Current Events > why is it illegal to blackmail a criminal?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Let's say somebody committed a horrible crime and you threaten to reveal it. Or they can donate 5 million of their dirty money to charity or you'll tell the SEC. Why is it that you would be the one getting in trouble, and not the person that committed the initial crime?

This just empowers criminals that use the loopholes in the laws to work in their favor.

insomniacRA posted...

Why is it that you would be the one getting in trouble

Because you are committing a crime.

insomniacRA posted...

not the person that committed the initial crime?

You blackmailing them does nothing to absolve them of guilt in the original crime. Hope this helps.

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is there a 'legal' kind of blackmail

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Money already has too much power as is

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That doesn't seem fair at all. You're breaking the law, but you aren't doing something that is immoral. You're being robin and giving back to the poor, why should that be punished?

Seems like some laws are just protection for criminals to take advantage of people that don't have the resources and knowledge to fully understand.

Blackmail is a form of forcing someone to do something against their will

The government says that's their job and leaves them to be the sole power to enforce a punishment

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insomniacRA posted...

That doesn't seem fair at all. You're breaking the law, but you aren't doing something that is immoral. You're being robin and giving back to the poor, why should that be punished?

Seems like some laws are just protection for criminals to take advantage of people that don't have the resources and knowledge to fully understand.

Neither morality nor ethics play any part in laws or law enforcement. Laws are about maintaining order, which in the vast majority of places means protecting the rights of the ruling elite.

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Why is it illegal to commit a crime?

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threatening legal action isnt blackmail

insomniacRA posted...

you aren't doing something that is immoral.

Not reporting a horrible crime is immoral tho. You're basically asking for bribe money.

Kloe_Rinz posted...

threatening legal action isnt blackmail

Threatening legal action if they dont cave to your demands is.

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Two wrongs don't make a right.

You don't get to do illegal things just because someone else is.

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legality isn't morality guys. Somehow I love how this is turning into an ethics discussion.

insomniacRA posted...

That doesn't seem fair at all. You're breaking the law, but you aren't doing something that is immoral. You're being robin and giving back to the poor, why should that be punished?

Seems like some laws are just protection for criminals to take advantage of people that don't have the resources and knowledge to fully understand.

Using that logic why can't we all be vigilantes and dole out justice as we see fit?

Its illegal but not immoral.

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insomniacRA posted...

legality isn't morality guys. Somehow I love how this is turning into an ethics discussion.

Good news. Blackmail is both illegal and immoral.

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K181 posted...

Good news. Blackmail is both illegal and immoral.

I like to believe there's more of a grey line involving this. Is it blackmail if a teacher tells a student that he's going to fail if he doesn't pledge the morning allegiance?

insomniacRA posted...

I like to believe there's more of a grey line involving this. Is it blackmail if a teacher tells a student that he's going to fail if he doesn't pledge the morning allegiance?

No, as there is no personal gain to be had there or forced financial transfering, but that's also highly immoral and bullying.

Not making a good point to liken blackmailing for ultranationalism.

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insomniacRA posted...

I like to believe there's more of a grey line involving this. Is it blackmail if a teacher tells a student that he's going to fail if he doesn't pledge the morning allegiance?

How is that grey? That's a fucking awful thing to do.

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CanuckCowboy posted...

Using that logic why can't we all be vigilantes and dole out justice as we see fit?

Its illegal but not immoral.

It's a complete oxymoron if you think about it. Our society glorifies these super hero vigilantes in story telling but if an actual person does it, it's criminal? Why even portray these guys as heroes if our values of society is influenced heavily by the law? Vigilantes exist because our current laws don't protect people from the inherently evil.