Defend? AI is on trial? For what, championing human rights?
This whole thread just blows my mind. I grew up in the church, giving time and money to programs like amnesty international and UNICEF. Their programs ease the suffering for millions of people worldwide (UNICEF with hunger relief, AI with legal representation for refugees), and they do it without violence, without alterior motive, without any downside that I could possibly fathom. In my 24 years I've never heard anyone say a single thing bad about these organizations, the people who work for them do God's work in my eyes and that is coming from someone who is not particulary religious.
Next you're going to tell me that Habitat for Humanity is evil?
I tell you, this makes me angry more than anything I can remember. You people who are denouncing AI, who the fuck do you think you are? Seriously, what the hell have you done in your life that you consider yourself noble enough to spit on the kind of organization AI has always strived to be?
I'm not in favor of the Iraq war, but I'll never spit on a soldier. Don't spit on those who give charity, it's obscene.