Matthew Hedges jailed for life in UAE

[SpackleFrog]

The Pet Shop Boys. Yuk.

 

[Idaho]

I'm baffled by all the "serves him right" comments to be honest. He was doing research. Are you all saying you agree with criminalising academic freedom?

I agree that academic freedom is essential. But there is a kind of reprehensible arrogance/obliviousness in academia. And consequently a shameful pleasure in seeing highly intelligent people blunder up against brute force.

 

[not-bono-ever]

edit too much info

 

[pocketscience]

Still a shithole of a country. I wouldn't piss on the ruling class and their lackeys if they were collectively on fire to put them out.

would you piss on the ruling class in the UK if they were collectivly on fire? and if not, does that make the UK any less of a shithole?

 

[SpackleFrog]

there is a kind of reprehensible arrogance/obliviousness in academia. .

Cheers. You'll find that most other places too.

 

[hash tag]

I agree that academic freedom is essential. But there is a kind of reprehensible arrogance/obliviousness in academia. And consequently a shameful pleasure in seeing highly intelligent people blunder up against brute force.

Theres the rub. Countries like the UAE don't recognize academic freedom, especially if it clashes with their ideology or criticizes those in charge.

 

[likesfish]

academic freedom is a dubious idea at best
Key legal flaws in the Boston College oral history project

see this farce.

the idea that a University could defend keeping evidence from the courts due to "academic freedom" is ridiculous.

now if the archive had disappeared into a vault and not been seen for 30 odd years they might have got away with it.

As controversial project stumbles to an end, BC reflects on where things went wrong - The Boston Globe

“The question that is unanswered is, why was the process not followed with this project?” said Susan Michalczyk, assistant director of BC’s Arts and Sciences honors program and president of the university’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors. “There should have been direct faculty oversight. Academic freedom can only be maintained when people adhere to the policies that preserve ethical practices.”

 

[SpackleFrog]

Theres the rub. Countries like the UAE don't recognize academic freedom, especially if it clashes with their ideology or criticizes those in charge.

Countries like Britain don't recognise the right to housing or the right to income, it doesn't mean we just accept it.

 

[SpackleFrog]

academic freedom is a dubious idea at best
Key legal flaws in the Boston College oral history project

see this farce.

the idea that a University could defend keeping evidence from the courts due to "academic freedom" is ridiculous.

now if the archive had disappeared into a vault and not been seen for 30 odd years they might have got away with it.

As controversial project stumbles to an end, BC reflects on where things went wrong - The Boston Globe

“The question that is unanswered is, why was the process not followed with this project?” said Susan Michalczyk, assistant director of BC’s Arts and Sciences honors program and president of the university’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors. “There should have been direct faculty oversight. Academic freedom can only be maintained when people adhere to the policies that preserve ethical practices.”

That isn't about academic freedom, it's about failure to secure informed participant consent.

E2A: Which can be a fucking difficult issue to be fair.

"I need to explain how this research could be used and talk you through the confidentiality process including your rights to anonymity"

"It's fine, I trust you, let me tell you about this one time..."

 

[teqniq]

'Why is no one talking about how 9 British judges – including a Lord – work for the UAE?'

 

[hash tag]

David Steel

 

[teqniq]

Gravy train innit. At least for the people at who consider themselves our lords and masters.

 

[hash tag]

They have obviously been employed to give an air of respectability to the local judicial system. It's outrageous that they would do this. Flabbergasted and speechless.

 

[kebabking]

Gravy train innit. At least for the people at who consider themselves our lords and masters.

I know a teacher - a teacher so shit that my wife refused to give him a positive .reference and he couldn't get supply work - who lives and works in the UAE. He earns about £120k for a 4 day week, subsidised/free accommodation and flights, and little or no tax.

He is by no means a 'lord and master', he's just a mercenary wanker - and he's not alone: nurses, doctors, and engineers who are all very happy to suck the despot cock and watch the money roll in.

 

[Jeff Robinson]

would you piss on the ruling class in the UK if they were collectivly on fire? and if not, does that make the UK any less of a shithole?

Jim Davidson chose to live in the UAE. No further proof needed on the shithole front.

 

[dessiato]

A few seconds ago
Matthew Hedges: jailed British academic pardoned by UAE

Matthew Hedges: jailed British academic pardoned by UAE

 

[not-bono-ever]

Favourable outcome to a shitty situation-Hunt is a master statesman and diplomat.

Comparatively

 

[Argonia]

That is good news.

 

[andysays]

Will make for an interesting next meeting with his PhD supervisor...

 

[not-bono-ever]

Conversely, it has opened channels with the UAE regime that may allow him better access by doing it formally next time and PR for the states . As long as he is suitably contrite in public of course

 

[agricola]

Favourable outcome to a shitty situation-Hunt is a master statesman and diplomat.

Comparatively

I suppose it all depends on what we have given them in exchange.

 

[hash tag]

I reckon they were after a few miscreants to pardon on national day, so they went and rounded a few up, slung them inside and then, OH, we will pardon a few people.

 

[The Fornicator]

I'm told UAE Intel is heavily ex-MI6 and this is a warning to a fuckwit who has been trying to sell bit sand pieces of sensitive info picked up from local contacts over time. He's not a fantasist nor a gov man, just been a very silly boy. Sentence will be changed.

They've let the silly bollox go. Should keep him on the straight and narrow, and warn off any others.

 

[Treacle Toes]

A few seconds ago
Matthew Hedges: jailed British academic pardoned by UAE

Matthew Hedges: jailed British academic pardoned by UAE

Did he have to admit to spying for Mi6 to secure this release then?

https://nypost.com/2018/11/26/man-c...oned-after-allegedly-admitting-hes-with-mi-6/

 

[JimW]

Surely MI6 could have checked out the UAE's weapons purchases without resorting to spying so long as we've kept copies of our invoices?

 

[The Fornicator]

He's a chancer. Suits him perfectly to be associated with an org that wouldn't touch him with a barge pole.

 

[Pickman's model]

Did he have to admit to spying for Mi6 to secure this release then?

https://nypost.com/2018/11/26/man-c...oned-after-allegedly-admitting-hes-with-mi-6/

tbh if i was facing life imprisonment and the way out was to admit links with mi6 i can't say hand on heart that i'd dismiss the notion out of hand.

 

[andysays]

tbh if i was facing life imprisonment and the way out was to admit links with mi6 i can't say hand on heart that i'd dismiss the notion out of hand.

If I've understood the story correctly, the admission came before the conviction and sentencing, rather than the pardon being granted after he 'confessed' and the pardon being conditional on the confession.

 

[belboid]

He's a chancer. Suits him perfectly to be associated with an org that wouldn't touch him with a barge pole.

you seem very informed

 

[Pickman's model]

you seem very informed

it's an illusion