I think the drug war example is apropos. I don't really blame federal prosecutors over the last 30 years (say until the recent legalization efforts). They were acting consistently with the thinking of an entire generation of "just say no" and "zero tolerance" moms and dads.
Or, to be clear, do you think the correct amount of discretion was exercised when they went after Aaron with over a dozen felonies?
Is 35+ years in prison an ethical punishment for what he did, or isn't it? Is that what he deserved?
I do not think 35 years in prison would have been an appropriate punishment for what Swartz did, but he wasn't sentenced to 35 years in prison. Being charged with counts that could carry up to 35 years is totally different than being sentenced to that amount of time. Ultimately, sentencing is the domain of the judge, and in this case the judge never got to make the call. And I don't mean that in a legalistic sense--simply describing the status quo. It's the engineer in my that admires the division of responsibilities inherent in our system.
I don't know. I suppose I am just naturally suspicious of anything that allows someone to witness an injustice, take part in it, then wash their hands and declare that it wasn't their problem. Something about that just seems wrong to me.
If we can't trust federal prosecutors with discretion because of past abuses, that's a specific and reasonable objection. But "other parties thought it was a good idea" dodges a lot. A prosecutor may be the first person available to witness how the law is being misapplied.
You see, omission is fun! Needless to say though, I am looking forward to hear what Abelson concludes concerning that.
> Do you think ordinary people draw an ethical distinction between changing a MAC address and more complex measures?
No, I do not think that ordinary people would. Once again, part of the problem.
> How about cultural differences?
I am not sure comparisons to the war on drugs does anything to alleviate my concern.
> Now whose being the lawyer?
Omitting MIT's position didn't tip you off? That's your trick, not mine.
> Does the fact that the trespassing charges were dropped change the fact that MIT didn't want people going into that closet?
In your one-sided "prosecutor sits down with his mother for some tea and justice" system? Yes, I think it is very relevant.
> 1) A prosecutor abusing her discretion to target someone for activity that people think are harmless.
> The correct answer here is (2).
Here is the deal. I think the prosecutor acted legally. I have no reason to suspect otherwise. More importantly, I think the prosecutor acted typically. I have no reason to suspect that this was the prosecutor lashing out in any sort of 'personal' way.
But more importantly than both of those, I think that the prosecutor acted unethically.
That position may be uncommon, but that coupled with your personal or professional disagreeance does not render it incorrect. The correct answer is (1) and (2).