[i]I felt that I now understood the new regime: absolute freedom… except that any official from dogcatcher to supreme potentate could give any orders whatever to any private citizen at any time.
So it was “freedom” as defined by Orwell and Kafka, “freedom” as granted by Stalin and Hitler, “freedom” to pace back and forth in your cage.[/i]
After you finish Starship Troopers you’ll have to read The Moon is a Harsh Mistress and The Cat Who Walks Through Walls, the latter of which is where the above quote is from.
Oh contraire mon frere - we are not even top ten anymore…[/quote]
That’s fucking funny.
Not quite as free as Hong Kong, Singapore, Chile and Estonia. How embarrassing.
That can be the new United States Motto: “America: We’re freer than Bahrain!”
Of course, Japan scored lower than the US, so I guess shouldn’t say that too loud.
On the other hand, the cops here ride bicycles and carry Colt .38 revolvers, rather than roll around in MRAPS with M4s, so that’s something.[/quote]
It’s only economic freedom. Only one slice of the pie, IMO. [/quote]
Beat me to it.
[/quote]
No kidding. Singapore can keep it’s “freedom.”
Flush the toilet or face a public caning
It seems nothing is sacred these days. In Singapore, you canâ??t even pee in private. Apparently, police officers do random checks to make sure public toilets are flushed after use. Note to self, must flush the toilet!
[/quote]Are you in the habit of NOT flushing? [quote]
Litter bugs pay big time
Thereâ??s a reason why the streets of Singapore are almost glistening with cleanliness. A litter law dating from 1968 means litter bugs can be fined $1,000 for the first conviction and $5,000 for repeat convictions. On top of that, youâ??ll be forced to do community labour. And if you offend three times, youâ??ll have to wear a lovely sign, which states, â??I am a litter loutâ??.
[/quote]It’s the same here in VA. Signs everywhere threatening to fine you thousands of dollars for littering. [quote]
Selling chewing gum is forbidden
Gum chewers, beware â?? put your chewed gum in the bin or you could face a hefty fine. Singapore prohibited the sale of gum after authorities noticed a prolific amount of chewed gum being stuck in subway stations and on cars. Mints might be the safer option if you have a case of garlic breath.
[/quote]Stupid, I agree [quote]
Donâ??t walk around your house naked
In Singapore, pornography is illegal, and anything to do with it may result in imprisonment or big fines. Along the same lines, the country thinks that nudity has to do with pornography, so better close the curtains when you dress for bed.
[/quote]What you do behind closed doors should be protected - unless you are gay and in Texas… Or any other state with “sodomy” laws… Here in VA, it’s on the books that anything other than missionary is “sodomy”, including oral sex and sex with anyone other than your spouse is a class 4 misdemeanor…[quote]
No hugging in public without permission
Havenâ??t seen your loved one for a long time? Make sure you ask their permission before giving them a hug in public or you could land yourself in gaol. True story. If youâ??re lucky, itâ??s just a fine.
[/quote]So they take their personal space seriously over there.[quote]
No poking adverse comments at religion
If youâ??re agnostic or atheist, keep it under wraps because in Singapore itâ??s a highly serious matter and you can be cited for sedition. Ouch.
[/quote]I’d be fucked LOL [quote]
Stranger danger
If youâ??re introducing a stranger as your good friend and speak well of him and it proves to be false, youâ??ll be convicted for abetment.
[/quote]Seems like a stretch [quote]
Connecting on unsecured Wi-Fi hotspots means hacking
Need to check emails? Better go to an internet cafe rather than logging in on an unsecured network. In Singapore, itâ??s called hacking and you could end up in gaol or face a big fine.
I would submit for your consideration that there are just as many “weird laws” on the books here in the US…
Oh contraire mon frere - we are not even top ten anymore…[/quote]
That’s fucking funny.
Not quite as free as Hong Kong, Singapore, Chile and Estonia. How embarrassing.
That can be the new United States Motto: “America: We’re freer than Bahrain!”
Of course, Japan scored lower than the US, so I guess shouldn’t say that too loud.
On the other hand, the cops here ride bicycles and carry Colt .38 revolvers, rather than roll around in MRAPS with M4s, so that’s something.[/quote]
It’s only economic freedom. Only one slice of the pie, IMO. [/quote]
Beat me to it.
[/quote]
No kidding. Singapore can keep it’s “freedom.”
Flush the toilet or face a public caning
It seems nothing is sacred these days. In Singapore, you canâ??t even pee in private. Apparently, police officers do random checks to make sure public toilets are flushed after use. Note to self, must flush the toilet!
Litter bugs pay big time
Thereâ??s a reason why the streets of Singapore are almost glistening with cleanliness. A litter law dating from 1968 means litter bugs can be fined $1,000 for the first conviction and $5,000 for repeat convictions. On top of that, youâ??ll be forced to do community labour. And if you offend three times, youâ??ll have to wear a lovely sign, which states, â??I am a litter loutâ??.
Selling chewing gum is forbidden
Gum chewers, beware â?? put your chewed gum in the bin or you could face a hefty fine. Singapore prohibited the sale of gum after authorities noticed a prolific amount of chewed gum being stuck in subway stations and on cars. Mints might be the safer option if you have a case of garlic breath.
Donâ??t walk around your house naked
In Singapore, pornography is illegal, and anything to do with it may result in imprisonment or big fines. Along the same lines, the country thinks that nudity has to do with pornography, so better close the curtains when you dress for bed.
No hugging in public without permission
Havenâ??t seen your loved one for a long time? Make sure you ask their permission before giving them a hug in public or you could land yourself in gaol. True story. If youâ??re lucky, itâ??s just a fine.
No poking adverse comments at religion
If youâ??re agnostic or atheist, keep it under wraps because in Singapore itâ??s a highly serious matter and you can be cited for sedition. Ouch.
Stranger danger
If youâ??re introducing a stranger as your good friend and speak well of him and it proves to be false, youâ??ll be convicted for abetment.
Connecting on unsecured Wi-Fi hotspots means hacking
Need to check emails? Better go to an internet cafe rather than logging in on an unsecured network. In Singapore, itâ??s called hacking and you could end up in gaol or face a big fine.
I lived in Singapore for several months. I’d take it over Los Angeles any fucking day of the week.
That’s not what we’re (I’m) saying, no. I’m saying as sad as a state we’re in right now, there are plenty of worse places to be.
And most of those places you’d need a rifle to get the change you want, UK cough, cough, but here, there is at least a very strong illusion that we can fix it with the soap box and ballot box.
That’s not what we’re (I’m) saying, no. I’m saying as sad as a state we’re in right now, there are plenty of worse places to be.
And most of those places you’d need a rifle to get the change you want, UK cough, cough, but here, there is at least a very strong illusion that we can fix it with the soap box and ballot box. [/quote]
Is the illusion of peaceful revolution superior to the reality that it’s impossible?
That’s not what we’re (I’m) saying, no. I’m saying as sad as a state we’re in right now, there are plenty of worse places to be.
And most of those places you’d need a rifle to get the change you want, UK cough, cough, but here, there is at least a very strong illusion that we can fix it with the soap box and ballot box. [/quote]
Is the illusion of peaceful revolution superior to the reality that it’s impossible? [/quote]
That’s not what we’re (I’m) saying, no. I’m saying as sad as a state we’re in right now, there are plenty of worse places to be.
And most of those places you’d need a rifle to get the change you want, UK cough, cough, but here, there is at least a very strong illusion that we can fix it with the soap box and ballot box. [/quote]
Is the illusion of peaceful revolution superior to the reality that it’s impossible? [/quote]
Worst case it’s an illusion. Best case it isn’t.
And if it’s an illusion, who’s to say it can’t be a self fulfilling prophecy?
Would the founders have been shooting fuckers by now? Probably if the rulers where still the Brits, but under “their own structure”? Nah, they’d be writing blogs and giving speeches like motherfuckers though. Not pissing away time and energy on Breaking Bad, Judge Judy and Professional Sports.
And if it’s an illusion, who’s to say it can’t be a self fulfilling prophecy?
Would the founders have been shooting fuckers by now? Probably if the rulers where still the Brits, but under “their own structure”? Nah, they’d be writing blogs and giving speeches like motherfuckers though. Not pissing away time and energy on Breaking Bad, Judge Judy and Professional Sports. [/quote]
Why is it an illusion?
I think a big issue with groups nowadays is that they greatly overestimate the strength of their position on a national basis. And so when they lose, they blame the system.
That’s not what we’re (I’m) saying, no. I’m saying as sad as a state we’re in right now, there are plenty of worse places to be.
And most of those places you’d need a rifle to get the change you want, UK cough, cough, but here, there is at least a very strong illusion that we can fix it with the soap box and ballot box. [/quote]
Is the illusion of peaceful revolution superior to the reality that it’s impossible? [/quote]
Apparently, just look at the world we live in[/quote]
Below is an opinion that I agree with: neither an “armed resistance/revolution” nor “voting in the right elected official” are viable strategies for restoring what I have come to view as “rightful liberty”.
Below is an opinion that I agree with: neither an “armed resistance/revolution” nor “voting in the right elected official” are viable strategies for restoring what I have come to view as “rightful liberty”.
Below is an opinion that I agree with: neither an “armed resistance/revolution” nor “voting in the right elected official” are viable strategies for restoring what I have come to view as “rightful liberty”.
However I think one solution that solves a lot of our problems, and is super easy, is pride. ThunderBolt talked about it in one thread.
When people take pride in what they do again, we’ll be exponentially better than we are now. I’m not saying I know who to achieve this, or I think government can regulate it into existence, but if it were to happy, we’d be better for it.
[quote]angry chicken wrote:
Below is an opinion that I agree with: neither an “armed resistance/revolution” nor “voting in the right elected official” are viable strategies for restoring what I have come to view as “rightful liberty”.
Free society: People are elected to rule. If the majority of the electorate decides that it doesn’t like the way it’s being ruled, the elected representative can be voted out(and possibly receive benefits for the rest of his life).
Unfree society: A ruler comes to be. If that ruler pisses off his subjects too badly, they can get rid of him(he may get to keep his life).
In which society is the ruler more free? In which society are the ruled more free?
Below is an opinion that I agree with: neither an “armed resistance/revolution” nor “voting in the right elected official” are viable strategies for restoring what I have come to view as “rightful liberty”.
What about all the Christian stuff in the comment section?
Otherwise- that was a funny read.[/quote]
Are you saying the christian stuff was funny, or the article? As with any article, the comments can be all over the spectrum - but to be perfectly honest, I’d prefer christians over communists…