Expressing Opinions

Today NPR is reporting about the Olympics and China’s human rights violations and pollution in Beijing.

Oh, there’s no problem with the construction in Beijing, but there is simply no assurance that the twin issues of pollution and human rights will be improved a whit by Aug. 8.

It isn’t, either, that these problems have snuck up on the International Olympic Committee. Pollution and human rights were foremost in the conversation way back in 1993, when the IOC came within a hairsbreadth of awarding the 2000 Olympic Games to Beijing. Sydney got the nod then, but the twin bugaboos were no less front and center in 2001, when, yea, verily, the Olympic voters blessed Beijing with these games.

For more information you can go to China Struggles to Shine in Olympic Spotlight.

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What would you think if the government made a statement like this about your religion. “Every religion should carry out their activities according to the law and should never undermine national solidarity.” This statement was made by the Chinese Public Security Minister Meng Jianzhu during a visit to three monasteries.

Chinese government officials are visiting temples and making threats to monks and other citizens about the unrest in the region. The AP (Associated Press) is reporting:

Public Security Minister Meng Jianzhu announced that “patriotic education” classes would be expanded at monasteries, the Tibet Daily reported Tuesday.

Monks and nuns who refuse to cooperate can be jailed. The U.S. State Department said in its 2007 report on religious freedom around the world that dozens of Tibetan clergy were serving prison terms for their resistance to “patriotic” or political education.

Apparently the Chinese government leaders think patriotic or political education is the answer. Is “patriotic or political education” the 21st century political correct term for tortured until you agree with us or die?

What was the Olympic committee thinking when they decided to choose Beijing as the sight for the 2008 Olympics? Maybe they are going to add torture to event list. If that is the case, then China and the U.S. Waterboarding team can compete.

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