Tibet: Shame on China
As might have been predicted, the outcome of the Communist Chinese suppression of the protests in Tibet was worse than feared. Reports are now putting the number of those massacred at 80-100. To me, this is a painful indicator of the value the Chinese place on Tibetan lives. With all their experience in crowd control, don’t tell me that the massive numbers of security forces the Chinese have in place in Lhasa and elsewhere couldn’t contain a protest, even a rowdy one, when the people had nothing more at their disposal than stones and firecrackers. Why did they have to shoot the Tibetans down like dogs in the street?
His Holiness the Dalai Lama is currently using his strongest language in quite some time, referring to the Chinese “rule of terror” in Tibet and that their policies amount to “cultural genocide”. That seems about right.
Tibet, Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Burma, Darfur: the Chinese record of human rights abuses both within its political borders and abroad is appalling (equally appalling is my own country, which just removed China from its list of “worst human rights offenders”). If there were ever a time to boycott an Olympic Games and its sponsors, wouldn’t you say this is it? Take action here. And here.
UPDATE from Mooj and Nita: This has got to be the last straw. Feline death camps?!
Today is the 10th day of the lunar calendar, traditionally sacred to Padmasambhava. Darisuren arranged for us to offer a Shower of Blessings tsog ceremony in a ger at the foot of the Bogd Khan Mountains. To my delight, about 30 people showed up. These shots show just a few:
Before we began, I talked about what was happening in Tibet. I reminded everyone that the Tibetans – the Mongolians’ closest spiritual brothers and sisters – were fighting for exactly the same religious freedom that the Mongolians were just now enjoying. They understood this completely, of course, and we agreed to dedicate the merit of our ceremony to the Tibetan people and their brave struggle for self-determination.
Please support the Tibetans in whatever way you are able. This is who we’re trying to create a better world for (um, the girl, not the plastic ox):
Unfortunately, shooting people down IS the Chinese method of crowd control. My husband's comment was,"oh yeah, it's EASY to pick on the Buddhists. Barbarians..." (the Chinese are the barbarians, in case it wasn't obvious)
We will be boycotting all Olympic coverage this year.
Posted by: Carol | March 16, 2008 at 04:09 PM
Carol, that's a good start, but not watching isn't enough. You have to tell NBC you will not be watching, and why. Looks like you can do that here.
Posted by: Konchog | March 16, 2008 at 07:26 PM
I didn't want to read the news coverage because it would upset me, but, by reporting about the offerings ceremony, you made it easier for me, less grim. Thanks.
Posted by: Christian | March 17, 2008 at 01:21 AM
Hey, Hoss, I know it was an accident, but I didn't preview that link you posted that's supposedly to NBC and got this horrific story about the cat round-up instead.
NBC's website says you can email them about the Olympics at: nbcolympicsfeedback@nbcuni.com.
Posted by: Leamur | March 17, 2008 at 12:29 PM
After watching the video on the cat & dog round up, which was appauling. I really don't know how that country was picked??? The people are heartless they dont care about human life nor animal life. 1st time I will boycott the olympic. USA
Posted by: Cate | June 24, 2008 at 06:46 PM