The Economist today had an article on a case involving Microsoft's alleged refusal to turn over documents stored on a foreign server to FBI. The article can be found here (archived here). According to the Economist: SUPPOSE FBI agents were to break into the postbox of an American company in Dublin to seize letters which might help them convict an international drug dealer. … [Read more...] about Privacy, National Security, Human Rights, Social Value, Whatever – It’s Whatever the West Says
The Humanitarian Crisis Spewing into Europe from the Middle East
The last week or two, we have seen a great humanitarian crisis building in Europe with waves and waves of refugees pouring into Europe from neighboring Middle Eastern countries ... with many dying along the way ... and even children washing up on resort beaches. The debate in Europe appears to focus primarily on how should the various nations shoulder the responsibilities of … [Read more...] about The Humanitarian Crisis Spewing into Europe from the Middle East
Beyond the Pathetic Complaints about China’s 70th V-Day Anniversary Parade
I have been watching, reading, and observing events leading up to China's 70th V-Day Anniversary Parade. Festivities are still on-going, and I definitely feel proud that China is on the right track. I do hear however a lot of bitter snickers and derision that to me seem way off point... For example, in the U.S., I hear some Americans snicker at the parade saying, oh ... … [Read more...] about Beyond the Pathetic Complaints about China’s 70th V-Day Anniversary Parade
A short caricature on politics …
In the lead up to China's commemoration of the 70th anniversary of Japan's defeat in WWII, I thought I'd do a little personal aside ... that might explain why Japan can be so delusional about so many things. Politics ... in many ways ... especially politics in the democratic sense (i.e. at the level of the people) ... is about caricatures ... about simplifying … [Read more...] about A short caricature on politics …
What Academic Freedom?
Hong Kong “politics” has decomposed into a tiny repertoire of elemental clichés. Nonetheless, they can cause disproportional disruptions when deployed vociferously by ardent sloganeers with singular determination. By far the most overworked slogan is — of course — freedom and democracy. It’s become licence to do practically anything without consequence. Well, freedom is … [Read more...] about What Academic Freedom?