Comments on: Shameful Human Toll As Search Engines Go Global

by: eric wilson

Wed, 12 Jul 2006 18:31:12 +0000

Somehow, all this reminds me of the disengenous rationals of arms dealers and the American companies that did buseinss with Nazi Germany (until they ill-advisedly declared war on the US) and Franco’s rebels during the Spanish Civil War. Admittedly, the Spanish Republicans included Communists, (but not Fascits. Either the US and it’s comanies hold a hard-line about human rights, or we just admit that if we don’t “bend” our so-called principles, someone else will, and, heaven forbid (!) take out market share.

There comes a time when honor, dignity, and values (not family) have to be paid for. That time is every momment of every day.

by: BJ

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 16:29:00 +0000

Hi Shava.
Great advice.

We covered Tor a few months back: “Google This: You Don’t Need Search Engines To Protect Your Privacy”
(http://www.emailbattles.com/archive/battles/security_aachcacace_ae/)

by: Shava Nerad

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 15:37:04 +0000

Go to http://tor.eff.org/ and do a few more things, and you can participate in civil society without this kind of danger being quite so dire. See also the guide for bloggers and dissidents at http://www.rsf.org/

by: KQ

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 11:59:37 +0000

PJ: So the same China that’s so afraid of using American software that they’re developing their own operating system, is going to be so afraid of losing Google that they’ll change their totalitarian politics? I’m having trouble seeing that.

by: Jimbo

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 10:51:07 +0000

While it’s true that the best way to cause change is often from the inside, it’s been alleged that some of these firms are actively collaborating to jail dissidents. I understand that there’s serious money to be made in China and elsewhere, but tactics like this are disgusting.

Anything for a buck, I guess.

by: BJ

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 10:23:34 +0000

Gotta break a few eggs to make an omelet, eh?

Of course, that’s not much comfort if you’re one of the eggs.

by: PJ

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 09:28:41 +0000

c’mon, give ‘em a break… we’ll get China hooked on the information drug (first one’s free!), then threats for such companies to pull out will be all the more persuasive. Change always comes from within, not without, so if you want to change something, you first have to get inside it…