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Huntsman supports protests over China's treatment of Tibet
26 comments | Read story
Legal Beagle | 5:07 a.m. April 8, 2008
While it is true that boycotting the opening ceremonies would be a mostly
symbolic rather than tangible form of protest, I think Gov. Huntsman's
comments demonstrate why China will never loosen its grip on Tibet, Taiwan, and
a host of other provinces that desire independence or greater autonomy: they
suffer no tangible consequences from their oppressive actions. It is painful to
say, but Nancy Pelosi was right to point out that if free nations do not stand
up for oppressed people in Tibet they lose all credibility to speak out against
oppression anywhere. Will China change its oppressive policies because a bunch
of protestors in various cities make the torch relay difficult? To China that
must feel like a gnat bite. Now, if the U.S. threatened to revoke most favored
nation trade status unless Tibet is freed, then we might see a change in Chinese
thinking. Or if the EU threatened to curtail its trade with China, or our allied
oil-producing nations threatened to reduce oil supplies to China's
burgeoning automobile addiction, we might see change. Protesting a torch will
not light a fire of true change under Chinese leadership.
liberal larry | 6:19 a.m. April 8, 2008
A Utah Republican governor coming out against, global warming and China's
oppression of the Tibetan people? If he gets anymore reasonable we may have to
claim him as a liberal!
Comments continue below
Dave | 7:21 a.m. April 8, 2008
What happened to my right to peacefully stand and cheer as the torch passes by?
good example | 8:42 a.m. April 8, 2008
We are all liberal by nature. The governor is good example of this.
Too bad the lunatic, divisionaries (aka conservatives) can't break through the wall they've created for themselves and see we are put here to serve all sentient beings the best way we can.
But they're too locked into their "We are #1!" "We are more moral!""We are conservatives!" meaningless nonsense.
Too bad the lunatic, divisionaries (aka conservatives) can't break through the wall they've created for themselves and see we are put here to serve all sentient beings the best way we can.
But they're too locked into their "We are #1!" "We are more moral!""We are conservatives!" meaningless nonsense.
irony | 8:38 a.m. April 8, 2008
You have the right to cheer the torch if you want to. Do you know that the torch
isn't an ancient Olympic tradition, but was invented by the Nazis for the
1936 Olympics? There is a great article online (BBC) called "The Olympic
torch's shadowy past", put that in a search engine to find it. Bravo
to the Governor once again. This is as much about freeing China from the CCP -
the Chinese on free Taiwan have been some of the Tibetans' strongest
supporters. If we don't support the Dalai Lama's non-violent Middle
Way approach to a successful resolution, by default violence and terror become
the only alternative.
Craig | 8:49 a.m. April 8, 2008
China holds $500 billion in US treasury securities. About all we can do is
whine and complain but the fact is, they hold all of the cards and will do as
they please. All we can do is stand by, watch and stomp our feet in mock
outrage.
Re: Dave | 9:00 a.m. April 8, 2008
Go ahead and cheer. Consider though, that under a communist regime like
China's, you wouldn't have that right. Don't you think the
protest holds at least a little merit? Especially since China callously
murdered somewhere between twenty and a hundred Tibetan protesters last month,
who were trying to petition for rights like the one you are advocating. You
have to consider that the securing of rights has always meant conflict. I think
that it is arrogant of China to treat Tibet and its own citizens the way it
does, and then expect to parade around the globe with a torch expecting that
everything is going to be hunky dory. Kudo's to London and Paris and San
Francisco for requiring some accountability on the part of China.
to Craig | 9:07 a.m. April 8, 2008
Isn't the figure over one trillion dollars? Still, your point is right.
know your enemy | 9:20 a.m. April 8, 2008
Yes, Craig, that will be all we can do until we are at war with them...and then
we can all ask ourselves were all the cheap plastic collectibles and holiday
decorations and electronic gadgets worth the ultimate cost?
policy of engagement | 10:11 a.m. April 8, 2008
A policy of engagement is the right way to go if we want to bring about change
in a foreign country.
Why don't we use a policy of engagement to bring about change in a country like Cuba? Engagement changes things much faster than isolation.
Why don't we use a policy of engagement to bring about change in a country like Cuba? Engagement changes things much faster than isolation.
Shirley L. | 11:06 a.m. April 8, 2008
Way to go, Governor Huntsman! I can't for the life of me understand how
the Olympic committee chose China to host the games anyway. With the lack of
true freedom there is in that country, it seems unreasonable.
#1 - but not for long | 11:08 a.m. April 8, 2008
Every country has its chance at being #1.
All prosper for a while
All are replaced by another country.
It appears that China is the new emerging power in the world.
Why not just accept this fact?
All prosper for a while
All are replaced by another country.
It appears that China is the new emerging power in the world.
Why not just accept this fact?
Anonymous | 12:10 p.m. April 8, 2008
Why tarnish the Olympics? Why didn't anyone seem to care about Tibet until
the Olympics were given to China? Now that there's a forum, NOW people will
come out of the woodwork who were too lazy before to create their own forum.
Sure, protest China all you want; I agree with you. But leave the Olympics out
of it.
HypocrisyWatch | 12:10 p.m. April 8, 2008
I can't wait for Doug Wright to explain why Jon Huntsman, Jr.'s
protest against China's atrocities while running the U.S. Commerce
Department's Asian Affairs Bureau is laudable, while former SLC Mayor Rocky
Anderson's participation in anti-war protests during visits by George W.
Bush is deplorable.
lost in DC | 12:16 p.m. April 8, 2008
No, Governor, the GAMES focus on the athletes, the opening ceremony is the
chance for the host country to show off. A protest of the opening ceremony may
be the best way to engage the Chinese; you have to get their attention before
you can engage them, and they've ignored everything else.
dee_LA | 12:31 p.m. April 8, 2008
The Governor has analyzed the hard facts regarding the Communist Chinese
Government's brutal force in Tibet, from which he has made this statement.
Thank you. I urge the rest of the people of the world to research and analyze
Tibet's situation for YOURSELVES. The Chinese Government cannot be allowed
to continue to kill multitudes of innocent Tibetans and forcefully abuse ANY
human dignity they possess. The Tibetan people led by His Holiness the 14th
Dalai Lama are merely asking for what BELONGED to the people of Tibet, A
distinct and unique culture embedded in the religion of the country, Tibetan
Buddhism. United States, Europe along with other countries of the world,
together we will stop the cultural genocide, brutality, communist regime of
China not only in Tibet but Everywhere! Yes, China is continuously gaining
economic power in the world but it's like a fish in the ocean. Without
WATER (rest of the world) the FISH (China) WILL NOT SURVIVE. My deepest
condolences to families of over hundreds killed in Tibet over the recent weeks,
and Kudos to those risking lives protesting, helping spread the truth about
China's wrong doings! Tibet, May You Be Redeemed Someday Soon! I love You!
Sanctions smanctions | 12:52 p.m. April 8, 2008
It's laughable to see liberals wallowing in their self-aggrandized view of
themselves as the only true champions of freedom.
Conservatives care just as much, if not more so, than liberals, about the people of Tibet.
That concern, unfortunately, for most liberals and conservatives alike amounts to little more than sympathy, which is why boycotts and government-declared sanctions won't accomplish anything with the Chinese.
If the American public was truly as concerned with conditions in Tibet as the media would like us to believe, then we would all stop buying any Chinese-made goods. That will never happen. The vast majority of Americans are far more concerned with the price they have to pay for something, than they are with where it was made.
Engaging the Chinese in open dialog is much more likely to produce real change.
Conservatives care just as much, if not more so, than liberals, about the people of Tibet.
That concern, unfortunately, for most liberals and conservatives alike amounts to little more than sympathy, which is why boycotts and government-declared sanctions won't accomplish anything with the Chinese.
If the American public was truly as concerned with conditions in Tibet as the media would like us to believe, then we would all stop buying any Chinese-made goods. That will never happen. The vast majority of Americans are far more concerned with the price they have to pay for something, than they are with where it was made.
Engaging the Chinese in open dialog is much more likely to produce real change.
tenzin | 1:42 p.m. April 8, 2008
Boycotting Chinese goods would be ideal but yes the reality of that is slim,
especially since almost everything in the US is made in China. But Boycotting
the Olympics opening ceremony is a definite possibility. We all agree the
olympics is for the good of the game, players, etc.etc. but the fact that its
taking place under the bloodwork of the Chinese government where Tibetans or
even Chinese don't have any Human Rights! Boycott the opening ceremony!!
Allow free access to all MEDIA in Beijing and Tibet!!! Open dialogue with
Tibetan Government!! No Olympic torch through Tibet/ Everest!!
change is good | 2:10 p.m. April 8, 2008
It's a hoot to see conservatives claiming "right is right" on
everything under the sun.
These fools really DO believe everything Rush O'Hannity is telling them.
Thank God for the inevitable and the natural.
Thank God for change.
These fools really DO believe everything Rush O'Hannity is telling them.
Thank God for the inevitable and the natural.
Thank God for change.
No Ambassadorship for U | 5:06 p.m. April 8, 2008
I guess Governor Huntsman has decided that he does not ever want to be the
Ambassador to China, unless China decides that free speech and dissent are
inalieable human rights that belong to all citizens of the world.
Dorj | 5:25 p.m. April 8, 2008
Free Tibet (tovd). China is last resort of Communism. (hopefully Cuba will free
after Castro). I prefer boycott the game but it will be unfair to thousands
athletes who waited 4 years. God bless free country.
CITIZEN | 5:52 p.m. April 8, 2008
I am trying to think what U.S.president in the late 90's pushed
wholeheartly for the olympics to be held in communist china.could it have been
bubba??nooooooooooo!!!!!!!chairman mao is in the guinness book of records as
being the most brutal of mass murderer in the entire history of the
world!!!!!!!!!!he elimated over fifty million of his own countrymen.hitler,take
a back seat,nowhere close.don't believe me????check guinness.
how quickly we forget | 6:03 p.m. April 8, 2008
I get the biggest kick out of the conservatives always whining about the
communists.
How quickly they forget about the Vietnam War that was supposed to stop the spread of communism. After 10 bitterly and bloody divisive years we pulled out.
Today the U.S. and Vietnam are trading partners.
And guess what? Vietnam STILL has a communist government.
When are the neocons going to figure things out?
How quickly they forget about the Vietnam War that was supposed to stop the spread of communism. After 10 bitterly and bloody divisive years we pulled out.
Today the U.S. and Vietnam are trading partners.
And guess what? Vietnam STILL has a communist government.
When are the neocons going to figure things out?
CougarKeith | 9:18 p.m. April 8, 2008
I don't agree with China's politics, but I don't support those
who Protest the Olympic Flame and Torch, that is UNAMERICAN and AND WORLD PEACE
AND UNITY! Protest China if you want, but don't do it at sporting events
"ie: China's Soccer Team or Olympic Torch" Grow UP! The problem
with Tibet has been there since the 70's and NOW you want to PROTEST? Why
not before? GET A LIFE!
Freedom! | 11:55 p.m. April 8, 2008
I applaud the protestors. Now is the window of opportunity to get noticed and
for the Chinese government to count their losses. The Chinese government will
want to portray themselves as peaceful to the rest of the world and might give
the Tibetans freedom. I strongly think that Taiwan should take a similar stand
and push for their freedom too. It only makes sense. Taiwan and Tibet should be
separate from China. Go Huntsman!
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