James Clapper is strong evidence of the point: "don't lie" laws are predominantly used against the (non-powerful) innocent because the difficulty of proving anything means the executors of the law have too much impunity. If Clapper had gotten convicted, it would have been reasonable to suggest that the law worked. As it stands it doesn't work, but it still introduces the risk of abuse. The head of the NSA and Joe Nobody should be under the same laws. It's not practical to prove that someone is lying as opposed to making a mistake if they are careful in their wording (and have good legal counsel), so there is only one thing left to do.
If congressional perjury laws were repealed, the only effect would be making the level of scrutiny that is necessary now obvious (in addition to protecting people from false accusations.) In a world where disingenuous speech can accomplish everything lying can, laws against lying are winking security theatre.
How does anyone in this whole goddamn rotten system even pretend to serve justice anymore. Laws are literally being used selectively to persecute the weak, and look the other way for the powerful.
whatshisface|7 years ago
If congressional perjury laws were repealed, the only effect would be making the level of scrutiny that is necessary now obvious (in addition to protecting people from false accusations.) In a world where disingenuous speech can accomplish everything lying can, laws against lying are winking security theatre.
sooheon|7 years ago