And your question has a "gotcha" axe to grind.

Looks like the HN backend needs another stealth founders-only feature: highlight known troublemakers to remind people to probably not interact with them unless you know you can win a pet argument.

Doesn't even need to be a backend feature. A Chrome extension (a la Reddit Enhancement Suite) that lets you tag people would be more than sufficient.

I understand Aaron's motivation. Asking for that info on HN though is the same as starting a fight in a Starbucks. We're better than that.

I'd say it's more like asking a fellow air passenger, in earshot of others, whether that thing they just put to their lips is a candy cigarette or a real one.

Payments systems are complex and the regulations are complex. I don't think it's rude to ask questions about complex topics, and here I honestly do not know what Stripe is doing. As both a Stripe customer and competitor I have the right to ask.

I think it's the "if I answer this guy's questions he'll likely pop me in as a defendant in a crank lawsuit" that turns folks off.

http://dockets.justia.com/docket/california/candce/5:2013cv0...

Disagree with the crank lawsuit part.

Yes, the law is being metered out in a discriminatory fashion. No, this is the not the way to go about fixing it.