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You know, actually the US isn't that much freer in practice compared to Singapore. In theory, perhaps. And the reason has less to do with the decline of rugged
by balsam 13y ago
You know, actually the US isn't that much freer in practice compared to Singapore. In theory, perhaps. And the reason has less to do with the decline of rugged individualism amongst soccer moms than the existence of a constant low-level background threat, whether from terrorism, a sizable underclass, law enforcement, or (this might be embarassing for some) alcoholism. They don't check IDs for alcohol in Singapore. If you want to see actual practical examples of freedom, you have to go to western Europe. However, if you say that it is the US which makes sacrifices to provide those freedoms, I will actually agree with you. For the record, I was born and raised in Singapore and have lived in the US for the last decade.
EDIT: all these debates have the political reek of programming language wars... US <-> Lisp; Singapore <-> C++.
- WildUtah 13y agoIf you want to see actual practical examples of freedom, you have to go to western Europe. You have to go where? http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/10092939/Marine-Le-Pen-loses-immunity-over-comparing-Islamic-prayers-to-Nazi-occupation.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/1009... I think if you want to see practical examples of freedom, you can conquer your own island and start inventing them. No modern nation is going to tolerate very much of it.
- smutticus 13y agoFor all its faults the USA has very strong 1st Amendment protections. I also find it strange that most western European countries outlaw the Nazi party and denying the holocaust. I suspect this only serves to give them more legitimacy in the eyes of society's downtrodden. The American model of dealing with these groups just seems more sustainable. Give them enough room to say all kinds of stupid things. Le Pen is an ignorant racist. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't give her every opportunity to say all the stupid shit she wants to say.
- deleted 13y ago[deleted]
- lostlogin 13y agoPractical example of freedom? Having your bag searched before entering a museum (Paris)? Bomb detectors at a church (Vatican)? Stopped for random police checks (London)? Passport recorded by hotels to use the Internet (Italy)? If this is freedom, I'm not impressed. (Examples are about 5 years old, things may have changed, I hope they have).
- ascotan 13y agoDepends on what your talking about. I didn't get a caning (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caning_in_Singapore http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caning_in_Singapore) last time i threw gum on the sidewalk in the US.
- brendoncrawford 13y agoThis is a myrh.