Re: Countries Who Are Quietly Kicking Ass

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Yeah, your personal experience of the place might be good, and that's not worth nothing, being there and seeing what it's like on the ground, to an outsider of sorts, in the present day. But China has earned a notoriously bad reputation for cracking down on dissent. Maybe they aren't as bad as Russia or North Korea in this sense, but that's not saying a lot.

Anyway, I think the points upthread about nearly everywhere being at least a little "fucked" and potentially calamitous are valid. "We're all in this together" is taking on a new meaning, haha.
ZzzZzzZzzz . . .

New Novel.

Re: Countries Who Are Quietly Kicking Ass

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jfv wrote: Fri Nov 29, 2024 11:34 am
A_Man_Who_Tries wrote: Fri Nov 29, 2024 11:00 am Kicking ass!

https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2024/c ... ters/china
This all factors into why I was genuinely and pleasantly surprised by my recent visit.
Probably worth noting that HRW is funded entirely by Western sources. I realize blaming George Soros is shothand for crackpot conspiracy theorist, but I’ll go out on a limb here and say that is a ratio that I’m not comfortable with. Blaming China is the ultimate cop-out anyways, as we continue to consume their goods and services unabated despite our clutching at pearls about human rights abuses, political leanings, and pollution.

Re: Countries Who Are Quietly Kicking Ass

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I was just in China for a day (layover) and while the culture, people etc, seem lovely, the regulations and police presence everywhere were pretty unnerving. The train from Hong Kong to Guangzhou had more security than any airport I've ever been to and while I was waiting with my bags for a not completely packed subway train some station employees started questioning why I was standing there. Human rights don't really seem like a priority...

Ireland also has a huge housing problem and bad healthcare system, among other issues.

I understand the spirit of the thread, but It's so very easy to cherry-pick and romanticise another country.

Re: Countries Who Are Quietly Kicking Ass

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Seems foolish to make China into the second coming of the Soviet Union, but also naive to overlook its obviously huge faults.

I know a guy who moved there and his life is just fine. Much prefers Shanghai to NYC, in fact. Loves the place. Has been there for decades.

I also know a family who had to flee and come here not so long ago due to political persecution and threats from the government. Some of their older relatives are in jail for nothing more than the "crime" of being practicing Muslims who aren't sufficiently "Sinified."

Never been to the mainland. Arguably not China, but aside from the extreme weather and humidity, Taiwan seems really nice... Dunno if I could live there (although I was hanging out w/an American who quite comfortably does), but man, I could definitely spend a few years just eating there.

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