The Olympics are only a few weeks away and the friendly leaders of the ‘Peoples Republic’ of China are getting ready for things in their usual friendly and loving manner.
They have anticipated the fact that there will be people from countries who are used to having human rights, so they are setting up ‘protest pens’. You will still have to apply to the government for permission to enter the special areas, so pretty much they retain control over the whole process.
This fact was demonstrated by threats made to a group of British protesters that if they dare to object to anything the government has done that they will probably face prison.
At the same time, they also want to get the recent earthquake disaster out of the news. There have been stories discussing the fact that there was major negligence on the part of government. But the powers that be don’t want any awkward questions so they are pressing grieving families to take hush money and have sent a clear signal that if they don’t take the money they could be in trouble.
Meanwhile in Tibet the repression continues as parents are ‘ordered’ to bring their children back from schools that dare to support views other than what the government wants. Human rights groups have made it clear that the situation remains grave.
I respect the athletes who have worked so hard to get to the Olympics and I wish them nothing but success. But I personally cannot watch the events in a country where there is such repression.