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Bush, U.S. Media Surrender to Chinese Leader
Chicago Sun-Times ^ | April 23, 2006 | Neil Seinberg

Posted on 04/23/2006 12:09:41 PM PDT by at bay

Did I miss something? Have we already been conquered by Communist China? Did Chinese President Hu Jintao blow into Washington last week as a triumphant victor, inspecting his vanquished foe?

That's how it felt. Because of the ringing silence about China's horrid, ongoing abuse of human rights. Because of President Bush, who once reiterated our nation's pledge to defend democratic Taiwan, now stressing how we do not support official independence for that already independent nation. Because our pleas for economic relief were ignored. Because Bush not only apologized for the momentary interruption of a Falun Gong protester at the big White House welcome, but so did the media. The New York Times called it a "gaffe," as if Bush had used the wrong fork. CNN ran a whimsical report on how to deal with hecklers, as if a member of a persecuted religion crying out against a dictator is comparable to a nightclub patron hurling abuse at a standup comic.

Reuters called the moment "an embarrassing episode."

And rightly so. It's embarrassing to see our leaders roll up in the lap of tyrants and pant like puppies. It's embarrassing that Bush murmured words of apology to Hu Jintao rather than saying, "That's the price of freedom, pal -- I can't stick her in prison the way you could and would."

Actually -- speaking of embarrassment -- maybe he can. The heckler, Wenyi Wang, is not being slapped on the wrist and released, as are most who make a disturbance at political rallies. She's being charged with harassing a foreign official, a crime that carries a six-month prison sentence.

It's as if we've already surrendered.

(Excerpt) Read more at suntimes.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: china; hu; huvisit
Wenyi Wang should have the ridiculous charges against her dismissed immediately. Then she should be invited to the White House to discuss the butchery in China directly with the President.
1 posted on 04/23/2006 12:09:44 PM PDT by at bay
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To: at bay
This is a rather dumb editorial. Diplomatic visits are not the proper place to make statements about abuses of human rights. The US makes those statements frequently in official reports on human rights and foreign policy. The question of official independence for Taiwan is a complex issue, and this writer seems to take a simplistic view of the issue. It looks like our plan is for Taiwan to not become officially independent until China ultimately becomes more free and democratic, and we're working on ways to open up the Chinese political system and move China towards democracy. We don't want Taiwan to provoke China into a war where we could potentially get involved in a nuclear confrontation with China.

Try a search on "China"; there was a thread recently about all the changes in US Navy strategy to containt the Chinese military threat.

2 posted on 04/23/2006 12:44:48 PM PDT by defenderSD (¤¤ Wishing, hoping, and praying that Saddam will not nuke us is not a national security policy.)
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To: at bay
It is amazing there have been no comments on this post.

If Ms. Wang was a member of the communist Code Pinkos that interrupted the inaugural address of President Bush and the confirmation hearing of John Bolton, or if she was a member of CONgress and had punched a federal police officer, nothing would have come of it.

3 posted on 04/23/2006 12:47:31 PM PDT by Just A Nobody (NEVER AGAIN..Support our Troops! I *LOVE* my attitude problem. Beware the Enemedia!)
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To: Justanobody

I think the charges against Ms. Wang are intended to send a message to all miscellaneous protestors, malcontents, and assorted moonbats. The message is to not interrupt important diplomatic business at the White House. They can go protest in front of the WH if they so desire.


4 posted on 04/23/2006 12:50:42 PM PDT by defenderSD (¤¤ Wishing, hoping, and praying that Saddam will not nuke us is not a national security policy.)
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To: defenderSD
Diplomatic visits are not the proper place to make statements about abuses of human rights.

Should Wenyi Wang be prosecuted, yes or no?

5 posted on 04/23/2006 12:54:08 PM PDT by at bay ("We actually did an evil....." Eric Scmidt, CEO Google)
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To: at bay

Heckler's suck...period.

There are plenty of responsible ways to get attention. Shouting people down or interrupting a speech is flat out childish.

It is embarassing for any White House to host a foreign leader and have that guests speech interrupted by a bunch of shouting.

All heckling should be discouraged. It is nasty when some leftwing moonbat heckles people on our side, and it is no better when people we might otherwise agree with heckle those we surely do not approve of.

I hope this Falun Gong woman is prosecuted and jailed.


6 posted on 04/23/2006 12:57:16 PM PDT by Longbow1969
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To: defenderSD
I understand what you are saying.

I do not think charges should be filed against her, however.

7 posted on 04/23/2006 1:01:07 PM PDT by Just A Nobody (NEVER AGAIN..Support our Troops! I *LOVE* my attitude problem. Beware the Enemedia!)
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To: at bay

Well I don't think she should be charged with any kind of felony that could take away her voting rights, etc. But I think she should be prosecuted for a misdemeanor crime and it convicted then I would give her a suspended sentence of 3 months in jail, which is then suspended on condition that she doesn't do this again. If she interrupts another official diplomatic visit, then she has to serve the 3 months. This is not the way to work with the numerous countries that have a much more limited concept of human rights than we have.


8 posted on 04/23/2006 1:01:18 PM PDT by defenderSD (¤¤ Wishing, hoping, and praying that Saddam will not nuke us is not a national security policy.)
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To: Longbow1969
What responsible ways to get attention? The media and government kow tow to China. Her way was to only way. Name one other wy that would get this much attention. This woman is a hero, she stood up for what is right, when those that only care for power and money refuse to.
9 posted on 04/23/2006 1:10:04 PM PDT by gafusa
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To: at bay

Lots of T Bills in chi-com (and Muslim) hands...don't want the reserve capital in Euros now do we?


10 posted on 04/23/2006 1:31:17 PM PDT by joesnuffy
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To: gafusa
What responsible ways to get attention?

What responsible ways? Here are a few... Protest out in front of the White House. Protest in front of CNN or Fox or MSNBC carrying a sign accusing them of "kow towing" to China. Organize boycotts. Learn to speak effectively and give speeches wherever she can find an interested audience. Go to Taiwan and repeat the above. Go to countries across the world and repeat the above.

Her way was to only way.

Is that so? Okay then, so let me get this straight. So long as person believes their cause is just, or that there is no other way to draw attention to their particular issue, you would support their heckling? Well, far left groups like Code Pink believe the only way to stop the "Bush Family Evil Empire" is to shout the President down during speeches at events such as the GOP Convention, Inagural Address, etc, etc. They believe that the "corporate Media" is kow-towing to the Bush family. So you support Code Pink heckling President Bush then? Or is it that you support heckling only certain people that you personally don't care for? Is it okay for Ann Coulter to get heckled on college campuses? Some of those hecklers believe a Republican theocracy is settling across the land. They think heckling is the only thing they can do to draw attention to their cause as well. Is that okay with you?

Where does it end?

Heckling sucks. It is always childish and stupid.

This woman should be prosecuted and jailed.

11 posted on 04/23/2006 1:31:57 PM PDT by Longbow1969
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To: at bay
Did Chinese President Hu Jintao blow into Washington last week as a triumphant victor, inspecting his vanquished foe?

Like Red Buttons Hu Jintao, "Never got a dinner". That actually means something in the diplomatic world.

12 posted on 04/23/2006 2:55:36 PM PDT by Mike Darancette (Proud soldier in the American Army of Occupation..)
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To: defenderSD
she should be prosecuted

Alright, let me get this straight. She was a duly credentialed reporter for a legitimate newspaper. Security had every opportunity to deny her security clearance but did not, even though she had challenged another Chinese leader in the past. She made a comment, as reporters are wont to do. It was deemed innapopriate and she was ejected. Had Helen Thomas interupted the president with a question, would you have her prosecuted as well? If Helen said "President Bush, WILL you please stop him from killing again? Instead of what Dr. Wenyi Wang allegedly said (BTW she never said anything about his days being numbered) President Bush, stop him from killing again!

What?

Sorry, your comments can only be in the form of a question, off to federal jail for you!

Also, are you aware of the practice of so-called "free-speech zones" devised to keep dissenters at bay? Protesters should be allowed at least close enough that their voices can be heard in the background.

Don't like the fact that an abortionist might have a harder time concentrating on slicing with the sound of protesters in the background? Don't like it if the CHP set up a roadblock and have to endure the sound of a protester in the background? Democray's a messy thing, eh?

They hauled her off. Could have done it sooner if they wanted to. Cased closed.

Why not save your angst for one of plenty of genuine injustices, such as the Reds harvesting organs from non-consensual living prisoners.

13 posted on 04/23/2006 2:56:00 PM PDT by at bay ("We actually did an evil....." Eric Scmidt, CEO Google)
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To: at bay

I'll have to take a more detailed look into exactly what happened in this incident. I was under the impression that she heckled him, but perhaps that's just MSM spin on this story. I'll get back to you. You have made some excellent points.


14 posted on 04/23/2006 4:35:28 PM PDT by defenderSD (¤¤ Wishing, hoping, and praying that Saddam will not nuke us is not a national security policy.)
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To: at bay
Because of the ringing silence about China's horrid, ongoing abuse of human rights.

We lost that bully pulpit - and much more - several years ago in a place called "Waco".

15 posted on 04/23/2006 5:17:51 PM PDT by The Duke
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To: The Duke

Who do you think started the fire at the BD compound in Waco?


16 posted on 04/23/2006 5:26:19 PM PDT by defenderSD (¤¤ Wishing, hoping, and praying that Saddam will not nuke us is not a national security policy.)
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To: defenderSD

You are wrong. For a freedom fighter, every opportunity is a good opportunity. She is just a citizen and she can protest anyway she wants. We had prople protest in State of the Union, reporters ask bad questions, and protesters at the senator hearings. I believe the lady raised veru good questions and Bush adminstration just bend over for the ChiCom.


17 posted on 04/23/2006 7:15:41 PM PDT by color_tear
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To: at bay
Did Chinese President Hu Jintao blow into Washington last week as a triumphant victor, inspecting his vanquished foe?

It has felt that way for some time. There is incontestably a dearth of courage and virtue...and at the highest levels... in the supposed "land of the free, and the home of the brave."

The flag is still flying...but for how much longer?

18 posted on 04/24/2006 10:34:49 AM PDT by Paul Ross (We cannot be for lawful ordinances and for an alien conspiracy at one and the same moment.-Cicero)
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