I saw a video shot by a Romanian cameraman on a mountain climbing expedition in Nepal recently. It shows Tibetan monks & nuns trying to cross the border into Nepal and some of them being gunned down by Chinese Red Army troops in cold blood. How appropriate that today is the 50th anniversary of the Chinese invasion of Tibet. This video is a classic example of how religious freedom and freedom in general in Tibet has been squashed by the Chinese government. And unfortunately, we Americans have been financing this sort of repressive action by buying goods made in China. Now, I realize that many times one has no choice to do so since it seems that EVERYTHING is Chinese made. Thanks to companies like Wal Mart and many others, our markets are flooded with these goods, so that they can increase their already huge profit margin. And are you aware that we owe the Chinese government billions of dollars in Fed Treasury notes? What happens when the Chinese government decides to cash these in? This country wouldn't have the resources to pay that. And then what happens? Your guess is as good as mine in this case. This may seem like it means nothing to you in your own life, and that is more than likely true, but in a country that talks a lot about personal freedoms, can we as a nation continue to justify and allow the actions shown on this video?
Namaste'
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Incident?
A word of warning, I'm about to go on a political rant....
A few days ago, I emailed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton regarding her (and the Obama administration's) collective lack of backbone when the issue is Tibet. Ms. Clinton in the past had ripped W's administration in dealing with China, but when she stood face-to-face with the Chinese, she showed that she is just as much a politician as her husband was. I received an automated reply today that was labeled incident. I wonder what exactly that means. Am I considered a problem now? I realize that as a Buddhist I should just let go. But when it comes to Tibet, I have trouble what that. I cannot idly stand by and let the people of a peaceful, Buddhist nation continue to be repressed by another once-great nation.
I am both worried and upset about how dependent on China our country (and many others) has become. It seems that nearly everything I purchase has the made in China label on it, and I am aware of how much in Treasury notes the Chinese hold. I am concerned both of these will be used against us (maybe already) and how I have little choice in my money going to a government that does little but ruin its own people's lives with its policies (US) and to another that kills, detains without reason, and generally causes suffering on others. (China)
Yes, I do put my money where my sometimes-unmindful mouth is. I am a member or many groups, such as FPMT, Students for a Free Tibet, and a few others. And I do let my representatives in DC know what I feel on this subject. I just wish there was more that I could do.
Namaste'
A few days ago, I emailed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton regarding her (and the Obama administration's) collective lack of backbone when the issue is Tibet. Ms. Clinton in the past had ripped W's administration in dealing with China, but when she stood face-to-face with the Chinese, she showed that she is just as much a politician as her husband was. I received an automated reply today that was labeled incident. I wonder what exactly that means. Am I considered a problem now? I realize that as a Buddhist I should just let go. But when it comes to Tibet, I have trouble what that. I cannot idly stand by and let the people of a peaceful, Buddhist nation continue to be repressed by another once-great nation.
I am both worried and upset about how dependent on China our country (and many others) has become. It seems that nearly everything I purchase has the made in China label on it, and I am aware of how much in Treasury notes the Chinese hold. I am concerned both of these will be used against us (maybe already) and how I have little choice in my money going to a government that does little but ruin its own people's lives with its policies (US) and to another that kills, detains without reason, and generally causes suffering on others. (China)
Yes, I do put my money where my sometimes-unmindful mouth is. I am a member or many groups, such as FPMT, Students for a Free Tibet, and a few others. And I do let my representatives in DC know what I feel on this subject. I just wish there was more that I could do.
Namaste'
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