How the United Arab Emirates Intelligence Tried to Hire Me to Spy on Its People

Re:How the United Arab Emirates Intelligence Tried to Hire M... by JabavuAdams on Wednesday July 27, 2016 @07:19PM (#12177241)

I am disgusted by the race and policing problems in the US, but you have to have some perspective.

I've never had a problem as a half-black Canadian business traveler. That doesn't mean I'm not anxious.

All though the US may legitimately seem callous and murderous to those on the sharp end of its foreign policy, there are a whole lot of Americans who take this freedom thing seriously. More important, there is a culture of free speech and of challenging government.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:How the United Arab Emirates Intelligence Tried to Hire M... by erlehmann_ on Wednesday July 27, 2016 @07:49PM (#12177397)

I think an important difference is that the victims of most US actions like abduction, imprisonment without trial, torture or assassinations are not US citizens – and it is often done in a foreign country. Because of that, it does not stifle political debate.

Example: The current US administration apparently has a “kill list” for enemies of the US government that they plan to assassinate. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disposition_Matrix

I find such a thing scary and unethical. Yet, as I understand it, domestic political opponents of US politicians do not have to fear torture, disappearance, or imprisonment without trial – it is even possible to openly criticize the people who command such assassinations without being in danger of being executed by the government.

[ Parent | on HN ]