I find it really distasteful that a couple of you cannot even be bothered to transfer some domains. You know what your taxes are funding right now don't you???
And right now more than 7000 people already arrested in Russia for participating in anti-war protests https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_anti-war_protests_in_Russ... . Sorry we didn't trying hard enough!
Ironically, I think the 2014 Revolution of Dignity would be a good inspiration.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolution_of_Dignity
So far it seems like the police are being allowed to arrest protesters, no one/very few fights back with molotov cocktails like they did in Ukraine in 2014.
The Russian government's actions in Ukraine are horrifying. People wanting to spite anyone with a Russian background is distasteful and I fear it may simply backfire if it keeps building, similar to anti-Asian violence after covid or western actions and racism only empowering the message of Islamic extremists.
I'm fine with punishing corporations and putting a squeeze on Russian billionaires so they'll breathe down Putin's neck. Telling a random dude born in Russia to bugger off just isn't right to me. My home country has a history of awful shit but nobody ever actively turned me away just for my background.
Whether you agree with Namecheaps' decisions or not, they are Namecheap's decisions to make.
You're likely absolutely correct that Namecheap won't effect any real change with this move. That said, why shouldn't they show (non)support for whomever they choose?
Yes, this is likely a pain in the ass for many Namecheap customers and will likely piss a bunch of people (Russians and non-Russians alike) off.
It's also likely to negatively affect Namecheap's financials as well.
I have no relationship (financial or otherwise) with Namecheap, nor am I a Russian national. As such, you might think that it's easy for me to take this position. And perhaps you're right.
Then again, I believe freedom of association is an important civil liberty. As such, I don't fault Namecheap for their decisions.
Especially since the company (and right here in this HN discussion) has claimed they will continue to do business (and/or provide more time for transition) with those who aren't supporting the Putin regime.
As you mentioned, most tech folks in RU are anti-Putin. Why shouldn't tech folks outside of RU take the same position?
I know I'm horrifed and outraged by Russia's recent actions. Just as horrifed and outraged, by the way, as by my own government's (US) actions in Iraq and elsewhere.
I'm sorry that you're being negatively impacted by this. It's not fair to you and others.
I'd point out that this wouldn't even be an issue if the Russian government (your government) hadn't chosen violence, murder and destruction.
As such, it's not with Namecheap you should be angry.
Feel free to disagree. Like I said, I have no skin in this "game," except in wishing the Ukrainian people well and hope for their safe passage through this dangerous situation, wholly created by your government.
I couldn't agree more. One of your upvotes is mine.
That's the exact sentiment (along with the "please don't play the pity card" comment higher up) that's leading average Westerners to assault ethnic-Russian or Russian-speaking people living in the West, who have absolutely zero to do with the Russian government. And it's the same sentiment that lead to the rise in anti-Asian hate & violence in the last few years.
When average people become an acceptable target, it's (at least implicitly) dehumanizing. Regardless of whether people like you would endorse that violence (I'm sure you never would), we've seen where this rhetoric leads.
There's the same classic motte-and-bailey as with coronavirus ("we're really just calling out the government, not the people"), except in the current Russian case, there's a lot more motte than bailey since citizens are explicitly an accepted target.
That may be true. I haven't heard about such stuff (and a cursory web search didn't show any reports of violence against Russians in Western countries), but I did see protests by Ukrainians in New York City that were joined by Russians, with both groups calling for Russia to stop this violence and murder.
Perhaps I'm too wrapped in my own filter bubble that I don't see it?
Can you point to specific incidents where civillan Russian nationals and/or those of Russian descent have been attacked in "Western countries"?
That would be really helpful. Thanks!
https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/vandals-break-windo...
https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/nation-world/ukraine/russi...
I even came across tweets sharing the same experience, while searching for these articles. Here's one:
Those are disturbing stories. It's unfortunate that this has only been reported by local news outlets.
Folks who engage in such activities should be found and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. There should be no place for such violence/harassment of anyone.
I imagine that the vast majority (>98%) of people in Western countries would agree with that statement.
But there are assholes everywhere. They are small in number, but they pretty evenly distributed throughout the population. And we will never get rid of them.
But a few incidents, while reprehensible, among nearly 3/4 billion people, is hardly a hemispheric plot against Russians and/or those of Russian extraction. Wouldn't you agree?
OTOH it does work wonderfully as fuel for Russian government agitprop: "see, they really are out to get you, not just us!".
Namecheap has lots of Ukrainian employees, including a few of their C level employees, who simply can't choose to not fight. Not sure this is the line of reasoning you want to take...