3 ms·

> There are police and the justice system and people who will conduct investigations Terrific. Let me know when the "police and the justice system and people"

> There are police and the justice system and people who will conduct investigations Terrific. Let me know when the "police and the justice system and people" start investigating Rod Ponton's persistent and seemingly malevolent use of his vast prosecutorial power to destroy an innocent woman's life. > There is no need to sic the Internet lynch mob on every person unfortunate enough to get 5 seconds of fame for some dumb thing. Go ahead and address your letter of complaint to reason.com. Let them know you object to their "lynching" of Rod Ponton, based on nothing more than thorough journalism and public records. > Oddly enough, it is not the job of random people to pass judgement and harass strangers over the Internet based on a news article they skimmed for a couple seconds. Perhaps you don't care enough to learn about the case, or even read an article about it. Maybe you relate to Rod Ponton and sympathize with him. Regardless, given your apparent inclination to defend him from scrutiny by people who do happen to care, the only sensible response I can muster is Fuck You. You're part of the problem.

imgabe 6y ago
Good idea. Let's get rid due process and the presumption of innocence, because you read an article about a jerk. Take a deep breath and calm yourself. Reading one news article does not make you a judge, jury, or an executioner. This isn't a comic book, you are not the Punisher who gets to make criminals pay on your own terms. It's highly disturbing that you view a desire for everyone (yes, even guilty people!) to have a fair trial before getting their life destroyed as a "problem" that I'm part of.
- nate_meurer 6y ago
  As far as I can tell, nobody here is advocating that we "get rid of due process and the presumption of innocence". And I assure you that neither I nor the fine reporters who've covered this consider ourselves the Punisher :) What Rod Ponton did is not a matter of debate. It is in fact a matter of extensive public record. The legality of his actions on the other hand-- that is, whether they should be punishable under the law-- is a fair thing to debate, and I would certainly not wish to deprive Mr. Ponton of any of his legal rights whatsoever. Quite the contrary, I think we would all (except you apparently) like to see Rod Ponton brought to trial in a neutral venue with competent representation, an impartial judge, and a jury of his peers. Rather than, you know, being protected by the system that he feeds, hidden from the prying eyes of the media and, when noticed in random HN threads, defended by sanctimonious sympathizers such as yourself. Again, fuck you. I'm done with this.
  - imgabe 6y ago
    > I think we would all (except you apparently) like to see Rod Ponton brought to trial in a neutral venue with competent representation, an impartial judge, and a jury of his peers And do you think that stirring up an Internet mob is likely to achieve that? Historically, has that been what Internet mobs do? Are you somehow under the impression that Hacker News is a favorite hangout for the District Attorney in the appropriate jurisdiction? How exactly do you believe that cursing at random people on the Internet will achieve this goal? I'll tell you what, if you email me in 30 days (March 13, 2021) and tell me that you've honestly thought about this even once in the previous 7 days, I'll Venmo you $5 USD. Honor system. My email is in my profile. If instead by then you've moved on to the next outrage du jour, maybe it's time to admit to yourself that you care more about feeling outraged than seeking justice.
    - DonHopkins 6y ago
      Well if nate_meurer is wrong about what the public record says, then Ron Ponton can very well use his connections to get the Brewster County Sheriff's Office to force him to roll over and write an obsequious apology and publish it on Facebook for many years, just like he did to his ex-lover. He's not just an innocent kitten who can't stand up for himself. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=802064459817968 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=802064459817968
      - imgabe 6y ago
        Quick, if you and I just make ourselves feel really mad and outraged about that it will fix everything and make the world a better place. C'mon, let's go. Are you doing it? It's not working, try harder!
        DonHopkins 6y ago
        I'm amused. You're the only one trying to feel outraged. But you go do your thing.
    - effingwewt 6y ago
DonHopkins 6y ago
It's as if he has confused the cute little imaginary kitty cat with the evil old real lawyer, and he thinks you're ferociously going after an innocent kitten.

imgabe 6y ago

Good idea. Let's get rid due process and the presumption of innocence, because you read an article about a jerk. Take a deep breath and calm yourself. Reading one news article does not make you a judge, jury, or an executioner. This isn't a comic book, you are not the Punisher who gets to make criminals pay on your own terms. It's highly disturbing that you view a desire for everyone (yes, even guilty people!) to have a fair trial before getting their life destroyed as a "problem" that I'm part of.

nate_meurer 6y ago
As far as I can tell, nobody here is advocating that we "get rid of due process and the presumption of innocence". And I assure you that neither I nor the fine reporters who've covered this consider ourselves the Punisher :) What Rod Ponton did is not a matter of debate. It is in fact a matter of extensive public record. The legality of his actions on the other hand-- that is, whether they should be punishable under the law-- is a fair thing to debate, and I would certainly not wish to deprive Mr. Ponton of any of his legal rights whatsoever. Quite the contrary, I think we would all (except you apparently) like to see Rod Ponton brought to trial in a neutral venue with competent representation, an impartial judge, and a jury of his peers. Rather than, you know, being protected by the system that he feeds, hidden from the prying eyes of the media and, when noticed in random HN threads, defended by sanctimonious sympathizers such as yourself. Again, fuck you. I'm done with this.
- imgabe 6y ago
  > I think we would all (except you apparently) like to see Rod Ponton brought to trial in a neutral venue with competent representation, an impartial judge, and a jury of his peers And do you think that stirring up an Internet mob is likely to achieve that? Historically, has that been what Internet mobs do? Are you somehow under the impression that Hacker News is a favorite hangout for the District Attorney in the appropriate jurisdiction? How exactly do you believe that cursing at random people on the Internet will achieve this goal? I'll tell you what, if you email me in 30 days (March 13, 2021) and tell me that you've honestly thought about this even once in the previous 7 days, I'll Venmo you $5 USD. Honor system. My email is in my profile. If instead by then you've moved on to the next outrage du jour, maybe it's time to admit to yourself that you care more about feeling outraged than seeking justice.
  - DonHopkins 6y ago
    Well if nate_meurer is wrong about what the public record says, then Ron Ponton can very well use his connections to get the Brewster County Sheriff's Office to force him to roll over and write an obsequious apology and publish it on Facebook for many years, just like he did to his ex-lover. He's not just an innocent kitten who can't stand up for himself. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=802064459817968 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=802064459817968
    - imgabe 6y ago
      Quick, if you and I just make ourselves feel really mad and outraged about that it will fix everything and make the world a better place. C'mon, let's go. Are you doing it? It's not working, try harder!
      - DonHopkins 6y ago
        I'm amused. You're the only one trying to feel outraged. But you go do your thing.
  - effingwewt 6y ago

DonHopkins 6y ago

It's as if he has confused the cute little imaginary kitty cat with the evil old real lawyer, and he thinks you're ferociously going after an innocent kitten.