Posted on 04/21/2006 6:13:32 AM PDT by rattrap
Yesterday China's president Hu Jintal was heckled by someone who managed to sneak into the press gallery covering a White House event. This is simply not allowed in China. In fact, when the video of Hu's remarks at the White House were shown in China the part involving the heckler was blacked out. We now learn that after the incident President Bush apologized to Hu. Apologized? For what? Did Bush apologize because someone managed to slip by White House security? If so ... probably appropriate. On the other hand, if Bush apologized because someone actually heckled the Chinese president, not good. This was a good chance for a lesson, not an apology. How about "Glorioski, President Hu, I'm do apologize that we didn't prevent that woman from slipping into our press gallery. But, you know, things are somewhat different here in the United States than they might be elsewhere. Here the leaders are directly responsible to the people, and the people have the freedom to express their thoughts, good thoughts or bad thoughts, to their leaders without fear of retribution or censorship. You ought to try it sometime."
The White House issues and approves press credentials. This woman was from a paper run by Falun Gong. Anyone who doesn't know Falun Gong is not hand in hand with the Chinese regime has no business working at the White House.
"Atcually I think it was a good thing and I wouldn't be surprised if we were somehow complicit in getting her in and giving her the opportunity"
Right on, this was the back door way of telling that clown exactly what we think of their commy country. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a fool.
I just had dinner with a business associated just back from China and his contact who is a Christian prays that his son will lead the revolt!
You people out there better understand how bad China truly is!
C-Span covering this now...callers overwhelmingly angry with Bush for apologizing.
The Chinese put a great deal of emphasis on 'face', loss of...for instance. Bush was in a difficult position yesterday, as the host representing the US, and God knows relations with China aren't easy. So whatever Bush did, he'd have infuriated somebody. At least the woman spoke her mind, and thank God for that. Interesting how this is a bookend to Tieneman(sp.?)Square. Interesting, too, how Microsoft and Google, Yahoo, other big business grovel to China. Maddening, but no big surprise...look at our borders.
I agree. The press has been playing it that she was protesting Bush as well as Hu.
Did conservatives whine about China so much when Nixon formally recognized them over 30 years ago? Face it, we have no problem with the commies there as long as they keep to themselves and tone down the anti-American rhetoric somewhat.
To be honest, I have been disillusioned with Bush. I don't think he really cares about it. I think he believes in more personal terms, like I invited this guy so stop being mean to him.
Back in '92 all the MSM types were echoing Bill Clinton's attacks on GHW Bush for doing business as usual with the "Butchers of Tiananmen Square". Now they're berating the younger President Bush for Hu's "loss of face"! If you want a conspiracy theory, how about this: the woman in question had press creds, why isn't that a MSM problem?
so when ppl heckle bush on oversea trips and set up shop next to his home its ok.... but when people speak the truth and expresses her rights, she is charged.
our founding fathers are all turning in the graves
No, They have been showing it all day. China cut the feed.
The apology was a nice gesture, but to make Hu feel at home, the SS should have dragged the woman to a nearby wall and gunned her down.
It may be a while before HU returns...but I'm of a mind that if these fools in the administration actually charge this gal with a crime...and convict her...then 50,000 of us ought to march on DC the next time that HU returns to DC...and repeat her words loud enough for everyone to hear...all the way back to Andrews if necessary. The behavior of the administration in this episode, and this funny loss of free speech law....makes the current administration look like fools than conservitives. Seems like we've lost our compass...our map...and our focus in the real world. Surely someone there in the White House grasps what freedom of speech is about...otherwise...they need to find new work.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.