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When it comes to a choice between Musk's judgement versus elected officials, I'd suggest the former has a superior track record to the latter. Not to mention, a

When it comes to a choice between Musk's judgement versus elected officials, I'd suggest the former has a superior track record to the latter. Not to mention, any punishment will blow straight back at them when Musk then moves the Tesla factory. It's quite amusing really.

DiogenesKynikos 6y ago
Even if Musk is right and the county officials are wrong, he still has to follow the law. If he thinks he can get away with breaking the law because he can threaten to move his business, I would support jail time for him. The attitude that having money puts one above the law is not something that should be tolerated.
- jyrkesh 6y ago
  Do you support throwing non-violent drug offenders in prison too? Or are you in only in favor of jailing rich people who might actually have enough leverage to prove in court that the law is unjust (or better yet, completely unconstitutional)?
  - DiogenesKynikos 6y ago
    I support jailing executives who willfully violate the law, especially if they think that they can get away with it by threatening to move their business elsewhere. We can't live in a society in which money buys you the right to violate the law. You can believe that the county's rules are unwise, but they're in place in order to protect public health. Right or wrong, Musk is violating those rules and thinks he'll get away with it because he runs an important company. There has to be a clear message that he won't get away with it. Fining him won't make a difference. Prison time might.
- growlist 6y ago
  A public official tweeting 'F*ck Elon Musk' is hardly responsible behaviour either.
  - DiogenesKynikos 6y ago
    Just to be clear, the public official who tweeted that has nothing to do with Alameda County. She's an assemblywoman from San Diego. And I'll note that her angry tweet doesn't endanger anyone's life. So far, Alameda County officials have been very subdued in their response - too subdued, in my opinion. They're afraid of Musk moving his factory out of town. It's a terrible message to send that large businesses can ignore public health regulations, and avoid consequences by threatening to leave.
z3rgl1ng 6y ago
This kind of arrogance is rife on HN. Yes, the lucky billionaire has better judgment then a system that administers 330 million people with infrastructure and necessities, creates and maintains the worlds biggest economic engine, and enforces justice. Jesus.

DiogenesKynikos 6y ago

Even if Musk is right and the county officials are wrong, he still has to follow the law. If he thinks he can get away with breaking the law because he can threaten to move his business, I would support jail time for him. The attitude that having money puts one above the law is not something that should be tolerated.

jyrkesh 6y ago
Do you support throwing non-violent drug offenders in prison too? Or are you in only in favor of jailing rich people who might actually have enough leverage to prove in court that the law is unjust (or better yet, completely unconstitutional)?
- DiogenesKynikos 6y ago
  I support jailing executives who willfully violate the law, especially if they think that they can get away with it by threatening to move their business elsewhere. We can't live in a society in which money buys you the right to violate the law. You can believe that the county's rules are unwise, but they're in place in order to protect public health. Right or wrong, Musk is violating those rules and thinks he'll get away with it because he runs an important company. There has to be a clear message that he won't get away with it. Fining him won't make a difference. Prison time might.
growlist 6y ago
A public official tweeting 'F*ck Elon Musk' is hardly responsible behaviour either.
- DiogenesKynikos 6y ago
  Just to be clear, the public official who tweeted that has nothing to do with Alameda County. She's an assemblywoman from San Diego. And I'll note that her angry tweet doesn't endanger anyone's life. So far, Alameda County officials have been very subdued in their response - too subdued, in my opinion. They're afraid of Musk moving his factory out of town. It's a terrible message to send that large businesses can ignore public health regulations, and avoid consequences by threatening to leave.

z3rgl1ng 6y ago

This kind of arrogance is rife on HN. Yes, the lucky billionaire has better judgment then a system that administers 330 million people with infrastructure and necessities, creates and maintains the worlds biggest economic engine, and enforces justice. Jesus.