Pelosi on China & Tibet: What do you think, DU?

[Sparkly]

US House Speaker slams Chinese 'oppression' in Tibet

by Nicolas Revise 1 hour, 41 minutes ago

DHARAMSHALA, India (AFP) - US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi slammed Chinese "oppression" in Tibet on Friday as thousands of Tibetan exiles cheered her arrival in this Indian hill town to meet the Dalai Lama.

In a trip that angered Chinese officials, she flew into Dharamshala, seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile, to pay the first high-level call on the spiritual icon after anti-Chinese riots erupted in Tibet nearly two weeks ago.

"Speaking for myself, I would say if freedom-loving people throughout the world do not speak out against China's oppression in Tibet, we have lost our moral authority to speak on behalf of human rights anywhere in the world," said Pelosi, draped in a golden scarf given to her by the Dalai Lama.

"The situation in Tibet is a challenge to the conscience of the world. What is happening, the world needs to know," she told thousands of refugees waving Tibetan and US flags, who roared with approval.

"We are with you to meet that challenge. We are with you in this challenge." The northern town was jammed with crowds of refugees, some with children hoisted on shoulders, and maroon-robed monks. Streets were festooned with banners proclaiming "American-Tibet Friendship."

(more)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080321/pl_afp/chinaunresttibetrightsdalaiuspelosi

Whatcha think, DUers?

[katty]

1. glad she did this - PLEASE Kick some ass over here as well!

[tekisui]

2. I think she is right, and I am proud of her.

I wish she showed this type of leadership dealing with chimpy&co.

[leftofcool]

3. How about taking care of America first, Nancy!

[Faux pas]

18. Ditto! Whatever happened to 'clean up your own back yard

first'? There's plenty to do here.

[Vincardog]

4. The only thing I want to hear Pelosi say is "Impeachment hearing start today."

[babylonsister]

5. I'm glad she went and like what she said.

Now, compare and contrast:

Bush: Politics not a factor in Olympics

By BARRY SCHWEID, AP Diplomatic Writer Thu Mar 20, 4:55 PM ET

WASHINGTON - China's crackdown in Tibet will not cause President Bush to cancel his planned trip to the Beijing Olympics, the White House said Thursday.

At the same time, the administration interceded on behalf of Tibetan protesters and requested a firsthand look at how Chinese police were dealing with them.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke to Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi Wednesday night for about 20 minutes, urging restraint and also Chinese talks with the Dalai Lama, the Tibetans' spiritual leader.

To underscore U.S. disapproval of the crackdown, Rice then told reporters on Thursday that "We are certainly concerned about the situation in Tibet" and that she hoped China would exercise restraint.

The Dalai Lama, she said, is "an authoritative figure" who stands not for independence but for Tibetan cultural autonomy.

Presidential spokeswoman Dana Perino said Bush's position is that the Olympics "should be about the athletes and not necessarily about politics."

more...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080320/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_olympics

[pscot]

6. I wish more of our public officials

had the courage to speak out.The Chinese occupation of Tibet is pure evil.

[housewolf]

7. Good for her!

Good move, Nancy! Thank you.

[madrchsod]

8. a very good thing to do on her/our part

latest from boing boing



http://www.boingboing.net/2008/03/21/bbtv-vlog-xeni-tibet.html
BBtv Vlog (Xeni): Tibet's uprising and the internet - Boing Boing

[mdmc]

9. leadership

the closest thing we will get to see to leadership

[Middle finga]

10. She should be confronting the tyrants here at home first

before she attempts to confront tyrants abroad.

[zonmoy]

11. sounds like a normal democrat.

always more than willing to confront those that are called tyrants abroad. while refusing to do anything about the crimes of the tyrants that run our own government. I am certain it is because they are increasingly part of the criminal cabal themselves.

[gmudem]

12. Very strong statement by her.

And we may have an administration that seems to have a great antipathy towards freedom here at home, but comparing our treatment to the treatment of Tibetans is absurd.

[Mike03]

13. For the first time in a while I was very proud of her.

My only question, is what moral authority to we (the U.S.) have right now to speak out against violent oppression?

But it's important to speak out, and my heart was warmed by her comments.

[Mike03]

14. P.S., that is a lovely picture--I'm saving it to hard drive!

And thank you for posting this.

In the shuffle of important stories, this one might get lost. But thanks to many people at DU like you and others, there's been a lot of attention paid to this sad chain of events.

With Gratitude...

[Sparkly]

16. I liked it, too.

And thanks for your nice words. :hi:

[lonestarnot]

15. Well, now, what about

those detainees over at Gitmo that are tortured in our name? Do they have a Dolly Llama?

[RichardRay]

17. Tibet needs help, just as so many places do...

and right now the Tibetans are giving it their best shot. HHDL is a smart guy, as well as a wise one; I complement Pelosi on stepping up to this particular plate.

Free Tibet.

[Wizard777]

19. We lost all moral authority with "impeachment is off the table."

She just needs to shut the freak up! She's already said far too much. If she's never heard from again it will be far too soon.

[Wizard777]

20. Okay so what poisons will China be putting in our toothpaste over this next week

You know if they were Muslims. We would be bombing the hell out of them for putting lead in our toothpaste and date rape drugs in our baby toys. But it's okay just as long as it's china doing it and not Al Qaida.

[stimbox]

21. I wonder what she would say if the Chinese CIA was agitating the Native Americans to rise up here?

Hmmmmmm.

[horseshoecrab]

22. A simple thank you

I'd like to simply thank Speaker Pelosi for expressing her support of the Tibetans and for slamming the Chinese oppression in Tibet.

Contrast her actions and statement with that our our (snort) "president."


horseshoecrab