CHINA vs the NBA.

[AlaskanAssassin]

Just a couple things:
1. I'd believe in a right to secede.

So do I. I also believe the primary government has a right to try and prevent secession. If 51% of the people in Alaska voted to secede, I would understand the rest of the country resisting it (Natural resources, geographic military importance, etc.).

2. While I agree with you that you can't go forcing democracy in places where we're simply imposing our western culture on people who do not value it, the missing piece here is that this is Hong Kong. What they're fighting for is their ability to continue having what they have and what they value.

Hong Kong was part of a unified China that started in 221 BC. The only interruption was when the British forcefully took Hong Kong in 1841 and the region was ceded in 1842. From the perspective of mainland China, HK was forcefully taken and the only reason they have differing values or culture is due to military force from a Western enemy (at the time).
I'm actually surprised it has taken this long for this type of revolt to happen between HK and the mainland, since HK was returned to Chinese rule from the British. How can you have a "unified" county if factions of the country operate under a different set of laws? I suppose you can understand Taiwan's reluctance to agree to partial Chinese control.

3. You are right that we all know very little about this. We all know very little about many things, yet our public speaks up (right or wrong) and pat ourselves on the back for doing so. If Morey isn't allowed that same opportunity, it's not really the "free speech" we value, but rather the selective ability to engage in "free speech."

I have no problem with Morey's right to say what he wants. I am surprised that he didn't think through what would happen as a result of his comments. To me, it's not a "free speech" issue. He's still subject to a public response or response from his employer. If I make public comments that reflect poorly on my employer or cost them $$, I can be fired. This does not restrict my right to free speech.

 

[AlaskanAssassin]

And we know the citizens of their country are so by and large happy little munchkins coz they’re so free to tell us so or free to express otherwise ????

Have you ever been to mainland China? Have you asked anyone from mainland China what they think of the government there? The culture there does not value the exact same freedoms we do. I have been there recently and I can tell you first hand that Chinese people take a lot of pride in their government. Again, hundreds of millions have been lifted out of poverty there in the last 40 or so years. If you are an adult living in China it is likely you are happy with the direction of government purely based on improvement in quality of life, life expectancy, and the fact that you no longer have to work on a farm to survive. You can appreciate and approve of your government, even if you recognize the many flaws.

The ironic thing is that much of the economic prosperity would never have occurred if it wasn't for Hong Kong's rise. Introducing free markets and free will of the people opens up a world of opportunity.

 

[jom2003]

A high schooler getting shot in the chest is just politics, right?

Yes. If you approach those riot police in a violent way and refuse to back down after being warned repeatedly.

 

[Ellipse]

Keep corporations out of politics, PERIOD

Morey was an idiot to tweet what he did, because it put everyone in the NBA in a difficult spot. It is one thing for a player to take a stand, but it goes to a whole new level for a company rep to get involved in foreign politics. Dumbass should be fired.

I can't see the Hong Kong protests ending well. Obviously the citizens feel it is worth it and, since it's their country and their lives, it is their choice. I wish them the best.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Keep corporations out of politics, PERIOD

Morey was an idiot to tweet what he did, because it put everyone in the NBA in a difficult spot. It is one thing for a player to take a stand, but it goes to a whole new level for a company rep to get involved in foreign politics. Dumbass should be fired.

I can't see the Hong Kong protests ending well. Obviously the citizens feel it is worth it and, since it's their country and their lives, it is their choice. I wish them the best.

Maybe he wanted Tilman to feel what he does when Fertita goes spouting his mouth. Morey wants to be fired and paid to go away.

 

[infection]

Maybe he wanted Tilman to feel what he does when Fertita goes spouting his mouth. Morey wants to be fired and paid to go away.

Then I don't think he would have been tucking his tail between his legs.

 

[Hekate]

Yes. If you approach those riot police in a violent way and refuse to back down after being warned repeatedly.

Wow. You are a piece of ****.

 

[AlaskanAssassin]

Keep corporations out of politics, PERIOD

Morey was an idiot to tweet what he did, because it put everyone in the NBA in a difficult spot. It is one thing for a player to take a stand, but it goes to a whole new level for a company rep to get involved in foreign politics. Dumbass should be fired.

I can't see the Hong Kong protests ending well. Obviously the citizens feel it is worth it and, since it's their country and their lives, it is their choice. I wish them the best.

Totally agree regarding corporations staying out of politics. However, I think this rule applies to players and other people within the organization (GM's, Owners, Coaches, etc.). I would have to think that the backlash would be even greater if James Harden had texted what Morey did. Maybe I'm wrong. Either way, comments like this that cost the organization $$ should result in termination. This is negligence, if not gross negligence, on the part of Morey.

 

[jom2003]

Wow. You are a piece of ****.

Have you even watched the videos of those protesters beating up police and unarmed civilians? You should. Riot police don't just go out and shoot people for absolute no reason. You just believe what you want to believe.

 

[Hekate]

Have you even watched the videos of those protesters beating up police and unarmed civilians? You should. Riot police don't just go out and shoot people for absolute no reason. You just believe what you want to believe.

The force the protesters have can't be compared to the police. You don't go around shooting people in the chest if you are covered in armor, have teargas, shields and nightsticks. It's just disproportionate.

I asked police for directions, if the police blocked the way, after the protests in Turkey were over for the night. They said we could use the road and sent a teargas canister after us. So, yes, Police doesn't always need a reason to flex.

 

[jom2003]

Big difference between a protester and a rioter.

Yep. That's why I said there are censorships coming from both parties. While it is awfully wrong to portray all protesters as rioters, we should not pretend those violent rioters do not exist. It is those riot police's inherent right to protect themselves when they felt that their lives are in danger. That's why I wouldnt necessarily take too much out of the news of someone getting shot in the chest in Hong Kong. Unless you know the full story.

 

[jom2003]

The force the protesters have can't be compared to the police. You don't go around shooting people in the chest if you are covered in armor, have teargas, shields and nightsticks. It's just disproportionate.

I asked police for directions, if the police blocked the way, after the protests in Turkey were over for the night. They said we could use the road and sent a teargas canister after us. So, yes, Police doesn't always need a reason to flex.

Armor shields or tear gas may protect you against a few people. But if you are cornered into a tight spot, getting hammered and stepped on by a mob, or being attacked by molotov cocktail, that is a complete different story. Especially when they do have actual live videos to back it up. Again, I'm not saying their story is 100% accurate. I'm just saying that clear evidence suggests not all of the riot police were out there solely for the purpose of flexing their power.