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Comment by someone234 | Hacker News Reader

> But the article isn't just talking about the NSA and National Security Letters - this is about law enforcement.

No it's not. It's just that "law enforcement" sounds more comforting than "tyranny".

Here's how to interpret "law":

    Law = A written order issued by your rulers. 
    Lawful = Good = Anything your rulers want you to do.
    Unlawful = Bad = Anything your rulers don't want you to do.
    Law enforcement, verb = Forcing you to do what they want you to.
    Law enforcement, noun = People whom laws don't apply to.

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"Law = A written order issued by your rulers. "

Don't be so obtuse. A law is a written order, adding the remainder is just an inflammatory accusation that undermines the public at large.

You may believe that the public or those governed by which ever particular law you select are too scared or ignorant and have the law imposed on them from outside interests but the greater numbers always win in the end. A particular rule of law may be arduous today and for many more consecutive days but one day the rule will change.

This is evident throughout history and will continue to be.

> A law is a written order, adding the remainder is just an inflammatory accusation that undermines the public at large.

Undermines the public how?

> A particular rule of law may be arduous today

"Rule of law" is a misnomer. It's actually rule by those who decide what the laws are. That would be the "elected representatives", ie. politicians of course.

In other words, politicians are our rulers because they make the rules that are ultimately enforced at gunpoint, if you don't feel like obeying at first.

But a law is just text somewhere. But even if the text contains a decree on what everyone must or must not do, that alone does not change people's behaviour one bit.

For example, if I write down on a piece of paper that you have to give 30% of your income to me, will you do it? OK, what if I threaten you with imprisonment if you don't?

> OK, what if I threaten you with imprisonment if you don't?

You and what army?

(Not trying to be snarky. That quote seems very apt.)

You seem to be overlooking the point. Would it be morally permissible for me to scribble down arbitrary rules and enforce them on you if I had an army with which to ensure your compliance?

Laws are just arbitrary rules decided on by a small group of people, much like they were with Kings and their inner circles. Laws are enforced in much the same way too - there's no practical difference between getting assaulted by the King's Guard and getting assaulted by men in blue costumes.

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