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I am not so sure about this argument. Each person is their own person. Employees are not computers. Provided they are not breaking any laws, but merely using t

by cam_l 8y ago

I am not so sure about this argument. Each person is their own person. Employees are not computers. Provided they are not breaking any laws, but merely using the resources and power at their disposal. I think the truth of it is.. this is just how government functions. In fact, no one would bat an eyelid if this were for personal gain. Ideology seems to really bother people from either side of the political spectrum. But I mean, personally I would have an issue with doing something like this myself. It does seem dishonest, but then.. Trump.

mc32 8y ago
Glenn Greenwald (a favorite for those who tend left) agrees with parent: https://twitter.com/ggreenwald/status/1037450113004785666 https://twitter.com/ggreenwald/status/1037450113004785666
- harry8 8y ago
  Oooh, I like and read (and frequently disagree with) Glenn and I really don't consider myself "left." Glenn is one of the better journalists around. Especially when you disagree with his point. It's well argued and well supported. To hell with the Donald, Glenn makes a solid point here. Un-elected cabals secretly usurping democratically elected politicians aren't a good thing for democracy, left and right.
- cam_l 8y ago
  I don't disagree with Glenn's point of view, and certainly was not suggesting I agree with the behaviour. Quite the opposite. As I pointed out, i think it is grossly unethical. I was making a couple of more subtle points. What I was getting at is that the only difference between this unelected group of people trying to usurp government and others is they think they are not doing it primarily for personal gain. And that it is the ideology (whichever political side it is on or against) and the fragility of democracy, that is actually what scares people rather than the usurping bit.. that is just business as usual. The other point is that if you allow yourself and your position to be used to do things you think are wrong, this is also unethical. You have a responsibility as a person to use what power you have to change things for the better. I don't personally believe you should compromise your ethics to do this. There is tension between these two things.

by cam_l 8y ago

mc32 8y ago

Glenn Greenwald (a favorite for those who tend left) agrees with parent: https://twitter.com/ggreenwald/status/1037450113004785666 https://twitter.com/ggreenwald/status/1037450113004785666

harry8 8y ago
Oooh, I like and read (and frequently disagree with) Glenn and I really don't consider myself "left." Glenn is one of the better journalists around. Especially when you disagree with his point. It's well argued and well supported. To hell with the Donald, Glenn makes a solid point here. Un-elected cabals secretly usurping democratically elected politicians aren't a good thing for democracy, left and right.
cam_l 8y ago
I don't disagree with Glenn's point of view, and certainly was not suggesting I agree with the behaviour. Quite the opposite. As I pointed out, i think it is grossly unethical. I was making a couple of more subtle points. What I was getting at is that the only difference between this unelected group of people trying to usurp government and others is they think they are not doing it primarily for personal gain. And that it is the ideology (whichever political side it is on or against) and the fragility of democracy, that is actually what scares people rather than the usurping bit.. that is just business as usual. The other point is that if you allow yourself and your position to be used to do things you think are wrong, this is also unethical. You have a responsibility as a person to use what power you have to change things for the better. I don't personally believe you should compromise your ethics to do this. There is tension between these two things.