Hacker News Reader

Comment by mtgx | Hacker News Reader

It's a defender of human rights in this case.

You're implying US is a better country when it comes to human rights, but I don't see US defending his human rights. In fact, it's breaking many international laws trying to get him.

Also, I have to wonder what would've happened if there was any other weaker Russian president in place. I never liked Putin, but seeing how so many "democratic" countries were so quick to follow US' commands, and break international laws for US, just sickened me.

There's a difference between a partner and an ally, and a master. You can still stand up to your allies or partners at any time, if you disagree with their actions.

View on HN

It's also entirely possible that the US has broken no laws, and done nothing more than make phone calls requesting extradition.

A difference between my comment and yours is that mine (in this case) doesn't claim to know things that it can't possibly know.

> It's also entirely possible that the US has broken no laws, and done nothing more than make phone calls requesting extradition.

I imagine they haven't. The bully who demands your lunch money hasn't hit you in the face either. The threat is merely implied.

It's also entirely possible that the US has broken no laws, and done nothing more than make phone calls requesting extradition.

Just a phone call: "A nice little country you have there, wouldn't it be pity if something happened to it?"

Just as the real example: it was reported that the existing trading arrangements were in question for some countries in Latin America.

I don't think anyone ever coded gunboat diplomacy into law.

(You seem obsessed with laws, as if they possess value and worth in and of themselves, when really they are a very high latency sidechannel of society and power)

Did you read the parent comment before replying to mine?

>I don't think anyone ever coded gunboat diplomacy into law.

it is called international law.

    >It's a defender of human rights in this case.

It's political opportunism in this case, there was neither an upside nor a downside to capitulating with US demands, but Putin could at least make the US look like inept hypocrites. Of all the human rights abuses that occur in Russia how can you think that Putin decided this was one that needed to be held to a higher standard?

Reply on news.ycombinator.com