Comment by PieSquared | Hacker News Reader

Comment by PieSquared | Hacker News Reader

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You're criticizing US past, mostly. That's key: it's the past. No one is criticizing foot binding here. If you want to provide examples of the US being immoral, make them current.

Now, I have no doubt there are dozens of examples. On the other hand, at least US laws allow the rest of the world to know about these examples when they happen.

And yes, if China is 100 years behind, it may be a significant. Is there any reason that the suppression present should be endured? The more pressure is put on China and other countries that devalue human rights, the sooner they'll have to change.

Personally, I would love to see more indignation at the United States as well. Some of the stuff going on with this country is just plain unacceptable for a first world country.

Indignation is precisely how NOT to engage China. The political culture is very different from the US. Leaders want face and respect above all - there are no Jon Stewart type shows poking fun at any political bosses. You want China to change - it is, at its fastest pace in its long history. You want China to improve its human rights record - it is, just not as fast as you'd like. The right course of action - FOR CHINA - is through incentives that make the leadership look good.

Another way to put it is, everyone learns differently. You don't publicly scold a sensitive child and think that is going to be effective. China is that sensitive child (at least relative to the in-your-face ways of US politics).

"You want China to improve its human rights record - it is, just not as fast as you'd like. "

Evidence please?

I could go Google something, but it'd be easier and more entertaining if you came over and had dinner with my folks, who grew up in the Cultural Revolution era. Or my grandparents, who lived through famines and saw the transmformation from the Dynastic era to a Republic. Don't forget, China has a LONG history.

Excellent point, and well articulated.

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