UKking

Okay, so this isn't new at all.... It's about 12 years old. But I was not aware of this, and I wonder how many others are, so:

In 1989, the Panchen Lama mysteriously died after a speech criticizing the Chinese regime. A few years later, the next reincarnation was found by the Dalai Lama. This child was then taken by the Chinese government, and never seen ever again. In turn, the Peoples Republic of China claims the Panchen Lama is actually someone they get to select...

Unfortunately for the PRC, their stunt-double Panchen Lama hasn't been cooperating with sufficient criticism of the Dalai Lama. But good try, China!
In the meantime, the real kid is out there somewhere, either dead or languishing as "the youngest political prisoner in the world." He turns 18 this month.

Miss Mango

I knew that the Dalai Lama was exiled and currently stays in India, but I had no idea that theyd kidnapped the Panchen Lama at such a young age. That is such a shame. I hope that he is alive and healthy at the very least.

What I find funny, though, is all the articles Ive been reading about athletes protesting the Olympics in Beijing in an attempt to get China to change their stance on Tibet and Sudan. Even Steven Spielberg is protesting the Olympics (source). Apparently in San Francisco, mobs were interrupting the passing of the torch ceremony (source - source). (CNN has a boatload of info)

Perhaps all of these protests will bring light to some of Chinas stances on genocide and religious domination. Or at least make the world more aware of what is going on in Darfur and Tibet.

UKking

And check out what happened in Paris, too. Paris made some major noise.

Publicity in the first world isn't gonna do much more, I'm thinking. For the most part, it appears that the world's become galvanized. Either they're on China's side, or the rest of the 1st world's side. Ironically, most of China's proponents are gigantic human rights violators too. The 1st world stance, as we know, is that China's human rights and ethics need to shape up. But China, and a handful of allies, are of the opinion we ought to be paying attention to our own problems.

...This notion was striking to me though, because it's actually valid. We do have big social issues at home, some real injustices. And in an historical example, America had it's war with Mexico back in the day, and got Texas(looks roughly the same land area as Tibet) out of the deal. At that point, America probably embarked on a number of measures to actively integrate Texas, though I know not what, and it's speculation. How different is that from China and Tibet? For one, it's more recent... And for another, we're apparently far more morally superior nowadays.

True, they're monkeying with a very large Buddhist tradition, manipulating cultures for their own gain.... But I wonder what 'we' have done in a similar vein? On one hand, I want to keep condoning China for it's ridiculous media propaganda, and so much other stuff. But on the other hand, how hypocritical is that?

All that said, my 'gut' says that the Chinese government is composed of douche bags.