4 ms·

What exactly do you want members of the US Congress to do? Pass a bill declaring him innocent? The quick change in tone in the post is telling, by the way -- i

What exactly do you want members of the US Congress to do? Pass a bill declaring him innocent? The quick change in tone in the post is telling, by the way -- it goes from being skeptical that he was involved in a crime at all, to quibbling that not much money was stolen anyway, and if you're going to prosecute over such a tiny thing you should do it in a different country than the one where it was stolen.

snarfy 9y ago
Even if that country was North Korea and the crime was punishable by execution? 40 years in prison is extreme for $2000. They might as well execute him. And yes, I compared the US to North Korea, but when it comes to cyber security laws they really aren't that much different. The punishments are way out of proportion to the crimes. You'd be better of killing someone than hacking them.
- _Codemonkeyism 9y ago
  I guess he has a different opinion on "They might as well execute him." But it's nevertheless interesting how easy people are with other peoples lives. And yes if you go to a different country, be aware of their laws. "The punishments are way out of proportion to the crimes." Don't go to the US. http://kottke.org/13/06/you-commit-three-felonies-a-day http://kottke.org/13/06/you-commit-three-felonies-a-day Also Dr. Ferris.
  - Fnoord 9y ago
    > Don't go to the US. Yup, or rather, try to stay within your own jurisdiction. Right now, SHA2017 [1] is going on in The Netherlands. There's also the CCC, Chaos Computer Congress in Germany. Besides that, there's also a Camp called CCC every other few years. Someone from the UK could've stayed in the EU, but didn't. [1] https://sha2017.org https://sha2017.org
    - jacquesm 9y ago
      > Someone from the UK could've stayed in the EU, but didn't. Pretty soon that won't matter either way.
    - syshum 9y ago
      Then they would have just filed for extradition They have done that before with UK citizens charged with online crimes, Richard O'Dwyer is an example of that
- awinder 9y ago
  He’s going to go through a trial by his peers, he’s not likely going to receive the max sentence, and even then he likely wouldn’t serve the max sentence for a nonviolent crime (he’d be paroled). Compare that to being convicted without a fair trial, being sent to a labor camp, and running the risk of being sent home in a body bag. I understand hyperbole but let’s not kid ourselves, NK is one of the worst places in the world to draw government ire.
  - syshum 9y ago
    >>He’s going to go through a trial by his peers No if he goes to trial it will be a trial with humans on the jury but that will be as close to his "peer" group as it will be 1. They will not be from his nation, but will be Americans 2. Most of them will likely be Computer illiterate, as the prosecution will excuse anyone that even owns a computer 3. They will like be older and outside of age peer group No it will not be a jury of his peers, unless simply being of the same species is all you consider to be a "peer" >>he’s not likely going to receive the max sentence, and even then he likely wouldn’t serve the max sentence for a nonviolent crime (he’d be paroled). The max sentence will be used to extort a guilty plea, happen every day to innocent people Parole is still considered in service to your sentence, you have massively diminished rights and you are not considered a "free person" while on parole, you simply are serving your time outside the confines of a cage. Given this is a non-US citizen that complicates parole as he would unlikely be allowed to leave the US while on Parole. On this being a nonviolent crime, nonviolent crimes in the US Legal system are often punish more harshly then violent crimes, Many nonviolent crimes have mandatory minimums, where as almost no violent crimes do. Saying this is a nonviolent crime so it will be "easy" or the punishment will be lessened is factually incorrect when talking about the American Legal system
    - dogma1138 9y ago
      This is a silly argument. It's like saying that drug dealers should be judged by a jury made up of drug dealers and users. I don't think you understand what a "peer" means in this context. Trial by jury of your peers was implemented to prevent the church and royalty from judging the commons. Or to be more exact it's one of the first marks of separation of power; people who make up the law aren't the ones who also judge you.
- armitron 9y ago
  $2000-$3000 was the price per unit/copy. There is no information on the total amount they allegedly made. Thus he is not facing 40 years for a $2000 sale only. Some of the arguments of his defenders are so ridiculous they defy belief.
awinder 9y ago
Senators and congressmen lobby on behalf of their voters interests all the time. What one AG does with 0 attention is radically different than what that AG does when powerful people simply ask — “what is it that you’re spending taxpayer funds on here?”

snarfy 9y ago

Even if that country was North Korea and the crime was punishable by execution? 40 years in prison is extreme for $2000. They might as well execute him. And yes, I compared the US to North Korea, but when it comes to cyber security laws they really aren't that much different. The punishments are way out of proportion to the crimes. You'd be better of killing someone than hacking them.

_Codemonkeyism 9y ago
I guess he has a different opinion on "They might as well execute him." But it's nevertheless interesting how easy people are with other peoples lives. And yes if you go to a different country, be aware of their laws. "The punishments are way out of proportion to the crimes." Don't go to the US. http://kottke.org/13/06/you-commit-three-felonies-a-day http://kottke.org/13/06/you-commit-three-felonies-a-day Also Dr. Ferris.
- Fnoord 9y ago
  > Don't go to the US. Yup, or rather, try to stay within your own jurisdiction. Right now, SHA2017 [1] is going on in The Netherlands. There's also the CCC, Chaos Computer Congress in Germany. Besides that, there's also a Camp called CCC every other few years. Someone from the UK could've stayed in the EU, but didn't. [1] https://sha2017.org https://sha2017.org
  - jacquesm 9y ago
    > Someone from the UK could've stayed in the EU, but didn't. Pretty soon that won't matter either way.
  - syshum 9y ago
    Then they would have just filed for extradition They have done that before with UK citizens charged with online crimes, Richard O'Dwyer is an example of that
awinder 9y ago
He’s going to go through a trial by his peers, he’s not likely going to receive the max sentence, and even then he likely wouldn’t serve the max sentence for a nonviolent crime (he’d be paroled). Compare that to being convicted without a fair trial, being sent to a labor camp, and running the risk of being sent home in a body bag. I understand hyperbole but let’s not kid ourselves, NK is one of the worst places in the world to draw government ire.
- syshum 9y ago
  >>He’s going to go through a trial by his peers No if he goes to trial it will be a trial with humans on the jury but that will be as close to his "peer" group as it will be 1. They will not be from his nation, but will be Americans 2. Most of them will likely be Computer illiterate, as the prosecution will excuse anyone that even owns a computer 3. They will like be older and outside of age peer group No it will not be a jury of his peers, unless simply being of the same species is all you consider to be a "peer" >>he’s not likely going to receive the max sentence, and even then he likely wouldn’t serve the max sentence for a nonviolent crime (he’d be paroled). The max sentence will be used to extort a guilty plea, happen every day to innocent people Parole is still considered in service to your sentence, you have massively diminished rights and you are not considered a "free person" while on parole, you simply are serving your time outside the confines of a cage. Given this is a non-US citizen that complicates parole as he would unlikely be allowed to leave the US while on Parole. On this being a nonviolent crime, nonviolent crimes in the US Legal system are often punish more harshly then violent crimes, Many nonviolent crimes have mandatory minimums, where as almost no violent crimes do. Saying this is a nonviolent crime so it will be "easy" or the punishment will be lessened is factually incorrect when talking about the American Legal system
  - dogma1138 9y ago
    This is a silly argument. It's like saying that drug dealers should be judged by a jury made up of drug dealers and users. I don't think you understand what a "peer" means in this context. Trial by jury of your peers was implemented to prevent the church and royalty from judging the commons. Or to be more exact it's one of the first marks of separation of power; people who make up the law aren't the ones who also judge you.
armitron 9y ago
$2000-$3000 was the price per unit/copy. There is no information on the total amount they allegedly made. Thus he is not facing 40 years for a $2000 sale only. Some of the arguments of his defenders are so ridiculous they defy belief.

awinder 9y ago

Senators and congressmen lobby on behalf of their voters interests all the time. What one AG does with 0 attention is radically different than what that AG does when powerful people simply ask — “what is it that you’re spending taxpayer funds on here?”