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China also has a wider set of options to violate the liberties of her citizens. That does come in handy some times, but we've decided we don't do that here. J
by big_chungus 7y ago
China also has a wider set of options to violate the liberties of her citizens. That does come in handy some times, but we've decided we don't do that here. Japan is very, very different culturally, so it's quite hard to compare; she's also a small archipelago whereas America is a large landmass.
It will also be interesting to see the court cases that come from what American governments have done so far; there's a serious case to be made for violations of our right to freely assemble. Even the time, place, and manner standard (which is still contested but is current precedent) may not cover such drastic curtailment of all public gatherings.
Sadly, these things usually happen and get fought out in court later (see Japanese internment camps) when in some sort of crisis state, so I doubt constitutionality has any bearing on the pencil-pushers latest and greatest idea.
Friendly reminder that, while I don't see any malicious intent in the current actions, these directives specifically sound disturbingly close to those issued by many an authoritarian government:
> You cannot engage in group activities in person with others.
> You cannot have dinner parties. You cannot invite friends over to your home to hang out.
The precedent set today could be abused in the future, particularly precedent that looks like this.
- Cyberdog 7y agoThank you for making this argument more rationally than I am apparently capable of making it.
- arcticbull 7y ago> Friendly reminder that, while I don't see any malicious intent in the current actions, these directives specifically sound disturbingly close to those issued by many an authoritarian government. And yet, China's number of active cases went from 81K to 9K in a few weeks.
- dcftoapv 7y agoDon't trust Chinese statistics. They are manipulated to say whatever the government wants them to say. This is the same country that starting running empty production facilities so economists couldn't predict GDP impacts.
- arcticbull 7y agoThe WHO agreed with China's assessment, and if you don't believe them, Tim Cook re-opened all Apple stores in China because the situation is effectively under control now -- and shut them everywhere else in the world. No matter how you feel about China, you can believe Tim.
- big_chungus 7y agoIt's also possible that the communists pressured Cook to re-open to send that message. It wouldn't be the first time Apple has caved to the CCP. To answer your earlier comment, even if the cases dropped, are you arguing that we implement authoritarianism just because it's more convenient in this case? Classic "trains run on time" argument. Of course it offers some benefits, but the losses are far greater.
- arcticbull 7y agoYou think Tim Cook bowed to China and closed every Apple store in the entire world except in China? That hardly seems likely. > To answer your earlier comment, even if the cases dropped, are you arguing that we implement authoritarianism just because it's more convenient in this case? Classic "trains run on time" argument. Of course it offers some benefits, but the losses are far greater. Not making an argument one way or the other just stating some facts. People can make up their own minds.