Why Trump should keep his promise to free Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht \ stacker news ~bitcoin

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Why Trump should keep his promise to free Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht reason.com/2025/01/20/why-trump-should-keep-his-promise-to-free-silk-road-founder-ross-ulbricht/

1329 sats \ 20 comments \ @siggy47 9h bitcoin

A life sentence for facilitating peaceful transactions among consenting adults is hard to fathom, let alone justify.

More to the point, the charges that resulted in Ulbricht's life sentence did not include attempted murder for hire, and no such charge was ever presented to the jury, let alone proven in court. Those unproven allegations nevertheless played a crucial role in the sentence that Forrest imposed and in the appeals court decision that upheld it.

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245 sats \ 10 replies \ @kepford 8h

This case was deeply political. Chuck Schumer was all over it. I can't find the quote but the Judge in case really made it sound like Ross's ideas were dangerous and he needed to think about those ideas. I remember when I heard this years ago it making me more aware of how rigged the system is against free thought.

I firmly believe Ross is a political prisoner. Nothing short of that. There are many dark market sites today and Ross was nothing more than an example. He and the use of bitcoin were a threat to the system's power. They needed to make an example of him.

They do this over and over again. The state is evil and I really tire of people making excuses for it. I tire of focusing on the politicians as well. They are scum but they are just bit players. They aren't the state. We have to destroy this idolatry of the state. It will take generations but it must be done.

135 sats \ 1 reply \ @freetx 8h

Don't forget the FBI/DEA agents in charge of investigation stole Ross's bitcoin and were later arrested for it.

Carl Force, a DEA agent, and Shaun Bridges, a U.S. Secret Service agent, were involved in the theft of Bitcoin meant for the investigation. They used these funds to set up personal Bitcoin investment funds. Bridges was arrested again in 2017 for stealing an additional $800,000 in Bitcoin

It was an investigation run by criminals.

46 sats \ 0 replies \ @kepford 8h

Well, you repeat yourself. What do you think the FBI/DEA are? Criminal organizations. They lie, cheat, steal, and kill. I don't care what government body says they have the right to do it. Its crime.

93 sats \ 6 replies \ @siggy47 OP 8h

The article touched on the role his ideas had on the sentence:

Forrest also seemed to believe that Ulbricht's libertarian views, to which she repeatedly alluded, were relevant in determining how many years he should serve. As you might expect, she said his moral opposition to drug prohibition "provides no excuse." But she also thought it was "notable" that "the reasons you started Silk Road were philosophical," adding, "I don't know that it is a philosophy left behind."

55 sats \ 5 replies \ @kepford 8h

Thanks. Yeah, its just not the pull quote I recall his mom mentioning not long after the trial.

36 sats \ 4 replies \ @siggy47 OP 8h

Let me know if you find it. I would like to see it.

76 sats \ 2 replies \ @kepford 7h

In an interview with Tom Woods from 2017 Ross Ulbricht's mother Lyn said that the insane sentencing was due to the threat of bitcoin. She believes due to Chuck Schumer's involvement in the case and his position on banking committees that he influenced her to make an example of Ross. I haven't researched this but I've read that Schumer was key to appointment.

She also stated that during the trial it was stated that any use of Tor was evidence of criminal activity. This is the mindset of "your" government "officials".

The judge used Ross's political philosophy as reasoning for sentencing. Lyn says the Judge said the following in sentencing.

"We know you created the site for philosophy reasons and I'm just not sure you've given that philosophy up."

"And I find it troubling and dangerous that there are posts on the site calling the government the oppressor."

Its kinda mind blowing that someone could go to law school and make a statement like this. Its not mind blowing that people think this way but one would think you'd learn about the 1A is a key concept for a judge to understand. This just underscores the theory that this was a sham political show trial.

55 sats \ 1 reply \ @kepford 7h

Another kicker was that when Reason Mag wrote about the story some commenters made comments that the gov didn't like and the Feds sent subpoenas for the identities of those commenters.

The state is evil man. Evil. When it is threatened or even a possibility of threat is made clear they attack.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Bell_curve 2h

Someone doxed and leaked the judge's personal details such as address which led to subpoenas for Reason.com

I don't have a problem with doxing the judge, appointed by Obama

41 sats \ 0 replies \ @kepford 8h

👍

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Bell_curve 2h

#858238

Katherine Forrest, US district judge

92 sats \ 2 replies \ @Aardvark 8h

This is really the only Trump promise I gave a shit about.

137 sats \ 1 reply \ @siggy47 OP 8h

Agreed. In fact, after this weekend I hope he stops talking about bitcoin. I have no clue what he might say or do.

109 sats \ 0 replies \ @Aardvark 8h

Too many people don't know the difference between bitcoin and crypto. Now that he has his own shitcoin people are going to conflate the two even more. I'm with you on this one.

77 sats \ 1 reply \ @kepford 8h

who is serving a life sentence

Two life sentences plus 40 years... just to be safe.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Bell_curve 2h

and no possibility of parole

42 sats \ 1 reply \ @Manikese 5h

I just went through the list of Pardons. There are a TON. However, Ulbricht, unfortunately was not on the list.

10 sats \ 0 replies \ @ZezzebbulTheMysterious 4h

Disgusting. Actual violent criminals pardoned, and non violent entrepreneurs like Ross are just political currency of lies on the campaign trail.

The one opportunity for him to show Bitcoiners wasn’t completely full of shit.

To the rubes, better buy some Trump meme coins before nation states try to get in with their tribe and bribe.

104 sats \ 0 replies \ @denlillaapan 8h

Great to see. I love it when Reason runs actual, serious, good stuff

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Bell_curve 2h

#858174