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The Great Firewall of .... Kuwait?

Posted by timothy on from the permissionism-strikes-again dept.

first axiom writes: "The BBC is running a story on Kuwait shutting down 50 internet cafes for allowing access to pornography. While this number might seem trifling compared to China's thousands shut down, Kuwait is a country smaller than New Jersey, with about 2 million people. However, it's one of the best-connected countries in the Middle-East, and sometimes it's interesting to see someone on *this* side of the political fence (an ally or 'strategic partner' of the U.S.) pull a stunt like this."

3 of 54 comments (clear)

  1. Re:This isn't about silencing free speech by ObviousGuy · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Perhaps in the U.S. this is the reasoning, but Kuwait bans all pornography outright.

    It isn't about protecting the children, but protecting the muslim sensibilities.

    --
    I have been pwned because my /. password was too easy to guess.
  2. Ugly American by gmhowell · · Score: 5, Insightful

    No wonder we USians get shit upon so much. It's not our place to be the moral police of the world. It's not our place to dictate to others. We left Europe (most of us) precisely to avoid that kind of shit. Unfortunately, since at least Madison, we've had to deal with bringing our great and wonderfulness to all the world.

    I'm no great believer in PC, moral relativism, or all that crap. But I do believe in staying out of other people's damned business so long as it doesn't affect me. If Kuwaitis have a problem with this, let them revolt. I'd consider helping them. But if they aren't willing to sturm and drang on their own, why should I care?

    Being able to go to JennaJameson.com is not some great right. Being able to espouse differing political views IS. Try to understand the difference.

    --
    Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. -John Lennon
  3. Kuwait not MY side of the fence by KilBee · · Score: 5, Informative

    It's actually well known that kuwait is one of the most oppressive countries in the middle east. Yes, more oppressive than Iraq, at least as far as domestic policy. This is true now and it was true in 1991.

    Some may say they are on "our" side of the fence. But if they mean "On the slashdot side of the fence" that's totally wrong.

    This article should come as a surprise to no American, and if it does, maybe some need to read a little more history.