|
Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
fiveeagles
Joined: 19 May 2005
Location: Vancouver
|
 Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2005 3:41 am Post subject: |
 |
|
Wow, interesting how this thread switched to the jews.
| Quote: |
| I'm curious about the thinking behind this statement. |
1. The Dalai Lama is one of the greatest promoters of world peace. In a world that is increasing in war and nuclear tension, he will continue to gain in popularity as he preaches world peace.
2. Notice how many important people and movements are embracing or have embraced the philosophies of Buddhism. Oprah, H.Clinton, Gere, Einstein and others.
The Democrats will continue to move towards spirituality and I suspect they will embrace a neutral buddhism philosophy. One where you can embrace all genders, but not polarize the American Christians. I wouldn't be surprised if Oprah became political in 2008. Actually, that's my prediction of 2006, Oprah will quit her talk show to become political! Her brand of spirituality would improve the strength of the democratic party. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
igotthisguitar
Joined: 08 Apr 2003
Location: South Korea (Permanent Vacation)
|
| Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2006 2:48 am Post subject: |
|
|
Spanish court agrees to consider genocide complaint
(AP) - MADRID, Spain-A Spanish court on Tuesday agreed to consider a human rights group's lawsuit seeking genocide and other charges against China over its treatment of Tibet.
The Madrid-based Committee to Support Tibet filed the complaint in June at the National Court, citing a Spanish legal doctrine allowing prosecution of human rights crimes even if they were committed in another country.
The group asked the court to consider charges of genocide, crimes against humanity, state terrorism and torture against former Chinese President Jiang Zemin, ex-Prime Minister Li Peng and five military and security officials in Tibet, some of whom have retired.
The case was rejected in September, but the Committee to Support Tibet appealed and a three-judge panel agreed to study the complaint - which the group said was the first ever filed against China over Tibet.
The complaint says more than a million Tibetans have been killed or gone missing since China occupied Tibet with military force in 1951. It also includes testimony from Tibetans who escaped the region after spending more than 40 years in prison, the human rights group said.
Spain's National Court embraced the so-called principle of universal jurisdiction in 1998, and it is now part of a growing body of international law.
Spain says crimes against humanity and other grave offenses, such as terrorism, can be prosecuted here even if they are alleged to have been committed elsewhere, so long as no charges are pending against the defendant in the country of origin.
Judge Baltasar Garzon used the principle in 1998 to have former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet arrested while visiting London as a first step toward trying him in Madrid on charges of genocide and other crimes. In the end, Britain declined to extradite the ex-despot on grounds of poor health.
Last year the principle was invoked again as Spain put a former Argentine naval officer, Adolfo Scilingo, on trial in Madrid for his alleged role in that country's "dirty war" against leftist dissent from 1976-83. Scilingo was convicted and sentenced to 640 years in jail.
The Committee to Support Tibet said it was seeking charges against China's former president and premier - rather than the current ones - to avoid arguments over whether the latter might enjoy immunity because they are still in power.
The other five defendants are lower-ranking. Some still hold positions in military or security forces in Tibet, but most of them once had senior posts in the Chinese communist party in Tibet or served in the military forces that first occupied the region, the committee's vice president, Jose Esteve, said when the complaint was first filed.
The complaint identifies the five as Ren Rong, Yin Fatang, Qiao Shi, Chen Kuiyan and Deng Delyun.
http://news.findlaw.com/ap/p/56/01-10-2006/1fad00179e3d05d1.html
2006-01-10T14:15:43Z |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
vertical loser
Joined: 08 Jan 2006
|
| Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2006 9:04 am Post subject: |
|
|
Sadly the Chinese Communist party has 1.3 billion people by the ballz. They are brainwshed beyond redemption. It is impossible to contest historical "fact" with Chinese mainlanders. Tibet has always been a part of "One China". It was "peacefully liberated" in 1950. That's that.
I remember when I first went to China and picked up a magazine gushing about the "Peaceful Liberation of Tibet", and how Tibet's economic growth made it paradise on earth. I can't communicate the revulsion (towards Chinese propaganda) I felt at reading that. That feeling has never quite left me, several years later.
Just this last week a blog by a great Chinese intellectual - who called himself "Anti" - was blocked by Beijing. It made wonderful reading, and restored my hope in China for about five seconds. Yet the most tragic thing about it was that it was simultaneously (December 30th) taken down by Microsoft, worldwide. The very same day. This means that the CCP and Microsoft have a direct and immediate line of communication, and a direct agreement with each other. Does anyone else find this frightening? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
The Bobster
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 4:15 am Post subject: |
|
|
| vertical loser wrote: |
| Yet the most tragic thing about it was that it was simultaneously (December 30th) taken down by Microsoft, worldwide. The very same day. This means that the CCP and Microsoft have a direct and immediate line of communication, and a direct agreement with each other. Does anyone else find this frightening? |
Yes, someone else does. Me. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 4:31 am Post subject: |
|
|
| vertical loser wrote: |
...Just this last week a blog by a great Chinese intellectual - who called himself "Anti" - was blocked by Beijing. It made wonderful reading, and restored my hope in China for about five seconds. Yet the most tragic thing about it was that it was simultaneously (December 30th) taken down by Microsoft, worldwide. The very same day. This means that the CCP and Microsoft have a direct and immediate line of communication, and a direct agreement with each other. Does anyone else find this frightening? |
I wanted to comment on this part of your post. I see nothing frighting in that. A company with the global scale and scope of Microsoft probably has direct lines of communication to most world leaders (and equally likely has had them for a significant length of time) I wouldn't be suprised to find out Bill Gates has one to the White House or a couple to Europe. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Troll_Bait
Joined: 04 Jan 2006
Location: [T]eaching experience doesn't matter much. -Lee Young-chan (pictured)
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 7:13 am Post subject: |
|
|
| fiveeagles wrote: |
I have read many books on how thousands of Christians are killed by the Chinese government every year. This is mostly neglected by the western media.
In a war driven world, the dalai lama will continue to increase in authority. I wouldn't be surprised if Buddhism breaks Communisms back. What I mean is, I could see Russia and China becoming more tolerant of Buddhism and incorporating it into it's philosphy. |
First of all, what "authority" does the Dalai Lama have?
He's living in exile. He will probably never see his homeland again before he dies. (Also, as some people have mentioned, Tibet is basically gone. It's been flooded by Han Chinese, so even if it became independant, the Chinese would still rule.).
Secondly, how could Buddhism "break Communism's back"?
It's a pacifist religion.
Thirdly, you seem to be against people being tolerant of Buddhism, or am I reading you wrong?
Do you have something against Buddhism?
Buddhism tolerates Christianity, and has done so for a very long time.
In 1875, there were more Buddhists in the world than Christians. That Christianity is now the religion with the largest number of followers is partly due to the pacifist tolerance that Buddhists have shown, and continue to show, Christians. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 7:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Troll_Bait wrote: |
| fiveeagles wrote: |
I have read many books on how thousands of Christians are killed by the Chinese government every year. This is mostly neglected by the western media.
In a war driven world, the dalai lama will continue to increase in authority. I wouldn't be surprised if Buddhism breaks Communisms back. What I mean is, I could see Russia and China becoming more tolerant of Buddhism and incorporating it into it's philosphy. |
First of all, what "authority" does the Dalai Lama have?
He's living in exile. He will probably never see his homeland again before he dies. (Also, as some people have mentioned, Tibet is basically gone. It's been flooded by Han Chinese, so even if it became independant, the Chinese would still rule.).
Secondly, how could Buddhism "break Communism's back"?
It's a pacifist religion.
Thirdly, you seem to be against people being tolerant of Buddhism, or am I reading you wrong?
Do you have something against Buddhism?
Buddhism tolerates Christianity, and has done so for a very long time.
In 1875, there were more Buddhists in the world than Christians. That Christianity is now the religion with the largest number of followers is partly due to the pacifist tolerance that Buddhists have shown, and continue to show, Christians. |
Communism's back is broken. Even the Chinese Communist party has realized this and has loosened up market controls. And as for North Korea and Cuba they are basket cases. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
joe_doufu
Joined: 09 May 2005
Location: Elsewhere
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 1:55 am Post subject: |
|
|
I think it's amazing the liberals don't know who their friends are. You dream of and fight for a Socialist Paradise... take a good look - China is it! China is the incarnation of everything the left wing fights for: the suppression of religious belief; senseless brutality against anybody considered unpopular by the majority, or any capitalist "scab" who goes against the Party; socialized medicine and education worth just as much as you pay for it; equal poverty for everyone!
Why, oh why, are you fighting for a slave-owning pharaoh to take back his throne and re-instate his caste system on the Tibetans? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
The Bobster
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 2:55 am Post subject: |
|
|
| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
| vertical loser wrote: |
...Just this last week a blog by a great Chinese intellectual - who called himself "Anti" - was blocked by Beijing. It made wonderful reading, and restored my hope in China for about five seconds. Yet the most tragic thing about it was that it was simultaneously (December 30th) taken down by Microsoft, worldwide. The very same day. This means that the CCP and Microsoft have a direct and immediate line of communication, and a direct agreement with each other. Does anyone else find this frightening? |
I wanted to comment on this part of your post. I see nothing frighting in that. A company with the global scale and scope of Microsoft probably has direct lines of communication to most world leaders (and equally likely has had them for a significant length of time) I wouldn't be suprised to find out Bill Gates has one to the White House or a couple to Europe. |
Yeah, and that's what ought to make people nervous, a private citizen in direct commujnication with world leaders for no other reason than a vast amount of wealth under his control ...
Like Peter Gabriel once said, "When things get too big, I don't trust them at all ..." |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 7:19 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| The Bobster wrote: |
| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
| vertical loser wrote: |
...Just this last week a blog by a great Chinese intellectual - who called himself "Anti" - was blocked by Beijing. It made wonderful reading, and restored my hope in China for about five seconds. Yet the most tragic thing about it was that it was simultaneously (December 30th) taken down by Microsoft, worldwide. The very same day. This means that the CCP and Microsoft have a direct and immediate line of communication, and a direct agreement with each other. Does anyone else find this frightening? |
I wanted to comment on this part of your post. I see nothing frighting in that. A company with the global scale and scope of Microsoft probably has direct lines of communication to most world leaders (and equally likely has had them for a significant length of time) I wouldn't be suprised to find out Bill Gates has one to the White House or a couple to Europe. |
Yeah, and that's what ought to make people nervous, a private citizen in direct commujnication with world leaders for no other reason than a vast amount of wealth under his control ...
Like Peter Gabriel once said, "When things get too big, I don't trust them at all ..." |
This private citizen is also the biggest philanthrophist in the world, if not in history (according to the link) . Given that I really don't think we need to worry. There are a lot of people ahead of him we should worry about.
http://www3.sympatico.ca/truegrowth/gates1.html |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Nowhere Man
Joined: 08 Feb 2004
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 2:17 am Post subject: ... |
|
|
| Quote: |
| I think it's amazing the liberals don't know who their friends are. You dream of and fight for a Socialist Paradise... |
Am I wrong, or did you challenge someone on another thread when they called you right-wing?
TUM,
I agree with what you say about China loosening its economy, but does that mean communism's back is broken? NK and Cuba are basket-cases because their economies are effectively stifled (among other reasons). However, we are pumping the Chinese economy with no clear end in sight to the one-party state. I realize that with privatization it's not proper communism, but it certainly isn't a republic (democracy). Many have concluded that communism works in theory but not in practice, but...
DISCLAIMER: This post is by no means an endorsement of China's government. Singapore also functions well, but I wouldn't enjoy being a part of it.
On the other hand, Joe Doefu, why move to Singapore for a "benign dictatorship" when you could ride China's big wave?
Surf's up! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 2:38 am Post subject: Re: ... |
|
|
| Nowhere Man wrote: |
| Quote: |
| I think it's amazing the liberals don't know who their friends are. You dream of and fight for a Socialist Paradise... |
Am I wrong, or did you challenge someone on another thread when they called you right-wing?
TUM,
I agree with what you say about China loosening its economy, but does that mean communism's back is broken? NK and Cuba are basket-cases because their economies are effectively stifled (among other reasons). However, we are pumping the Chinese economy with no clear end in sight to the one-party state. I realize that with privatization it's not proper communism, but it certainly isn't a republic (democracy). Many have concluded that communism works in theory but not in practice, but...
DISCLAIMER: This post is by no means an endorsement of China's government. Singapore also functions well, but I wouldn't enjoy being a part of it.
On the other hand, Joe Doefu, why move to Singapore for a "benign dictatorship" when you could ride China's big wave?
Surf's up! |
Well what I was saying when I said "communism's back is broken" is that proper communism of the kind evisioned by Marx and maybe by Mao doesn't work. Is there any state out there that is strictly communist and has been a success? The U.S.S.R fell, Cuba and N.K are just scraping by (with foreign aid) and China was forced to scrap some market controls in order to keep stability and get foreign investment. It is clearly not a democracy as you said.
But it is certainly not pure communist either, but rather a hybrid of the two systems. And as more and more FDI comes into it it keeps relaxing the restrictions...but slowly. I think the China of ten years later will be quite different from the China of today (in terms of the political system) Once you open up certain avenues and give enough people a good glimpse of what could be, you just can't close them again forever. Someday it will break open, if not relaxed. The U.S.S.R proved that. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Nowhere Man
Joined: 08 Feb 2004
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 2:58 am Post subject: ... |
|
|
Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to antagonize you. I'm just enjoying one of these moments where differing sides can have a discussion.
How would it break open? Young entrepeneurs gathering in Tiannenman Square? I just don't see it happening.
I find it entirely probable that, ten years from now, it will function a lot like Singapore.
And another question: Is there any parity in having a Cuban embargo while we invest in China? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Nowhere Man
Joined: 08 Feb 2004
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 2:58 am Post subject: ... |
|
|
| Or, for that matter, NK? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
robitusson
Joined: 29 Sep 2005
Location: Thailand
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 3:41 am Post subject: |
|
|
| joe_doufu wrote: |
I think it's amazing the liberals don't know who their friends are. You dream of and fight for a Socialist Paradise... take a good look - China is it! China is the incarnation of everything the left wing fights for: the suppression of religious belief; senseless brutality against anybody considered unpopular by the majority, or any capitalist "scab" who goes against the Party; socialized medicine and education worth just as much as you pay for it; equal poverty for everyone!
Why, oh why, are you fighting for a slave-owning pharaoh to take back his throne and re-instate his caste system on the Tibetans? |
The Dalai Lama has admitted that Tibet was in dire need of social reform before the Chinese invasion. He has also said that he wanted Tibet to be a democracy with a democratically elected government if they can achieve autonomy.
Also I'm sure the Tibetans would rather life under a "Pharoah", as you call him, than to be tortured to death or be forced to kill and rape members of their own families by Chinese soldiers as happened there. Which would you prefer? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
