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Though I would never condone such a strategy (nor do I think getsat was stating his beliefs), there is some truth in it. A man is brought to think twice before

by agilo 15y ago

Though I would never condone such a strategy (nor do I think getsat was stating his beliefs), there is some truth in it. A man is brought to think twice before engaging in any activity when they know that their family's safety is on the line. This has been (and continues to be) one of the means employed by tyrannical states to strike fear in the hearts of dissidents. You may be brave enough to sacrifice yourself, but you'll never revolt if you knew we'd go after your family. That said, the statement, however, may not be completely relevant to this particular story.

getsat 15y ago
You're correct, those aren't my beliefs. Merely an observation. > one of the means employed by tyrannical states On the other hand, we're starting to see the opposite happen. People in positions of power who abuse their authority (e.g., police) are starting to be targeted by regular people whose lives they interfere with. Have a Facebook/Twitter/Tumblr/MySpace/whatever account? Your personal information, friends, family, work history, etc. are available to the people you bully. Your actions have social consequences whether they're totally legal or not. "I'm just doing my job" doesn't cut it when your job affects other people in a negative way.
- clintjhill 15y ago
  Let's not forget though - "I'm just doing my job" absolutely applies here. DPS did not create the laws. They enforce them. AZ is the state where a guy died doing his job in a photo radar vehicle. He was shot by a guy who felt the man in the vehicle was "the government". These families and homes are now targets.
  - killerdark 15y ago
    Don't make me invoke Godwin's law on you and your "I'm just doing my job" clause.
  - getsat 15y ago
    My point is that "just doing your job" does not absolve you of social responsibility/repercussions. If a law were passed creating federal gangs that went around "borrowing" teenage girls from their families, you can bet fathers would kill to keep their daughters safe. Just because something is legal does not make it ethical.

by agilo 15y ago

getsat 15y ago

You're correct, those aren't my beliefs. Merely an observation. > one of the means employed by tyrannical states On the other hand, we're starting to see the opposite happen. People in positions of power who abuse their authority (e.g., police) are starting to be targeted by regular people whose lives they interfere with. Have a Facebook/Twitter/Tumblr/MySpace/whatever account? Your personal information, friends, family, work history, etc. are available to the people you bully. Your actions have social consequences whether they're totally legal or not. "I'm just doing my job" doesn't cut it when your job affects other people in a negative way.

clintjhill 15y ago
Let's not forget though - "I'm just doing my job" absolutely applies here. DPS did not create the laws. They enforce them. AZ is the state where a guy died doing his job in a photo radar vehicle. He was shot by a guy who felt the man in the vehicle was "the government". These families and homes are now targets.
- killerdark 15y ago
  Don't make me invoke Godwin's law on you and your "I'm just doing my job" clause.
- getsat 15y ago
  My point is that "just doing your job" does not absolve you of social responsibility/repercussions. If a law were passed creating federal gangs that went around "borrowing" teenage girls from their families, you can bet fathers would kill to keep their daughters safe. Just because something is legal does not make it ethical.