14 ms·

You wax poetically about UAE (mostly emotion, little fact), then remind the reader that it is an Islamic dictatorship. Why would any intelligent person ever se

You wax poetically about UAE (mostly emotion, little fact), then remind the reader that it is an Islamic dictatorship. Why would any intelligent person ever set foot there? I'd lose over half of my current rights as it stands.

lmm 5y ago
It's easy to think you have a lot of rights until you try to do something unpopular with them. I left the west for somewhere where I have a lot fewer rights on paper, but I feel so much freer now, no longer constantly worrying about what the mob thinks of everything I say. I won't defend the UAE, but the level of freedom you have in actual daily life is surprisingly disconnected from what's written in a constitution or what the government is doing.
- codechad 5y ago
  > It's easy to think you have a lot of rights until you try to do something unpopular with them Nonsense argument. Lacks details and specifics. > I left the west for somewhere where I have a lot fewer rights on paper, but I feel so much freer now, no longer constantly worrying about what the mob thinks of everything I say. That's where you fucked up: Caring about what [random] people think about you. Also I would love to know what country you feel more free in. For some reason I suspect this will not be answered. > I won't defend the UAE, but the level of freedom you have in actual daily life is surprisingly disconnected from what's written in a constitution or what the government is doing. More blah blah blah nonsense. Examples, give them. I have numerous freedoms I exercise daily (speech, worship, association, ownership of war weapons).
  - lmm 5y ago
    > Nonsense argument. Lacks details and specifics. Does this really not match your experience of how things have been going lately? Freedom of speech and association but that doesn't prevent you from being fired for what you say or who you associate with. Free to protest unless there's a risk your protest might have an effect, then a state of emergency will be declared and the police will explain how they can legally kidnap your dog. > That's where you fucked up: Caring about what [random] people think about you. Also I would love to know what country you feel more free in. Japan, FWIW. I could be deported if I took part in political activities, there are significant restrictions on my speech (strict libel laws). But I have a supportive local community and strong employment protection, both things that count for a lot.
- RF_Savage 5y ago
  Doesn't that just mean that there's more space for one to get arbitrary trouble the moment somebody decides that they don't like you or what you do?
  - lmm 5y ago
    In theory yes, but it's often a distraction in practice, like putting a triple-secure lock on your iron-plated door and leaving the window open. Many of these freedoms are important, but threatened much more by corporations or cultures than by governments.
_hhkg 5y ago
I’m not waxing poetic about anything. I agree that the UAE has engaged (and continues to engage) in several atrocities. Many many horrible things which as mentioned, I’m also combating during my time here. Also you mentioned little fact, mostly emotion, but i stated things like the Year of Tolerance, the religious temples being built, etc. but I’d hope others can also investigate on their own. We are so quick to paint countries as evil without understanding the full situation. I’ve met several intelligent people here from everywhere in the world and many here are trying to have a positive impact on the country.
- codechad 5y ago
  > Also you mentioned little fact, mostly emotion, but i stated things like the Year of Tolerance, the religious temples being built, etc. but I’d hope others can also investigate on their own. We are so quick to paint countries as evil without understanding the full situation. You are correct. Let me help rectify my transgression by providing a very consolidated list of things I can do in America that you can not do in the UAE: 1. Hold elections. 2. Form political parties. 3. Criticize my government and officials. 4. Have extra-martial or casual sex. 5. Consume alcohol. 6. Consume cannabis. 7. Be homosexual. 8. Kiss my partner in public. 9. Eat, drink, and smoke between sunrise and sunset during Ramadan. 10. Swear - both IRL and online. Is that enough or do you need more concrete examples? The list is quite long.
  - deleted 5y ago
    [deleted]
logicchains 5y ago
- baybal2 5y ago
  You literally can't step into any public place here, and that may include a grocery store, without a proof of vaccination, and a recent PCR test. PCR tests cost 50 AED, and you have to pass them in between weekly, to bi-weekly. UAE has world's highest vaccination rate. I classify that sentiment into the same loony bin as people who cry "there is no Democracy in USA!" and then run to China.
- selectodude 5y ago
  ??? https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/uae-mandates-covid-19-vaccines-live-events-2021-05-26/ https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/uae-mandates-covid...
- ceejayoz 5y ago
  https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-59845833 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-59845833 > The United Arab Emirates has announced that it will ban citizens who have not had three doses of a vaccine against Covid-19 from travelling abroad. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/uae-mandates-covid-19-vaccines-live-events-2021-05-26/ https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/uae-mandates-covid... > DUBAI, May 26 (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates said vaccinations against COVID-19 will be mandatory for people attending all "live events" from June 6, as the country pushes a vaccination campaign which has consistently been one of the fastest in the world.
  - logicchains 5y ago
    That's like saying Florida has vaccine passports because Biden said the US will. The individual emirates, like Dubai, have even more independence than US states. I actually live in Dubai and there's zero usage of vaccine passports for anything. The emirate of Abu Dhabi is very big on them, but Abu Dhabi is not Dubai in the same way Washington DC is not Texas.

lmm 5y ago

It's easy to think you have a lot of rights until you try to do something unpopular with them. I left the west for somewhere where I have a lot fewer rights on paper, but I feel so much freer now, no longer constantly worrying about what the mob thinks of everything I say. I won't defend the UAE, but the level of freedom you have in actual daily life is surprisingly disconnected from what's written in a constitution or what the government is doing.

codechad 5y ago
> It's easy to think you have a lot of rights until you try to do something unpopular with them Nonsense argument. Lacks details and specifics. > I left the west for somewhere where I have a lot fewer rights on paper, but I feel so much freer now, no longer constantly worrying about what the mob thinks of everything I say. That's where you fucked up: Caring about what [random] people think about you. Also I would love to know what country you feel more free in. For some reason I suspect this will not be answered. > I won't defend the UAE, but the level of freedom you have in actual daily life is surprisingly disconnected from what's written in a constitution or what the government is doing. More blah blah blah nonsense. Examples, give them. I have numerous freedoms I exercise daily (speech, worship, association, ownership of war weapons).
- lmm 5y ago
  > Nonsense argument. Lacks details and specifics. Does this really not match your experience of how things have been going lately? Freedom of speech and association but that doesn't prevent you from being fired for what you say or who you associate with. Free to protest unless there's a risk your protest might have an effect, then a state of emergency will be declared and the police will explain how they can legally kidnap your dog. > That's where you fucked up: Caring about what [random] people think about you. Also I would love to know what country you feel more free in. Japan, FWIW. I could be deported if I took part in political activities, there are significant restrictions on my speech (strict libel laws). But I have a supportive local community and strong employment protection, both things that count for a lot.
RF_Savage 5y ago
Doesn't that just mean that there's more space for one to get arbitrary trouble the moment somebody decides that they don't like you or what you do?
- lmm 5y ago
  In theory yes, but it's often a distraction in practice, like putting a triple-secure lock on your iron-plated door and leaving the window open. Many of these freedoms are important, but threatened much more by corporations or cultures than by governments.

_hhkg 5y ago

I’m not waxing poetic about anything. I agree that the UAE has engaged (and continues to engage) in several atrocities. Many many horrible things which as mentioned, I’m also combating during my time here. Also you mentioned little fact, mostly emotion, but i stated things like the Year of Tolerance, the religious temples being built, etc. but I’d hope others can also investigate on their own. We are so quick to paint countries as evil without understanding the full situation. I’ve met several intelligent people here from everywhere in the world and many here are trying to have a positive impact on the country.

codechad 5y ago
> Also you mentioned little fact, mostly emotion, but i stated things like the Year of Tolerance, the religious temples being built, etc. but I’d hope others can also investigate on their own. We are so quick to paint countries as evil without understanding the full situation. You are correct. Let me help rectify my transgression by providing a very consolidated list of things I can do in America that you can not do in the UAE: 1. Hold elections. 2. Form political parties. 3. Criticize my government and officials. 4. Have extra-martial or casual sex. 5. Consume alcohol. 6. Consume cannabis. 7. Be homosexual. 8. Kiss my partner in public. 9. Eat, drink, and smoke between sunrise and sunset during Ramadan. 10. Swear - both IRL and online. Is that enough or do you need more concrete examples? The list is quite long.
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]

logicchains 5y ago

baybal2 5y ago
You literally can't step into any public place here, and that may include a grocery store, without a proof of vaccination, and a recent PCR test. PCR tests cost 50 AED, and you have to pass them in between weekly, to bi-weekly. UAE has world's highest vaccination rate. I classify that sentiment into the same loony bin as people who cry "there is no Democracy in USA!" and then run to China.
selectodude 5y ago
??? https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/uae-mandates-covid-19-vaccines-live-events-2021-05-26/ https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/uae-mandates-covid...
ceejayoz 5y ago
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-59845833 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-59845833 > The United Arab Emirates has announced that it will ban citizens who have not had three doses of a vaccine against Covid-19 from travelling abroad. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/uae-mandates-covid-19-vaccines-live-events-2021-05-26/ https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/uae-mandates-covid... > DUBAI, May 26 (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates said vaccinations against COVID-19 will be mandatory for people attending all "live events" from June 6, as the country pushes a vaccination campaign which has consistently been one of the fastest in the world.
- logicchains 5y ago
  That's like saying Florida has vaccine passports because Biden said the US will. The individual emirates, like Dubai, have even more independence than US states. I actually live in Dubai and there's zero usage of vaccine passports for anything. The emirate of Abu Dhabi is very big on them, but Abu Dhabi is not Dubai in the same way Washington DC is not Texas.