Food for thought on the power of art:

“One day Dostoevsky threw out the enigmatic remark: "Beauty will save the world". What sort of a statement is that? For a long time I considered it mere words. How could that be possible? When in bloodthirsty history did beauty ever save anyone from anything? Ennobled, uplifted, yes - but whom has it saved?

There is, however, a certain peculiarity in the essence of beauty, a peculiarity in the status of art: namely, the convincingness of a true work of art is completely irrefutable and it forces even an opposing heart to surrender. It is possible to compose an outwardly smooth and elegant political speech, a headstrong article, a social program, or a philosophical system on the basis of both a mistake and a lie. What is hidden, what distorted, will not immediately become obvious.

Then a contradictory speech, article, program, a differently constructed philosophy rallies in opposition - and all just as elegant and smooth, and once again it works. Which is why such things are both trusted and mistrusted.

In vain to reiterate what does not reach the heart.

But a work of art bears within itself its own verification: conceptions which are devised or stretched do not stand being portrayed in images, they all come crashing down, appear sickly and pale, convince no one. But those works of art which have scooped up the truth and presented it to us as a living force - they take hold of us, compel us, and nobody ever, not even in ages to come, will appear to refute them.

So perhaps that ancient trinity of Truth, Goodness and Beauty is not simply an empty, faded formula as we thought in the days of our self-confident, materialistic youth? If the tops of these three trees converge, as the scholars maintained, but the too blatant, too direct stems of Truth and Goodness are crushed, cut down, not allowed through - then perhaps the fantastic, unpredictable, unexpected stems of Beauty will push through and soar to that very same place, and in so doing will fulfil the work of all three?

In that case Dostoevsky's remark, "Beauty will save the world", was not a careless phrase but a prophecy? After all he was granted to see much, a man of fantastic illumination.

And in that case art, literature might really be able to help the world today?”

Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn - Gulag Archipelago (Vol. 1 , Vol. 2 , & Vol. 3 )

Did you just actually asked for proof that China is a dictatorship? 😂😂😂 What kind of idiot question is that (Answer: the type of idiot statement that's put out by somebody has absolutely no understanding of the topic at hand whatsoever yet Despite this feels they need to express their opinion). Even a 10 second Google search will pull up zillion articles discussing this. What's next? Are you going to ask if water is wet? 😂

http://japan-forward.com/when-the-world-wasnt-looking-china-built-the-perfect-dictatorship/

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/aug/29/china-a-new-world-order-review-are-we-conniving-with-a-genocidal-dictatorship

https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Dictatorship-China-21st-Century/dp/9888208942

https://www.ft.com/content/cb2c8578-adb4-11e7-aab9-abaa44b1e130

https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2018/04/02/a-deepening-dictatorship-promises-a-grim-future-for-china/
https://www.cfr.org/blog/china-likely-enter-another-long-period-severe-dictatorship

Lol, And you don't get to use the free "speech crap" when talking about group like the CCP whp actively state they don't support free speech, they actively work to suppress free speech abroad, clearly state free speech is a threat to the Communist party, and imprison people in their own country for free speech. And by the way, even in free countries there are some limits placed on free speech.

> and when did the bombing begin? When was Lam Bun burned alive? May? July?


What does that have to do with Tsang's arrest? His charge is from law that are enacted as a part of the state of emergency declared. The Atlantic still reports HK are under the effect of riots by November.


> Given that HK has zero positive political development and only dictators being dictators imposing rule by man, I'm pretty sure most of HK will hate those happy with your statement.


Yeah I don't care about those people's happiness, I care that they wallow in self-pity and stop doing things they said they believe in. Happy, free, rich, most of the world can't even get two out of three.


For those who are still reading, I recommend The Politics of Small Things by Jeffrey C. Goldfarb for a starting point.


> There are no alternatives with you and your comrades other than taking the money they toss at you, laying back, and enjoy being raped at gunpoint.


See? That's the kind of hyperbole that make you laughable.

1. Insist on forcing a label on another person without evidence.
   
   
   
2. Insist on using words like "rape" to describe political change, trying to trigger negative associations. 
   
   
   
3. Imagine China using guns for coercion, when cases like S. Korea proves that economy is the PRC's most powerful weapon, with its laws a close second for "internal dispute".
   
   
   I never imagined I will show my current findings in a thread not many are going to read, but here are some alternatives:
   
   
   (Warning: not advocating crime here, just some finding of possibility so far)
   
   
   
4. Work with/in the system
   
   
   There are many concern groups even before Umbrella, but a few become politically active (eg. Eddie Chu). Another way is becoming a government official and 'change from within'. Naive? True, but the alternative is losing one's voice within the system.
   
   
   
5. Grassroot changes (Umbrella in communities)
   
   
   Often talked about after Umbrella, changing from bottom up. There are a few successful cases eg. Tai Wo Estate concern group, but it's 'small stuff', not an example getting attention from foreign press. Would HKers be actually interested in working for the community?
   
   
   
6. Mass movement (the Tea Party model)
   
   
   Not lying on the street, but a coordinated, mass action against Hong Kong government rule.
   
   
   The question is, how many people are willing to give up their jobs to do that full time? How to convince other people this is viable under the current political climate? Since it can take a long time, how would one keep up the pressure and not fall off like Umbrella?
   
   
   
7. Change via fear (the Imperial Japanese model)
   
   
   So people said they hate CY, or those legislators, or those PRC officials. Around 80 years ago, some Imperial Japanese army officers took the matter into their own hands and change the policy of Japan.
   
   
   The question is, obviously, who would be willing and able to do it, and how can it be sure that they don't actually make public opinion turn the other way, like MK riots.
   
   
   There will definitely be more, the above are not confirmed solutions, just some 'alternatives' as you specified.
   
   
   I'd dare you to do better, but your mind is probably in 'fight' mode right now. Let's cool down and have another go tomorrow?
   
   

Tow straps, anyone?

I've always wondered what would happen if you hooked up a 2"x20' tow strap while these vehicles were stopped or moving slowly past a roadside tree. These straps usually have an ultimate break strength of 17,000 lbs, so there's no way they're getting away if caught at a standstill and the strap is attached to something springy, like a tree.

Some of these riot vehicles still have their stock recovery points, but attaching a strap to the cage armor they use on their water cannon/UNIMOG trucks would do a helluva' lot of damage if they were to drive away.

Alternatively, with a large enough tow strap, like a 6"x30' tied to concrete blocks or something or parked vehicles or something, you could effectively trap one of these riot trucks and/or block off a street. The strap can hold 60,000lbs, and a significantly heavy weight at the end would absorb the energy of an impact well.

It's like how they stop the AT-AT's in Star Wars... but with offroad recovery straps!

The HK Police's UNIMOG has some weak points as well. A tow strap could be attached to anything circled in yellow, and a tree, or some other heavy object on the side of the road. If the snorkel circled in red could somehow be blocked, the engine would receive no oxygen and stall. Due to the purpose of a snorkel (water fording) it makes sense that this is the only air intake for the engine.

Alternatively...

...you could always climb on top like this dude in Chile! High risk, high reward though. With a crowbar, you could likely break into some access panels. If not, a battery-powered angle grinder would definitely do the job.

Additionally, there are two access hatches on each side. I don't know what's in there, but a Moltov thrown in there would have good ventilation to combust, but it would be difficult to put out because of the louvered shutters. You'd be effectively using their own design against them.

Some other important points...

• The tactical vehicle (?) is a Mercedes UNIMOG 437.
  
• The water cannon trucks are likely Mercedes Actros 4/New Actros
  
• The HK Police's UNIMOG uses Michelin XZL/X-Force tires. These are tough but NOT run flat. A large enough puncture and they would deflate beyond a point where the central tire inflation system could NOT maintain pressure.
  
• Not sure what tires the water cannon vehicles use, but likely similar tires.
  
• However, these tires may include run-flat addons.
  
• It may be possible to throw a fishing net over the watercannons, which would entangle them and prevent them from moving. If two people approached the vehicle from either side with a net attached to tall poles, and laid the net over the watercannons, this might work. Best to weigh down each corner of the net with a brick.
  
• Putting sugar or salt in a gas or diesel tank will NOT BE EFFECTIVE. Water or sand may be effective.
  
• Water may be most effective; both gasoline and diesel float on water. Enough water in a fuel tank and the engine could hydrolock or starve.
  
• Sand may clog the fuel filter, thus starving the engine.
  
• Some photos:
  
  • Water cannon schematics
    
  • Water cannon right/front
    
  • Water cannon left/rear/partial interior
    
  • Water cannon front closeup
    
  • Water cannon chassis/drivetrain (best I could fine was a scale model of the MB Actros).
    
  • UNIMOG left/front
    
  • UNIMOG snorkel closeup
    
  • UNIMOG drivetrain
    
    Hopefully some of you find this helpful. Trying to do what I can from halfway across the world! Stay strong, Hong Kong!

A Hong Konger (u/aamici) made some stickers that you can get here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/AlefYodhAlef/shop
Note from him: Redbubble, as far as I can tell, doesn't produce in China. Although I make very little profit from the sales, I will put any I do make towards supplies here in HK :)

Some t-shirt suggestions: (credit to u/isaacng1997)

https://www.amazon.com/Stand-Hong-Kong-Democracy-T-Shirt/dp/B07T4L5HYV/ref=sr_1_95?dchild=1&keywords=hong+kong+tshirt&qid=1570481992&sr=8-95

https://www.amazon.com/Free-Hong-Kong-Democracy-T-Shirt/dp/B07T5PHW2L/ref=sr_1_99?dchild=1&keywords=hong+kong+tshirt&qid=1570481992&sr=8-99

https://www.amazon.com/Free-Hong-Kong-Extradition-Protest/dp/B07VWSCV1P/ref=sr_1_24?dchild=1&keywords=hong+kong+tshirt&qid=1570481921&sr=8-24

https://www.amazon.com/Hong-Kong-Support-Democracy-Freedom/dp/B07XVZT6B4/ref=sr_1_27?dchild=1&keywords=hong+kong+tshirt&qid=1570481921&sr=8-27

https://www.amazon.com/Free-Hong-Kong-Democracy-T-Shirt/dp/B07VZZKN9N/ref=sr_1_53?dchild=1&keywords=hong+kong+tshirt&qid=1570481992&sr=8-53

Added bonus, the 1 Star reviews from CCP supporters are pretty funny.

How YOU can help Hong Kong:

Study examples in history on how the masses are successful in self liberation. Organise discussion groups and engage in direct action to disrupt the legitimacy and authority of the government. Take the time to understand different police and urban guerrilla tactics. Distribute hope and materials (literature and otherwise) required to ensure freedom is achieved by any means necessary. If you don't believe in success then others wouldn't. The victory to freedom starts with you.

Some good reads:

On Democracy https://g.co/kgs/zhuxB7

Minimanual of the Urban Guerrilla https://g.co/kgs/PhaAJc

https://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Volunteers-Irish-Republican-Army/dp/1581605706

On Protracted War https://g.co/kgs/reoYbH

Guerrilla Warfare https://g.co/kgs/eLJcRS

Best option would be to enroll in a course, at least in the beginning to get your pronunciation correct/the fundamentals. If that's too expensive you could try this book. I've recommended it to friends and it's been helpful. If you don't want to pay I'm sure you can find a pdf somewhere.

Beyond that, just talk/hang out with hkers. Old people may give you a hard time but younger generation Hkers are generally very happy to see a foreigner speaking Cantonese.

Edit: TV shows are good too but they speak pretty quickly and with difficult vocab so maybe watch some targeted towards kids.

Well, the book isn't related to HK. Only the dedication tbh, It's just a sci-fi adventure.

You can check it out here and even read the first chapter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VGLX7CP If you want a paperback, I'm still trying to work out how can do that part- I'll hopefully have paperbacks available by tomorrow. If the ebook sounds like something you would enjoy (it's not for everyone, and that's ok) then you can PM me your email. That way I can buy it on Amazon myself and gift it to you as a thank you!

Tuttle has a lot of admirers and if you like the "story" method of remembering glyphs it can be fun and productive. I don't know if it's as effective for someone who already speaks fluetly, though. The drawback is that Tuttle only uses pinyin. You have to work just with the character and english definition, then supplement by looking up on Cantodict.

Hey Taybyrd, I read an amazing book as a kid about Guillain-Barre. It might help. It was called Masks. http://www.amazon.com/Masks-Hatrick/dp/0531095142/ref=sr_1_89?ie=UTF8&qid=1336515493&sr=8-89

Do you have this or would you like this?

I'm all tied up with our toddler, but if you don't mind it, I can try and find this book for you and swing by one weekend with the toddler.

Are you in HK for the next six months?

Sorry to hear about your condition and I hope you're doing well.

Oh PS I am a dude too.

Sorry, that article was just crap.

If you want to keep cool and smelling fine, you need 3 things (unisex):

1. underwear from uniqlo http://www.uniqlo.com/us/product/men/loungewearunderwear/airism
   
   
2. deoderant - skip the lynx, buy something fragrance free and natural (not to mention cheap) at sasa or similar places (I haven't found it in Mannings or Watsons) http://www.thesuperiorshave.com/Shaving_Creams.html#osma
   
   
3. for ultimate dryness - get your hands on some Snake Brand Prickly Heat Cooling Powder (developed for colonialists in South East Asia) - http://www.amazon.com/Snake-Brand-Prickly-Cooling-Powder/dp/B007ROHPUU - available at Fanda
   

https://www.amazon.com/Grease-Premium-Original-Formula-Lubricant/dp/B00ZYA48Z4

I know the original meaning, I explained the fucking joke.

This is a leaderless movement, therefore, we will not accept any organization acting on our behalf. If you wish to donate supplies, check this list out:

• This helmet is a favorite
  
  
• This tactical helmet is holy grail for front line defenders
  
  
• Need unlimited amount of respirator cartridges - 60926
  
  
• Air tight googles
  
  
• Some people prefer full face respirators
  
  
• Tactical vest
  
  
  Do you have a receiving address in HK?
  
  Edit: Added a helmet.

https://www.amazon.com/Free-Hong-Kong-Democracy-T-Shirt/dp/B07VZZKN9N/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=Free+Hong+Kong&qid=1566074379&s=apparel&sr=1-5

these comments are so funny... and a little bit sad.

Should pick a shirt that doesn't have the flag. Hong Kongers hate that flag, but donated. Some suggestions:
https://www.amazon.com/Stand-Hong-Kong-Democracy-T-Shirt/dp/B07T4L5HYV/ref=sr_1_95?dchild=1&keywords=hong+kong+tshirt&qid=1570481992&sr=8-95

​

https://www.amazon.com/Free-Hong-Kong-Democracy-T-Shirt/dp/B07T5PHW2L/ref=sr_1_99?dchild=1&keywords=hong+kong+tshirt&qid=1570481992&sr=8-99

​

https://www.amazon.com/Free-Hong-Kong-Extradition-Protest/dp/B07VWSCV1P/ref=sr_1_24?dchild=1&keywords=hong+kong+tshirt&qid=1570481921&sr=8-24

​

https://www.amazon.com/Hong-Kong-Support-Democracy-Freedom/dp/B07XVZT6B4/ref=sr_1_27?dchild=1&keywords=hong+kong+tshirt&qid=1570481921&sr=8-27

​

https://www.amazon.com/Free-Hong-Kong-Democracy-T-Shirt/dp/B07VZZKN9N/ref=sr_1_53?dchild=1&keywords=hong+kong+tshirt&qid=1570481992&sr=8-53