4 ms·

I don't think there's a causal connection between torture policies and tear gas being allowed for crowd control, I think they are both linked to the same cause

I don't think there's a causal connection between torture policies and tear gas being allowed for crowd control, I think they are both linked to the same cause - that governments are more interested in protecting themselves than the populous, and are perfectly willing to look at their citizens as an enemy.

grecy 12y ago
> governments are more interested in protecting themselves than the populous Be careful using the plural there. The United States government is the only government from a Developed country that does this. If you want to compare the United States to Developing and Undeveloped countries, go right ahead.
- xemoka 12y ago
  I'm sorry, it seems like you haven't been paying attention to the world stage. America's is definitely not the only government putting itself before its citizens. Look at Australia, Canada, the UK, and arguably, many of the TPP nations.
- it_luddite 12y ago
  France and Greece have in recent memory. Pretty much any country that has hosted the G8 the last 10 years or so.
Alupis 12y ago
Tear gas is used because it's incredibly effective and non-lethal. It disperses crowds without having to resort to other potentially damaging or lethal means, ie. sonic guns (deafness), rubber bullets (broken ribs or death), batons, etc. Not every "riot" is peacefully gathering citizens. Most start that way, but often go far off the "peaceful" trail. That is when things like tear-gas are deployed.
peterwwillis 12y ago
It seems to me there's much less to risk in terms of mistreating your own populace than a foreign one. For one, outside countries don't get in the middle of internal/civil disputes. Only in extreme cases does an outside country intervene on behalf of people that aren't its citizens, when most/all the civilians are in favor of intervention, and only when the outside country will gain more than it could lose. Two, mistreating enemy combatants will not only escalate the conflict, it will reduce the support of your allies. Mistreating your own people goes back to point one, so most people just don't get involved, and the citizens have no recourse. Three, citizens have to obey the laws set down by their government. Trying to fight your government's abuses of its people is essentially going against your government, which will just get you punished.

grecy 12y ago

> governments are more interested in protecting themselves than the populous Be careful using the plural there. The United States government is the only government from a Developed country that does this. If you want to compare the United States to Developing and Undeveloped countries, go right ahead.

xemoka 12y ago
I'm sorry, it seems like you haven't been paying attention to the world stage. America's is definitely not the only government putting itself before its citizens. Look at Australia, Canada, the UK, and arguably, many of the TPP nations.
it_luddite 12y ago
France and Greece have in recent memory. Pretty much any country that has hosted the G8 the last 10 years or so.

Alupis 12y ago

Tear gas is used because it's incredibly effective and non-lethal. It disperses crowds without having to resort to other potentially damaging or lethal means, ie. sonic guns (deafness), rubber bullets (broken ribs or death), batons, etc. Not every "riot" is peacefully gathering citizens. Most start that way, but often go far off the "peaceful" trail. That is when things like tear-gas are deployed.

peterwwillis 12y ago

It seems to me there's much less to risk in terms of mistreating your own populace than a foreign one. For one, outside countries don't get in the middle of internal/civil disputes. Only in extreme cases does an outside country intervene on behalf of people that aren't its citizens, when most/all the civilians are in favor of intervention, and only when the outside country will gain more than it could lose. Two, mistreating enemy combatants will not only escalate the conflict, it will reduce the support of your allies. Mistreating your own people goes back to point one, so most people just don't get involved, and the citizens have no recourse. Three, citizens have to obey the laws set down by their government. Trying to fight your government's abuses of its people is essentially going against your government, which will just get you punished.