I wish people who are progressive in so many ways would stop inserting shitty things into their posts about Iran, Russia and China. It discredits what they have to say. It tells me they've lapped up a certain amount of propaganda. Stick to whatever the subject is.
You don't have to love those countries, especially in their current states, but yeah, a lot of what those of us in the west (particularly the US) hear about those countries are dubious and in service of ~narratives~ for those in power.
When Rednote took off earlier this year there were people legitimately in shock that Chinese people lived normal lives and weren't like... working under duress or censored to the point of trembling in fear of their government. Just shows how damaging the narratives have been for the last ~30 years.
Same with me, when sent to china and Iran ON BUSSINES. This was years back, but China, FIBRANT ... supermarkets, everybody so friendly, although I could not understand a word they stated but the hotel +service was 100x better than ours... and their historical sites blew my mind. Only had one mishap, when we visited a "local restaurant" when it wanted to "treat us"... we ordered some pork dish and it was literally ALL FAT (I hate that, my Dad loves that)... THESPECIAL DISH WAS TO "HONOUR US". Sorry, but needed a toilet and was sent out via thekitchen and had to walk / run 100 yards to a hole in the ground - not covered.... funny as hell looking back at it.
Only been back once since then ... UNBELIEVABLE TRANSORMATION...For the better.
...
Iran - Just try and visit and yes you can get access to all things;if you do notgob off loudly.
As it does most of us in the overfed West. Back in the late sixties and early seventies when I was prospecting you would get to the point of actually craving fat. This is your body's way of telling you need more energy.
LOL...I know the benefits and also stated above about the honour thing; but I hate the stuff; I had NO problem with the overall meal - a fantastic experience (remember a long time ago .. when "WESTERNERS" were rare.... BUT needing a dump in full view ?
Oh yes, very much so. I was very lucky in that I travelled on O&G business a great deal so had no problems with the holes in the floors - as I was young and fit and could squat... now though, at my age, I would fall in the ruddy hole, start crying and calling for Mummy.
But apart from the toiletry differences; the cultural differences are fantastic to witness - even within Europe; even within areas of different Countries; my UK is a prime example..
Yeah, I'm always disappointed when posters put obvious propaganda lies into their comments. You just wonder why they're able to understand the truth of certain things (genocide is wrong/Israel is a settler colonial apartheid state) but they've got some sort of hang-up about Russia. I figure they may have grown up during the "duck and cover" days when they learned in school to fear a nuclear attack from the USSR, and for some reason, they still believe that the USSR still exists. (I've also seen them post about "communists" in modern day Russia. Now, that is out of date!)
But China has brought over 6,000,000 poor and lower class people into what we call the middle class in a few decades. The Uyghurs 1. Were terrorists and caused alot of damage to China; so China started to educate them in "WHY WE ARE ONE" sort of thing... what we are told is that they are imprisoned, NOPE, they literally go to school and get professional education PLUS apprenterships...
Iran; great Country and probably the most educated people (in general) - plus most seem younger to me...
I would suggest that is wasn’t “the Uyghurs” that was the problem, but a subset of “East Turkmenistan” separatists, who were responsible for the attacks in China, and who were the target of the government’s efforts.
Did they overreach? Perhaps. Did they gather up more than those who were responsible for the attacks? Most likely. And from a human rights perspective equally susceptible to criticism. That doesn’t mean the kind of blanket condemnation we usually see.
If you want to talk about a regime overreach look at the Trucker's Convoy in Canada. This will go down as one of the most shameful acts in Canadian history.
I went to Xinxiang and saw the Uighurs being oppressed. All Uighur renters were required to leave the city, and a lot more. We were visiting my niece who speaks fluent Uighur and spent five years there so I dare say I know a little bit about it.
One might wonder if, rather than actually having bought into that narrative, they are using it a misguided effort of ‘sugar helps the medicine go down, in order to keep their liberal audiences.
They should know they’re just furthering, in a different way, the same narrative they want to oppose.
I wish people who are progressive in so many ways would stop inserting shitty things into their posts about Iran, Russia and China. It discredits what they have to say. It tells me they've lapped up a certain amount of propaganda. Stick to whatever the subject is.
You don't have to love those countries, especially in their current states, but yeah, a lot of what those of us in the west (particularly the US) hear about those countries are dubious and in service of ~narratives~ for those in power.
When Rednote took off earlier this year there were people legitimately in shock that Chinese people lived normal lives and weren't like... working under duress or censored to the point of trembling in fear of their government. Just shows how damaging the narratives have been for the last ~30 years.
HAHAHA LOVE IT.
Same with me, when sent to china and Iran ON BUSSINES. This was years back, but China, FIBRANT ... supermarkets, everybody so friendly, although I could not understand a word they stated but the hotel +service was 100x better than ours... and their historical sites blew my mind. Only had one mishap, when we visited a "local restaurant" when it wanted to "treat us"... we ordered some pork dish and it was literally ALL FAT (I hate that, my Dad loves that)... THESPECIAL DISH WAS TO "HONOUR US". Sorry, but needed a toilet and was sent out via thekitchen and had to walk / run 100 yards to a hole in the ground - not covered.... funny as hell looking back at it.
Only been back once since then ... UNBELIEVABLE TRANSORMATION...For the better.
...
Iran - Just try and visit and yes you can get access to all things;if you do notgob off loudly.
In nutrition compromised societies fat is like gold. It was indeed a great honor they were bestowing on you.
Oh dear. Fat makes me nauseous, too.
As it does most of us in the overfed West. Back in the late sixties and early seventies when I was prospecting you would get to the point of actually craving fat. This is your body's way of telling you need more energy.
LOL...I know the benefits and also stated above about the honour thing; but I hate the stuff; I had NO problem with the overall meal - a fantastic experience (remember a long time ago .. when "WESTERNERS" were rare.... BUT needing a dump in full view ?
There are definitely many differences in our cultures.
Oh yes, very much so. I was very lucky in that I travelled on O&G business a great deal so had no problems with the holes in the floors - as I was young and fit and could squat... now though, at my age, I would fall in the ruddy hole, start crying and calling for Mummy.
But apart from the toiletry differences; the cultural differences are fantastic to witness - even within Europe; even within areas of different Countries; my UK is a prime example..
Thanks, Dave. I hope people will stop doing that.
More like seventy five years. If you think about it maybe all the way back to the Civil War.
Yeah, I'm always disappointed when posters put obvious propaganda lies into their comments. You just wonder why they're able to understand the truth of certain things (genocide is wrong/Israel is a settler colonial apartheid state) but they've got some sort of hang-up about Russia. I figure they may have grown up during the "duck and cover" days when they learned in school to fear a nuclear attack from the USSR, and for some reason, they still believe that the USSR still exists. (I've also seen them post about "communists" in modern day Russia. Now, that is out of date!)
Thanks. I'm glad you think so too.
Not quite sure I understood, your comment; apologies... think I did. Did you mean UNABLE in "why they're able"... JUST FOR INFO.
Did you know this about Russia ( a little over the top, but you get the drift hopefully = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =79zbot-knWc
Regards China, we hear THIS NONSENSE - https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/china-xinjiang-uyghurs-muslims-repression-genocide-human-rights
But China has brought over 6,000,000 poor and lower class people into what we call the middle class in a few decades. The Uyghurs 1. Were terrorists and caused alot of damage to China; so China started to educate them in "WHY WE ARE ONE" sort of thing... what we are told is that they are imprisoned, NOPE, they literally go to school and get professional education PLUS apprenterships...
Iran; great Country and probably the most educated people (in general) - plus most seem younger to me...
The World is a f'ing stage.
Agree with your comment.
Any country that achieves any type of success becomes a target for the U.S. military industrial complex. Peace is contrary to their objectives.
Bigger picture.
I would suggest that is wasn’t “the Uyghurs” that was the problem, but a subset of “East Turkmenistan” separatists, who were responsible for the attacks in China, and who were the target of the government’s efforts.
Did they overreach? Perhaps. Did they gather up more than those who were responsible for the attacks? Most likely. And from a human rights perspective equally susceptible to criticism. That doesn’t mean the kind of blanket condemnation we usually see.
If you want to talk about a regime overreach look at the Trucker's Convoy in Canada. This will go down as one of the most shameful acts in Canadian history.
The convoy or the reaction by Trudeau ?
The reaction by Turdeau. Then again what do you expect from a man I consider to be morally bankrupt.
I would suggest that you are spot on. Before I go, one question " Who were they funded by ?".... NO, shock and horror!.
PS Not sure if "Turkmenistan" ,,, but in the neighbourhood.
My view only.
I'd look no further than the CIA, IMHO. Others will have been recruited in support, I am sure.
I went to Xinxiang and saw the Uighurs being oppressed. All Uighur renters were required to leave the city, and a lot more. We were visiting my niece who speaks fluent Uighur and spent five years there so I dare say I know a little bit about it.
AND WHEN DID YOU GO ?; after the mass killings of the HAN maybe ?. 2009 ish ?.
Others may believe your comments; but sorry - not me; but whatever !.
We are all being divided... agree or not; I really do not care.
One might wonder if, rather than actually having bought into that narrative, they are using it a misguided effort of ‘sugar helps the medicine go down, in order to keep their liberal audiences.
They should know they’re just furthering, in a different way, the same narrative they want to oppose.