Former Chinese 'dissendent' died

I've always been interested in the immense and continual civil rights abuses in China, and note that they get virtually zero attention on this board from the people who accuse Bush and Cheney of every civil rights abuse imaginable, even when there isn't any evidence to support their allegations.

Brandon9000 wrote:

I've always been interested in the immense and continual civil rights abuses in China, and note that they get virtually zero attention on this board from the people who accuse Bush and Cheney of every civil rights abuse imaginable, even when there isn't any evidence to support their allegations.

American movies get more attention on able2know than Chinese movies too. Same with music, books, culture, language, news....

It could be some political bias but it could also be the whole more Americans than Chinese thing. You probably pay less attention to Chinese liberals than American ones, for example.

It is logical that Americans, which many of the members here are, might talk about their own country more, even in a negative way, simply because it is their country. However, my gut feeling is that there are many members here who are tempermentally disposed to seek bad things to say about America.

....I for one will criticize America's record on human rights much more readily than China's and that's mainly because America positions itself as a leader in that regard (and no, this is not just some impression, the US likes to do stuff like grade the world on these things and give them all report cards) and China is notorious for it's deficiencies in that regard. America (and most of the world) simply hold themselves to a higher standard and this is reflected in that others too will hold them to a higher standard. I can also exert more influence on America's human rights through criticism than China's. For better or for worse America has a higher profile as the world's sole superpower and as such America's human rights standards are of much more global importance than China's.

The 11-page verdict, largely a restatement of his indictment, was read out Friday morning at the Beijing No. 1 Intermediate People’s Court, said Mr. Liu’s lawyer, Shang Baojun. In addition to his prison term, Mr. Liu will be deprived of his political rights for an additional two years, a penalty that will prevent him from writing or speaking out on a wide range of issues.

“We are just extremely disappointed,” said Mr. Shang, who added that Mr. Liu intended to appeal the verdict.

Gregory May, first secretary with the U.S. Embassy who stood outside the courthouse Friday morning, called on the authorities to immediately release Mr. Liu.

“Persecution of individuals for the peaceful expression of political views is inconsistent with internationally recognized norms of human rights,” he said.

Although Mr. Liu had faced a 15-year sentence, legal experts and human rights advocates said the punishment was very harsh and was meant to send a message to others who might agitate for political reform in one of the world’s longest-running authoritarian governments.

Nicholas Bequelin, a senior Asia researcher for Human Rights Watch in Hong Kong, described Mr. Liu as “a sacrificial lamb” and said that the Communist Party leadership was trying to intimidate its critics. The rights group called the trial “a travesty of justice.”

Mr. Bequelin and others said Mr. Liu’s prosecution for violating rights enshrined in China’s Constitution suggested a political hardening, a trend that began before the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

“It shows that the leadership is increasingly conservative and restrictive of basic freedoms,” Mr. Bequelin said, “and it also sends a strong message to the rest of the world that China is not really serious when it talks about human rights.”.... <cont>

A far more recent (24th December, 2009) abuse of freedom of speech and repression in China.:

Green Witch wrote:

Maybe because Bush was our home problem and responsibility. I know I felt nothing buy embarrassment during the Bush years and wanted to shout from the roof tops that I disagreed with my government. I do not feel like I can change much in China, other than boycotting their products (which is not always easy to do). I think the Chinese will have to fight their way out of their injustices as we voted our way out in the last election.

Maybe it's just the "blame America first" crowd.

Moscow Police Disperse Opposition Rally

Moscow, Russia (CNN) -- Moscow police have detained a number of anti-government opposition demonstrators following an unsanctioned protest in a downtown square just hours before the New Year.

"About 40 people were detained out of more than 200 who arrived there," said Alexander Averin, activist with The Other Russia opposition group. Averin was among the protesters but left the scene soon before the police took control of it.

Among the detained were author-turned-opposition figure Eduard Limonov and 82-year-old Lyudmila Alexeyeva, a veteran human rights activist and head of the Moscow Helsinki group....

I recall some opposition rallies getting shoddy treatment from the last administration right here.

It was in the news for eight years. Look it up.
I was saying something bad about the last administration. You righties always construe criticism of your causes as criticism of America. You are only half of America. It does not belong solely to you.

The past eight years is not 'years ago' so much as selective remembering on your part. I don't provide links very often, because conservative sites tend to dismiss that kind of story, just as you would dismiss any site that is not conservative. Effort wasted.

It takes a lot of gall to claim half of Americans don't like America, simply because their perspective differs from yours. My efforts are aimed at saving America. People with your negativity are miring it deeper.

Secondly, what happened is that I posted an article related to widespread suppression of free speech in Russia, ...