5 ms·
> I wince every time someone says it's the FBI's job to catch criminals, and we should make it easier for them to do so. No, it's not their job to catch crimin
by anamax 15y ago
> I wince every time someone says it's the FBI's job to catch criminals, and we should make it easier for them to do so. No, it's not their job to catch criminals, period.
If "catching criminals period" was their job, there are no shortage of criminals for them to catch using their current powers.
So, when they want new powers, the relevant question is "what new criminals are they going after?"
Of course, we're all criminals. It's almost impossible to avoid committing a felony or two per day.
- tomflack 15y agoA felony? Really? I have no grasp of how your laws are divided in the states and presumed the "every-day accidental crimes" would be misdemeanors. What felonies are you referring to?
- bbrtyth 15y agoFelony soda tossing: http://www.wireclub.com/topics/off_topic/conversations/T6K1RgM8C-tUqJT10 http://www.wireclub.com/topics/off_topic/conversations/T6K1R... Felony mic check: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/01/12/1054041/-Occupy-San-Diego-Arrested-for-Felony-Conspiracy http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/01/12/1054041/-Occupy-San... Felony protesting: http://www.soarclub.com/2012/03/felony-protest-in-front-of-government-official/ http://www.soarclub.com/2012/03/felony-protest-in-front-of-g... I also recall a few years back there was a man charged with a felony for "digging fossils" with his son in the wrong place. And a man charged as a sex offender for grabbing a child that ran in front of his car (to lecture him). I found another where a man was charged with felonies for throwing seed pods at police, but that's not really an "every-day accidental crime." So, yes, most incidents are misdemeanors, but if you commit them in the wrong place, at the wrong time, or with the wrong people present, it can be a felony.
- sesqu 15y agoHere's a blog circling the topic: http://www.harveysilverglate.com/TheSilvergLatest/TFD.aspx http://www.harveysilverglate.com/TheSilvergLatest/TFD.aspx
- sneak 15y agohttp://www.amazon.com/Three-Felonies-Day-Target-Innocent/dp/1594032556 http://www.amazon.com/Three-Felonies-Day-Target-Innocent/dp/...
- anamax 15y ago> presumed the "every-day accidental crimes" would be misdemeanors. It's interesting that you're accepting of the idea that ordinary activities are likely to be crimes. It's actually rational to have harsh penalties for minor things. You're trying to control people. Minor penalties won't be heard about by others. In addition, prosecutors and police aren't much interested in minor things. Harsh penalties get their attention. The only way to break this cycle is to stop criminalizing these minor things, which is something that a govt with a control fetish will never do. By accepting the idea that ordinary activities can be criminal, you're buying into that fetish. Your "but they shouldn't be felonies" is either embarrassment or ignorance of the consequences of said "buy into". Here's my rule. If I'm unwilling to have my mother shot for doing {thing}, said thing should not be a crime. That's an appropriate rule because criminalizing said thing will result in someone being shot....
- 13rules 15y ago"I wince every time someone says it's the FBI's job to catch criminals, and we should make it easier for them to do so. No, it's not their job to catch criminals, period. Their job is to catch criminals while protecting everybody's fundamental human rights. It's part of their job description, part of their raison d'etre, and yes, it's a tough job. If you can't accept a tough job, you don't deserve a badge." Amen! It's not our duty to give up individual liberty in order to make it easier for the FBI or any other government organization to catch the fringe terrorists and criminal element.