Comment by clarionbell

Reading this discussion, I can't help but feel a somewhat odd narrative:

"This is hypocrisy! How dare they do to chinese what they criticize chinese for?"

Followed by:

"They always did that. The west was always trying to subvert rules they didn't like!"

And finally:

"The west made these rules to work for them and them only!"

That repeats in various variations, over and over.

Here is my take. The only conclusion from this, is that everyone was dishonest, everyone is dishonest, and we should stop trying to even pretend that we could be more honest. All wrongs are equal, there is no difference between a dictator and inept president. There is no difference in intent, purpose or long term goal. Freedom is just a word, it doesn't exist. Truth is abstract concept, without meaning.

I don't know about you, but I don't think I can subscribe to that.

Instead, I would side with NL government on this. Because there is such a thing as lesser evil. Call me a hypocrite, if you'd like, but at least I'm consistent.