Flashermac Posted September 1, 2013 Report Share Posted September 1, 2013 A controversial law banning Vietnamese online users from discussing current affairs has come into effect. The decree, known as Decree 72, says blogs and social websites should not be used to share news articles, but only personal information. The law also requires foreign internet companies to keep their local servers inside Vietnam. It has been criticised by internet companies and human rights groups, as well as the US government. Vietnam is a one-party communist state and the authorities maintain a tight grip on the media. Dozens of activists, including bloggers, have been convicted for anti-state activity in the country this year. The new law specifies that social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook should only be used "to provide and exchange personal information". It also prohibits the online publication of material that "opposes" the Vietnamese government or "harms national security". Last month the US embassy in Hanoi said it was "deeply concerned by the decree's provisions", arguing that "fundamental freedoms apply online just as they do offline". Reporters Without Borders, a Paris-based group that campaigns for press freedom worldwide, has said the decree will leave Vietnamese people "permanently deprived of the independent and outspoken information that normally circulates in blogs and forums". The Asia Internet Coalition, an industry group that represents companies including Google and Facebook, said the move would "stifle innovation and discourage businesses from operating in Vietnam". http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23920541 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huumlaar Posted September 1, 2013 Report Share Posted September 1, 2013 Gee, I am glad we don't have any of that in Thailand, or the USA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mekong Posted September 1, 2013 Report Share Posted September 1, 2013 Gee, I am glad we don't have any of that in Thailand, or the USA. My thoughts exactly, what with NSA in the States and Less Majeste laws in Thailand VN rules seem quite tame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted September 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2013 Ha! You can say anything you want on the Internet in the USA. Of course, it is being recorded and you will be watched. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mekong Posted September 1, 2013 Report Share Posted September 1, 2013 Which is why the statement Last month the US embassy in Hanoi said it was "deeply concerned by the decree's provisions", arguing that "fundamental freedoms apply online just as they do offline" I found that amazing, Double Standards or what? An incredible comment from the US Embassy, which in itself an extension of the US Government. Do as we say not as we do. Don't get me wrong I have no dislike of American nationals, over the years I have met and worked with many Americans and until this day we remain close friends, I just cannot abide by internal Government policies "In the interest of national security" and the US stance on being the "Global Policemen" of the world. No doubt it probably pisses of a lot of free thinking Americans also. Back in 2000 I was working in the USA and was offered a chance to live there permanently, green card the lot, I politely declined the offer and took up a position in China. To me, an outsider the USA is becoming more like East Germany in the 60's a Stasi state. I also disagree with my own nations internal policies and foreign policies, the only thing worthwhile from the UK nowadays is the Passport, something I would never give up willingly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted September 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2013 "No doubt it probably pisses of a lot of free thinking Americans also." It pisses off a lot of career military too, the guys who have to fight and die. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mekong Posted September 1, 2013 Report Share Posted September 1, 2013 I would class career military guys as free thinking. When I was first in South Korea over 25 years ago I got friendly with a lot of US Military from the local base and gained membership to visit anytime use the facilities and take advantage of the NAAFI. Then there was "Team Spirit" a Joint Exercise between USMC and ROK Marines, had some great nights out with them guys. More recently I have worked as a civilian contractor in Iraq again in the company of mainly US Military, I would never want to hear a bad word said against past or currently serving US military personal, they don't decide foreign policy but are sent out as the governments pawns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted September 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2013 My hero ... Smedley Butler on Interventionism http://www.fas.org/man/smedley.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unit731 Posted September 2, 2013 Report Share Posted September 2, 2013 Smedley Butler. Spent a tad of time at Camp Smedley D Butler in Okinawa. Off to Koza City. Met a nice local gal in one of the bars. Orion beer in large bottles. She was quite friendly for US $20.00. Might have paid too much. When done to leave - there was a line at the door. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acockasian Posted September 3, 2013 Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 I would never want to hear a bad word said against past or currently serving US military personal, they don't decide foreign policy but are sent out as the governments pawns. There is a very good article on RT today about US soldiers not wanting to fight in Syria. "Many US servicemen are against the looming strike on Syria, Republican Congressman Justin Amash said on Twitter, in an attempt to counter the idea that the country might be overwhelmingly in favor of military action." http://rt.com/usa/us-against-syria-strike-313/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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