Flow Void
@flowvoid.bsky.social
With time comes distance. With distance comes perspective. With perspective comes wisdom.
Depends who you ask.
November 12, 2025 at 6:04 AM
Depends who you ask.
That's equivalent to a declaration of war. Generally not desirable.
November 12, 2025 at 6:03 AM
That's equivalent to a declaration of war. Generally not desirable.
I think America violated Iraq's right to exist. But violating rights is not the same as committing a crime.
November 12, 2025 at 6:02 AM
I think America violated Iraq's right to exist. But violating rights is not the same as committing a crime.
Most countries can generally agree on whether a country has a legal right to exist.
And that's sufficient. Once a legal right exists, I don't really have to consider moral rights. Which is a good thing, since nobody can agree on moral rights.
And that's sufficient. Once a legal right exists, I don't really have to consider moral rights. Which is a good thing, since nobody can agree on moral rights.
November 12, 2025 at 5:59 AM
Most countries can generally agree on whether a country has a legal right to exist.
And that's sufficient. Once a legal right exists, I don't really have to consider moral rights. Which is a good thing, since nobody can agree on moral rights.
And that's sufficient. Once a legal right exists, I don't really have to consider moral rights. Which is a good thing, since nobody can agree on moral rights.
Of course they do. Mutual recognition of borders is among the first legal steps that every new country makes.
November 12, 2025 at 5:56 AM
Of course they do. Mutual recognition of borders is among the first legal steps that every new country makes.
The CSA did not have a right to exist. But not because of its system of government. Plenty of bad governments nevertheless have a right to exist.
The CSA did not have a right to exist because there was no mutual agreement with other countries to respect its borders. Same would go for Starport TX.
The CSA did not have a right to exist because there was no mutual agreement with other countries to respect its borders. Same would go for Starport TX.
November 12, 2025 at 5:53 AM
The CSA did not have a right to exist. But not because of its system of government. Plenty of bad governments nevertheless have a right to exist.
The CSA did not have a right to exist because there was no mutual agreement with other countries to respect its borders. Same would go for Starport TX.
The CSA did not have a right to exist because there was no mutual agreement with other countries to respect its borders. Same would go for Starport TX.
I'm just using the legal definition.
November 12, 2025 at 5:50 AM
I'm just using the legal definition.
You asked whether the US has a right to Puerto Rico. It does, because the recognized borders of the US include Puerto Rico.
Rights are simply a mutual agreement.
Rights are simply a mutual agreement.
November 12, 2025 at 5:45 AM
You asked whether the US has a right to Puerto Rico. It does, because the recognized borders of the US include Puerto Rico.
Rights are simply a mutual agreement.
Rights are simply a mutual agreement.
Rights are enshrined by law. So if countries legally agree to respect each other's borders, then they have a right to exist.
November 12, 2025 at 5:44 AM
Rights are enshrined by law. So if countries legally agree to respect each other's borders, then they have a right to exist.
And when Saudi Arabia decides that UAE doesn't have a right to exist?
November 12, 2025 at 5:42 AM
And when Saudi Arabia decides that UAE doesn't have a right to exist?
All of these are settled by international agreement.
The recognized borders of the US include Puerto Rico.
I don't believe that Crimea is recognized as part of Russia, though it may yet happen.
The recognized borders of the US include Puerto Rico.
I don't believe that Crimea is recognized as part of Russia, though it may yet happen.
November 12, 2025 at 5:41 AM
All of these are settled by international agreement.
The recognized borders of the US include Puerto Rico.
I don't believe that Crimea is recognized as part of Russia, though it may yet happen.
The recognized borders of the US include Puerto Rico.
I don't believe that Crimea is recognized as part of Russia, though it may yet happen.
It's not moral philosophy at all.
Countries agree to respect borders because they expect the same in return.
Countries agree to respect borders because they expect the same in return.
November 12, 2025 at 5:38 AM
It's not moral philosophy at all.
Countries agree to respect borders because they expect the same in return.
Countries agree to respect borders because they expect the same in return.
So would it be ok to invade Saudi Arabia? Assuming you could do so with minimal loss of life?
November 12, 2025 at 5:36 AM
So would it be ok to invade Saudi Arabia? Assuming you could do so with minimal loss of life?
If toppling Saddam was good, then why was invading Iraq bad?
November 12, 2025 at 5:34 AM
If toppling Saddam was good, then why was invading Iraq bad?
Crimes against humanity exist but they are committed by people, not nations.
So for example, the crimes committed by Putin have nothing to do with whether Russia has a right to exist.
So for example, the crimes committed by Putin have nothing to do with whether Russia has a right to exist.
November 12, 2025 at 5:33 AM
Crimes against humanity exist but they are committed by people, not nations.
So for example, the crimes committed by Putin have nothing to do with whether Russia has a right to exist.
So for example, the crimes committed by Putin have nothing to do with whether Russia has a right to exist.
If North Korea has no right to exist, then we should feel free to invade it and gift its people the opportunity to exercise their right to self-determination!
It worked in Iraq!
It worked in Iraq!
November 12, 2025 at 5:29 AM
If North Korea has no right to exist, then we should feel free to invade it and gift its people the opportunity to exercise their right to self-determination!
It worked in Iraq!
It worked in Iraq!
"You have a right to exist only if we agree with your form of government" is basically the premise of neo-conservatism. It leads to leaders like George Bush invading countries like Iraq in order to give their people a chance to taste sweet American-style self-determination.
November 12, 2025 at 5:27 AM
"You have a right to exist only if we agree with your form of government" is basically the premise of neo-conservatism. It leads to leaders like George Bush invading countries like Iraq in order to give their people a chance to taste sweet American-style self-determination.
I'm saying that self-determination does not depend on democracy
North Korea is profoundly undemocratic, but it nevertheless has a right to self-determination
North Korea is profoundly undemocratic, but it nevertheless has a right to self-determination
November 12, 2025 at 5:25 AM
I'm saying that self-determination does not depend on democracy
North Korea is profoundly undemocratic, but it nevertheless has a right to self-determination
North Korea is profoundly undemocratic, but it nevertheless has a right to self-determination
Here's how most countries approach this problem:
1. Define international borders
2. Don't claim authority within the borders of other countries
I realize the US doesn't live up to these rules, but most other countries do, most of the time.
1. Define international borders
2. Don't claim authority within the borders of other countries
I realize the US doesn't live up to these rules, but most other countries do, most of the time.
November 12, 2025 at 5:22 AM
Here's how most countries approach this problem:
1. Define international borders
2. Don't claim authority within the borders of other countries
I realize the US doesn't live up to these rules, but most other countries do, most of the time.
1. Define international borders
2. Don't claim authority within the borders of other countries
I realize the US doesn't live up to these rules, but most other countries do, most of the time.
So it's valid when women are legally prohibited from voting, provided men aren't voting to suppress women? What?
November 12, 2025 at 5:16 AM
So it's valid when women are legally prohibited from voting, provided men aren't voting to suppress women? What?
(Keep in mind that when Lincoln was elected, half the adult population was not allowed to vote).
November 12, 2025 at 5:13 AM
(Keep in mind that when Lincoln was elected, half the adult population was not allowed to vote).
November 12, 2025 at 5:11 AM
(Keep in mind that when Lincoln was elected, half the adult population was not allowed to vote).
If they had a right to exist, then why was their vote for secession invalid?
November 12, 2025 at 5:04 AM
If they had a right to exist, then why was their vote for secession invalid?
Did the Confederate States of America have a right to self-determination?
Can the people of Starport, TX make Musk their ruler over a capitalist utopia where federal law no longer applies?
If the family living on Zuckerburg island decide to secede from the rest of Hawaii, do they have that right?
Can the people of Starport, TX make Musk their ruler over a capitalist utopia where federal law no longer applies?
If the family living on Zuckerburg island decide to secede from the rest of Hawaii, do they have that right?
November 12, 2025 at 5:01 AM
Did the Confederate States of America have a right to self-determination?
Can the people of Starport, TX make Musk their ruler over a capitalist utopia where federal law no longer applies?
If the family living on Zuckerburg island decide to secede from the rest of Hawaii, do they have that right?
Can the people of Starport, TX make Musk their ruler over a capitalist utopia where federal law no longer applies?
If the family living on Zuckerburg island decide to secede from the rest of Hawaii, do they have that right?
Does Canada have a right to exist? If not, why can't the US declare that it is the 51st state?
November 12, 2025 at 4:55 AM
Does Canada have a right to exist? If not, why can't the US declare that it is the 51st state?