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Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM

HailMuffins Since: May, 2016 Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
PhysicalStamina i'm tired, my friend (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Coming soon to theaters
i'm tired, my friend
#284502: Jul 7th 2019 at 7:57:04 AM

I mean, when you have a judge and jury that can't bring themselves to indict a young, rich white kid for his crimes...

i'm tired, my friend
Ramidel Since: Jan, 2001
#284503: Jul 7th 2019 at 8:19:34 AM

I have to admire his legal team's sheer brass, but that judge had something wrong with him.

Silasw A procrastination in of itself from A handcart to hell (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#284504: Jul 7th 2019 at 8:26:33 AM

The basic argument isn’t even that inherently wrong, but the response shouldn’t have been to let him go home free, it should have been to lock him in a secure mental facility until he could be judged cured (which would probably be never).

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#284505: Jul 7th 2019 at 8:44:12 AM

It's mind boggling that a legal defense amounting to, "The defendant is too rich and privileged to understand that what he did was wrong," would lead to said defendant being released into society without punishment, presumably to commit further crimes of ignorance.

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
Ultimatum Disasturbator from the Amiga Forest (Old as dirt) Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
Disasturbator
#284506: Jul 7th 2019 at 9:07:34 AM

> "The defendant is too rich and privileged to understand that what he did was wrong

In any rational court the response should be

"Perhaps if they do not understand because of their excessive wealth then a hefty fine should aid in their understanding of the law,which will be continuous until the loss of one negates the other"

Though I'm not sure if there's a limit how much they can fine them,unlimited fines are thing however

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CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#284507: Jul 7th 2019 at 9:09:02 AM

The Affluenza defense has been successfully used several times.

Ugh.

It's proof the worst of the rich have no shame to lose.

Edited by CharlesPhipps on Jul 7th 2019 at 9:09:52 AM

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#284508: Jul 7th 2019 at 9:24:00 AM

"I have to admire his legal team's sheer brass, but that judge had something wrong with him."

Her, actually.

Looking over her decision, it seems that after he pled guilty, she decided to sentence him to probation rather than jail time because he was rich enough to afford the rehabilitation treatment.

And then he fled to Mexico.

MorningStar1337 The Encounter that ended the Dogma from 🤔 Since: Nov, 2012
The Encounter that ended the Dogma
#284509: Jul 7th 2019 at 9:36:39 AM

In any rational court the response should be

"Perhaps if they do not understand because of their excessive wealth then a hefty fine should aid in their understanding of the law,which will be continuous until the loss of one negates the other"

Thing is, This case is a microcosm of how the bourgeois had polluted American policy (I'm assuming that was where Epstien's case was, partly because this is the US Politics thread and partly because two presidents were in his circle) to ensure they can continue their pennypinching ways. The same people that would prefer to not pay taxes would also like Afflenza be met with as much leniency as possible, and they have the lobbying and cultural power to ensure it.

I wonder if any of the candidates have anything to say about Affluenza?

SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#284510: Jul 7th 2019 at 10:19:49 AM

I don't think that affluenza is strictly a matter for the federal administration to decide.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Ramidel Since: Jan, 2001
#284511: Jul 7th 2019 at 10:53:10 AM

No, indeed, the affluenza defense is a result of judges and juries being morons - lobbying has nothing to do with it. In the case mentioned, it was a judge.

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Lost in Space
#284512: Jul 7th 2019 at 10:57:33 AM

The judge accepted the defense, which is the massive, pulsating tumor that gives rise to all of the other problems.

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
Ultimatum Disasturbator from the Amiga Forest (Old as dirt) Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
Disasturbator
#284513: Jul 7th 2019 at 5:29:33 PM

I've heard an old wive's tale about how to cure Affluenza,it involves being prescribed a heavy dose of taxation until the symptoms have ceased..

have a listen and have a link to my discord server
CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#284514: Jul 7th 2019 at 5:35:51 PM

Or...just...send him to jail.

The kid was spoiled by his parents but I grew up with some genuinely fucking spoiled rich kids (was one myself) but all of them were usually smart enough not to drink and drive.

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#284515: Jul 7th 2019 at 6:13:27 PM

I've heard an old wive's tale about how to cure Affluenza,it involves being prescribed a heavy dose of taxation until the symptoms have ceased..

Or...just...send him to jail.

¿Por qué no los dos?

Edited by Fourthspartan56 on Jul 7th 2019 at 6:29:44 AM

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
Ramidel Since: Jan, 2001
#284516: Jul 7th 2019 at 11:47:24 PM

Either way, if we can't stop the spread of affluenza, we'd best stop the spread of whatever it is that gets judges to accept that defense...

...oh, right.

DrunkenNordmann from Exile Since: May, 2015
#284517: Jul 8th 2019 at 2:52:10 AM

You know, affluenza being described as being unable to comprehend the consequences of your actions - isn't that usually the kind of thing you admit people to mental institutions for?

We learn from history that we do not learn from history
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I'm sorry Tien, but I must go all out.
#284518: Jul 8th 2019 at 3:22:34 AM

If affluenza is real, that sounds like a fantastic argument to tax the shit out of the rich to the point they can't have it anymore.

TobiasDrake (•̀⤙•́) (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Arm chopping is not a love language!
(•̀⤙•́)
#284519: Jul 8th 2019 at 5:13:57 AM

Yeah, I was just thinking about that. Gather up the legal precedents for affluenza and then present them as part of the case for a wealth tax.

Legally, we have accepted the premise that wealth is a dangerous mind-altering substance. The natural follow-up on that is to regulate and control its distribution.

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CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#284520: Jul 8th 2019 at 6:20:58 AM

Mind you, it's just the kid's parents and not the kid itself.

And being rich, male, and white has always had a mind-altering effect.

But...again....most of the ones I know were not drunk drivers.

He got away with way worse than even privilege should allow.

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
HailMuffins Since: May, 2016 Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
#284521: Jul 8th 2019 at 6:46:56 AM

[up]I mean, plenty of spoiled rich kids never killed anyone.

PhysicalStamina i'm tired, my friend (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Coming soon to theaters
i'm tired, my friend
#284522: Jul 8th 2019 at 6:48:55 AM

[up]I think that's his point.

i'm tired, my friend
Ramidel Since: Jan, 2001
#284523: Jul 8th 2019 at 10:40:21 AM

[up][up][up][up]I will fight you to the death before I let you regulate what stuff I am allowed to put into my bank account! It's my choice! </Libertarian>

SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#284525: Jul 8th 2019 at 10:51:52 AM

Good. Forgive me for saying this, but the presidency is not at all the correct place to push for gun control, and Swalwell as a congressman ought to know that.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman

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