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"It is important to educate those who have an open mind. I held many of the same prejudices prior to my visit. It was quite an eye opener. Yes it still is a totalitarian government, but one that is changing rapidly and not going back."

It sure was good to read your words!

There are changes going on in China, some good and some bad, but that is simply 'human nature' and 'human nature' has no boundaries.

China has a massive population, but they also have the national minorities which number in the millions ---- each with their own language and customs. There simply has to be a strong central government.

But when you travel around China, you find people just living their lives. Many doing as they have done for centuries. But even in the 'boonies' you find modern conveniences and a standard of living unknown only a few years ago.

In just a few years they have come from the dark control of the Mao years to the freedoms they have now. There is a sense of unity in China that has kept them together throughout their long and turbulent (and absolutely fascinating) history. They are an amazing people.

And as with any group, they want only what others want ---happiness and prosperity for themselves and their families. Not any different than us.

I agree. I will be returning to visit many other smaller towns (<1 million ;-)). I was amazed that after all my different travels I was very comfortable with the Chinese and felt very at home sharing many meals (many very long hours of meals) with them. Just walking around you could see the diversity of people within the Chinese culture that was staggering to contemplate.

After the earthquake I had to bite my tongue at all the idiots that were piling on. I couldn't help but to wonder if they were foreign plants here to destroy Chinese and American relations. There was a real reaching out by many in China to this forum. Sadly, it was poisoned by a very predictable and rabid few.

For the few morons who are ruining it for everybody else I would like to share some of the conversations I had with my hosts about Conservatives in America. To the person they would rather deal with Conservatives then with their liberal counter parts. They have a past history of dealing with them that left many millions dead and hundreds of millions starving. They know liberals all to well if you can gain their trust to talk about it.

For those whose wisdom is pulled from their nether regions, I suggest you do some traveling and especially spend some time in modern China. If you don't want to learn than just shut up on these threads.

Just my 2 cents.

P.S. I logged into FR everyday while in China.

Your words ring very true. You obviously have spent some quality time in China. People are just living their lives wherever you go. Most I talk to are extremely thankful for the incredible changes that have taken place here over the past 30 years and they are optimistic about the changes that will occur as China moves forward.

I was not trying to let China off the hook when I wrote the article. There are still a lot of changes in the works. But I do know one thing...much of the information that the West is still circulating about China is 10 years old...a lot has changed in a decade.

And as with any group, they want only what others want ---happiness and prosperity for themselves and their families

Does that include freedom and liberty complete with all associated costs? Even risig up against their totalitarian government at the price of life and limb?

Are they really becoming that committed or is the economic improvement simply providing a convenient Band-Aid for their long oppression?

Are they fooling themselves? And with all due respect....are you?