RE: A Chinese Nightmare: From Patient to PLA Prisoner to Indentured Laborer
Holy shit! This is aweful. I don't think I can even come close to understanding your situation because I have not lived an ordeal like that. I don'tknow what I'd do in a situation like that, but it is great that you were able to report about it.
I hope you leave soon and well. All the things you have narrated should be in a book.
I have always been suspicious of any society where rulers control everything, including people's minds, to the point of making them loook like robbots.
We used to criticize the cubans and we become worse than them in terms of all the crap we have allowed our politicians to do.
ironically, the cubans, along with the russians, the syrians, and the chinese are the only big players that support our current government. What a coincidence, right? and to think that there are tons of americans who enjoy the benefits of your society and do nothing but undermine your culture because of its militarism (authoritarianism?) in favor of countries/ideologies with a long history of totalitarianism. It does not make any sense to me, but that's how it has been.
Yes @hlezama ...
... ironic is one way to say it. Coincidence? No ... Just despotic, authoritarian governments banding together to keep people in bondage ...
If you have time, I would like to understand what you are saying here about "... do nothing but undermine your culture because of its militarism (authoritarianism?)" Would you care to elaborate?
Sure. I was thinking about Americans (also europeans) who, with little to no knowledge of the situations in so-called 3rd-world countries, apposed American interventions just with the argument that these countries should be left to solve their own issues. They easily buy into the "governments of the people" rhetoric and validate, without corroboration all the good things these authoritarian governments are allegedly doing for their people.
None of those defenders of socialism would survive a week in venezuela, living like the average citizen. None of them would tolerate the excesses, mediocrity, cynicism of our government officials and yet they want us to just "enjoy it".
None of them would be able to live under a government that has deprived its people from the most basic technological advances, while their hypocritical leaders enjoy the best of the 1st world.
These 1st world socialists/communists voice their discontent an phony solidarity from the conforts of the first world.
Well spoken @hlezama and I agree completely with all you say here. As I hope you and others appreciate, not all Americans support, in any way, what is currently happening in Venezuela. Of those, many of us were never in favor of Chavez, who rose to power there. Without him, how many would have even heard of Maduro?
Sadly, however, far too many Americans are as you describe. Some from simple ignorance and unwillingness to educate themselves better. The worst are those who actively seek to impose their own "socialist order" here in America. In response to "what about Venezuela?" they'll simply say "well, they just didn't do it right!" Foolishness ...
As for American (or any other) intervention, the stakes are very high. It is reported here that the Russians landed planes recently in your country with tons of equipment and troops. I could say a lot more on this point, but probably best to refrain ...
You and your people are in the thoughts and prayers of many around the world. Hoping that soon, you will be liberated. Peacefully? For your sake, we can only hope.