Laws such as the CFAA that impose draconian penalties for what amount to harmless (or nearly so) infractions with computers are just another symptom of the low prestige of technology professionals. Yes, I know the offender in this case is a non-technical journalist and not a technology professional, but he is mere collateral damage and doesn't represent the people the CFAA was meant to keep in line, namely us.

Contrast the legislative treatment we receive with that of doctors, who according to that same publication can apparently get away with literal murder and maiming for years before finally being punished: http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/08/25...