Time to Boycott the Great Revolution

China seems set on its dastardly course of repression and violence in Tibet. Worse than the Chinese hard line is the Chinese hard neck - for they are blaming the Dalai Lama for the violence! Not only are they visiting terrible violence on protestors, they are blaming the victims for the aggression. This underscores the point that so many seem to miss: China does not care a whit what you or I think of their policies, nor do they fear the opprobrium of world leaders. They are exclusively concerned with the way these events are portrayed to their own people. Recent history has shown that no other nation has the stomach to challenge them in any meaningful way - even that great friend of freedom, George W. Bush seems unconcerned about freedom or democracy for the Chinese people. The west has adopted a policy of engagement (i.e. trade) with this enormous and powerful nation, confining any expression of disapproval to mutters and weak statements. The sad truth is that China has won the (not especially) cold war - it thrives whilst the west wrings its hands.

Isn't it time that the people of the world stood up for the oppressed citizens of China? If we demanded that our leaders boycott the Olympic Games, and if we stay away in our thousands, we will give the Chinese authorities a story that they cannot reasonably "spin" to their people. And such an expression of people power could only be viewed with alarm by those who preach the beneifts of revolution whilst imprisoning people for having the temerity to speak their mind!

People Who Live In Glass Houses...

And so the Bush administration coasts along on fumes as the US turns its thoughts to who will next occupy the White House. It was fascinating to see the recent meeting between the Republican candidate, John McCain, and Deep Thought. McCain kept the great man waiting and seemed at pains not to appear too friendly. It may be that he wanted the endorsement and the votes of the numbskulls who thought Bush was doing a great job and re-elected him, but didn't want to alienate those voters who are likely to vote GOP but don't like "W". I suspect that the car which drove McCain away from the White House had no rear-view mirror. I further suspect that one of the most entertaining side-shows next November will be the efforts of the Republican Party to keep "Brains" as far away from the candidate as possible. He long ago shifted from being an embarrasment to being a liability.

Meanwhile the Democrats are trying in vain to keep the Obama/Hillery contest polite. Despite calls for a debate on the issues, free from personal rancour, matters such as race and record are continually floating to the surface. Much of the trouble has been caused by supporters and campaign staffers - the two candidates regularly find themselves in the difficult position of having to distance themselves from long-time associates. This week, Obama had to cut his ties with his pastor, a man with whom he had a twenty-year assocation - the man who had married the Senator and baptised his children. Ouch.

Hillery, looking more desperate by the day, continues to suggest that Obama just isn't ready for the responsibilities of the Presidency. And she seems likely to fight to the bitter end. Even if she fails to win the majority of delegates, it is still possible for her to get the nod, for tactical reasons. Were this to happen, we could see war within Democrat ranks, with Obama supporters crying foul. The question on everybody's mind is whether the party will be able to heal the scars of this contest and consolidate support for the eventual victor? As the battle between Hillery and Obama gets nasty and mired in personal ire, it seems less likely that the final round of this game will be Happy Families!