well one reason would be OP linked to an article, you linked to a site that does...

jschuur · on June 15, 2011

I also wouldn't upvote a story that uses up the root URL to a site for a current event.

If I understand HN correctly, nobody can now submit the CIA home page as a story again.

AndyJPartridge · on June 15, 2011

Ah :-) So I should have used the text option then?

A broken link gets it immediately marked down? Makes sense.

dvdhsu · on June 15, 2011

> A broken link gets it immediately marked down? Makes sense.

If we can't open the site, we scratch our heads and move on. On the other hand, if we can open the site, we scratch our heads and say: "Yeah right! The site isn't down! No upvote for you!"