3 ms·

You probably mean 6 months or less, because that was the prosecution offer. And yeah, I think that was actually a pretty good deal. Although I would agree that

by jdong 12y ago

You probably mean 6 months or less, because that was the prosecution offer. And yeah, I think that was actually a pretty good deal. Although I would agree that in a perfect world the material he took would already have been public.

shiven 12y ago
I think you are grossly underplaying the consequences of that plea deal. Six months (or less) in federal prison would still have him labeled as a "convict" and he would have lost numerous civil rights (voting being one) as a result. Needless to say, he would have to carry that label for the rest of his days as a US citizen. From what I understand, Aaron did not want to carry that cross, more so since he considered himself innocent. Hence, in protest, he took his own life. I am neither condoning nor criticizing his action and his final decision, as I am in no position to do that. However, I strongly doubt it was as simple or straightforward as you'd like it to appear. If you are a friend of Aaron's and you have come out publicly (on HN) as one, perhaps you could explain the reasoning and motivations better than most of us. Why not do that, instead of oversimplifying the whole situation?
- jdong 12y ago
  Aaron did what he did knowing the consequences, my best guess is that at some point after he started regretting his decision. This is how the world works, if you make a bad decision you'll have to live with it... Or not.
  - shiven 12y ago
    Aaron did what he did knowing the consequences, my best guess is that at some point after he started regretting his decision. So, your "guess" is as good as mine, or any of my fellow armchair analysts on HN? Are you sure Aaron even considered you a friend? Or perhaps, you were just trolling HN, eh?
    - jdong 12y ago
      Thing is, I'm not his shrink. I don't know everything that was going on inside his head, that's my best guess based on my daily chats with him on IRC.
  - smsm42 12y ago
    Soldiers go to war knowing they can be killed. That doesn't mean when the enemy kills US soldiers, we should just shrug and say "well, they knew the risks, who cares?", does it?
vdaniuk 12y ago
No, I meant what I've written. If 6 months was an "amazing" deal, then 9 months or a year would be good a good deal and I absolutely disagree with that.

by jdong 12y ago

shiven 12y ago

I think you are grossly underplaying the consequences of that plea deal. Six months (or less) in federal prison would still have him labeled as a "convict" and he would have lost numerous civil rights (voting being one) as a result. Needless to say, he would have to carry that label for the rest of his days as a US citizen. From what I understand, Aaron did not want to carry that cross, more so since he considered himself innocent. Hence, in protest, he took his own life. I am neither condoning nor criticizing his action and his final decision, as I am in no position to do that. However, I strongly doubt it was as simple or straightforward as you'd like it to appear. If you are a friend of Aaron's and you have come out publicly (on HN) as one, perhaps you could explain the reasoning and motivations better than most of us. Why not do that, instead of oversimplifying the whole situation?

jdong 12y ago
Aaron did what he did knowing the consequences, my best guess is that at some point after he started regretting his decision. This is how the world works, if you make a bad decision you'll have to live with it... Or not.
- shiven 12y ago
  Aaron did what he did knowing the consequences, my best guess is that at some point after he started regretting his decision. So, your "guess" is as good as mine, or any of my fellow armchair analysts on HN? Are you sure Aaron even considered you a friend? Or perhaps, you were just trolling HN, eh?
  - jdong 12y ago
    Thing is, I'm not his shrink. I don't know everything that was going on inside his head, that's my best guess based on my daily chats with him on IRC.
- smsm42 12y ago
  Soldiers go to war knowing they can be killed. That doesn't mean when the enemy kills US soldiers, we should just shrug and say "well, they knew the risks, who cares?", does it?

vdaniuk 12y ago

No, I meant what I've written. If 6 months was an "amazing" deal, then 9 months or a year would be good a good deal and I absolutely disagree with that.