The Chinese are kicking our butts

[Revoltingest]

Not the same. I just don't agree with the notion that one can say whatever one wishes in the U.S. and have no consequences.

Well SPLUH !!

I don't think either government arrests people for "free speech," at least that wouldn't be the official charge. It might be masked as some kind of legitimate charge, like "incitement" or "disorderly conduct" or something like that.

In any case, do you really think that the government of the PRC would be all that interested in the idle banter of a few old farts on a forum that nobody reads? (Not that I'm referring to RF, but some Chinese equivalent based in that country.)

The PRC does greatly restrict public speech.
(I'm sure you know of their strict internet regulation.)
And yes, it falls under various crimes.

 

[Stevicus]

Well SPLUH !!

The PRC does greatly restrict public speech.
(I'm sure you know of their strict internet regulation.)
And yes, it falls under various crimes.

We have restrictions on speech in this country, too. I seem to recall that even you have pointed out how some people are driven from college campuses and not allowed to speak. We also have restrictive internet services.

Of course, you might still try to argue that China is still "worse" than the U.S. in this area, but that would be beside the point.

 

[Revoltingest]

Of course, you might still try to argue that China is still "worse" than the U.S. in this area, but that would be beside the point.

"Try to argue"?
You're giving me the impression that you see the same level
of speech suppression in the 2 countries. I disagree strongly.
But I'll leave it there, since it's nothing I can prove.

 

[Stevicus]

"Try to argue"?
You're giving me the impression that you see the same level
of speech suppression in the 2 countries. I disagree strongly.
But I'll leave it there, since it's nothing I can prove.

No, I don't think they're at the same level, but even if they are worse, I just don't think it's truly relevant.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

Generally in the west we can say just about anything we like
That is until someone sues us
Or we upset some one who has power.

Some one with real power has the ability to do what they like with us, our families or our businesses.
and often do.

If the power is on the "Right" side of the law
or on the "wrong" side,
The result can be the same.

It is no different in China. even the people wielding that power are much the same.
They just do it within a different political system.
absolute power corrupts absolutely....everyone.

 

[MNoBody]

Freedom of Speech, let 'em take it from me
Next they'll take it from you, then what you gonna do?
Let 'em censor books, let 'em censor art
PMRC, this is where the witch hunt starts
You'll censor what we see, we read, we hear, we learn
The books will burn
You better think it out
We should be able to say anything, our lungs were meant to shout
Say what we feel, yell out what's real
Even though it may not bring mass appeal
Your opinion is yours, my opinion is mine
If you don't like what I'm sayin'? Fine
But don't close it, always keep an open mind
A man who fails to listen is blind
We only got one right left in the world today
Let me have it or throw The Constitution away
[Outro (Jello Biafra)]
What they're trying to do with radio, with this, uh, McCarron-Walter Act and a lot of other ways, is start by saying that they're protecting the public from wicked rock bands, or girlie magazines, or whatever. But, if you follow the chain of dominoes that falls down, what they're really trying to do is shut off our access to information itself.
If they can't do it by law .....they know there's other ways to do it.

*selected bits from the track "freedom of speech" by Ice-T
.....explicit lyrics..... so I did not post the whole piece....
freedom of speech?!
just watch what you say

 

[Revoltingest]

No, I don't think they're at the same level, but even if they are worse, I just don't think it's truly relevant.

Have any family there or from there?
That (in addition to news) colors my view.

 

[Stevicus]

Have any family there or from there?
That (in addition to news) colors my view.

No. I've had some friends and acquaintances from China, although no family members. The closest might be my cousin, who married a woman of Chinese nationality, but she's lived in Malaysia all her life. But from what I understand, Malaysia is no great shakes either.

 

[Notanumber]

According to this reporter, China created the virus and blamed it on the wet markets.

The World Health Organization also has a lot to answer for.

Refusing to answer questions is not good enough.