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title: "I often hear the argument "Well, the law's the law.  If you want to…"
date: 2016-01-08
source: facebook
type: Archer T. Ships updated his status.
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# I often hear the argument "Well, the law's the law.  If you want to…

*January 8, 2016 · Facebook*

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I often hear the argument \"Well, the law\'s the law. If you want to change the law, lobby to change it. But until then, you are obligated to obey it.\"\
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But often we don\'t have enough experience to judge whether a law is worth changing, until we actually break the law.\
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Even at it\'s best, the law is but a rough consensus about what other people will punish you for doing. That doesn\'t mean it is moral or just or rational.\
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For example, in some countries, other people will punish you for driving while female, or criticizing the government, or having gay sex.\
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In the U.S., we generally regard such laws themselves as immoral, deserving of disobedience.\
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But, for someone who is indoctrinated in such a culture, they may not realize that the alleged dire consequences of the banned behavior are a lie.\
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Until they try it for themselves.\
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Once people realize the justification for a law is based on prejudice, corruption, or power-madness, then a constituency for reforming or striking down the law can develop.\
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Thus, often the best way to improve the law is to break it.\
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Inspired by Moxie Marlinspike\'s essay, posted below.
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