Portrayal of MoM in the series

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 178817

> Ceridwen:
> Yes, it is wrong that Arthur writes a law to benefit himself at 
the 
> expense of the spirit or intent of said law.  It doesn't hurt 
anyone 
> physically, but it hurts the society.  Society functions on laws 
and 
> government, to one extent or another.  Even if the "law" is a 
> collection of etiquette, even if the "government" is a parent.  


Alla:

Isn't this pretty much what I said in my post? You do not have to 
explain to me how and why it hurts the society, really. I am aware 
of it. But read along.

Ceridwen:
When 
> laws are written to benefit a few - in this case, Arthur and 
> presumably others who want to play with Muggle cars - that means 
they 
> are placed above the rest of society.  Society becomes unequal.
> 
> That is the corruption of power.  Arthur doesn't mean to add to 
the 
> imbalance, he's just going along with the way everyone sees the 
> society.  If you work for the Ministry, you put in long days, but 
you 
> get certain perks, such as the law turning a blind eye to your 
> hobbies.  Someone gives you tickets to a Quidditch match.  I get 
the 
> impression this is not seen as something wrong in this society.  
> People accept it because that's the way it's always been.  The 
haves, 
> or those who work at the Ministry, are on a different level than 
> everyone else.  They are "more equal".
> 
> If Arthur can do it and get away with it, someone else can do the 
> same thing that actually will hurt someone. 

Alla:

Well, first and foremost let's look at the legislative intent of 
this law, shall we? He wrote the law to **protect the muggles** 
first and foremost, din't he?

He left a **loophole** in it to be able to play with the muggle car. 
I would say that the general reason of the law should count more 
than the reason for the loophole. But that's just me.

You do not get an argument from me that this is wrong in any event 
and corruption of power. But let's put it this way, I consider the 
kind of corruption of power that is shown here to be the **least** 
harmful of all others that I see from Ministry officials.

Arthur wanted to play with the car. So he left a loophole. Yeah, bad 
Arthur, as I said good people get sucked in the atmopshere of 
corrupted society too and to some extend may become corrupted as 
well.

Arthur on the other hand tried to protect Muggles contrary to some 
of his colleagues. He is NOT in Lucius' Malfoy pocket as for example 
Committee Disposing of the dangerous creatures. He is not concerned 
with the purity of blood as Cornelius Fudge is. Arthur does not have 
dark magic artifacts in his home and participates in dangerous raids 
to take them from dark wizards, what if Mundungus was more succesful 
with cursing him in CoS?

So, yeah, Arthur wanted to play with Muggle car and he left a 
loophole in the law to benefit himself. Wrong he was. I just cannot 
look at his misgivings without comparing the ones from his 
colleagues and then this one shrinks in my eyes. No, not becomes 
invisible, but shrinks.


Ceridwen:
 Katie mentioned that 
> former DEs probably went for jobs in the Ministry after LV's first 
> fall because that's where the power was (and is).  That makes a 
lot 
> of sense to me.  There were thirteen years between the first fall 
and 
> Voldy's reconstitution.

Alla:

Sure, hence witness Lucius Malfoy making friends in the ministry so 
easily, makes sense to me as well.


Ceridwen:
>Some of these guys were probably in cushy 
> positions by the time he returned.  If Arthur's writing laws to 
> benefit him, I can imagine the once and former DEs are doing the 
> same.  Their beneficial laws will hurt others.  Look at Dolores 
> Umbridge's laws, and her edicts at Hogwarts, and she isn't a DE.  

Alla:

Laws? As in plural? What other law did Arthur wrote to benefit 
himself? And even that one, as I said before  I think he was 
concerned with the protection of Muggles more than benefitting 
himself, but sure that was one of the purposes.

I am sure former DE could have written plenty laws to benefit them, 
I just do not see how it is connected to Arthur's law. 

Oh, yes, Umbridge. Good example that is. I do not see Arthur's 
writing the law that would stop werewolves from getting work for 
example.

> Alla:
> > Of course Arthur does not get to be a personal guest of 
> > Minister of magic, he is stuck in the job with low pay 
> > for years...
> 
> Ceridwen:
> Arthur is head of a department.  His pay isn't low, his expenses 
are 
> high.  The Weasleys have seven children to put through school.  
<SNIP>


Alla:

Not that I dispute that his expenses are high, but where did you get 
that his pay is not low. Isn't his department considered the least 
prestigious and didn't he just got promoted in HBP?


Katie: 
Lucius is a big facor in the fall of the ministry I think. Yes he is 
in
Azkaban by the time the MoM falls, but as your post points out he 
gained a lot
of strong friends and influence while LV was "out." This made the 
MoM easy
pickings because it was essentially already infiltrated from the 
moment LV came
back, while before it seems that most people were being recruited 
into the DEs
straight from Hogwarts w/o ever working at the MoM or anywhere else.


Alla:

When I was looking through the books to put this post together, one 
of the things I was doing was keeping an eye on Lucius dear. I had 
read several times on list that after CoS Lucius' power just 
basically non existant. Well, what I saw  does not support that idea.

Despite being kicked out of the Board of Governors, I see Lucius' 
star being steadily on the rise among the ministry. Committee of 
disposal of dangerous creatures? Of course we will do what you say, 
Mr. Malfoy.

Being buddies with Minister of Magic? Of course as long as generous 
contributions are made. 

Does Fudge pay any attention to Lucius being at the Graveyard?

Of course not, how could dear Lucius still be murderer and torturer?

It is much more convenient to decide that Harry is crasy rather than 
think that person who makes such **generous contributions** is a 
criminal.

NOTHING less than Lucius participating in the raid at MoM forces 
Ministry morons to have their eyes open. Now they have no choice but 
to put Lucius to Azkaban.

JMO,

Alla