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This, seriously. People need to stop excusing the federal government for the monster that it really is. Yes Aaron was depressed, do you really think the DoJ had

This, seriously. People need to stop excusing the federal government for the monster that it really is. Yes Aaron was depressed, do you really think the DoJ had absolutely nothing to do with that? I'd argue their constant indictments had a lot to do with it.

paulhauggis 14y ago
Let's say I'm a guy that obsesses over a girl I like. I send her creepy messages and generally make her uncomfortable. She gets a restraining order against me and I kill my self. Would you be sitting here blaming the girl and the restraining order laws in the US? I feel like many people here are trying to get their own opinions out by blaming the law that he broke (and the government).
- colin_jack 14y ago
  Its not really comparable though. As far as its been written up he was facing the potential of over 50 years in prison. That would put anyone under a massive amount of pressure, and does seem pretty unpleasant given his "crime" was so small.
- benatkin 14y ago
  Your analogy doesn't take into account political activism, which is acknowledged as a social good in the US almost every time our founding story is taught. Even then it would be a bad analogy. A restraining order is also very different from the threat of excessive imprisonment. If it was a threat of excessive imprisonment in your hypothetical situation, yes, the courts and laws would get a share in the blame. Not specifically for committing suicide, but for making your life needlessly worse.
asveikau 14y ago
> People need to stop excusing the federal government for the monster that it really is. As the son of a federal employee, I feel I should address this specific sentence. Let's not confuse a couple of jerks for the entirety of the federal government. Many large organizations produce stupid, indefensible actions but I feel like your phrasing is overly broad.

paulhauggis 14y ago

Let's say I'm a guy that obsesses over a girl I like. I send her creepy messages and generally make her uncomfortable. She gets a restraining order against me and I kill my self. Would you be sitting here blaming the girl and the restraining order laws in the US? I feel like many people here are trying to get their own opinions out by blaming the law that he broke (and the government).

colin_jack 14y ago
Its not really comparable though. As far as its been written up he was facing the potential of over 50 years in prison. That would put anyone under a massive amount of pressure, and does seem pretty unpleasant given his "crime" was so small.
benatkin 14y ago
Your analogy doesn't take into account political activism, which is acknowledged as a social good in the US almost every time our founding story is taught. Even then it would be a bad analogy. A restraining order is also very different from the threat of excessive imprisonment. If it was a threat of excessive imprisonment in your hypothetical situation, yes, the courts and laws would get a share in the blame. Not specifically for committing suicide, but for making your life needlessly worse.

asveikau 14y ago

> People need to stop excusing the federal government for the monster that it really is. As the son of a federal employee, I feel I should address this specific sentence. Let's not confuse a couple of jerks for the entirety of the federal government. Many large organizations produce stupid, indefensible actions but I feel like your phrasing is overly broad.