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shawa
CNO
Joined: 03 Sep 2004
Posts: 2004
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 Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 4:53 am Post subject: China's Domestic Unrest (Kelo response?) |
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http://www.americanthinker.com/comments.php?comments_id=3866
| Quote: | China's domestic unrest
The American Thinker
Thomas Lifson
12-09-05
Once again, China faces internal turbulence. The Washington Post reports:
Paramilitary police and anti-riot units here have opened fire with pistols and automatic rifles for the past two nights on rioting farmers and fishermen, who have attacked them with gasoline bombs and explosive charges, according to residents of this small coastal village.
The sustained volleys of gunfire, unprecedented in a wave of peasant uprisings over the past two years in China, have killed between 10 and 20 villagers and injured more, residents said. The count was uncertain, they said, because a number of villagers have disappeared, and it is not known for sure whether they were killed, wounded or driven into hiding.
The tough response by black-clad riot troops and People’s Armed Police in camouflage fatigues deviated sharply from previous government tactics against the spreading unrest in Chinese villages and industrial suburbs. As far as is known, previous riots have all been put down with heavy use of truncheons and tear gas, but without firearms.
As a student of Chinese history under the late great John K. Fairbank at Harvard, I long ago learned the importance of just such waves of unrest in China throughout the millenia, and have told readers here that China’s current mandarins cannot help but be severely alarmed, fearful of losing control. Dynasties in China come and go, and all political leaders are conscious of the possibility of losing the “mandate of heaven.” Particularly when their regime overthrew another regime that was viewed as corrupt and ineffective.
The fact that China has bungled its handling of SARS and the chemical river pollution in Manchuria, which cut off the water supply for the major city of Harbin, does not augur well for the future. The possibility of bird flu spreading from human-to-human has got to be giving the autocrats the shivers. Historical dynastic cycles often ended with a major disaster – floods, earthquakes, collapse of dikes – which demonstrated the ineffectiveness of the rulers. That the Pacific Rim of Fire seems to be undergoing a period of enhanced seismic activity cannot be of much comfort. Nor can the seemingly erratic weather patterns.
China puts up a brave front as a centrally-controlled state. It is indeed that, but it is also ruled by a regime whose hold on power is far shakier than most Americans realize.
Thomas Lifson 12 09 05
Herb Meyer adds:
I checked out the Washington Post article, and it seems the villagers were protesting the confiscation of their land. With the US Supreme Court’s recent Kelo decision, I wouldn’t be surprised to see this sort of thing start happening over here. Amazing, isn’t it, that a bunch of Chinese villagers can teach us how to respond to a goverment that tries to seize their property….. |
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“I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.” (Thomas Paine, 1776) |
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GenrXr
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
Joined: 05 Aug 2004
Posts: 1720
Location: Houston
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| Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 5:32 am Post subject: |
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The internet sure is making problems for those china reds.
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"An activist is the person who cleans up the water, not the one claiming its dirty."
"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to stand by and do nothing." Edmund Burke (1729-1797), Founder of Conservative Philosophy |
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PhantomSgt
Vice Admiral
Joined: 10 Sep 2004
Posts: 972
Location: GUAM, USA
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| Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 7:14 am Post subject: |
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Don't underestimate the resolve of Hu to take drastic actions against unrest. When you have over a billion people and only a couple of million are "Party Members" with real power, there is a problem with maintaining that power.
It would not be unheard of for the Communist leadership to nuke one of their cities if it blows up in unrest. What better lesson for the rest to see.
The new alliance between China and the former Soviets in Russia is a worrisome situation that bears close observation.
The "Old Guard" is still incharge of Russia and the leftover Soviet military hardware.
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Retired AF E-8
Independent that leans right of center. |
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Bob51
Seaman
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 156
Location: Belfast
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| Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 10:44 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | Herb Meyer adds:
... I wouldn’t be surprised to see this sort of thing start happening over here. Amazing, isn’t it, that a bunch of Chinese villagers can teach us how to respond to a goverment that tries to seize their property….. |
Mr Meyer should also consider who may learn from a government that can teach how to respond to a bunch of villagers...
| Quote: |
Killer cops in 24-hour watch at village
A village in southern China where paramilitary troops fired on demonstrators, killing several, has been placed under 24-hour watch as authorities try to find protest organizers, villagers said Friday.
"There are still a lot of People's Armed Police around. They brought in tanks, six of them," said a man surnamed Chen. "They are patrolling everywhere on the roads and the hill. There could be 1,000 to 2,000 of them." |
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=5&art_id=7544&sid=5853543&con_type=1 |
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George F. Thompson
Seaman Apprentice
Joined: 11 May 2004
Posts: 80
Location: Fort Walton Beach, Fl 32547
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| Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 2:57 pm Post subject: Chineses unrest. |
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The good news is none of the government troops were killed or injured by the villagers using unregistered firearms. Imagine the anarchy that would occur if they didn't have a well armed army to control these reprobates. People have to realize it's the government that's important, not the individual.
George F. Thompson |
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Doll
Commander
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Posts: 339
Location: The Beltway
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| Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 5:57 pm Post subject: Re: Chineses unrest. |
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| George F. Thompson wrote: | | People have to realize it's the government that's important, not the individual. George F. Thompson |
I never heard it put quite like that George, but how true. Excellent for all to realize that and remember that.
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The HILL Chronicles
Soldiers' Angels
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George F. Thompson
Seaman Apprentice
Joined: 11 May 2004
Posts: 80
Location: Fort Walton Beach, Fl 32547
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| Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2005 2:55 pm Post subject: China |
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Just a little tongue and cheeck sarcasm Doll. I hate to say it, but it appears the a large number of Americans have forgotten that We, the people, are the government. Many people feel hopeless in that they are at the mercy of the "government's" benevolent attitude.
George F. Thompson |
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