X-Post: Things that Scare you in the Wizard World.

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 105873

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, udder_pen_dragon <udderpd at y...>
wrote:
>
> ..edited...previous posts....
> 
> Udder PenDragon again
> 
> Excellent post Steve Just a couple of points.
> 
> The effect of Veritaserum appears to be quite unlike a lie detector,
in that when you ask a question you get an answer which is the truth
not a simple yes or no.
> 
> The other point is that Snape had no compulsion about supplying it
to Dumbledore to use on Barty Crouch junior.
> 
> Again it appears to be a case of the ends justify the means, scary
> 
> Bye again Udderpd


Asian_lovr2

Glad you weren't offended that I moved your post to this group. 

As far as the Lie Detector Machine, my comments were more about the
general uncertainty of 'truth teling' devices than specific comparison
to Veritaserum. They were illustrations more than examples; I do that
a lot.

Of course, you are correct, Truth Serum, muggle or magic, results in a
dialog, not just yes or no. But Barty Jr does seem drugged, and while
able to speak the truth, he doesn't necessarily seem coherent enough
to engage in a debate of the finer points of interpreting his
statements. That's also true of muggle truth serum. 

In addition, Dumbledore's use of Veritaserum was probably in violation
of the rules regulating the use of Truth Serum. However, Dumbledore
was seeking the truth about what happened; gathering information that
/he/ needed for /his/ purposes, not gathering evidence to be used in a
trial. 

I think that is one reason why he was so upset with Fudge's use of the
Dementor. Without a soul, Barty could not be OFFICIALLY questioned for
purposes of gathering evidence that could be used at a trail, or
establish that Voldemort was indeed back. 

-The Court-

I really cringe everytime I think of that court scene at Harry's
hearing. It seems very much that the wizard world is operating under
the premise that the accused doesn't need counsel or an advocate
because the court itself is there to insure fairness. 

That's not an exclusively wizard's idea, that concept, which can be
easily rationalized, has been tried throughout history, and
consistently with disasterous results. It is a system that invites and
eventually guarantees coruption. 

I'm surprised wizards still put up with it.

Just some thoughts.

Steve/Asian_lovr2