I can't help..

[Trolldor]

NO!
If China is the super power, what can we expect from a nhation that forbids it's own people from individual thought?

[FBM]

NO!
If China is the super power, what can we expect from a nhation that forbids it's own people from individual thought?

If China is the super power, what can we expect from a nhation that forbids it's own people from individual thought?

[Trolldor]

You, perhaps indirectly highlighted the problem. Thought crime will become a reality, much like SUddam's rise to power in which during a meeting of the the he4ad figures he pulled out names of supposed dissidents in the room. by the end, whoever remained was prasig him sycophantically.

[FBM]

You, perhaps indirectly highlighted the problem. Thought crime will become a reality, much like SUddam's rise to power in which during a meeting of the the he4ad figures he pulled out names of supposed dissidents in the room. by the end, whoever remained was prasig him sycophantically.

Thing is, I don't see how China's hardliner policy will ever become a superpower. They've already had to make embarrassing concessions to the free-market economy concept in order to prosper to their current point. Their sluggish response to human rights issues is precisely what holds them back. They won't become a real superpower until they've reformed to the point that their policies are no longer objectionable to the masses, eh?

[Trolldor]

Perhaps, but China only needs to wait for a moment of vulnerability which makes it the Trapdoor Spider amongst the desert sands.

[nellikin]

I mean legal opposition.

As a woman who has had an abortion, I know how extremely unpleasant it is to be confronted by someone with a sandwich board condemning me to hell, yelling abuse at me as I go into a clinic for a legal procedure. I felt dreadful enough without his presence, even though my actions were legal. His opposition was - as an act of free speech - legal. Yet he assaulted my dignity (luckily, my hubby told him that if he were still there yelling when we came out, he'd get one in the face and the guy disappeared). I will defend his right to condemn abortion, even though I think he is wrong. But his voicing of opposition should be in such a manner as not to infringe upon the dignity/rights of others - he should take it to the people who have the power over the laws, not the women who aren't commiyting anything crimes by proceeding with an abortion.

In the same way, whilst I always speak my mind and discuss rationally with religionists, I would never insult or attack them personally, unless their actions are harming others. Attacking ideas is something I will strongly defend, attacking humans and their dignity is not justifiable.

[Trolldor]

Infringe upon the rights/ I whole-heartedly concur.

But dignity? no.
Dignity is something established in the face of opposition.

[nellikin]

From wiki: Dignity is a term used in moral, ethical, and political discussions to signify that a being has an innate right to respect and ethical treatment.

Doesn't seem like you need opposition to obtain dignity to me.

But what do you think the rights are, then? And who defines them? And who defends them?

[Trolldor]

They are defined by the collective will of an unopposed populous. Existince is precariously balanced against the edge of Mount Olympus. Zeus offers you a proposition.


Either join the fate of Prometheus, who brought fire to the fearful mortals, or join the ranks of the oppresive and the cowardly gods.