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We do a lot of the same stuff, it's just framed completely differently under the label of freedom. I feel that even if the US became a dictatorship, there would
by liberte82 9y ago
We do a lot of the same stuff, it's just framed completely differently under the label of freedom. I feel that even if the US became a dictatorship, there would be denial about it, likely we would continue to hold mock elections ala Russia, or maybe even real elections where the outcome is clear because the people have been so thoroughly controlled and manipulated.
It reminds me a lot of 1984 where the three different powers, on the surface, have utterly different values, but in the end act in exactly the same ways.
- cromwellian 9y agoIt’s really a false equivalence the kind of stuff the NSA or FBI does is different in kind and character than what’s going on in Xinjiang. What the NSA does is largely invisible to you and has a low probability of affecting you. The surveillance and security apparatus in Xinjiang is very visible, residents must install monitoring apps on their phones or face punishment, casual conversation or even expression of religious traditions can get you a visit and interview by the security apparatus. I’m afraid to even message people I met last year in Xinjiang for fear that communication with foreigners could flag them for scrutiny. FISA warrants, national security letters, PRISM, MUSCULAR, etc are all things that highly concern us, but I think Uighurs would trade what we have for theirs in a heart beat.
- liberte82 9y agoYes, I didn’t mean to say we are there yet, just that the apparatus is in place and we’re moving rapidly in that direction. But I do think that when it happens, it will take a different flavour in the US that uses American values and sensibilities, and in the end Americans will support it just as the Chinese do their government.