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Comment by camtarn | Hacker News Reader

You missed this bit?

"Meanwhile, on LetsRun, some users had posted contact information for Meza’s employers. A handful of people left negative online reviews for him."

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Oh OK that, yeah, that's harassment.

Is it? Don't his patients have a right to know that he's a fraud?

No, they don't have such a right, but everyone has the right to call him out publicly. The key point, for me, is that vengeance is evil. Cheaters should be exposed but not destroyed. Go the full mile to get cheaters banned from competitions and make sure that the record is set straight. Make sure that past winnings and glory is returned and nullified, and leave it at that.

I'd argue they absolutely do have that right. A doctor is in a position of immense power and trust, and you need to know that your doctor will be honest if they make mistakes and not try to cover them up. This is a matter of character.

You gonna tell them if he steals cookies from the cookie jar? I see your point but I ask where you draw the line.

Do his patients also get access to his tax records and medical records?? How does cheating at running a marathon translate to professional candor? I cheat in single player computer games, is my body of professional work now under enhanced scrutiny for a completely unrelated activity?

Well, what profession are you in? If you're a lawyer, or a financial advisor, or, yes, a doctor, then your revealed character absolutely has a bearing over whether you're a fit and proper person to be in a position of trust.

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