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[beata]

I just wanted to say that this is a very good Forum. Thank you,
Beata

[beata]

I mean, I thought so...

[johnstruthers]

I agree, Beata. The topic of International Human Rights should be one of the most important, period. We can peek across our borders as others do, without the local, heavily biased, press coloring the content.

There are some very heavy human rights issues obtaining to the great defender of democracy and rights, the US, right now. Incarceration rates of five to seven times that of other western nations, an arbitrary and racist death penalty, demonstrators who get arrested without having broken any laws. This is the proud home of the rugged individualist gunslinger. A curious place, indeed.

[Phillip]

Ok,

The solomon islands have takon on what is being dubded a 'copy-cat' coup. The thing is here, the place has armed factions already in place.

Australia is reacting to Figi and has a war ship on the Solomon Islands which is suppose to be there to ensure we can take our nationals to safety. they hope it is the start of a peace keeping effort.

West papua have declared themselves an independant state. they have no hope. Indonesia will kill them all, and they are clearly far to big to stop. not even the US - if they could, they would!! There is more resources there, than in any other place on the earth.

This has little to do with Human Rights, but it has a lot to do with rights and there are lives at stake, so I'm close

[Artur000]

John,

I have seen your criticism of the U.S. human rights record in a number of forums. I would like to argue with you but first I would like to know your sources for the information that you espouse.

Incarceration Rates?

Demonstrators who get arrested without breaking laws?

I know how you feel about the death penalty. But I would like to know how you compare this to other systems.

I would like to hear some facts. Thanx.

[steve_vlasenko]

Hi Artur000

You can get any of this info from the fourth estate.
Are you doubting John assertions? Or do you just want him to prove them as an academic exercise?

Vlas.

[Artur000]

Vlas,

I don't disbelieve John's claims but I will not accept them as fact without knowing the source of the accusations. The world is full of tendentious retoric on just about every subject.

I would like to believe that this is the case for all of John's points but I would like to check his sources and maybe find some conflicting statistics that may prove him wrong.

I do not believe that the US is without faults but there may be some reasons why these statistics are in error. I have found information on the status of jails in some european "civilized" societies that suggest that the conditions in some prisons are so poor that may inmates die while incarcerated.

Please give me more information on the Fourth Estate. I haven't been able to find this on the internet.

Thanks, David