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I always have mixed feelings when it comes to Russian "freedom." On one hand it looks like a libertarian's dream where freedom (to not wear a seatbelt...) is p

I always have mixed feelings when it comes to Russian "freedom." On one hand it looks like a libertarian's dream where freedom (to not wear a seatbelt...) is plentiful. On the other hand, it also reminds me of this: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/19/anarchist-cookbook-author-william-powell-out-of-print http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/19/anarchi... There's a fine balance between freedom and recklessness but I'm glad Russia has smokejumpers and the like so we can see another way than that of most of the western nations.

watwut 12y ago
Russians care less about physical safety then West. It has nothing to do with freedom.
- Fice 12y ago
  It's not just physical safety. In Russia we have a popular saying, "the severity of Russian laws is offset by their non-observance". Variants of the phrase has been attributed to various authors from the 19th century, yet it still holds true.
icebraining 12y ago
It should be noted that the US also has smokejumpers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0a-UcqrYFg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0a-UcqrYFg
mlvljr 12y ago
Seatbelt is obligatory here (well, at least on a front seat), what are you talking about? ;)
- jamessantiago 12y ago
  Well, not just the seatbelt example but also the feeling of freedom from limited policing and/or limited laws. In the article when Alex claims, "No seat belts in Russia!" I imagine freedom from an over-zealous law system whether from under enforcement or otherwise. Certainly, I'm looking from the outside in and my views on freedom in Russia aren't from a deep knowledge on the subject. And the word "freedom" is probably a poor choice but that's the feeling I get when I see a tank purchased with ease or a home made helicopter taking off. I'd like to have that same feeling in the US but I'm apprehensive about the implications.
  - mlvljr 12y ago
    Speaking of purchasing arms, the regulations are much stricter in Russia, btw: you may be able to buy a tank (w/o the machine guns, and w/ a malfunctioning main gun), but there's no type of license allowing one to buy full-auto weapons, as far as I understand (unless there's an affiliation with government, at least). The helicopter will not get you imprisoned though :)
CmonDev 12y ago
Thanks for generalizing. I assume everyone in USA owns a shotgun and a trailer?
- deleted 12y ago
  [deleted]
cpursley 12y ago
Have you ever been to Russia? There is no "free to not wear a seatbelt". Only fines.

watwut 12y ago

Russians care less about physical safety then West. It has nothing to do with freedom.

Fice 12y ago
It's not just physical safety. In Russia we have a popular saying, "the severity of Russian laws is offset by their non-observance". Variants of the phrase has been attributed to various authors from the 19th century, yet it still holds true.

icebraining 12y ago

It should be noted that the US also has smokejumpers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0a-UcqrYFg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0a-UcqrYFg

mlvljr 12y ago

Seatbelt is obligatory here (well, at least on a front seat), what are you talking about? ;)

jamessantiago 12y ago
Well, not just the seatbelt example but also the feeling of freedom from limited policing and/or limited laws. In the article when Alex claims, "No seat belts in Russia!" I imagine freedom from an over-zealous law system whether from under enforcement or otherwise. Certainly, I'm looking from the outside in and my views on freedom in Russia aren't from a deep knowledge on the subject. And the word "freedom" is probably a poor choice but that's the feeling I get when I see a tank purchased with ease or a home made helicopter taking off. I'd like to have that same feeling in the US but I'm apprehensive about the implications.
- mlvljr 12y ago
  Speaking of purchasing arms, the regulations are much stricter in Russia, btw: you may be able to buy a tank (w/o the machine guns, and w/ a malfunctioning main gun), but there's no type of license allowing one to buy full-auto weapons, as far as I understand (unless there's an affiliation with government, at least). The helicopter will not get you imprisoned though :)

CmonDev 12y ago

Thanks for generalizing. I assume everyone in USA owns a shotgun and a trailer?

deleted 12y ago
[deleted]

cpursley 12y ago

Have you ever been to Russia? There is no "free to not wear a seatbelt". Only fines.