3 ms·

so you say if Europe does something, it's good. If Russia does the same thing, it's bad, because it's Russia. OK.

bayesian_horse 10y ago
Putin likes to make it look that way, yes. And on the surface it does. Beneath the surface, there are lots of important differences. The EU doesn't block websites. It doesn't control the media. It ensures freedom of speech. It makes it possible even for US companies to do business in the EU, without the fear that their servers are seized whenever some corrupt regime decides to. The EU doesn't go after dissidents... and the list goes on and on...
- degorov 10y ago
  Why does then wikipedia have articles with lists of websites blocked in different EU countries?
- supergirl 10y ago
  That's so naive, to think that any country isn't simply pursuing its own interests. I'll argue some of your points for fun. > The EU doesn't block websites Really? What about all the torrent sites being blocked? Same as Russia, EU has their own agenda for blocking websites. It doesn't need to be for the same reasons or the same websites. > It doesn't control the media. Really? Pretty sure any newspaper/tv station has an affiliation/bias with one party/view or another. Also, same as Russia having state owned media, other countries in Europe have that too, for example the public national televisions and radios. Then there is the social media. Try posting something illegal on facebook and see if it is controlled or not. Try calling for a protest against something. You might get a visit from the police [1]. > It ensures freedom of speech What exactly is freedom of speech? No country has 100% freedom of speech. How much does Russia have? How much do other countries have? How do you measure it? Let's say in Russia I can't insult Putin (although probably you can), in UK I can't insult the queen, in US I can't insult the FBI. Is there a difference? Insulting can mean different things in different countries. > It makes it possible even for US companies to do business in the EU Of course they do, EU is almost like another part of the US. In collaboration with the US they also use these tech companies to spy. But still, not all US business is welcomed. Some countries protect their own interests. That is why this EU-US free trade treaty is hard to get signed. > without the fear that their servers are seized whenever some corrupt regime decides to Yeah, US companies definitely do not fear their servers being seized because the US is doing all the seizing. In any case, this is a mutual benefit deal. But recently there is a shift against big US companies and their tax practices. So far, there was no seizing, but let's see what happens next. > The EU doesn't go after dissidents What about Snowden, what about Assange? Pretty sure Assange would go to Russia if he could. Of course, EU encourages and protects dissidents of countries such as China and Russia. In turn these countries do the same. But nobody is better. [1] http://www.dw.com/en/online-anti-refugee-posts-lead-to-offline-visits-by-dutch-police/a-19005888 http://www.dw.com/en/online-anti-refugee-posts-lead-to-offli...

Putin likes to make it look that way, yes. And on the surface it does. Beneath the surface, there are lots of important differences. The EU doesn't block websites. It doesn't control the media. It ensures freedom of speech. It makes it possible even for US companies to do business in the EU, without the fear that their servers are seized whenever some corrupt regime decides to. The EU doesn't go after dissidents... and the list goes on and on...

degorov 10y ago
Why does then wikipedia have articles with lists of websites blocked in different EU countries?
supergirl 10y ago
That's so naive, to think that any country isn't simply pursuing its own interests. I'll argue some of your points for fun. > The EU doesn't block websites Really? What about all the torrent sites being blocked? Same as Russia, EU has their own agenda for blocking websites. It doesn't need to be for the same reasons or the same websites. > It doesn't control the media. Really? Pretty sure any newspaper/tv station has an affiliation/bias with one party/view or another. Also, same as Russia having state owned media, other countries in Europe have that too, for example the public national televisions and radios. Then there is the social media. Try posting something illegal on facebook and see if it is controlled or not. Try calling for a protest against something. You might get a visit from the police [1]. > It ensures freedom of speech What exactly is freedom of speech? No country has 100% freedom of speech. How much does Russia have? How much do other countries have? How do you measure it? Let's say in Russia I can't insult Putin (although probably you can), in UK I can't insult the queen, in US I can't insult the FBI. Is there a difference? Insulting can mean different things in different countries. > It makes it possible even for US companies to do business in the EU Of course they do, EU is almost like another part of the US. In collaboration with the US they also use these tech companies to spy. But still, not all US business is welcomed. Some countries protect their own interests. That is why this EU-US free trade treaty is hard to get signed. > without the fear that their servers are seized whenever some corrupt regime decides to Yeah, US companies definitely do not fear their servers being seized because the US is doing all the seizing. In any case, this is a mutual benefit deal. But recently there is a shift against big US companies and their tax practices. So far, there was no seizing, but let's see what happens next. > The EU doesn't go after dissidents What about Snowden, what about Assange? Pretty sure Assange would go to Russia if he could. Of course, EU encourages and protects dissidents of countries such as China and Russia. In turn these countries do the same. But nobody is better. [1] http://www.dw.com/en/online-anti-refugee-posts-lead-to-offline-visits-by-dutch-police/a-19005888 http://www.dw.com/en/online-anti-refugee-posts-lead-to-offli...