It is unclear whether it is a demonstration of his own disregard for human rights or the new power China holds on the world, but President George Bush has decided that he will go to the opening of the Olympics. Various human rights groups encouraged Bush not to attend — a modest show of opposition to China’s crackdown on Tibet and a wide array of dissidents.
In Japan, Bush explained that not going would “make it more difficult to be able to speak more frankly with the Chinese leadership.” Hmmmm. One would not want difficult conversations with a nation that is repressing Tibet, arresting journalists, and cracking down on any form of true free speech. However, Bush said that he would bring of the human rights thing while celebrating the games. Given the worldwide criticism of his own torture program and alleged war crimes, that will likely be an enlightening moment for Chinese President Hu Jintao.
He may also stop to thank the Chinese for their wonderful torture material after it was recently disclosed that his Administration copied from the Chinese torture manual used on U.S. troops in the Korean War. Click here.
Lord only knows what the generous Chinese hosts will send Bush back with on this trip. It is certainly time for an upgrade on the torture program.
For the full story, click here.
What about the FREEDOM OF RELIGION in China? Shouldn’t we try to convince them to limit religious freedoms like we do in the US? I understand that China allows the practice of polygamy in rural Tibet because it is a ‘religious tradition’. Here in the US, they would be jailed, harrassed, their children taken, etc.
In China, individuals have the right to take to court those who proselytise, harass, or otherwise threaten in the name of religion. Again, TOO MUCH FREEDOM. The US is superior because religious criminals are free to bilk the elderly, the infirm, etc. with promises of healing or whatever. This gets cash into the economy instead of being hoarded for the future to pay for food and medicine. These religious scammers are able to get BILLIONS of dollars each from the gullible masses, YEAH CAPITALISM!
If the Republicans are so against socialized medicine, exactly why is it they don’t opt out of their single-pay, taxpayer supported health care?
Wonder the VP’s premium, if he were to even get an hmo or ppo, with his existing conditions.
I’ve yet to meet a Republican that turned down social security payments either.
Hope the first bill the democrats pass is to stop wasting taxpayer dollars on Congress…let them buy their own health care coverage.
Suddenly socialized medicine will be up there with gay marriage and flag burning. Blah, blah, blah its Bill Clinton’s fault we don’t have socialized medicine.
The right-wing, wide-stance, toe tapping bathroom crap is too much. It is not Republican’s tax dollars. It is American tax dollars and these dollars should go for the common good.
Flag are you smoking something and not sharing with the rest of us, or are you just fresh out of school? Every 3 months I have to buy my prescription out of Canada because it’s way cheaper then if I have to buy it here in the US using my Medical Insurance. Why would the Canadians come down here to a health care system that really needs fixing, and probably isn’t any better then ours? Take going to the Dentist for an example. After a couple visits to the dentist I am already maxed out on my coverage. The dental policy for a $1500 coverage per person is at least over 30 years old and legislation has not done anything with that policy, and prices have gone up since then.
FLAG,
Say hi to Martha and Dundar and Niblet for me.
Yes, Obama for change! You do not know what change Obama has in store for you? I don’t think so, he has never told us that. And, BTW, democratic congress ok’d the rebate check loan from China! Obama is for a more perfect Medicare program and total socialized medicine . Ever hear of the Canadians who are REALLY sick? They cross over to US for medical help because they would die waiting for medical help in their socialized medical system. Wake up America!
Flag,
The reason we have a huge debt to China is the Republican Congress under George W. Bush. They gave him everything he wanted for the wealthy and his war in Iraq. And we borrowed all of it. The only way we will get our economic house in order is for Obama to win the White House. It will be good to have someone who has actually balanced a checkbook before.
Why do you think that we are in debt to China? We have came to rely so much more on China then ourselves. If only our founding fathers can see this.
China also lent the US money to pay us our rebate checks. China makes most of our goods. We are in debt to China. China holds the purse stings. Congress, not Bush, is responsible for the debt we have with China. Congress, not Bush, is responsible for all that happens to the US. Congress, not Bush, should be run out to sea and drowned.
Money talks people, as much as we’d all like to be righteous about the entire Chinese Human Rights-Issue; we should thank the Chinese (and their forced labor, ironic isn’t it) for owning most if not all of our loans towards the war in Iraq/Afghanistan. I’m pretty sure, we’d definitely not appreciate them calling in their loans. That’s the position we’ve been put in. There has been so much greed between outsourcing jobs, and the all holy NAFTA that we no longer can successfully substantiate our own living habits. Lets not forget the unfair trade floats that China pulls, whilst throwing misc. tariffs from foreign countries. For a second, more depressing fact, there will be plenty of American Competitors participating in the events..
I’m sure they’ll care afterwards.
Although, I’m being unfairly bitter towards this… I’m just upset about the whole thing. Bush cares about throwing our money problems into tomorrow so that we can all enjoy it outside of his term.
I think we need some more Patriots
That Tibet is an historical part of China is fact, however, Tibet is trying to break free from the Motherland. But an independent Tibet would soon be controlled by the West, and this would compromise Chinese national security. Therefore, China has a deep and fundamental right to maintain unity with Tibet.
If you think of the uprising as a civil war, then you’ll understand how wrong it would be for Bush to boycott the opening ceremony.
Sounds like Bush least likes the middle east then the rest of the world.
Durrrrr, I thought that was the idea of a boycott?!?!? The point is to step on toes and make people uncomfortable. Bush is such a dork and an embarrassment to our country. He’s pretty tough talking to the MidEast but turns belly up on China. Where’s “Bring ‘Em On!” Bush when a stand needs to be made? At least he was able to up the oil prices for his cronies before he left office. And… There is no oil shortage, only a shortage on logical, responsible leadership out of the White House. Such a dork!
He will probably get a better reception than at the RNC convention.
It is easier to say “treat all its people well” than to do it. TO make 1.3 Billion people all happy itself is a mission impossible.
It is not wise to isolate 1.3 Billion people from the world big family.
While I respect the depth and wisdom of Chinese culture they have never been historically a society that honored the individual, especially those individuals without family, wealth or power. The current Chinese Government betrayed any attempt to turn China into a just society that treated all its’ people well. They have in fact become a fascist government in the classic sense of intertwining with business. They do not deserve the Olympics and they had no right to occupy Tibet.
All the western media talked about “Tibet crackdown”. Do you understand that those “peaceful Monks” start riots first? Hundreds of shops were put on fire, 5 Chinese girls were burn alive. What do you expect Chinese government to do under this situation? Let them continue?
Chinese people may not agree with Chinese government on many things, But they are behind government on Tibet and Olympics. Chinese government helped Tibet so much all those years. Two facts about Tibet: 1. Tibetant life span doubled, 2. Their population doubled since 1950. Repress?
Preident Bush is absolutely right, he understand Chinese people. Olympics is not only a government project, but also a Chnese people one. When I was on a business trip in Beijing, a taxi driver, who appearently has not much education, was trying to learn English, to offer a better service to foreign athletes. It is like Chinese people prepared best food at home, invite the whole world to her home for a party, some of your westerners slap her on the face! Chinese people will remember this for her life.
As for the torture materials, that is really ridiculous. What make you think it is true? American did something bad, and they claim they learn it from Chinese! Chinese can also say they learn all the bad things from American!
I say whaaaa, that’s the problem with some of the World these days we feel that we have to kiss someone’s butt to get what we want. So China would think it would be big insult if we didn’t attend the games big deal. Since when we started to pay attention what China might think? Are we afraid if China gets insulted that they will no longer let us do anymore outsourcing? That’s ok, because it’s time that we started bringing the jobs back to the USA to help bring this ecomony back to it’s feet. The American people are starving, going homeless, taking up prositution because they can’t find any work that they can do because it going over seas. This country was started by the American People with no help from other countries what makes us think that we need help from them now after over 200 years?
Bush, you are afaid of insulting Chinese Communist Party (CCP). However, you are really insulting American people who supports freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and basic human rights.
After so many years talking to CCP leadership, what kind of human-right improvement have you found in China? None. CCP keep persecuting Falun Gong practitioners for 9 years without a stop. Olympics become CCP’s excuse to arrest Falun Gong practitioners, tibetans, and people who have different voices with their government.
Wake up, Bush. Stand on and support the righteous side.
Bush, Bush , Bush, not that we would be insulting China, because do you think they even care about insulting us with all the recalls, related to food and products? No, the issue is that we do not want to BITE the hand that feeds us. China owns so much of the U.S. that its ridiculous. So come on now Bush, tell it like it is. China has the U.S. by the bazongas, and we are sitting there taking all the pain, and can’t even yelp.
Jimmy Carter staying away from the Olympics accomplished so much didn’t it.