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There's a reason why the U.S. government doesn't pay ransom money to terrorists - it would set a dangerous precedent. While this doesn't necessarily have the s
by 18nleung 8y ago
There's a reason why the U.S. government doesn't pay ransom money to terrorists - it would set a dangerous precedent.
While this doesn't necessarily have the same dire consequences, it's a shame that the door has been opened to scientific finds being co-opted for money.
I'll always look up to Jonas Salk, who refused to patent the polio vaccine. Some things shouldn't have a price put on them.
- caymanjim 8y agoPersonal property rights should always be paramount. I don't want the government or anyone else deciding to take something away from me just because a special interest group thinks they can make better use of it. The standard should be far higher than that. Sue is nothing more than a curiosity. I happen to like paleontology and science in general, and I'm glad that Sue is on display in a museum and available to study, but there's no argument I could make for taking it away from someone without fair market compensation.
- TheBeardKing 8y agoIsn't land as personal property kind of a gray area though? After all, eminent domain exists. Just because the US Government allowed settlers to claim land in South Dakota a hundred years ago, doesn't relinquish any and every right to the land and its features/resources.