← Back to context

Comment by kimixa

19 hours ago

All laws are vague and interpreted, and in common law (as in the UK and US) interpreted based on precedent rather than the specific text of the original law.

If people with power over you want to "selectively punish you" they don't need new laws.

And if you want perfectly proscriptive, defined laws in all situations with no "human interpretation" you're in the wrong universe, and may as well be shouting at clouds. The world, and especially human society and interactions, just doesn't follow strict definitions like that.

"All laws are vague"

There are degrees of vagueness, but laws generally attempt to avoid being vague with many definitions and strict construction. If a law is sufficiently vague it may be invalidated, or it is at least required to be interpreted to the benefit of the defendant under lenity.

  • That’s where selective enforcement comes in.

    Make it unambiguous that 100% of people are criminals, and all you have to do is control the prosecutor’s office.

    This law seems to be in that category.