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"As much as I hate to say it, I know beyond a doubt that the next weeks are going to be nasty. He’s leading, and there are people who simply cannot stomach the idea of his beautiful family living in the White House. There will be smears, all sorts of slander and lies, the likes of which you’ve probably rarely seen. So y’all, we got to pray for this man. And please . . . make sure you VOTE!" (Miryam Ehrlich Williamson)
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5 comments:
The USA once had a voice of moral authority on matters such as this. We spoke moderately and carried a big stick. Now, after Iraquagmire - actually during it too - our stick is drooping, so we have to speak with a whisper: "Let the Games begin."
What is this bullshit? Cultural holocaust? Cultures have no 'rights'. Only people do. Are there gas ovens or concentration camps in Tibet? No? Then the Chinese are just maintaining a set of reservations for the monks. In 30 years from now, or maybe more, they'll just set of some Monk Casinos like we have here in the USA for the old injuns who refused to go to junior college, put a white shirt & tie on, and go to work for the B of A.
It's instructive that Bush has been silent, as far as I can tell concerning the suppression of Tibet. When the Soviets invaded Afghanistan, Carter boycotted the Russian Olympics. Bush? He's going to attend the Chinese Olympics. Contrast that with Pelosi going all the way to India to talk to the Dalai Lama! What should we take away from this?
When you think about it, Conservatives have always talked about 'freedom' and 'liberty' mainly in the sphere of private property and industry. Liberals have always assumed that meant personal and political spheres. And the American mythologizing has always presumed that all these liberties and freedoms were mutually interdependent: capitalism needed the rule of law; entrepreneurialism required human rights, etc. But what modern Neo-Communist China, and Putin's Neo-Soviet Russia have taught us is that capitalism doesn't require democratic government; in fact, capitalism and corporations can thrive in the midst of authoritarian governance. When the Republicans talk about 'freedom', it's not about freedom of cultures, or about individual liberties. It's about freedom and liberty for all ..... CAPITAL and CORPORATISM. Never forget that.
You can thank me for pouring the coffee this morning.
Presidential spokeswoman Dana Perino, asked whether the president would rethink his plans to go to this summer's Olympics after the recent riot in Tibet:
"The president's position about the Olympics has been that this is not a political event but a chance for athletes to compete at the top of their class. This should be about the athletes and not necessarily about politics."
A month ago, Bush told the BBC in an interview that he would attend the Beijing Olympics as scheduled:
"I'm going to the Olympics. I view the Olympics as a sporting event."
Let the games begin.
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