This is truly something that belongs in The Onion. Indeed, I had to double check to be sure that it was serious. China, one of the most oppressive nations on Earth, has given a human rights award to Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, one of the most oppressive and corrupt leaders in the world. China continues its almost comical issuance of the Confucius Peace Prize, its answer to the Nobel Peace Prize. China was tired of the Nobel people giving a human rights price to human rights advocates, particularly Chinese dissents or the Dali Lama. So it created its own prize to give those hard-working dictators an opportunity to shine. So this year, China is honoring a man who has destroyed the economy of Zimbabwe, starved his people, oppressed dissidents, and maintained one of the most disgusting levels of corruption and personal excess of any dictator in the world. Vladimir Putin previously won the award. Last year the recipient was that great humanitarian Fidel Castro.
The prize will no doubt fuel Mugabe’s delusional state where he denies that there is any suffering or corruption in this country.
The Chinese celebrated how Mugabe, 91, “inject[ed] fresh energy” into the global quest for harmony during his authoritarian 35 years in power. Yes like the fresh energy he has used in persecuting gays or his annual birthday extravaganzas or the endless energy his wife shows in her infamous shopping trips to Europe.
The Committee announced:
“Ever since Robert Mugabe was sworn in as the president of Zimbabwe in the 1980s, he has worked hard to bring political and economic order to the country and to improve the welfare of the Zimbabwean people by overcoming hardship.”
Honestly, that is what it said. While shame seems to no longer register in China, irony appears a Party-sanctioned theme.
Qiao Damo, the committee’s chairman, said the following with an entirely straight face: “If Zimbabwe did not have Mugabe as its president, the country would be facing great difficulty – even public security might be in danger.” Thank God Zimbabwe is not facing great difficulty given its collapsing economy and rampant corruption.
Liu Zhiqin, one of the committee’s 76 members, acknowledged, “Frankly speaking, there were internal concerns about awarding Mugabe the peace prize . . . Mugabe has been in power for such a long time that he could be easily be labelled a dictator, tyrant or despot.” Gee, you think? The question is what else could he possibly be. Nevertheless, the Committee overcame its “concerns” and embraced one of the most despicable figures in the history of Africa as a model of leadership for China.
The prize comes with an award of 500,000 yuan (£51,000) and a gold trophy. Perhaps he could put the gold trophy next to his prized, guarded commode to perfectly capture China’s latest contribution to human rights.
Source: Guardian
While it’s admirable to be kind to one another, it doesn’t follow then that the person who was kind is owed for the rest of their lives. Isn’t this a place in which we get to disagree with one another? I would hope so. Disagreement on issues doesn’t equal unkindness.
Reading comprehension seems to be a problem here. I think our teacher’s union, incompetent school system shoulders much of the blame. My complaint w/ Dr. Ninian is summed up in my saying, “It is not so much what he he says, BUT THE COMPLETE CONDESCENSION IN WHICH HE SAYS IT.” Hopefully the capital letters will assist the reading disabled.
“It’s very strange, the idea that “being kind” to ninian would somehow obligate him…”
I think if you were being kind to someone and then all they do is point out your flaws, that calls into question the utility of being kind.
It is not odd to expect others to be collegial.
Nick,
You appear to be looking for something more in your relationships here on this blog. It’s very strange, the idea that “being kind” to ninian would somehow obligate him to express certain kinds of opinions or at least stifle them. It’s as if you want moderate this forum.
“People are here to discuss topics and exchange ideas, not for a lesson in debating techniques.”
1. If you are here to discuss topics and exchange ideas, then please do so.
2. If, however, you try to accomplish that by resorting to logical fallacies, then you should expect those trained in logic to point out your error, as logical fallacies cannot be used to prove your point because they are -by definition- fake or deceptive arguments, arguments that prove nothing.
It would be like using fake evidence to hang someone, like CBS’ dan Rather and the faked Bush Nat’l Guard fax, or much of the global warming data.
It’s irrational to expect debaters not to point out errors of fact or logic.
David, Apparently, in the case of Arafat, the Nobel meant being a terrorist. In Obama’s case, being Drone King assassin was the criteria.
I don’t even want know who was on the menu at the awards dinner.
This kind of reminds me of the Nobel Peace Prize going to Yasser Arafat and Barack Obama. What do these “peace prizes” really mean? Everybody has a different idea of what peace is and how to obtain it.
People are here to discuss topics and exchange ideas, not for a lesson in debating techniques. It is condescending and arrogant. One debating trick is to try to diminish the opponent.
KCF, And you and I were kind to this guy when he first arrived. Live and learn.
Ninian,
Tu quoque is perhaps the most commonly used informal logical fallacy, probably because it appeals to lazy intellectuals.
It is, however, a most tiresome approach; too boring and predictable.
May I direct you to some more uncommon logical fallacies, so you can mix things up a bit?
Master List of Logical Fallacies
A well-crafted Straw Man fallacy is always enjoyable.
Good luck!
“Those who do not understand history are doomed to repeat it.” A reading of the original ninian post shows that many commenters here, including an MD, were quite gracious to this facial surgeon. We AMERICANS certainly treated him better than did his own country. It is not so much what he says, but the complete condescension in which he says it. I suppose, it is the condescension that attracts his fellow haters of this great country.
“And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32
Any “great country” ought to be able to take the heat.
(Not surprised at Nick Spinelli’s tack/approach, though: “The good doctor was the subject of a post.” Predictable.)
If you’re tired of ninian constantly blasting this great country, I would suggest you research the archives and see how he came to the Turley blog. The good doctor was the subject of a post.
The Chinese just warned the UK not to bring up human rights in any of their trade talks and the U.K. Is obliging. We have turned over all of our mmanufaturing needs to China. We live in dangerous times. We are in many ways a Chinese colony.
The Saudis now chair the UN Human Rights Council. And we send billions to the theocrats in the MIDDLE EAST. Insanity.
Mugabe needs a Mao hat.
A completely pointless award
The Science geek
http://www.thesciencegeek.org
I am a dog. I poop in a yard. I am not sure what a “commode” is. But China used to be called
“Red China”. The other nation state was called “Nationalist China” and is now Taiwan. Now days we Americans refer to the mainlaind old Red China as just “China” and the so called free China is now Taiwan. We do this so as to hide the fact that even though Red China is still a horrible place for civil rights, that is a good place for the Koch Brothers. Oh, word has it that the Koch Brothers will be getting the award next year– along with Mitt Romney.
Well of course this is a ridiculous award and has been made for that purpose.
It is no different to the support given to other despots.
Over the last century, the United States government has often provided, and continues to provide today, financial assistance, education, arms, military training and technical support to numerous authoritarian regimes across the world. A variety of reasons have been provided to justify the apparent contradictions between support for dictators and the democratic ideals expressed in the United States Constitution.
And it’s all balderdash. Murderers are murderers and are not entitled to support.
Unless it is the American government that is providing such report.
So come on Professor Turley – a little less hipocrisy please.