Bernie Sanders criticizes the Smithsonian for selling Chinese-made busts of U.S. presidents

[somone]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/19/AR2011011905092.html

Chinese President Hu Jintao offers assurances to U.S. business leaders
By Paul Kane, Felicia Sonmez and William Branigin

Chinese President Hu Jintao assured U.S. business leaders Thursday that China will not engage in an arms race with the United States, pose a military threat to any country or pursue expansionism. But he made clear that his government remains committed to building "a modern socialist country" and rejects foreign interference regarding Taiwan and Tibet... Hu also vowed that China would "improve the socialist market economy," adding, "We will develop socialist democracy and build a socialist country under the rule of law."

In an hour-long meeting between Hu and House leaders, Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) emphasized intellectual property protections and security on the Korean Peninsula, while Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) addressed human rights matters. Some lawmakers felt that Hu engaged in a Senate-style filibuster, speaking for 20 minutes in response to Boehner's questions related to trade and intellectual property. About 10 members of House leadership attended the meeting, with Boehner and Pelosi the only lawmakers asking questions. At one point Hu pressed Congress to do more to lift U.S. controls on exports to China. On human rights matters, Pelosi declined to comment afterward about Hu's response to her question about Liu Xiaobo, the imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize winner, and Tibet. Republicans felt Hu dodged her question. "It was a somewhat evasive answer," Boustany said...

But his day began on Capitol Hill, where he met with Boehner and with Pelosi. In advance of the visit, others in Congress were not shy about voicing their concerns and critiques of the Chinese leader. One senator, Bernard Sanders (Vt.), an independent who espouses socialist views, criticized the Smithsonian Institution for selling busts of U.S. presidents that have "Made in China" labels. "Given the state of the American economy, I would urge the National Museum of American History to do its very best to find American companies to manufacture the products that it sells," Sanders wrote to the director of the museum.

At the same time, some lawmakers have been careful to point out that China is a nation that offers tremendous economic opportunity. "Engagement with China is important," Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) said in a statement. "As the world's second-largest economy, China's trade policy has a profound effect on the United States and on the world. President Hu's state visit gives the Obama administration the opportunity to seek substantial progress on a number of areas that are vital to our economy."...

[n2doc]

1. Most of the items they sell at the Smithsonian are made in China

At least, that was my experience last time I visited. They also "renovated" the museums to put in more and bigger stores inside, with fewer exhibits.