A serious problem with Vue.ja

[hahmjt]

What problem does this feature solve?

Evan You.
Go back to China if you dont like freedom.

What does the proposed API look like?

No Evan You

[yyx990803]

For context, this is what I quoted on Twitter:

自由，多少罪恶假汝之名

The original phrase came from Madame Roland during the French Revolution:

O Liberté, que de crimes on commet en ton nom! (O freedom, what crimes are committed in your name!)

If you really understand the context, you will realize this is not a slam against Freedom itself, but the fact that when there is not enough structured principles and boundaries for a movement in pursuit of freedom, it can lead to actions that manifest the very opposite of freedom. And I'm afraid we are seeing something similar happening in Hong Kong.

Do I dislike Freedom? Of course not. Do I support violation of human rights? Of course not. (Note: I condemn the violence committed by all sides, no matter the triads, the police or the protestors) But should there be a boundary for justifiable means to fight for freedom? I believe so. Does the current movement seem to have a boundary on what can be done in the name of freedom? Doesn't seem so due to the "never cut the ties" rule. I'm sympathetic to the high level motive behind the movement, but I think the resort to violence and the strong reluctance to distance from it is questionable on both moral and practical grounds.

Freedom is not a static target - it's an equilibrium. It involves mutual respect and compromises between the members of a society. It's ironic to see fellow citizens' freedom of going to work and support their families being violated in the name of freedom. It's even more ironic that citizens can be physically attacked when they try to clear up the roadblocks or stop vandalization of public transit. Not to mention the targeted destruction of pro-blue or mainland-owned businesses. Blue campers are afraid to speak up because of that. Remember they are part of your society too. Oppression of their opinions in the name of freedom seems... contradictory to your goals.

Before you call me clueless / misinformed / biased, I've personally had lengthy conversations with people from both sides of the movement from various backgrounds (native-born pro-yellow HKer, American married to a pro-yellow HKer, mainlander who does not live in HK but support the movement, mainlanders who live in HK but against the movement...). I know what's going on. I can understand the fear, distrust and anger coming from some HKers. But I don't believe these justify everything is being done. I don't believe blind and unconditional support for violence is going to help HK. I believe HKers can do better.

I hope I have shown that my view is much more nuanced than a "with us or against us" binary. And if you truly value Freedom, you should at least be willing to sit down and think about it. If you are angry with me for the mild criticism of the movement, take a minute off the Twitter/Reddit bubble and read how people from the rest of the world (who are actually informed on the situation) really thinks about it (no, they are not CCP shills):

https://www.quora.com/How-does-the-rest-of-the-world-view-the-Hong-Kong-protestors

https://www.quora.com/What-do-the-overseas-Chinese-think-about-Hong-Kongers-protesting-against-the-China-extradition-act

https://www.quora.com/People-who-are-against-the-Hong-Kong-movement-what-are-your-reasons

---

I'm locking the thread because I don't want to bring politics into the project. This will also be the last time I comment on such topics.