[xnull2guest]

I'm an American. I grew up in the New England area and I now live on the West Coast. I'm in Computer Security.

I do not know how to address a challenge like this?

How can I - without providing something absurd like my driver's license - prove that I am an American and of American decent?

Note that I was talking the other day about the situation in Cyprus, where I used the terminology 'aggressive' to describe Turkish behavior. I was accused of being a Greek.

Anyway, I fully reject the accusation that I am 50 Cent Party member or paid by any government, including my home country the United States.

[westiseast]

Sure, but refer to my last point.

Don't appeal to us. The problem is not whether we have or have not evidence of who you are. The problem is that the Chinese government has actively destroyed its long term credibility on these issues by (a) using wumao and schills to attempt to DDOS public debate on these issues, (b) locking up and disempowering any voices of dissent that might allow a nuanced, authentic discussion of China-related issues in or outside of China, c) taking zero tolerance, blinkered and extreme views on many national/territorial issues that are very difficult for anyone else not Chinese to accept.

E.g. I would totally support the idea of One China eventually, but why does the mainland government insist on denying that Taiwan is, de facto, a separate country right now? It's insane. Few would begrudge a future, managed and gradual reunion of these historically linked countries. But why on earth won't China (and pro-China commenters like yourself) drop the charade that Taiwan doesn't have its own constitution, currency, diplomatic service, politics, borders etc.? That's why your opinions can't be trusted - because they 100% mirror the insane opinions of the CCP and the wumao they employ.

You might be a totally cool guy who just happens to believe that China is peace loving and coincidentally has done loads of detailed research into UNCLOS and the state of civil society and dissent in China.

But the issue has moved on.

[xnull2guest]

I see. It appears you've decided your opinion long ago.

Please don't appeal to me as the rest of this comment is not to you.

I'd like to address the HN community. Note the above authoritative assurance this commentor is giving, with one sided accusation of the Chinese and a complete pass on US aggression and social media propaganda. This is exactly the kind of playbook used by those operating out of the US military propaganda center Fort Bragg.

He might be just a HN commentor who is nationalistic and affected by the propaganda of his media bubble who coincidentally is charging people who dissent from those opinions as being foreign propagandists. He could.

But either way, this conversation has moved on.

;)

What a horrible place the internet has become...

[westiseast]

haha nice try :)

Again, totally cool, but straight out of the wumao playbook. Post of last resort is call everyone and everything into question, accuse the other commenter of his own national bias and bubble (whilst refusing to accept yours), throw your hands up and play the victim.

[justicezyx]

> the wumao playbook.

Is there a summary of "wumao" playbook? I think all these you mentioned are standard propaganda or public communication tricks.

> call everyone and everything into question

Sorry, I did not see evidences that the poster accused "everyone and everything". I doubt HN tolerates such behavior at all.

How about references the parent comment about the specific statements that reflect your statement?

> accuse the other commented of his own national bias and bubble (whilst refusing to accept yours)

I think you should emphasize the the part "whilst refusing to accept yours". This is definitely many so-called "wumao" have to do to do their jobs.

I surely see HN members have far less exhibition of this trait.

> throw your hands up and play the victim.

I did not see the poster "play the victim". Even the accusation on China is a lie, that does not victimize any members here. The whole idea of someone "play the victim" should be seen as a way of thinking that does not fit here.

Some comments can hurts someone's feeling, but it should be clear that we discuss topic, not accusing people. We back our statements with facts, and dispute others with facts too.

[thesagan]

You're the one providing "authoritative assurance" and it's very transparent (obvious) to me. Especially in a thread about the very thing you're mimicking.