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In most of the world outside of the United States, there are laws that relate to the concept of a "defensive democracy". For example the laws that outlaw displa
by jolj 2y ago
In most of the world outside of the United States, there are laws that relate to the concept of a "defensive democracy". For example the laws that outlaw display of swastikas in Germany are contradictory with freedom of speech but are aimed at denying a democracy being exploited by extreme groups (see ww2).
The discussion here is about the actions of Israel versus Al Jazeera, not a possibility of banning Al Jazeera in the United States or maybe Israeli viewpoints.
Also, I am pretty sure Israeli spendings to push Israeli narratives in the US are minuscule, especially compared to Qatar's.
- arp242 2y agoIt is not my impression that Al Jazeera can reasonably be compared to Nazi Germany, but okay...
- jolj 2y agoI was not comparing them, and I think this is dishonest to read my comment that way. I was giving an example of the way democracies around the world restrict free speech in order to defend other rights This is quite popular in europe and is a result of lesson learned from the nazis
- arp242 2y agoThis entire thread started with me saying pretty much the same thing, and using Nazi Germany as an example absolutely implies some form of comparison, especially in a discussion about what specifically Al Jazeera may or may not have done wrong. You can't demand careful language usage from others (in e.g. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40090402 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40090402 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40088873 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40088873) and at the same time carelessly throw around stuff yourself. Well, you can. You're allowed. But at that point I decide to stop engaging. So good day to you.
- int_19h 2y ago> I am pretty sure Israeli spendings to push Israeli narratives in the US are minuscule Quite the contrary, just look at ADL or AIPAC.
- jolj 2y agoonly these are not financed by the israeli government
- int_19h 2y agoSure, they just happen to align 100% with Israeli interests by pure coincidence.
- jolj 2y agoAre American citizens allowed to have opinions that are similar to the opinions of the state of Israel? It seems you think Israel has direct finance or control interest in AIPAC, do you have something to support that?
- int_19h 2y agoAmerican citizens are, of course, allowed to have such opinions, but we're not talking about a few citizens here - we're talking about what's considered one of the most influential political lobbyist organizations in US. AIPAC is nominally funded by "individual donations", but the problem with that it is fairly trivial for a nation-state to fund things in this manner, so it doesn't really tell us anything. And then, of course, there's the question of personal connections: if you have a private person donating huge amounts of money to AIPAC, and they just happen to be heavily involved with the governing political party in Israel, I would consider them an agent of the state of Israel ipso facto even if they don't have such official position (just as I would consider, say, one of Putin's pet oligarchs a Russian agent if they donate money to an American political campaign in their private capacity).
- selimthegrim 2y ago