment, however after being called into jury service in New Zealand, I was dismayed to discover first hand that the probability of a fair hearing in court is based on the degree to which you can afford a defence. My perspective now is to avoid legal problems at nearly any cost, but to also advocate for understanding, respect--and when necessary--defence of the Law. To give an example, I believe Trey Gowdy (the U.S. Representative) is a shining example of this approach and if you are interested I would recommend watching a few of his speeches on YouTube.

toyg 10y ago

Ernesto Miranda, of "Miranda rights" fame, wasn't a particularly savoury character either. You really demonstrate your adherence to principles and the rule of law when you apply them fairly to people you don't like.

literallycancer 10y ago

>He likes the law, but only when it's in his favour. Would you expect a rational actor to like the law when it's against them? >He even tried to finance a NZ political party, which failed spectacularly. How is trying to start a political party is controversial at all? In the 2014 general election, the joint Internet Party and Mana Movement gained 1.42% of the nationwide party vote but failed to win any seats. This isn't even a spectacular failure tbqh, many small parties don't get over the seat limit in their first few elections. In fact, I've only ever seen political parties do well in their first election when they were funded by extremely rich businessmen (meaning billions in net worth).

dbmikus 10y ago
He can be a rational actor and still a moral hypocrite.