Gayle Turner 4-20-08 10:42 pm I remember what I was doing the day Tiananmen Square happened—getting a set of tires on my car. My first trip to China was 1988 to compete in the First Women’s Golf Championship of the People’s Republic of China. I returned 2 more times to compete in this event. The Chinese were very gracious, and welcomed us each time, however, we were always aware of the armed guards around the golf course. China is a different world, and has a work ethic like none other. Tiananmen Square was a red flag warning. I’m sure they have a 50 year plan just waiting for us around 2035. The Dragon will breath fire for sure… .

My family and I took a trip there last summer and were fortunate enought to visit three cities. It was an eye-opening experience - from the armed guards everywhere to the repression that the Chinese suffer under. Thankfully we had some great tour guides who were very open with us on the living conditions and lifestyle they are permitted to have. It was an unbelievable trip and we are thankful EVERY day that we have the freedoms we do - including the option to have the two children we have.

I have to disagree that China is the “same ole country” as it was 19 years ago. Once China got on board the hi-tech train, began buying property and corporations in the U.S., owning our debt, it started moving at warp speed. A friend of mine moved to Taiwan 15 years ago to open an ad agency. His success there prompted him to open a branch office in Mainland China. He can’t keep up with the demand, has a big staff, says that as the economy grows, the intense excitement in the air is palpable. All of the problems…pollution, overpopulation, lack of job skills and poverty, a rotten record on human rights are obviously not at the top of the Chinese government’s priority list since people are expendable and workers are easily replaced. What I noticed a few years ago was the significant increase of Chinese students coming to the university for MBAs, computer engineering and other related degrees. We tried offering intensive courses in Mandarin during the summer, and guess what? No takers! American students didn’t see the correlation between learning the language and interacting with Chinese business people/economists in the work environment. (Same story for Arabic, by the way). I do agree with Whoopi re the complexity of the country, with Liz about the futility of protesting their human rights abuses, and with Joan re the awarding of the Olympics. Until we hold our own government accountable for the human rights abuses committed on U.S. soil and abroad (anyone see “Rendition”?), it is hypocritical to criticize another government’s treatment of its citizens. The only way to change China’s policies is to try to affect the country economically, and neither our corporate environment nor our government is interested in doing that!

Totally agree with Maurine. Economic and cultural sanctions are the only way forward. Everyone was full of the Tibet problem when the olympic torch was in the spotlight, while at the same time queuing up to buy tickets to the Terracotta Army exhibition. In my humble opinion it is time that “the West” started leading by example, and looking into our own shoddy behaviour since the end of the second world war.

空间是只一样深的象一个牌子它, Space is only as deep as one makes it. China is not a word. It is a world filled with people. Those I know are very good and it is an honor for me to have them as friends. The people did not buy American debt. The people of America did not sell the debt. Fast market fat boys made the deals and have no conscience. The rise of China is a bright light and Tibet will be free. As all people should be. Let us not forget that this is Earth Day Week. I think. http://www.earthweek.com/ As ever be well, Stephen Craig Rowe http://paintingstudio.spaces.live.com and http://flyingmonkeyshome.spaces.live.com 上帝保佑您和你的。和曾经是很好

I AGREE WITH JOAN COONEY…JUST WHY ARE THE OLYMPICS THERE?? AND WHOOPI SAID IT BEST….WE HAVE SOLD OUR SOULS FOR THE YEN! OUR GOVERNMENT SHOULD STOP COMPLAINING ABOUT THEM & LEARN FROM OUR PAST MISTAKES…

China is different? Outward indices to the contrary they’re the same olecountry that took over Tibet in ‘53, I think it was, whilst the world stood by and did nothing and their human rights stances and activities are worse than ours which certainly is not saying much. I’m sure they waterboard with the best of them. Those little apparatchiks delving away at policies in the Chinese politburo are exactly the same as they we in the 50’s, all those MBA’s and hi-tech geeks notwithstanding. Until we stop letting them lend us beaucoup bucks to fight a war we don’t belong in in the first place we are in for a major economic s***storm and it hasn’t yet hit Force 12 on the Beaufort scale. The war alone is costing us, excuse me, China, trillions now (we’ll pay thru the nose later) and it’ll only get worst the longer we stay. Give it time. This last week the Pentagon actually released a report stating that heuristically the Chinese have hacked into the Pentagon’s computer files and they keep on doing it. What does that tell us? Am I worried—hell yes I am and I don’t believe that I’m being paranoid either. The one question I do have is: how do we affect China economically when they damn near own us outright? As for cultural sanctions—they sure have done a lot for Tibet since ‘53.

China’s morality is based on “whatever is good for China even at the expense and destruction of other people.” In addition to their human rights abuses like forced abortions, and a controlling thugocracy, they are notoriously indifferent to the suffering of humanity around the world, doing little in the way of humanitarian aid. President Bush makes it a point to press the Chinese on human rights and religious freedom at every opportunity with them. The message is important not only to put the Chinese government on notice, but also to give hope to the Chinese people. One day - there will be a democracy in China.

Interesting comments. Thanx. I, too, think — same ole, same ole when it comes to China, and I sure resent the shoddy goods we get from them — in clothing, toys, heavy duty machines — like airplanes, etc. They simply don’t have the manufacturing standards we have (thank God we can account for SOME standards). Also, if I am not mistaken, Nixon OPENED China; it was his major contribution as president I believe. Also, I disagree with everyone about China’s ‘one child’ limit. What is China supposed to do? They already have more than enough people. As a matter of fact, our der lil world has more than enough people, BUT ONLY A VERY FEW, like Ted Turner on ‘Charlie’ a bit ago and me are even mentioning it. I think we (excuse me, Bush, Jr.) was sanctimonious and hypocritical allowing Chinese immigrants into the US because they could only have one child in their own country. As I said, what is China supposed to do????? Hear they have recently allowed one other child to couples whose first child is a girl. At least they can readjust when they want/need to — we haven’t had any re-adjustment going on until recently when Bush, Jr. began trying to improve his legacy. He’s already has his legacy — one messed up country, perhaps damaged beyond repair. Maybe a messed up world as well. UKKKKKK! Frankly, all those young Chinese 20 year old guys, full of testesterone (sp) and running around without much to do and no wives. SCARY!!! The Olympics in China is a bit of a farce, but at least the rest of the world is giving them a chance. Hope that makes a difference to them. We’re going to have to try to find a way to include them as world participants. And, who are we to talk. Our nose is snotty and our skirts (and pant suits :):):)) are bogged down in schluck and deep do do thanx to Bush. I, too, have to go to bed in California. Just finished working on my accounting, and a trip to WOW was my reward. Thanx guys. But hail to the Olympics anyway. I was privileged to carry the torch in 1996 — WHAT FUN! My family laughed at me; said they didn’t know I was such a ham. Neither did I! :):):):)