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> Also, it’s wild how cavalierly we’re willing to contemplate taking away someone’s freedoms in a conversation about other freedoms. When someone abuses power
by some_furry 3y ago
> Also, it’s wild how cavalierly we’re willing to contemplate taking away someone’s freedoms in a conversation about other freedoms.
When someone abuses power and privilege in order to take away freedoms from the powerless, the powerless wanting to take away the freedoms of the powerful is to be expected.
Even if you take this one capability away from the privileged and powerful, they will remain privileged and powerful. They've demonstrated a willingness to abuse their position to hurt others.
In contrast with removing only one capability from their arsenal, it would be better if the abusers would also be stripped of their power and privilege for having abused one of said powers and privileges.
That doesn't necessarily require incarceration, logically speaking. Sure, the wounded may feel better if it did, but the goal of policy in this situation isn't to please. But at least the individuals who violated constitutional rights are no longer trustworthy.
- JumpCrisscross 3y ago> Even if you take this one capability away from the privileged and powerful, they will remain privileged and powerful I’m all for firing the people and banning them from public service. I just don’t see the benefit of putting them in jail. From their perspective, what they’re doing is legal. Moreover, it’s deeply precedented. And again, it’s a false economy. Threaten to put people in jail around a freedom that ranks low in voters’ minds and you’ll wind up with nothing.
- DangitBobby 3y agoI think our criminal justice system is overly punitive, but I see violating a fundamental right as much much worse than e.g. dealing drugs which I'd possibly spend years in jail for. Is spending years in jail for that reasonable? No. It's a mind bogglingly disproportionate punishment. But violation of fundamental rights is a heinous crime and I'd expect the punishment for it to be greater than the punishment for drug crime. Hence a call for jail time.