The Statute of Secrecy

[a_svirn]

No: HPFGUIDX 159102

Pippin:
The Statute of Secrecy might as well be called the Muggle Manipulation
Act,
because that's what it requires. It just does. Attempting to influence
people
for an ulterior motive *is* manipulation, pure and simple. 

a_svirn:
On that we agree.

Pippin:
I find all this effort put into ways Dumbledore could have come up
with an official document to show Mrs. Cole amusing. Would this
document give an address, phone number and contact person for
Hogwarts? If Mrs. Cole followed up on this information, as she
should if she is to show due diligence, would her questions be
answered truthfully? If not, then Dumbledore would be handing her
a document that he knows is not what it purports to be, and his
hands would be no cleaner than they were before.

a_svirn:
There is that.

Pippin:
Nor does a_svirn's concern about misuse of the credential
seem to be addressed. Not only would this muggle-friendly
Hogwarts credential still be subject to abuse by wizards, it could
be abused by unscrupulous Muggles as well!

a_svirn:
You are putting words in my mouth. With regard to the Dumbledore-Cole
situation I never said a word about Dumbledore's credentials. I did
doubt his credentials when we discussed his high-handed way of
deciding Harry's fate, but that's another matter entirely. Concerning
Mrs Cole, I only stated that what he did was forgery. I am, however,
not going to throw a stone at him for this. Between forgery and memory
charms I'd say the Obliviate is considerably more unethical. 

> > > a_svirn:
I think that stature of secrecy does force one to act unethically. <snip>

Tesha:
I believe that the most important element in ethical
behavior is knowledge that our actions are based on the
common good.     

a_svirn:
Where does it leave Dumbledore, I wonder? The best thing for the
common good would have been for Riddle to stay in the orphanage.