Month: February 2009

The Modern GOP

Paul Krugman, on Bobby Jindal’s idiotic critique of keeping Americans safe from disasters, and what it says about the contemporary Republican Party:

Basically, the political philosophy of the GOP right now seems to consist of snickering at stuff that they think sounds funny. The party of ideas has become the party of Beavis and Butthead.

Given the DC press loves to snicker at the same sort of stuff, this might still get a fair bit of media play for them.  But of course, the American people don’t by this bunk. They want Republicans to be bipartisan and work with Obama to achieve his agenda. And they want Obam to stand by his campaign promises.

So I’d say to the Republicans, by all means consider snickering. Just don’t spend much time evaluating how it’s received by the voting public, especially after consecutive sea-change elections that brought huge Democratic majorities to both chambers of Congress and a Democrat to the White House.

Our Nation: Losar Edition

Lhadon Tethong, reporting from Hong Kong, and Tenzin Dorjee talk about the latest news from inside Tibet and Western media coverage of China’s military buildup inside Tibet to stop any protests for freedom. Additionally, the video focuses on photos that have just come out through the Free Tibet Campaign from Labrang of massive Chinese military, paramilitary, and police presence in the streets and outside monasteries. The photos are powerful and show the visibile presence of an occupation force on the streets intimidating Tibetans.

“Celebrating Is Compulsory”

Adding to the growing Western media coverage of China’s crackdown in Tibet and the push inside Tibet for a moratorium on Losar celebrations, the Los Angeles Times has a story on what’s going on. Included in it is this gem about the Chinese government and government institutions forcing Tibetans to celebrate Losar:

At Beijing’s Central University for Nationalities, Tibetan students who had applied last year for permission to hold a Losar celebration informed the university recently that they wished to cancel. But the university told them that the party must go on, said a university source who asked not to be quoted by name.

“Celebrating is compulsory,” he said.

Yes, Tibetans will “celebrate” and all will be well. The Chinese government should really keep telling itself that.

This passage also stood out:

Reports say that as many as 20,000 additional soldiers and paramilitary troops have been deployed in Tibetan areas and that in Qinghai province, village leaders were threatened with arrest if they urged people not to celebrate the holiday.

By comparison, the US is engaged in an active war in Afghanistan. President Obama recently announced the deployment of an additional 12-17,000 US troops to Afghanistan. The Chinese government, on the other hand, is using their military to stifle dissent while maintaining an occupation of Tibet

Yep, That’s Bound To Work

I really do hope Republicans pursue a strategy of “universal exorcism and bloodletting” of more moderate leaders with national profiles like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Charlie Crist and creating a unified plan in which Republicans say no to everything the incredibly popular President Obama says. This is a cunning plan and I am frightened for Democratic electoral prospects in the mid-terms if Republicans carry it out.

Also, please continue to push Sarah Palin and Bobby Jindal as your parties leaders. These charismatic voices are really in touch with what the majority of American voters who approve of Obama’s agenda want from an opposition party.

Responsibility, What’s That?

Responsibility, not quite yet.

The Washington Post continues to stand behind George Will’s error-filled global warming denying column from a week ago. Fortunately for the world, Brad Johnson of The Wonk Room does what the editors at the Post refuse to do and drafts a thorough correction to Will’s column. Naturally we do not expect it to run in the Post any time soon.

It never ceases to amaze me the amount of crap that established columnists are able to get published at high level national media outlets. There is no accountability and the tendency for major outlets to stand behind their figurehead columnists and reporters over the clearly documented facts or moral obligations for truthfulness is astounding.

Good Ol’ Fashioned Sexism

Jamison Foser finds some in US News & World Report, which is “asking readers who they would prefer to run a daycare center for their kids: First Lady Michelle Obama, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, or Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.”

While there’s no reason anyone should ask this question, also not asked (and probably never would be asked), “Who would you prefer to change the oil on your car: Barack Obama, John McCain, Harry Reid, or Mitch McConnell?”

Our Nation on Clinton’s Visit to China

SFT Deputy Director Tenzin Dorjee talks about the current state of affairs in Tibet as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visits China for the first time.

Tendor was also quoted today on the Clinton visit by AFP:

Students for a Free Tibet said Clinton’s remarks sent the wrong signal to China at a sensitive time.

“The US government cannot afford to let Beijing set the agenda,” said Tenzin Dorjee, deputy director of the New York-based advocacy group.

China has been pouring troops into the Himalayan territory ahead of next month’s 50th anniversary of the uprising that sent Tibet’s spiritual leader the Dalai Lama into exile in India.

“Leaders really need to step up and pressure China. It’s often easy to wonder whether pressure makes a difference. It may not make a difference in one day or one month, but it would be visible after some years,” Dorjee said.

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