Posted on 02/17/2004 5:48:41 PM PST by genefromjersey
I received an email today from a niece: an eager member of Move On. Someone persuaded her it would be an uplifting experience to visit that famous Peoples' Paradise : China.
The Chinese,who offered SARS to the world,take great care it doesn't come back to bite them in the "nether parts": Incoming visitors undergo a temperature scan as they enter the airport,and are questioned extensively about their health.(Needless to say, all baggage is searched with ruthless efficiency .)
The Progressive young visitor is pleasantly surprised by her high-rise apartment.It seems well appointed, and there are loads of modern appliances in the kitchen... but the electricity is quite unreliable,windows MUST be opened before the gas stove or hot water will light,the water is incredibly filthy,and must be boiled before even the most casual use.
From the windows of the high-rise,one may see the city:cloaked in dirty,yellowish fumes.If the windows are left open,the apartment quickly acquires a layer of greasy black soot.
In the center of the city is a statue-perhaps 20 stories high-of that great liberator, the late Chairman Mao. The statue is surrounded by a park,which is clogged to overflowing with unemployed and homeless people of all ages.
Not long after her arrival, our Progressive Student starts teaching English to young children-ages 6 to 16. She can't help but notice their hands are heavily calloused and torn from hard manual labor. Learning English is required if one is to get into the secondary schools.If a child is not accepted into such a school,the only option is a life of hard labor.
I have disguised locations, etc. for my niece's protection. I don't think she realizes-yet-that the Peoples' Republic monitors ALL communications,so I have taken the risk (to her) of warning her.
Wonder how "Progressive" she will feel after a few more weeks in the Peoples' Paradise ???
She will probably love it. In (South) Korea they often had bathtubs. You used them to store water in – never for bathing – because the govt would routinely shut off the water and you’d need the water in the tub for washing and cooking.
Washing (showering) was done in a western-style shower stall with a drain in the floor – using pots of water from the tub to rinse. Defecating was also done squatting over a pipe in the floor. No flushing needed – very efficient.
I never thought I suffered unreasonably. But then again, I grew up (partially) in Dalkeith FL on a houseboat that didn’t have water, electricity, or indoor facilities for pooping… so maybe it’s just me.
Not the end of the world in any sense...
. . .well her experience should offer some great metaphors for her political philosophy. . .maybe she will realize just how worn out and undeniable miserable are the ideas that guide 'progressives'.
The story lies in front of her; I hope she will eventually understand what it is, she sees.
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