A Manifesto on Freedom

[NewDay2006]

1st please understand that I didn't read the whole thread. I don't intend to go into what I agree with or disagree with in politics. I want to simply share something that happened at work the other day.

 

I was speaking to a lady and a man at work the other day. We were talking about about my son Peipei. I think we were talking abuot him doing good lately in school. Some how the lady asked me doesn't he know how lucky he is to be in America? My response was, he didn't think life was so bad in China even though he likes it here....

 

Anyway the lady got very upset and started to talk bad about China human rights and how they treat thier people.

 

I wasn't trying to dispute or agree with her assertions, I simply was trying to say that I've been there 5 times in the last 6 years and I never experienced anything negative. This lady became livid and told me I didn't know what I was talking about... I didn't get angry or anything as this was her right and me speaking politics at work isn't why I get paid to come to work everyday.

 

My point is, why do we(americans), think that we are #1 society in the world. I feel that we do have good morals in this country in many ways. I'm glad to be a citizen. But does that mean we get to look down on our noses at other societies?

 

American has been here for 200 or so years. China has been around a lot longer. Maybe China has problems and can improve on things, but can't America? I'm sure this lady can

[Guest ShaQuaNew]

Some how the lady asked me doesn't he know how lucky he is to be in America? My response was, he didn't think life was so bad in China even though he likes it here....

 

Anyway the lady got very upset and started to talk bad about China human rights and how they treat thier people.

 

I wasn't trying to dispute or agree with her assertions, I simply was trying to say that I've been there 5 times in the last 6 years and I never experienced anything negative. This lady became livid and told me I didn't know what I was talking about... I didn't get angry or anything as this was her right and me speaking politics at work isn't why I get paid to come to work everyday.

 

My point is, why do we(americans), think that we are #1 society in the world. I feel that we do have good morals in this country in many ways. I'm glad to be a citizen. But does that mean we get to look down on our noses at other societies?

 

American has been here for 200 or so years. China has been around a lot longer. Maybe China has problems and can improve on things, but can't America? I'm sure this lady can

 

What kind of prejudice is worse? The kind that openly mocks and disdains a people, or the one that wears a coat of arrogant superiority? The former, gets its diploma from ignorant parents and friends; and ironically enough, so does the latter.

[Guest jin979]

unfortunatly many americans think USA is #1 best country and know nothing of others but what they hear from other people like them.

 

i moved here for my husband here. not that i think USA is best, really it isnot any better than other countries. but many still think USA is something special. maybe in the past it was. but know USA has probably the the most closed mind and restrictive immigrationof all westen countries.

the words on the statue of libitiy are now a lost thing

[Guest ShaQuaNew]

unfortunatly many americans think USA is #1 best country and know nothing of others but what they hear from other people like them.

 

i moved here for my husband here. not that i think USA is best, really it isnot any better than other countries. but many still think USA is something special. maybe in the past it was. but know USA has probably the the most closed mind and restrictive immigrationof all westen countries.

the words on the statue of libitiy are now a lost thing

 

 

Nothing wrong with being patriotic Jin. Isn't that what you'd expect from the people of any country? The world and the economy have changed from the days the words were inscribed on the Statue of Liberty. What happens so much with Americans however, is they develop an arrogant superiority toward the people of other nations.

[Guest jin979]

unfortunatly many americans think USA is #1 best country and know nothing of others but what they hear from other people like them.

 

i moved here for my husband here. not that i think USA is best, really it isnot any better than other countries. but many still think USA is something special. maybe in the past it was. but know USA has probably the the most closed mind and restrictive immigrationof all westen countries.

the words on the statue of libitiy are now a lost thing

 

 

Nothing wrong with being patriotic Jin. Isn't that what you'd expect from the people of any country? The world and the economy have changed from the days the words were inscribed on the Statue of Liberty. What happens so much with Americans however, is they develop an arrogant superiority toward the people of other nations.

 

agree nothing wrong with love for your country, just no country #1. and we dont move here for how good you think usa is but for you.

[Appaullo]

Point taken

Edited May 8, 2009 by Appaullo (see edit history)

[Guest jin979]

better we stay on topic about china

[Guest ShaQuaNew]

unfortunatly many americans think USA is #1 best country and know nothing of others but what they hear from other people like them.

 

i moved here for my husband here. not that i think USA is best, really it isnot any better than other countries. but many still think USA is something special. maybe in the past it was. but know USA has probably the the most closed mind and restrictive immigrationof all westen countries.

the words on the statue of libitiy are now a lost thing

 

 

Nothing wrong with being patriotic Jin. Isn't that what you'd expect from the people of any country? The world and the economy have changed from the days the words were inscribed on the Statue of Liberty. What happens so much with Americans however, is they develop an arrogant superiority toward the people of other nations.

 

agree nothing wrong with love for your country, just no country #1. and we dont move here for how good you think usa is but for you.

 

I hope you've seen by now, that telling most any American that they are not number one in anything or everything, is like taunting a bunch of crazed soccer fans in their home stadium....

 

[knloregon]

The feelings of moral superiority (US looking down on China) are so thick sometimes it seems you can cut it with a knife.

 

When I checked in on this thread, I focused on the liberal press. And I'm sorry, NewDay that you got racked over the coals at work---but I'm not surprised.

 

Let me give you a recent example: In the print version of yesterday's Oregonian 5/6/09 ----they were doing a follow up of last year's tragic earthquake in Sichuan province. As usual, The Oregonian, because its international reporting resources are limited, took the two stories it ran off the wire.

 

BUT THAT IS NO EXCUSE!~!! No self respecting news organization passes on information it doesn't check------and approve of. Taking stuff off the wire----and running it in ink is exactly the same as printing it yourself -----thats what editors are for>

 

Cut to the chase: Audra Ang, a reporter for the Associated Press, in reporting on the aftermath ---plus one year--- of this massive quake said this: "The death of so many children has touched a nerve nationwide, raising questions about corruption and mismanagement that have flourished amid China's breakneck economic growth and whether the country's ONE PARTY DICTATORSHIP would ever accept blame."

 

How dare she!!!! How dare the ASSOCIATED PRESS!!! HOW DARE THE OREGONIAN!!! A DICTATOR IS ONE STRONG MAN! Ok, Ms An. we are going to have a line-up of all the leaders of China---and we will start with the picture of the mourning leadership of China, bowing in tears to the Nation----which one is the dictator Ms. Ang? Perhaps Premier Wen Jiabao?? --- who was at the epicenter within hours of the quake?? Or is the true dictator Hu Jin Tao??? ----maybe all of the 17th. Party Congress huh Ms. Ang???

 

The quake of May 2008 was tragic, but it was a natural event. China should, and has investigated building standards, but the leadership doesn't deserve this kind of crap. Even today, no sane observer doubts that China's leadership did more post quake than GW Bush did post Katrina.

[Guest ShaQuaNew]

The feelings of moral superiority (US looking down on China) are so thick sometimes it seems you can cut it with a knife.

 

When I checked in on this thread, I focused on the liberal press. And I'm sorry, NewDay that you got racked over the coals at work---but I'm not surprised.

 

Let me give you a recent example: In the print version of yesterday's Oregonian 5/6/09 ----they were doing a follow up of last year's tragic earthquake in Sichuan province. As usual, The Oregonian, because its international reporting resources are limited, took the two stories it ran off the wire.

 

BUT THAT IS NO EXCUSE!~!! No self respecting news organization passes on information it doesn't check------and approve of. Taking stuff off the wire----and running it in ink is exactly the same as printing it yourself -----thats what editors are for>

 

Cut to the chase: Audra Ang, a reporter for the Associated Press, in reporting on the aftermath ---plus one year--- of this massive quake said this: "The death of so many children has touched a nerve nationwide, raising questions about corruption and mismanagement that have flourished amid China's breakneck economic growth and whether the country's ONE PARTY DICTATORSHIP would ever accept blame."

 

How dare she!!!! How dare the ASSOCIATED PRESS!!! HOW DARE THE OREGONIAN!!! A DICTATOR IS ONE STRONG MAN! Ok, Ms An. we are going to have a line-up of all the leaders of China---and we will start with the picture of the mourning leadership of China, bowing in tears to the Nation----which one is the dictator Ms. Ang? Perhaps Premier Wen Jiabao?? --- who was at the epicenter within hours of the quake?? Or is the true dictator Hu Jin Tao??? ----maybe all of the 17th. Party Congress huh Ms. Ang???

 

The quake of May 2008 was tragic, but it was a natural event. China should, and has investigated building standards, but the leadership doesn't deserve this kind of crap. Even today, no sane observer doubts that China's leadership did more post quake than GW Bush did post Katrina.

 

I was with you all the way until the last sentence. The most tragic part of hurricane Katrina was not the hurricane, but all the political wrangling about it. The amount of waste and corruption going on post-Katrina, far surpasses the stupidity of the local government for not making sure the local population got the hell out of town.

[knloregon]

What warning did Beijing have before the quake?

[Guest ShaQuaNew]

What warning did Beijing have before the quake?

 

 

Yes. So very true. It's not only Beijing, but all of China. The outpouring of help and spirit I witnessed from the people of China after this most awful earthquake, was inspiring and touching. No matter where you turned in China, people were struggling to either get to the city to help, give money, or become a part of the relief effort.

 

When you look at the Western press, whether in the aftermath, or to this day, it's filled with spins and twists that intend to impose blame upon poor construction, or toss a bomb at the Chinese government. This continues to go on, even while the families who lost loved ones and children are still mourning their loss. These methods are insulting and rude to the people of China, who love their country, their government, and all it's people.

 

There is a somebody must pay mentality in the US, that is simply sickening. When I look around me today, I see a country of people that want a better life for their children. They are slow to blame, but quick to help. They don't get stuck on what should or could have been done, but rather on what needs to be done.

[Guest Tony n Terrific]

unfortunatly many americans think USA is #1 best country and know nothing of others but what they hear from other people like them.

 

i moved here for my husband here. not that i think USA is best, really it isnot any better than other countries. but many still think USA is something special. maybe in the past it was. but know USA has probably the the most closed mind and restrictive immigrationof all westen countries.

the words on the statue of libitiy are now a lost thing

 

 

Nothing wrong with being patriotic Jin. Isn't that what you'd expect from the people of any country? The world and the economy have changed from the days the words were inscribed on the Statue of Liberty. What happens so much with Americans however, is they develop an arrogant superiority toward the people of other nations.

 

agree nothing wrong with love for your country, just no country #1. and we dont move here for how good you think usa is but for you.

 

I hope you've seen by now, that telling most any American that they are not number one in anything or everything, is like taunting a bunch of crazed soccer fans in their home stadium....

 

They apathy that has set into America the past 5 years is taking its toll. We as Americans think we are numero uno and we have been resting on our laurels now for too long. We were and can be a do'er nation again. We just to have a little confidance in ourselves. We have alot of horses in our stable to achieve great things for all the world to benefit from.

[GZBILL]

 

Cut to the chase: Audra Ang, a reporter for the Associated Press, in reporting on the aftermath ---plus one year--- of this massive quake said this: "The death of so many children has touched a nerve nationwide, raising questions about corruption and mismanagement that have flourished amid China's breakneck economic growth and whether the country's ONE PARTY DICTATORSHIP would ever accept blame."

 

How dare she!!!! How dare the ASSOCIATED PRESS!!! HOW DARE THE OREGONIAN!!! A DICTATOR IS ONE STRONG MAN! Ok, Ms An. we are going to have a line-up of all the leaders of China---and we will start with the picture of the mourning leadership of China, bowing in tears to the Nation----which one is the dictator Ms. Ang? Perhaps Premier Wen Jiabao?? --- who was at the epicenter within hours of the quake?? Or is the true dictator Hu Jin Tao??? ----maybe all of the 17th. Party Congress huh Ms. Ang???

 

You must be confused.

 

The term is one party dictatorship. It means a one-person dictatorship, but a system where only one party rules. That only one party holds power in China is a fact.

 

Perhaps you would have understood it better if they had hyphenated the term and written it as one-party-dictatorship?

[knloregon]

Unfortunately, as a form of government there is no such thing as" "a one party dictatorship"

 

...part of why this is such a BS article to be flying under the AP banner.

 

The defining political characteristic of a dictator is one person rule---not one party---an autocracy.

 

The way dictators rule is to politically or physically eliminate those who challenge their power. plenty of clear examples last century---Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini, and yes, even Mao from about the early 1950's, up to and including most of the Cultural Revolution.

 

After the Cultural Revolution, when Deng was installed, the government of China clearly turned its back on Strong Man rule.

 

It would have be accurate to call China's government an oligarchy at that time, but since then, continues to broaden its base. the 17th. Party Congress was the most inclusive, and standing committees from that continue to exercise substantial advisory power.

 

China has an Authoritarian government, but its no where close to a dictatorship-----and hasn't been for more than 30 years.