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Comment by aaron695 | Hacker News Reader

I honestly don't know what to say to someone who thinks the USA is systematically sterilising people.

I don't know how that mind would work.

Do you say it because of true stories we know about the past and are are taught history repeats itself. Do you think it's true on rote?

Who would be doing this? Why? How?

Is it Illuminati, or Republicans, or a systematic breakdown of processes? I don't know what level you are on.

I said this in another comment, but if this was a betting market, 50% didn't happen, 30% rogue doctor, 20% something simple I can't think of.

For instance I don't think it's true, but I did look to see if you get special compensations if you get a hysterectomy, it could be driven by the women. There's a few other things to look at.

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The US has been systematically sterilizing indigenous populations up until the 70s. Why do you think we did that? If we're willing to get sordid, there are definitely reasons to do so; maiming people at the border sends a strong message to would-be asylum seekers, for one. For another, there are people in ICE with strong white supremacist tendencies. We have camps right now where people are not allowed a fair trial, and are not allowed to leave. This is very, very, very fucked.

And no, they don't get any compensation for anything. They don't have a US bank account. They are detainees in a weird legal limbo, without any legal status in the US. Why not read the document in the article?

In any case, if you have a better explanation, I'm all ears. But it really doesn't compute here.

I think a better explanation is that this is a doctor who specializes in hysterectomies and who recommends hysterectomies whenever that isn't outright malpractice, because it's a routine procedure and it pays relatively well.

This isn't uncommon practice. Hysterectomies often aren't strictly necessary, just like tonsillectomies, back surgeries or hip replacements.

There is no evidence for this really being "masses" of women, or that any of these procedures were entirely unjustified, or that any of this is happening systematically.

>I honestly don't know what to say to someone who thinks the USA is systematically sterilising people.

You should consider that it's possible, rather than accusing that person of essentially being insane. If they were claiming that the US population was being sterilized by something the federal government puts in the water, then sure. But surgical sterilization in these conditions does not require an Illuminati level of conspiracy, and it's over simplistic and dismissive to imply that it does.

> I honestly don't know what to say to someone who thinks the USA is systematically sterilising people.

Unfortunately, there appears to be evidence of it. :(

eg: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compulsory_sterilization#Unite...

That's just a starting point, as it contains both historical info through to the last few years. It gives plenty of references to investigate further though, in case that's of interest.

> Who would be doing this? Why? How?

Maybe for the same expressed reason they separated children from their parents? Deterrence (which does not work), and sadism (unstated, but obvious).

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