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
human rights
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
Film Review: “Free China: The Courage to Believe”
This weekend, I went to see "Free China: The Courage to Believe". This hourlong movie by Michael Perlman, who previously directed "Tibet: Beyond Fear", boasts a few awards from some small indie, human rights, and "awareness" festivals. Like the similarly propagandistic but much less affordable Shen Yun dance performance, Falun Gong foot soldiers had plastered posters and … [Read more...] about Film Review: “Free China: The Courage to Believe”
Hashimoto’s “Comfort Women” Statement – Is it Really So Bad? A Comment about Why Japan Needs to Give a Real Apology.
Recently, Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, a prominent Japanese politician, raised a storm in Asia when he pronounced that the "comfort women" Japan enslaved during WWII as "necessary." According to this BBC report, Hashimoto said: In the circumstances in which bullets are flying like rain and wind, the soldiers are running around at the risk of losing their lives.... If you want … [Read more...] about Hashimoto’s “Comfort Women” Statement – Is it Really So Bad? A Comment about Why Japan Needs to Give a Real Apology.