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I read through the history of the material that caused the blast a while back. I was struck by how people just obeying laws despite the obvious, extreme danger
by LatteLazy 3y ago
I read through the history of the material that caused the blast a while back. I was struck by how people just obeying laws despite the obvious, extreme danger to the city. Judges, the executive, groups like the port operator and the cargo owner all ignored the obvious risk. For years. Until risk became fact.
Notably the customs officials repeatedly warned of the danger and the fact they were ignored just increases the culpability of the rest.
- ironmagma 3y agoIt’s a bleak reminder of the consequences of corruption.
- LatteLazy 3y agoCicero broke the law to execute a number of citizens without trial when he discovered they were plotting a coup. When challenged on this he said "Salus populi suprema lex esto": "The safety of the people should be the supreme law"
- nradov 3y agoThere are more important things than safety. I'm not trying to excuse corruption here, but authoritarian leaders have used "public safety" to justify all manner of horrible acts. If protecting freedom, civil rights, and the rule of law means that some people die then that is an acceptable price to pay.
- LatteLazy 3y agoThat's a fair comment.
- ironmagma 3y agoThe key is transparency, which was missing here.
- NoZebra120vClip 3y ago"Safety" is one way to translate the Latin, but it could also be translated as "health", "welfare", or "salvation". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salus_populi_suprema_lex_esto https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salus_populi_suprema_lex_esto
- gmerc 3y agoWe make them run for president. … again.