I’d like to know what this “pro-tibet kool-aid” is, and if it has any other nasty side effects other than thinking that the people of Tibet should have a chance to elect their own government.

Comparisons between Tibet and Iraq are either a sign of poor rhetorical form, disingenuousness, or formidable stupidity. America does not claim Iraq as “an inalienable part of America” over which it has eternal sovereignty. And I assure you the Iraqi government has more autonomy than the TAR.

I also fail to see how having studied Chinese language and culture makes me anti-Chinese.

Right here and right now you will stop conflaing “anti-Chinese government” with “Anti-Chinese.” That is, unless you too have a penchant for Kool-Aid of a different flavor.

I know the situation in China is complex and I know that many Chinese are happy with their government, while many are not happy. In short, it’s complicated.

It is clear that debate with you would be futile and a poor use of my time, so I would appreciate it if you would spare yourself the trouble of writing a rebuttal and myself the agony of having to read it

@#11
I’m not sure I’d agree with that NK/China comparison. I think I’d put China somewhere between Saudi Arabia and Singapore. As someone who has lived in China, I think the majority of people live repression-free lives. I agree with #9 that the situation is (slowly) improving, as people get richer and they get better at skirting government regulation (although I’d hardly call them “free”). I agree with #11 that there is a lot of work to be done, especially for minorities.

. . . The Chinese people are free. They are free from repression; they are free to choose their lives; they are free to pursue their happiness; They are free to dissent. They don’t have the right to vote(yet).

What kool-aid have you been drinking? A simple web search will demonstrate your comments to be misinformed and divorced from factual reality. Just search under “human rights”:

http://www.hrichina.org/public/index

http://www.hrw.org/english/doc.....a12270.htm

and here is a well-balanced synopsis of China that does not mention Tibet:

http://www.globalissues.org/Hu...../China.asp

but, if one wants to be fair, they can read the Chinese Communist Party’s version of reality here:

http://www.humanrights.cn/en/

“. . . talk to Chinese people”? I have and they are very interesting too. Chinese society is not as easy to summarize but it is certainly not wholly as you have described either.

Though China has made what some could call improvements to their society, they are rudimentary at best, therefore are still “grevious faults” as I said. Such a comment is not an condemnation of Chinese leadership because of their colonization of Tibet and their insistence upon doing so but a summation of fact based upon actual events (review the links above). The Chinese Communist Party rules with one voice, one view and any dissenting opinion to such is not tolerated and can and will result in any number of repressive measures against any one or group of people that subscribe to that line of dissent. Just because some Chinese claim they are not repressed does not mean the government does not use repression either. I am sure there are North Koreans that would claim that they live in a wonderful society yet most wise observers would disagree with such a point of view.

Finally, if you think China government is so just and laudable, then move there and quit posting nonsense here or I will delete your off-topic rantings.

Get off your moralizing high-horse and learn the facts: the PRC might have its faults, but it’s hardly the evil empire you make it out to be. Your condescending, holier-than-thou attitude is annoying and shrill. Your ignorance of the reality of Chinese society is astounding. I see you’ve already drunken the pro-Tibet kool-aid so there’s little hope left for you, but to others who may be more open-minded and not brainwashed by the propaganda, I urge you not to buy into this anti-Chinese hate-mongering.

China is an overwhelming success story, and Chinese citizens have every right to be proud of their country and their government. The Chinese people are free. They are free from repression; they are free to choose their lives; they are free to pursue their happiness; They are free to dissent. They don’t have the right to vote(yet). So what? China is a society in transition; one that is changing every day and getting better every day. Chinese people are far better off than they were ten years ago, and ten years from now they’ll be even better off. Cut them some slack. Just because they don’t subscribe to your overrated Judeo-Christian worldview doesn’t makte them bad.

If you don’t believe me, go and see for yourself. Visit China, talk to Chinese people. I think you’ll see the story is alot different from some of the crap being spewed here.

The symbolism of such a picture would be priceless…but there are actually several lanterns burning at the same time from with the torch is relit.