That’s quite a stretch, but even if it were true, so what? The Chicago Reader is a business, not an experiment in social justice, and like any other business, they’ll do what they think is in their own best interests.
That’s nice. Perhaps you missed the part where samclem explicitly stated he was acting entirely on his own and not undr instructions from the Reader?
Um no. Like I said, the Reader will do what it wants. But the overwraught appeal to “do the moral thing” is simply laughable.
I see your point. However, what I’m trying to say is that we have no right to give the Chinese the “chance to decide their own morality.”
The point I’m trying to make (albeit not well, but this is why I tend to stay out of GD) is: Why do WE (as a nation, collectively) have the notion that our system of government is the ideal one, and that we have to contribute (in any way) to “overthrow” any government that isn’t a democracy?
And I’ll concede that some people would think that, by NOT following the Chinese government’s ban, we’re condoning their actions. The whole “if you do nothing to stop it, then you’re condoning the action” arguement.
As I said, I have my thoughts on this matter, but I can’t quite elucidate clearly enough to show you exactly what I mean.
True. I was trying to make a point about doing nothing when something should be done. Chose a poor analogy. Sorry 'bout that.
On review, I can’t find anywhere that samclem actually said this was his motivation. (It is possible that I missed it.) At any rate, I believe samclem needs to be addressing his motives on this – personally.
While I was aware of the Open Net Initiate and have been following their efforts with great interest, I was unaware of the efforts in Toronto. I *very much appreciate * the link. Thank You. I’m looking into how I can give them my support.
I’ll get back to you on this one in just a second … ya stuck something in the middle of that sentence that needs a comment …
True. Went for some dramatic effect. Apparently misunderstood. Okay, back to the other thing …
How dare you! You do not know me. You know virtually nothing about me. The fact that you presume me to be female demonstrates that fact beyond further comment.
How dare you, then, to presume to know my mind, my motives or what I do away from this board! You have absolutely no idea what efforts I put into this struggle against tyranny – No clue as to how much time I’ve invested or how long I’ve been at it.
I’m not just interested in the struggle against tyranny, I’m passionate about it. Nothing gets me going quite as fast. Might even say I get fanatical about it. Started with a little armed conflict back in the olden days. Little country. Southeast Asia. Let’s see now … what was that name? Started with a “V” I think …
I served my time. I put my ass – physically put my ass in harm’s way to defend freedom and to further the cause of the fight against tyranny. My well earned disabilities precluded continuing my military career, but I have found, over the years, that I don’t have to just sit on the curb and watch and wave as others take up the struggle. There are still ways that I can participate.
Do something? Anything? As opposed to making signs and marching in protests? (wait a minute – even that’s better than doing nothing …) As opposed to sitting around in a bar bitchin’ and moaning to others that don’t even have a clue or (worse yet) sitting home and watching football on Monday nights? You betcha! Feel good about my self? Yeah, a little. At least I am doing something. Anything. Anything I can find that looks like it might help. Wish I could do more. Don’t always make the best choices at first – as more information becomes available to me, I can improve the efficiency of my efforts. Your Toronto link opened up a new avenue for me and many of those I associate with, most of whom were unaware of it as well. Thank you again for that.
Yes there are lots of us out here trying to do something. And not just about the Chinese, but other oppressive governments as well.
“keyboard brigade” – Cute. :rolleyes:
Lucy
Sorry, forgot to check the “Show your signature” box so you can see the “She’s a He” link.
Yes I understand and didn’t think it was anything else. You acted within your authority invested in you by the SDMB, and I think you used that authority to assist in the oppression of the people in China - which is my humble O.
- Re: The Straight Dope does not care about oppressed people.
Actually if you didn’t take it out of context it in right on the mark. That is IF samclem INTENTIONALLY left the thread open only long enough for the requesting person in China got it, then closed it/deleted the link acting as the SB mod.
Again I am talking IF here. IF this happened samclem showed compasion by allowing this person to get the information before it was closed.
But this IF also shows that by samclem’s official mod action that the stance of the SDMB is to not assist the oppressed people in China - maybe even in the SDMB Mod handbook, page 96, subsection 3 paragraph 2?
The above is total speculation on my part - I don’t know it to be true, nor do I suspect it is, just that it is possiable, and even IF true is something that samclem could not admit to w/o incuring the wrath of the SD/Reader.
Yup, all true. The same can be said for your comparing my position to that of the alleged onlookers of the murder and rape of Kitty Genovese (a story whose mangling makes it border on urban legend, but that’s another matter).
Anyway since you’ve retracted your comparison, I will do the same; moreover, I will state that imputing motivation to another is problematic in the best of situations and ludicrous upon a first encounter on a message board.
In the news
Nicolas Kristoff’s column in Sunday’s NYT (sub req), compares the China policies of Yahoo, Microsoft, Cisco and Google. He thinks Yahoo is a national disgrace while Google got a bum rap. The other 2 characters are in between.
Yahoo forwarded information to Chinese authorities that led to prison terms for 3 exercising their human rights. Google still makes its uncensored search engine available, so its latest move tends to expand options in China.
Without using that word, Kristoff calls for a boycott of Yahoo until it compensates the families of the 3 men that it helped imprison and establishes scholarships for Chinese journalists.
Those using My Yahoo may consider a switch to MyWay, as I have done.