Honeymoon over for China and France

Min, Bangkok — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:20:42 GMT

Carla better take cake and watch out. (by the way, the picture is beautifully shot)
Her husband does seem a proficient liar.
Chinese tend to praise a guest before he is invited, even thouth he is a notorious guy.
This is in the traditional values of Chinese that "face" -- which means decency, politeness, dignity and everything in China -- is the most important.
To save "face" for a guest or a self-acclaimed friend goes along with the beliefs of Chinese.
Now this guy, after taking money from Chinese' pockets by saying something sweet, are slapping in the Chinese' face.
He better keep his words by not attending the Olympics openning, or he may lose not only "face", but hurt his butt.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Joe McDove, Charlotte, NC — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:07:41 GMT

Obviously French are asking for it from the Chinese? what do they know about freedom and rights but wine and romance? they like to think they are superior and free and righteous, but when they were invaded by Germans all they did was succumb to the Germans. if they are so free, where were they when US decided to liberate Iraq. they didn't fight for their freedom. in fact one could argue they are the type of people that like to be oppressed and abused and manipulated. they think they are powerful and free when in fact they are completely irrelevant in the international community. If the Chinese can organize an effective wave of boycotts of french products, then i am willing to be the french will apologize to the Chinese people.

Honeymoon over for China and France

ananda, Berkeley, California — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:12:08 GMT

The failure to address the issues behind the 2008 Beijing Olympics echoes the moral fiasco of the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Nations debated a boycott then and decided to attend Hitler's Nazi showcase - and millions died.

The exact same issue presents itself again. This time we already know the Chinese government supplies arms to Sudan and Burma. We know it continues to violently undermine Tibetan sovereignty. We know the Chinese government continues to imprison, torture and murder politcal and religious freedom activists.

Any support, attendance, viewing, sponsorship, reporting of the Beijing Olympics is complicity to bloodshed. It's that simple folks. If we choose to ignore history's lessons, it will repeat itself.

Honeymoon over for China and France

WW Terry — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:16:57 GMT

Ah the games played by states. Ruffle China's feathers and she trots out protesters. Sign of weakness. What I want to see is the $90,000 picture of Sarkozy's nude wife. Now that is interesting.

Honeymoon over for China and France

shmoon — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:26:00 GMT

Ｉhope whoever bought the Nude Picture of France First lady go make copy of it and post around town when the france president do come to china. lol that will be very funny

Honeymoon over for China and France

Mike Doe, Deer Me Park, Alaska — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:42:36 GMT

Carla's picture-if the Chinese press will just distribute it-will warm Sino/Franco relations I'm
sure. If not, maybe a few glossy photos of B.Bardot
in her day!

Honeymoon over for China and France

david oriordan — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:52:17 GMT

the press shows the truth. and the truth hurt's. china wake up. we don't have censors in our media. you do. hey i have an idea. lets all boycott china.
tit for tat. is not the answer. maybe you should open your eyes and look around. china isn't so perfect as u think. or led to beleive. but hey you got censors and we don't. so how about dealing with the truth. it wont hurt. .. much

Honeymoon over for China and France

LibMediaBias — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:04:37 GMT

re: d. oriordan

"the press shows the truth"

having interned at NYT in my college days, that is the funniest thing i've heard lately!

Honeymoon over for China and France

jenni, aiken, sc — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:05:45 GMT

the chinese need to understand that a country's president doing business with you does not automatically buy the hearts, the minds, and the media of that country.

just as our country is divided over support for our president, the french by no means all support sarkozy.

it's common sense, people. but by all means, feel free to waste your time boycotting louis vuitton. i'm sure they're weeping with concern.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Matt — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:06:16 GMT

Winners:
#1: the Chinese people-know better now how to determine their path for their own future. And this is the best Olympics for them and they should thank the world gives them the opportunity. It may looks bad in some people’s eyes but it is truly the best Olympics for the Chinese people.
#2: US and President Bush-we are rational and responsible-kept the Olympics torch safe in SF and we are going to the Games including himself. The voice of protesters was heard but had to be by law and order on our land. Hitting the young lady carrying the torch in wheelchair won’t be allowed in our country. This is our system and the superpower is superpower. Well, we have a lot to improve as well.
#3: Chinese government: give the opportunity to think in improving many things need to improve and notice that letting the people’s voice heard can tell the truth and the people would stand behind the government if it is right for them. The Chinese people is among the smartest and they know what is good for them.

Losers:
#1: Olympics Games: it is bad to mix politics and sports-no constructive result according to the Games principles.
#2: Tibet protesters: violence towards innocent people won’t make any cause succeed in ordinary people’s eyes. Any political pursuit needs to follow appropriate channels. And that is why we are all against terrorism. The unfairness and injustice exist in every corner of the world every day.
#3: the “old Europe”, especially France. Remember how we felt French fries when they told us what to do? I think the Chinese will tell them how the Chinese feel this time, maybe after the games but it is going to be a hard one. Chinese could be 100 times powerful than Iraq. Their President is not welcomed in China. Spitting on host’s face then go? Maybe France skipping this year’s games would be a better idea. UK, the damage was done but their prime minister is going for the closing. China knows they are the next host. Germany, at least nothing happened in their country but bad things also were said so we will see how that goes.
#4 some media in Chinese eyes when Chinese see the “distorted” stories. Many Chinese used to trust western media to get the full story but this time things happened on their land under their eyes.

Honeymoon over for China and France

John Doe, Seattle, Wash — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:13:32 GMT

All the whole design is to isolate China, not about religion. Is the religion being invaded in Texas now?

Honeymoon over for China and France

Peter Heron Colo Spg Co — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:39:30 GMT

Yeah, the French annoy me. But cut the crap by saying they were cowardly in WWII. They weren't, were surprised, and fought back as the Free French. They also fought bravely, often victoriously, in war after war, century after century. So start criticizing France on merits, not stupid insults. By the way, they seem to be leaning our way more and more.

Honeymoon over for China and France

kathy snyder, grand rapids, mi — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:40:19 GMT

I hope others have the courage to stay away from the Olympics opening ceramonies. But I'm sure money will win out and the representatives of the free world will cave and kiss Chinas cheeks. Who could possibly cross China when there is so much money and gooids available?? Money and goods will over rule human rights every time. The only time we get fiesty and stomp on someone in the name of 'human rights' is when there is money or oil at stake. Sad Sad Sad

Honeymoon over for China and France

KGary, Plainfield, Il — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:42:22 GMT

The fact is the fiasco of the 1936 Berlin Olympics, turned out to be a victory for free nations. That fact is that 1,000,000's who died had nothing to do with the Olympics or who attended. People....screw you head back on and remove yourself from Disney land. This is a great opportunity to show how great Democracy is. Remember the Greeks were the first. They were not Democratic. In fact, they killed there children who were they considered weak. This whole protest is a joke. What China does in Tibet and other countries is something for debate and maybe political action, but the Olympics have nothing to do with Politics are Human rights.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Wendy, Boston — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:48:45 GMT

NO, the US does not censor the media! The US media is biased enough that no censorship would be required. A lot of people champion Dalai Lama and his cause, under the banner of Tibetan freedom and human rights. But where is he? If there were no personal political agenda, he would not have chosen just before the Olympic Games to start such a violent public display! While he stays out of sight, and out of danger, he instigates his midgets to wail to the World how China is this dark world of oppression. How cowardly! How are his actions different than that of the terrorism leadership? If he were so thoughtful for the wellbeing of the Tibetan people, why does he not follow the actions of Gandhi, who truly follows the doctrines of Buddhism, to suffer oneself while lead the others to enlightenment? Think about what Dalai Lama has done for the Tibetans, then decide whether China is the oppressor or the victim in this fiasco!

Honeymoon over for China and France

JR — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:55:12 GMT

i think a boycott of china is long overdue.

they wanted the olympics. nobody forced this upon them. they are suddenly shocked they are supposed to live up to the standards of olympic ethics of fair play, sportsmanship, equal playing field for all? those things are not just code of the games but code of olympic spirit written into the very documents that define olympics and the chinese obviously must have read. the olympic documents cleary state the host nation must live up to higher standards regarding human rights as olympics are NOT just about games...it is a global event to promote equality and brotherhood/sisterhood that transcends geographic borders.

but to chinese this obviously has all translated into "we will punish anyone who speaks out against china because these games are all about CHINESE PEOPLE!". i sense the world being turned off by anger coming from ordinary chinese people and don't expect the ratings for olympic games to be very high. i know i have changed my mind and won't be watching their opening ceremony propaganda and hardly any of the sporting events...if any at all. who are the fools that voted to give china the olympics? they clearly are 10 to 20 years before being ready to represent the olympic traditions. they are completely ignorant to what the olympics are all about. they may have modern looking cities now but it is obvious they have a LONG way to go before they understand what it means to be a developed nation.

since it is impossible to not boycott "made in china" you can boycott by simply buying some things that are made in nations that have reasonably good human rights records.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Kevin Cao, Dayton, NJ — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 20:05:49 GMT

"The exact same issue presents itself again. This time we already know the Chinese government supplies arms to Sudan and Burma. We know it continues to violently undermine Tibetan sovereignty. We know the Chinese government continues to imprison, torture and murder politcal and religious freedom activists."

US accounts for 90% of the world weapon market including so called WMD. So where are you with all these going on and where were you when US invaded a sovereign country for oil in the name of WMD. Where isyour moral supremacy coming from?

By the way, Xi-zhang (Tibet)is and will always be part of China. Although I agree Chinese citizen need more freedom (speech, gathering, participate in politics). Even if a couple thugs boycotts the game, so be it. Even if the game has to be canceled, big deal!

Honeymoon over for China and France

philip, phoenix, az — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 20:10:24 GMT

Chineses medias got censors.
Western medias got biases.

Which is better?

Your call.

Honeymoon over for China and France

R.U.Educated, Somewhere, Maryland — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 20:17:54 GMT

I guess Joe McDove's history lessons fell woefully short...after all, if it weren't for the French, we'd all still be British subjects!!! As a full-blooded American who's family has been here for several hundred years, it's truly embarrassing to have to share that heritage with the so many ignorant, uneducated loafs who call themselves "patriotic" Americans...

Honeymoon over for China and France

Eric Fang — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 20:31:54 GMT

I believe the French president took a wrong step and all he has to do is to sit and relax, like Bush....That Tibet issue is a none issue to begin with, and it has been China's land for over 5000 years, so no one should have any second thought on that. For the average Tibet people, it is very true that their life is much better than ever and with the government pump in millions of dollars to the region for its growth, The Tibet people's life changed forever!

Honeymoon over for China and France

tony c, toronto. — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 20:34:53 GMT

I can't believe so many people are being manipulated by the "Lama". Although the Chinese government is not perfect, It seems the western media and some governments are rather biased and falling hook, line and sinker for the "Lama's" story.

Honeymoon over for China and France

A Walsh — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 20:38:09 GMT

China has finally come into it's own, after being used, abused, and humiliated by other world powers for ages. They are proud people, and want to be recognized. Too bad their leaders now choose to be bullies. Like all bullies, they are ultimately cowards. They're scared to death of one little Tibetan priest who isn't even in the country. China brought this on itself. Too bad it's going to smear their "coming-out party".

Honeymoon over for China and France

David, New York — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 20:38:26 GMT

We had better wake up and realize that China is not a friend of the United States or Western Europe. They spy on use, steal our technology, sell us inferior quality and often dangerous goods and support our enemies.
I have a great deal of admiration for those people in London, Paris and San Francisco who were willing to stand up and expose them for they really are. Too bad we have such corrupt politicions in this country who have sold out the American people to benefit a bunch of big companies doing business with China

Honeymoon over for China and France

john — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 20:45:24 GMT

Does anyone realy care what the Chinese think?
Lets be real they are all liars about everything. I think its time to just BOYCOTT CHINA. If the world stops buying there products, and stops using there labor force they may crumble. We can only hope.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Joe — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:02:50 GMT

To david oriordan:
"you got censors and we don't"? Then why this page has following words highlighted by "PLEASE READ" in red?

All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Joe, los angelos, California — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:10:14 GMT

Why all the fuss about 'freeing' Tibet when Tibet has been a part of China for hundreds of years? Even the Dlai Lama says he doesn't want independance (although he really does). Most people don't understand that asking China to give up its backyard will not work! That will just drive China to do some more 'weeding' until the backyard is nice and clear.
Tibet is part of China and will forever be part of China, millions will die if China is forced to give up its land.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Andy, Columbus, OH — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:51:59 GMT

The Chinese keep their people fairly ignorant of facts especially if it rubs against party dogma and feed them only self-serving information. It appears a fair share of Chinese bloggers exhibit facististic patriotism of their country; if you don't toe the party line you must be eliminated. It is not unlike Nazi boasting of the master race and elimination of the inferior race. There are way too many similarities to Nazi Germany...unrealistic idealist society, heavy government censorship, military build up, desire to save/recapture the "mother land" of Taiwan and Tibet back. The sooner the West cuts off its ambilical cord to the Chinese the better. We are doing nothing more than financing our enemy who have demonstrated hatred towards us. I have little doubt China and their allies will start the next world war. One I doubt the West has the will to win this time.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Allie, Charlotte NC — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 22:10:31 GMT

China's terrible Human Rights record and the Olympics are two different things. While China needs to be dealt with (very very much so) it seems like people are using the Olympics as a chance to address these problems. The Olympics is a time that should unite the nations, not cause politically-charged feuds.
The issues we have with China are very important and NEED to be addressed. However, I think that using the Olympics as a reason to address these issues is inappropriate to the Games themselves.
Confront CHINA. Don't confront a series of sports games invented by the Greeks thousands of years ago.

Honeymoon over for China and France

marilu — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 22:12:35 GMT

Joe, los angelos, California, the Note in Red is to stop people to insult others that do not agree with them. I have seen other places where bad language is a major part of the comemnts, where they attach and call names to others and there is nothing to do with the blog. I'd rather use this blog with the "censor" than one without it.

Honeymoon over for China and France

dalei — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 22:15:26 GMT

China has stood firm without the west and they didn't need the west and they did just fine. What make you think this time will be any different. Please go ahead and boycott China. China will do just fine like they had been doing for thousands of years. I'm sick and tired of hearing US people saying China dependent on them for their mercy. Don't act like you are the savior. Mutual dependency and respect is the key. Chinese people can survive with what they have regardless how small, unlike in the west, people have to keep accumulating weather and comfort to survive.

Honeymoon over for China and France

D Nguyen, Dallas,Tx — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 22:44:46 GMT

The Oplympic burning flame is really the Olympic burning shame when the world allows China to host the event. When will we recognize China for what it is? A communist regime that has destroyed the Tibet, the Tibetian society, the Tibetian culture and its people.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Bob, Bristol, UK — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 22:54:25 GMT

Some of th comments on this are insane on both sides of the debate. The idea that the french gave up in world war 2 and didnt join in the war in iraq and therefore cannot take any kind of morale stance on the actions of china is stupid. Whether a nation supported Iraq or not is not a true test of a nations commitment to freedom as the French believe, rightly or wrongly, that Iraq was not handled legally and therefore the invasion should not have been attempted. Another thing the idea that there is some anti chinese "tibetan conspiracy" is ridiculous, it was a once independent land that was taken by force and annexed by another power, something that should be regarded negatively and to just say "well its part of china now" is ridiculous. However it is true that the press consistantly potray Tibet in a positive light withought any thought to either the chinese opinion or the realitys of the scenario. People should think more about both sides of the arguement rather than making irrational and ill thought out comments. Just a point over the comments to do with the war of independence, im sorry does being anti british and pro french constitute being American nowadays, last i looked we were your allies, furthermore i dont believe you can acuse anyone else of being ignorant when you failed to notice something called decolinization which means you wouldnt be british subjects now anyway.

Honeymoon over for China and France

DY, Charlotte, NC — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 22:55:24 GMT

Many of the anti-China comments reflect ignorance of Tibet/China history and Tibetan culture. To spew ignorance is an abuse of free speech, even in America. The Dalai Lama/Monk system is one of serfdom for 95 percent of the Tibetan population who cannot own land - it all belongs to the head parasite and his followers who chant for their daily bread which the poor villagers give up in the name of religion and get no favors in return. Wake up, people. Please do a Google Search before uttering stupid propaganda and show your ignorance of facts.

Honeymoon over for China and France

postboy BeiJing China — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:06:46 GMT

Beijing to West: BRING IT ON.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Cindy, San Francisco, CA — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:14:30 GMT

(cont'd)
China has done a tremendous job in its homeland including Tibet in the past 20 years. It's a very different country than 30 years ago. Some politicians in this country are worried China is catching up too quickly and it makes them unease... But the growth in Asia is inevitable... it contributes to and benefits the whole world... Aren't americans enjoying the low inflation in a staggered economy? When they cosume 3 to 4 times natrual resources than the world-wide average, they blame people in developing countries for polution... People in this country and the western society in general need to adjust and accept the fact... Constant denial and demonizing China can't work forever... By the way, who cares if some politicians attend the Olympic event or not… it’s yout loss, life goes on… (will be continued)

Honeymoon over for China and France

Cindy, San Francisco, CA — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:15:18 GMT

Tibet is much better now than ruled under that Lama, a real slave owner and a pretentious buddhist, shuffling around the world in Gucci shoes...

By the way, Tibetan Buddhism is one branch of Buddhism. China welcome diversities, different religions, variations and branches... just like here in San Francisco...

It was a riot in Tibet couple of weeks ago. Monks turned into mobs, burning shops and killing people. But Liars like CNN said it's an unrest and a non-violent protest... When Chinese government went to restore the order, Liars like CNN said it's a crackdown... No wonder there were so many innocent Americans holding the "Free Tibet" signs...

There were even very young American teenagers among protestors yesterday. One held a sign stating "Free China". I whispered in his ear China doesn't need to be freed by you, free yourself... He blushed and walked away...

Honeymoon over for China and France

toshay — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:18:47 GMT

Sure there are other programs on TV to watch
instead of the Olympic like American troops die in Iraq,
Market freefall, the fraud US election, home price dumps, jobless rate jump, price imflation rise, more american become poor and homeless, riot in paris again, more muslims hate Europe and West.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Frank Lau — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:20:36 GMT

Tibet is not a local or chinese word, it was coined by British colonialist in India in 19 century as a taraget of exploitation, after they subdued India, Nepal, Butan and Sikkim. The place is called Xizang, and the people are called Zangren for at least a thousand years. So to make sense to the chinese, say Free Xizang. Free Tibet seems like words coined to please British imperialist and their followers who cannot forget their misadventure while pillaging over Asia and Africa, one generation ago.

Honeymoon over for China and France

leo Seattle — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:24:55 GMT

"Does anyone realy care what the Chinese think?
Lets be real they are all liars about everything. I think its time to just BOYCOTT CHINA. If the world stops buying there products, and stops using there labor force they may crumble. We can only hope.--- John"

You must be the one who go after that girl in wheel chair, Bravo to you.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Tommy Wang, Beijing, China — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:36:51 GMT

My friends and me will not buy anything made in France anymore. One of my friend canceled buying a pair of $2000 Berluti shoes lastweek because it is made in France.
We're very furious about a Chinese young girl in wheelchair was attacked by a Dalai Lama's follower in Paris during Olympic torch relay. If anyone support this kind of attack, they will definitly are our animy.

Honeymoon over for China and France

kanden, Washington DC — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:42:42 GMT

For the people who hate China, please donot buy anything MADE IN CHINA. Can you? i know i can't. my income just can't allow to do it. i don't really care what is happening in China and Tibet, they are not my business. i am worrying about my relatives and friends who are in Iraq and gas price and my IRA account and my house and my boss.....what about You guys? this is the buiness between China and Dalai Lama, take care yourself and your family first, then worry about other people. i don't wanna my government waste my tax money on the s!@#, i rather Bush buy more guns for our Army with my tax money.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Charlie, Lake Charles LA — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 00:33:17 GMT

To Kevin Cao - It's Xi Zang not Xi Zhang. To others - Tibet has not been a part of China for hundreds or thousands of years. They also were a war-like people in the past (before their own brand of Buddism-Lama worship took root about 600 years ago)and in the distant past stormed the then captial of China forcing the emperor to flee west. For those who think I support Tibetan separtism - The life expectancy of the average Tibetan has gone from 40 years before Chinese rule to better than 60 now. Of course they don't have true self-rule now and they are subject to "Hanification", the relocating of ethnic majority Chinese into their region to stabilize it, but their lives are largely better. The people of Xin Jiang (or West Turkmenistan) are going through a similar experience but nobody seems to care about them because of their ties to Muslim terrorism I guess.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Charlie, Lake Charles LA — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 00:33:27 GMT

Honeymoon over for China and France

Bernhard Meck, Memphis TN — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 00:54:48 GMT

Should we do away with the Olympics altogether? The games every four years were after all in the ancient world the time when nations laid down their quarrels and interacted in a respectful manner. Every time the games come around in modern times, there seems to be a new reason to boycott, be it the games 1980 in Moscow or the ones 1984 in Los Angeles. One power block against the other! Fighting political battles in the sports arenas. And those who think the deaths of millions in WWII had anything to do with NOT BOYCOTTING the 1936 Olympics seem to ignore that Hitler was already deadset on world domination... meanwhile he was humbled into only being able to say a single sentence - declaring the 1936 Berlin Olympics as opened - and later then, the victories of black American athletes made an obvious mockery of his official ideology of racial inferiority! (Of course I presume, these athletes would have to use 'colored only' washrooms back in the States)

Honeymoon over for China and France

WEI TAI PO — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 01:06:14 GMT

THE TIBETAN STRUGGLE, THE DALAI LAMA'S PHILOSOPHICAL, POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS BELIEFS ARE IRRELEVANT IN THE WEST, THE EU AND FRANCE. WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO THE FRENCH AND THE EUROPEANS IS THE CULTIVATION OF THE FIRST SEED THAT WILL PREPARE THE UPRISING AND THE BEGINNING OF A MASSIVE REBELLION AND REVOLUTION IN CHINA, SIMILAR TO THE ONE IN EASTERN EUROPE IN THE 1980'S.
THE FRENCH, THE EUROPEANS AND THE AMERICANS KNOW THAT AFTER THE COLLAPSE OF COMMUNISM IN CHINA THE FIELD WILL BE OPEN FOR THE CULTIVATION OF THE SECOND SEED....."FULL BLOWN CAPITALISM". WHEN UNRESTRICTED CAPITALIM REACHES CHINA ALL DICTATORSHIPS WILL COLLAPSE IN SOUTH EAST ASIA. THE DOMINO EFFECT WILL DESTROY NORTH KOREA, VIETNAM AND WILL UNIFY CHINA WITH TAIWAN. THE CHINESE LEADERSHIP KNOWS THAT AND FEARS FOR ITS SURVIVAL. THE PSEUDO-DEMOCRACY SHOW THAT CHINA IS PREPARING FOR THE OLYMPICS IS NOT AND WILL NEVER BE BELIEVED BY THE EYES OF THE WESTERN
WORLD AND MEDIA.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Cal, Berkeley, CA — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 01:11:23 GMT

It's absurd to ask China to free Tibet. And what's with "China is the enemy" talk. They are no different from the rest of us. And while their government is far from perfect, can we say that ours is any better. EVERY government is corrupt. The only reason some of you are even aware of Tibet is probably because of the formerly annual-held Tibetan Freedom Concert courtesy of the Beastie Boys.
A solution will be reached, but you cannot ask China to give up its land. And coming from countries in the West, that's imperialist talk - from the same countries who had in previous centuries "colonized" the world.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Siu-wah Li,Hong Kong — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 01:16:54 GMT

I am a Chinese living in Hong Kong and I count myself a liberal.I agree with the analysis of Matt ,sent Apri 11 2008,3.06am.
Matt is rational and he has done an excellent job by catching the event correctly.

Yes.I will not trust the West the way I did from now on.And I have new (bad)views of France .

But I think we still must learn from one another and try to be friends.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Don, Binghamton, NY — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 01:18:26 GMT

The West needs China. Within the next 20 years, China will invade the Middle East. China will NOT appeal to the UN when its economic growth is stalled for lack of oil. China will sell the US oil at "friend" prices because they want access to our many markets. We need China to invade the Middle Eastern oilfields because we cannot.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Theo Maveric,Alberqueque,New Mexico — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 01:38:11 GMT

To all those super-holy-puritan americans who think that the american way is the only way, pause and think..the olympic games have been mared by american superimposed-double standard foreign policy long before the Tibetan issue..the olympics where held during the cold war,during vietnam war. As if thats not enough, they are going to be held during the Iraq and Afghinstan wars...I think its time for the so-called world powers to live wat they preach..the chinese are wrong in their handling of Tibet and Sudan. But lets not forget that the race to "superpowerdom" has been on way since way back.. Stupid lobyists who are paid by big cooperations should be ashamed of themselves for playing dirty..

Honeymoon over for China and France

Dangdut — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 02:22:10 GMT

Perhaps it is time to change the Chinese name for France. If these cowards want to talk about human rights, please do so seriously and honestly. Ask the UN to open up an international forum and then find an international solution. Maybe the world needs a code of practice or ISO (including an audit). Any international forum for discussion must involve all affected nations and ethnic groups. France must realize that you have human rights issue at your own backyard. For these cowards, please be civilised. Don't use the Olympics as a forum and behave like fanatical extremists. If situation gets worse, boycott also the LaFarge Cement. I know they are going big in China and other Asian countries.

Honeymoon over for China and France

francine Aiello — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 02:30:00 GMT

The protesters were thwarted from peacefully participating in San Francisco, suppressed again in Argentina, and now the athletes themselves are forbidden to protest. The Chinese, the corporations, the Olympic Committee, and some of our own leaders are beginning to look alike. I thank the English and the French for at least getting the word out before this unprecedented deterrence of Human Rights demonstrators within free countries.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Bob, Honolulu, HI — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 02:32:19 GMT

What I find shocking is the ability of rational thinking people to ignore the reality that Tibet was an independent country. Those who say it was and always will be part of China need to check real history books. It, like Bhutan, and Sikkam, did fine by themselves with no help from the Chinese. The British overran Sikkam; China overran Tibet in exactly the same way. Since neither was just, please leave the self-righteous indignation behind. Learn from history and we will not repeat the mistakes of the past, which some countries continue to insist is their right, and perpetuate.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Driene,TX — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 02:48:43 GMT

China is hiding the facts. Their news(State run) is printing exactly what they want people to think, not what is really happening there. Their human rights track record is terrible. If they (Chinese) can boycott the French products/business, why can't Americans boycott the Chinese products. Especially since we're getting their tainted heperin (people are dying), the pet food, the children's toys. And that's just what has surfaced thus far. Who knows how many other exports they're sending over here and we just keep buying from them. They plan on taking over the world and they're getting pretty successful at that already. The jobs need to come BACK to America. We need to buy American. And support the Tibatans in their struggle for religious freedom. It wasn't that long ago that the founding fathers came here from Europe trying to attain that very same thing.I think the chinese government is shameful and full of propaganda in their reporting, that's why they cut off journalist from doing their jobs-because they don't want the truth to be told.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Rick — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 03:16:01 GMT

Its time the U.S. starts minding its own business. We are in Iraq, Afganistan, and have our nose in everyone's affairs. Perhaps we should invest in our own affairs and stop telling other countries how to run their business. Our dollar is dropping, were broke, health care in shambles....

Honeymoon over for China and France

JT — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 04:01:54 GMT

Matt, you forgot loser #4 The Chinese Government: In your own words “violence towards innocent people won’t make any cause succeed in ordinary people’s eyes. Any political pursuit needs to follow appropriate channels. And that is why we are all against terrorism. The unfairness and injustice exist in every corner of the world every day.”

Oh, and John Doe, for your information about religion being invaded in Texas. No, it is not about religion, it is about child abuse. Yes, there are people in America that abuse children. And don’t try to tell me that it does not happen in China. The difference is that in America the “biased” media reports it and something is done about it. In China, the state run media hides it and nothing is done about it.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Lolita , Boston, Ma — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 04:02:55 GMT

China brought this on herself by agreeing to host the olympic games.did the communist party leaders think the free world would not protest their abysmal human rights records?
It's time , we in the western world tell china and the polytburo party leaders to grant Freedom to Tibet ,have respect for human rights and stop selling us inferior and poisonous products

Honeymoon over for China and France

Axel, Philadelphia — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 04:35:00 GMT

" guess Joe McDove's history lessons fell woefully short...after all, if it weren't for the French, we'd all still be British subjects!!! "

I hear this all the time but really ?? Are Canadians still British subjects ? Australians ?? Not a shot was fired there. Read some history books, good ones that is.

Honeymoon over for China and France

HQ, San Francisco, CA — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 04:41:12 GMT

I look down Sakozy. He is nothing but a dirty politicion who can not even tell right from wrong. Shame on him.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Keith Inch — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 04:50:05 GMT

Everyone one is so quick to blame an entire nation for an individual's actions. Then there are these mommy-homemakers and kids with a bachelors of arts in education or mathematics trying to play politician or a global entreprenuer/strategist. And finally there are the rallied-up web surfer that becomes violently upset while reading internet posts, but will never have any sort of impact on the changing of the world. I vehemently oppose our president for numerous reasons, but foremost his annihilation of international relations and all ethics regarding nation-states' conflict; BUT, it's admirable that he is able to achieve his demented goals, which more than 99% of people that read this column will never even come close to attaining, rather than having coffee hour about French wine, the Olympics and nude pictures. I think we all need to pat ourselves on the back while the big people keep making our decisions.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Bob — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 04:50:18 GMT

If China wouldn't be so scared of its people and those it has subjucated, it would allow people to speak their minds. As in all communist dominated countries, China believes it must control the masses and not allow dissent. Why is that except fear. No government should fear the thoughts of its people unless it knows its rule is not fair. Only those at the top of the ladder get what they want so they continue to control the masses. It is time for the communist wills to leave and be defeated. Revolution is what brought the communists to power and that is what will be needed to destroy them. Live by the sword, die by the sword

Honeymoon over for China and France

Janny L, Seatle, Wash — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 05:24:52 GMT

Don't forget that Chinese government is one of the most dictatorial and communist regime in the world. I'll pray every night for the freedom of Tibet. Tibet is and will never be a part of China because the Tibet has a different culture and Tibet people don't want their culture be eliminating by Chinese culture. The Chinese government is trying to assimilate Tibet people as they tried to do with other Asian countries but they will never be success since savage cannot win the truth and good sense. Some day the Chinese will regret what they do today. No one wants to travel to China and Tibet because what they see and find is the only Han-Chinese culture, and the diversity of the culture is the most precious assets of a country.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Yuan Lee, Bellingham, Wa 98229 — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 05:35:55 GMT

Two hypocratic nations finally exposed their inner feeling towards each other. The ex-imperialist and the neo-imperialist are throwing thunder bolts aginst each other. Hurrah! May they all vanish from this univderse forever and left the rest in peace.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Mark, Xinyu, Jiangxi, China — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 05:58:22 GMT

As always, the truth is somewhere in the middle. I'm an American living in China and of course the media is all up in arms about Western media bias and the uncivilized Tibetan rioters, and they do have a point. The West is clearly biased against China and the Tibetan rioters have done horrific things to the Han Chinese people living in Tibet. But of course the Tibetans have every reason to be angry and the Chinese military is crashing down an iron fist on people arms with sticks and stones. As with every news story involving China, I always tell people that it's not as bad as the West thinks it is, and it's not as good as China says it is. Lies, lies, nothing but lies.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Bill Chua, Singapore. — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 06:23:33 GMT

America & Australia were colonised by Europeans not so long ago. They local inhabitants were massacred & killed indiscriminately and ethnic cleansing by raping were encouraged, that is why you cannot find pure bred Red Indians or Aborigines today. Red Indians & Aborigines were denied legal or land rights ever since, now they live on the waste and unproductive lands that cannot support any crops, forcing them to live on hand outs, welfare & cheap liquor until they die. The French, the Dutch, the Belgians and the British robbed and plunder Africa for centuries living behind a continent plagued with civil war and famines. Now that the Chinese are giving the Africans economic aids, building roads and railway and cheap consumer products, the European medias complained that the Chinese are bribing the Africans for their mineral resources. (At least the Chinese are paying the Africans market prices) All African gold and diamond are in Europe while the African mines are still owned by De Beers and Anglo American companies while the Africans are dying from famine. Shame on all the Europeans who protest against China using the Olympic conduit. They should study history but like the Japanese, their history books are being re-written minus all the shameful things they did to Africa, China and South East Asia so that the future generation are not aware of their forefathers chequered past. The Japanese killed 60-70 million Chinese civilians from 1930 to 1945. The EVIL of AXIS should be the Americans, Europeans and Japanese, not the Iranian or the North Koreans. The Europeans never paid for the land they sized in America, Australia and the gold and diamond from Africa, even until today.
Tibet was annexed by the Mongols and became part of Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasty. The Tibetans were allowed to keep their religion intact and Tibet has benefitted with huge infusion of infrastucture and economic investments to uplift and improve the quality of life in the harsh environment. Almost all the food and fuel came from outside Tibet and the Chinese gave generously and everyone is treated as a China national. The Chinese race is not going to sit idle after being humiliated by the British, the French and orchestrated by the Americans. Australia PM Rudd will not be so smug, his Minister apologised to the Aborigines a few months ago for ill treatment inflicted by the White Australian Policy of the past colonial government, when he realised he should have tidy up his backside, check with his history teacher before visiting China and telling the Chinese how to mind their business. Obviously the in-bred white supremacy traits has to show up somehow.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Chris, Jefferson, ME — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 06:33:49 GMT

Why all the fuss? Because no people should be forced to remain part of country just because of geography. Nationalism has and always will be a poor excuse to limit people's freedom. If Kansas wanted to secede from the United States, we wouldn't force them to stay but we would definitely think they were missing a few marbles.

I understand Nationalistic pride. It can be a great motivator and focal lens, but too much nationalism can degenerate into the rhetoric we see with the Chinese (Taiwan, Tibet) and North Korea.

Honeymoon over for China and France

anonomous — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 06:59:49 GMT

i find this entire situation very amusing.... all there is is to wait and watch what happens.... someone is gonna have it bad... the chinese don't ALWAYS lie. there's always a tiny piece of a truth in a lie, but their record does a lot of talking by itself.... i wonder what the french will do.....

Honeymoon over for China and France

Ray, Irvine, CA — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 07:27:19 GMT

To Ananda in Berkeley:
you are in Berkeley, right? There is one of the best institutions about Asian history. Tibet has been a part of China for hundreds of years. "Tibetan sovereignty". you know nothing!
Go back to library and do some research before you post nonsense again.
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/asia_1892_amer_ency_brit.jpg

Honeymoon over for China and France

iowan — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 07:30:35 GMT

Those idiots who believe china will stop at Tibet are dead wrong ,their thugs are already at the gates of India in Nepal and they will not stop until all of southeast asia is red. I say viva La France for standing up to these jack booted thugs who think nothing of the values of freedom.

Honeymoon over for China and France

North Starr — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 07:37:16 GMT

It is a true shame that the French people, along with other western media brain washed (oops, “educated”) “freedom fighters”, cannot tell from right from wrong. When the media in the west is giving all the attention to thugs like this in the name of ‘freedom”, giving praise instead of condemning such hooligan act, we all know what’s the real morality of the Western value...

See for yourself:
http://themodernchina.wordpress.com/2008/04/10/professional-tibetan-protestor-exposed/

(I am pretty sure NBC will not even dare to publish this truth here for the world to see)

Honeymoon over for China and France

Big Al, Detroit MI — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 09:28:01 GMT

I love the Olympic spirit and have been looking forward to seeing the Olympics in China for years. I also admire the courage of the protesters. Hopefully the protests will be peaceful. Hopefully, we can have political dissent and a successful Olympics at the same time (?)

Honeymoon over for China and France

Nina,british columbia — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 09:49:11 GMT

I think all we need to do is get a chinese visa and come live in China for some time,then you might have an idea of the kind of people the chinese really are.I've been there as a teacher and I know the chinese are being ruled,they cannot express themselves,I was a teacher and a high school student cannot even have a mond of his own in chosing what he wants to be,the decision has to be made by the Government,in this kind of country,how realistic do you expect the citizens to be?They cannot see what is in front of them.If china is so good,how come in every country of the world,even in Africa,there are hundreds of thousands of chinese,why do the chinese rua away from their country?

Honeymoon over for China and France

Bin Li, San Jose, California — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 10:19:40 GMT

Anybody who supports "free Tibet from chinese government" please spend 5 minutes reading the Tibet history. Slavery was the legal social system in Tibet before the Chinese communists took over. The Tibetan guys exiled by China were those who wanted the "freedom" to own slaves. Da Lai Lama is among one of them.

Do you believe the western political leaders and news agency actually don't know about this bit of history?

Honeymoon over for China and France

mango, Manilla — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 11:14:33 GMT

Funny how there are so many suckers with no meaning in their life but to take up some "spiritual" cause of the Dalai Lama. Olympics? China should cancel the damn thing.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Craig, Toronto — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 12:05:18 GMT

If Canada felt the same way as China did then the people of Quebec would be labeled traitors and criminals. Their language would be suppressed and their culture snuffed out.

But that is not the way in Canada. In China it is ok though. And the western world sits and pontificates and then writes billion dollar deals with them.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Ido Baji — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 13:56:39 GMT

The U.S. owes China too much money to not play along. I went to a Martial Arts school way up in the north, and my first night there I was interviewed by the secret police. Boycott WATCHING the Olympics, and anything that says MADE in CHNA--China can't punish us for that. And the bocott idea came right from them. Viva la France!

Honeymoon over for China and France

Ronald Spratt, Indianapolis,In — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 13:57:04 GMT

Okay heres the deal. Everyone is this entire world are all worried about everywhere else but home. The olympics are an age old tradition thats supposed to bring the world togther in a moment of complete unity. So I ask the age old question "Why cant we all just get along" i mean seriously how can one country worry about another when it has its own problems. You cant fix someone elses problems until your own are fixed. All i am saying everyone needs to stop meddling in someone elses affairs.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Andre, Portland, Maine — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 15:05:29 GMT

Madness! We need to stop annoying the Chinese over an issue that we cannot change in the short to medium term. If we are serious about "fighting for Tibet" then we had better be prepared to take on the Chinese economically and rebuild Western military power in order to protect ourselves.

Right now, much of Europe and the United States rely on the Chinese domestic market; Chinese foreign investment and, in the case of the USA, extensive Chinese funding for our mad debt spiral. This is no time to annoy the Chinese - we can't even finish off the Iraqis - so now we're going to take on China? Has everyone taken leave of their senses?

Honeymoon over for China and France

Daniel,Lincoln,Nebraska — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 15:06:51 GMT

Why Do you Hate Us??
　　　　------ A Poem Dedicated to the last 150 years of this planet.
　　By a Slient, Silent Chinese.
　　
　　===
　　When We were called Sick man of Asia, We were called The Peril.
　　When We are billed to be the next Superpower, We are called The threat.
　　
　　When We were closed our doors, You smuggled Drugs to Open Markets.
　　When We Embrace Freed Trade, You blame us for Taking away your jobs.
　　
　　When We were falling apart, You marched in your troops and wanted your "fa
ir share".
　　When We were putting the broken peices together again, "Free Tibet" you sc
reamed, "it was an invasion!"
　　( When Woodrow Wilson Couldn't give back Birth Place of Confucius back to
Us,
　　But He did bought a ticket for the Famine Relief Ball for us.)
　　
　　So, We Tried Communism, You hated us for being Communists
　　When We embrace Capitalism, You hate us for being Capitalist.
　　
　　When We have a Billion People, you said we were destroying the planet.
　　When We are tried limited our numbers, you said It was human rights abuse.

When We were Poor, You think we are dogs.
　　When We Loan you cash, You blame us for your debts.
　　
　　When We build our industries, You called us Polluters.
　　When we sell you goods, You blame us for global warming.
　　
　　When We buy oil, You called that exploitation and Genocide.
　　When You fight for oil, You called that Liberation.
　　
　　When We were lost in Chaos and rampage, You wanted Rules of Law for us.
　　When We uphold law and order against Violence, You called that Violating

　　Human Rights.
　　
　　When We were silent, You said you want us to have Free Speech.
　　When We were silent no more, You say we were Brainwashed-Xenophoics.
　　
　　Why do you hate us so much? We asked.
　　"No," You Answered, "We don't hate You."
　　
　　We don't Hate You either,
　　But Do you understand us?
　　
　　"Of course We do," You said,
　　"We have AFP, CNN and BBCs..."
　　
　　What do you really want from us?
　　Think Hard first, then Answer...
　　
　　Because you only get so many chances,
　　Enough is Enough, Enough Hypocrisy for this one world.
　　
　　We want One World, One Dream, And Peace On Earth.
　　- This Big Blue Earth is Big Enough for all of Us

Honeymoon over for China and France

Kevin Khan, Shanghai, China — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 16:51:59 GMT

I agree with Matt!

Honeymoon over for China and France

Dalai Lame-ass — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 17:39:37 GMT

The whole protest thing is a joke. You have people out there screwing up the games over this Dalai Lama that, before 2 months ago, they never even heard of. Who cares about the Dalai Lama anyway? I doubt the actual protesters really do. It's just that their the type of people that want to put their noses where they do not belong. Mostly college KIDS. Grow up. But the people really responsible for the protests are the Media. I remember reading in the media, at the onset of the whole Dalai Lama thing, about whether or not there'd be protest of the games. Way to go media! Put that in these KIDS heads and you see what you get?
Dalai WHO?

Honeymoon over for China and France

Tom, NJ — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 18:20:21 GMT

I blame Nixon

Honeymoon over for China and France

Jennica New Jersey — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 18:35:36 GMT

China has NOT been used, abused and humiliated - GET REAL! Just NOW they're being considered bullies? I think the Chinese have been very sly foxes in all our hen houses for quite a long time. They don't need to be bullies... what comes to my mind immediately is 1st- the lead in all of our children's toys (to weaken the health of the next generation) and 2nd was the "tainted" filler product for dog and cat food that killed numerous pets... this hit way below the belt for most people...What will be next? Do you realize how many things in your house right NOW that have "made in china" on them???
Right now at your computer... look around on your desk and see how many things there are...pens, pencils, ink, folders, spiral notebooks, sticky notes, my monitor, my speakers, the lamp on my desk, etc. Seriously - people should take a walk around their houses and look. You'll truly be amazed at how much is there and how simple it would be for China to make the whole world sick....

China and France can have each other. They deserve each other. Tibet... They've been persecuted for centuries....that's not going to change overnight while here half way around the world we have our own problems to deal with just dealing with ourselves.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Jim Hayes — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 19:02:28 GMT

It amazes me how many people are willing to support China not necessarily vis a vis the Olympics but regarding their abysmal record on almost all issues of global signifigance.I suspect the same people who hail the execution of Saddam Hussein are willing to turn a blind eye to China's persecution of political and religious dissidents, use of slave labor, forced sterilizations, environmental rape, support of rogue states, currency manipulation, Unfair economic attacks on World Markets forcing wage suppression world wide. They make the reasons for the boycott of the Moscow Olympics seem trivial. Anyone who believes the goals and Objectives of China are even marginally compatible with westernized nations are delusional.

As to Mssr. McDove and his disparaging of the French might want to realize that the french have $150,000,000,000(that's billion)invested in US companies. Aso as to WWII the French lost 1,400,000 dead soldiers in WWI and a total of 4,266,000 casualties. This is almost the exact number of US deaths in all wars and far in execess of total US casualties. This might diminish ones desire and ability to engage in another World Wae to be fought primarily in your country.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Wayne — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 19:43:12 GMT

The only people who think Tibet is part of China is China and the Chinese People. Tibetans were quite happy with their way of life, till the Chinese came along said you are standing on our land and we are going to populate it with HAN Chinese so you had better get used to it and like it because we said so. We will pump in millions of dollars for the ethnic HAN, not for the Tibetans, but we will tell you it is for you so you will thank us for invading your homeland. How reminiscent is this of the Iraq war? America invades occupies and refuses to leave. I think they are trying to create another US State or Territory after Hawaii and Costa Rica, just issue the Iraqis US passports and be done with it. With the Olympics, China wants to be recognized as one of the BIG BOYS, but does not want to play by the big boy rules, the big boys allow almost anyone to say almost anything about them and they take it on the chin and turn their heads so they can have another shot, China is not ready to do that, it has to be done by their rules or not at all. It would be nice to Boycott China, but that would mean eliminating about 97% of everything in the world as most of it is made in China, including most of the computers used to make this blog a reality. I think removing China from the UN Security Council would be a better move, so more things could get done with less interference.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Steven Colenso, San Fransico, CA — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 19:46:39 GMT

How can those who wish for the freedom and well being of others decide which group is more important? Do you people simply think that if Tibet goes free, sunflowers will sprout and the all Chinese will hold hands and dance? Nothing happens without consequence. You will bring further despair and unruliness to an otherwise relatively stable part of the world; shame on those who use their hearts instead of their brains.

Also, if you think the Chinese are not allowed to arrest and detain protestors for instigating disorder, then tell that the protestors who hung the banners in San Fransico; they were arrested for several charges including "conspiracy". To protest using violence should be outlawed. Shame on those who use their freedom to disobey the law. France and London did not display Democracy; they displayed Anarchy. Congratulations to the city of San Fransico for maintaining our dignity.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Keira Desbiens., Montreal — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 21:11:23 GMT

Some say, the world needs the growing chinese economy, but... China needs us even more, if people stopped buying chinese goods now, it would be an incredible economic catastrophy in China. They're over leveraged to death. Its a quasi bubble economy that only works with constant growth. They haven't had a recession in forever, but as we all know, eventually it happens... Now, they're cocky, but soon enough they'll need to realize that as a super power, they need to be part of the world and that means playing by its rule, not just their own.

Honeymoon over for China and France

R.Lackore Two Harbors Mn. — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 21:53:53 GMT

Tibet is not part of China nor has it been.Alittle reading in the History books and talking to the baby boomers will reveakl that Tibet was invaded by the Chinese for the sole purpose of provibing a buffer to the Soviet Union's expansionist desires

Honeymoon over for China and France

Ada A — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 22:02:30 GMT

Boycott does not work period! It is a simple economic law of supply and demand. Just like boycotting of Japanese goods in the 80's, there are people waiting in line if you do want it.

This whole Tibetan thing is just a puppet show. At the end it is the common gullible american people tha suufers. Take a look at this:

http://www.globalpolitician.com/24350-china-tibet-pakistan

Honeymoon over for China and France

AdaA — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 22:26:47 GMT

Please go boycott Chinese goods so that rest of us can get them even cheaper at our local walmarts. I am sure you are rich enough to buy the French and Italian made alternatives.

I bet you a million bucks that the monk robes on the protesters, or even the flags that they are waving, are made in China. I have never seen any boycotts really work. We boycotted Japanese in the 80's and French in post 911. You tell me the results.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Herb O'Fallon, Tampa, Florida — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 22:49:20 GMT

My wife is Chinese. I have been to China, am happy to learn the language. The Chinese people are good, honorable people. Some people in other parts of the world probably don't like China because it is a growing country.

The leadership is Communist, though you don't see them becoming involved in war after war. I don't know how much Hu Jintao listens to his people, but I know that here in the U.S., our President listens very little to his people. An example of that is that we're still in Iraq five years after it started, though many Americans have already voiced their displeasure, and may do so on a stronger basis in November 2008. The Unites States government was supposed to learn an important lesson in the Vietnam War, but didn't: the U.S. will not win wars in which it occupies a country where the enemy looks exactly like the people we're trying to help. Those who don't learn from History are doomed to repeat it.
Herb, Tampa, FLorida

Honeymoon over for China and France

Dave, Washington, D.C. — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 23:26:45 GMT

All the whole design is to isolate China, not about religion. Is the religion being invaded in Texas now?
John Doe, Seattle, Wash (Sent Friday, April 11, 2008 3:13 PM)

Huh? They do still have grade schools in Washington State, right? I would guess that this is another poor attempt by some disgruntled bi-polar west coast liberal who is using this off topic thread to berate religion. I mean really, where does religion even get mentioned in the above article??? It doesn't so go find your religion hate blog elsewhere!

Honeymoon over for China and France

ManWithWings — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 23:26:45 GMT

Wow! All this talk about Tibet being part of China for years and years. If people in Tibet weren't willing to stand up and seek their freedom from China then this would be a non-issue. However, many people here in AMERICA stood up and sought freedom from their former rulers too(remember the American Revolution??) So why not support those who seek freedom and their OWN country. Cowardice is a pitiful excuse for not taking action.

Honeymoon over for China and France

stephen g powers asheboro,N.C. — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 23:51:45 GMT

if you want to hurt china don't trade one thing with them-olympics are for sports-many country's,so ley them play and enjoy the competing with each other.keep politics and the olympics from each other.let the game begin.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Hank Va — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:33:21 GMT

"We had better wake up and realize that China is not a friend of the United States or Western Europe. They spy on use, steal our technology, sell us inferior quality and often dangerous goods and support our enemies."

So the French are on our side?.
Obviously there is need for education here!.
Take a good look at your government and what you said. Sound like you don't read much.
Waltmart made in China, Airbus is refueling your fighter plane and I bet you are an Obama supporter. Cause you sounded clueless and the policy your are promoting fit the cut and run strategy.

Honeymoon over for China and France

bohica — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 01:51:21 GMT

fact is Zarkozi is the problem in France right now.
he is very unpopular and he is a demagogue with reckless ambitions.
as far as commets from "ignoramus" McDove about France show how narrow minded and misinformed this redneck is about a great people and a great nation however annoying they may be to him .
you see, China doesnt like nation that disagree with them and have no qualms in didtancing themselves . so why should the French agree with us all the time?

Honeymoon over for China and France

David NY — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 04:19:12 GMT

not just listen to one side story,
the truth need to get back ground information and data. don't just believe something when you just read newspaper or watched TV.
too much lies is in front of truth

Honeymoon over for China and France

joli — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 05:04:07 GMT

china very well. chinese very friendly.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Michael M., Gatlinburg, TN — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 05:08:43 GMT

I'm not going to get into what could be a LONG and detailed posting - I'm just going to say I personally operate a business in Chengdu, China (SiChuan region that is next to Tibet) and own an apartment there. I have been spending about 4-5 months there off and on each year for the past 3 years. I am personally aquainted with this situation.

Most of these people talk about Tibet like they know something, and trust me on this point - they don't.

Anyone that thinks this is about peaceful monks and oppressive Chinese know less than 5% about what is really going on there.

All these people talking out there ear should go there, it isn't hard to do.

Please people, America just got through vetoing a bill to ban waterboarding, and we have the gaul to spout off (ill-informed of most of the material facts, to boot) about human-rights? Does the word "obnoxious" not strike anyone as appropriate about now?

I love America, but we really do need to stop telling everyone else how to run their country when 2/3 of our people don't even know enough to find China on a world map.

Pride goeth before a fall.

And for the record, I am far from a communist sympathizer. I usually vote republican, and my views are mostly libertarian.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Philip Oregon — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 05:24:40 GMT

I agree with Peter Heron and Kathy Snyder, they are both are right on the mark.Philip in Oregon.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Philip Oregon — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 05:26:04 GMT

I agree with Peter Heron and Kathy Snyder, they are both are right on the mark.Philip in Oregon.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Scott — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 06:45:03 GMT

Let's level the ground, if Alaska wants to secede from the union and have closer ties with the USSR, what would you think and how would our gov't handle that? China is emerging into the new world order.Give them time decide whether the " controlled chaos of the world's melting pot", is for them. Maybe, just maybe, they may decide to go the route of their long,loyal and untainted heritage and shun all of us while deloying the most powerful military to defend, {not invade}, their way of life! If inhumane treatment of the Chinese people is your stand, then continue east to America and make a stand against the mulitudes of injustice that happens under freedom. I embrace freedom, but, the Chinese have the right to protect their heritage, otherwise, they join the community of all us international mutts!

Honeymoon over for China and France

JF, Detroit,MI — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 07:12:18 GMT

Hey Ming.... It's funny that a country that is notorious for having absolutely no respect for human life is now preaching "dignity" and "politness". Get real. You can sugar coat Chinese ethics all you want. You can even try to paint this beautiful picture of Chinese respect for other people, etc. But, you know as well as everyone that is posting on here, that there is a good reason that China's repuation is garbage, all around the world. It's because the Chinese are notorious for having a strangle hold on the title of 'Disrespectful'. Their government cares zero, about human life and it trickles down from there. The average Chinese citizen acts the same way as a result. The typical tourist from China is a selfish brute of a person. They don't wait in line (just push ahead) and often are seen spitting on sidewalks as if others should have to walk through their filth. How about you worry about cleaning up your mess of a country, while the rest of us in countries like France and the United States, worry about ourselves. You know it is bad when an American, such as I, am siding with the French. Try not being so hypocritcal next time Ming - I doubt your picture would be so beautifully shot, with all that egg on your face.

Honeymoon over for China and France

James, Fremont, CA — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 07:41:47 GMT

It is interesting to go back in history to realize that the "Tibetian" who are the followers of the Dlai Lama sort of wandered into Tibet, China. They brought with them their Indian religion and became squatters in Tibet. Should they have any right to want "Independence"? They are like a bunch of homeless that moved into your back yard. They kill your dog and your rabbit and then tell you to go away and never come back.

I think they should be chased out of Tibet so that the original Chinese residents can live there safely and peacefully. They are the ones that need to get their human rights.

We have such big reactions to the peaceful Mexican that came into the US. I wonder how the US would react to Bin Laden moving into one of our states, kill off the American living there and then tell us they want to have human right and they want to take your state and go independent.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Teddy, San Jose, California — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 07:44:06 GMT

Tibet is a part of China for hundreds of years. During those years, Tibet was self-governed most of time, but it was under China's rule one way or another. From 1912 to 1950, it was in teal independence. During these years, there were several Chinese governments among civil wars and the war against Japanese invasion. But none of the central Chinese governments gave up the claim over Tibet. There was not a single country in the world recognizing its independence. In 1945, when the world powers planned the world after the second world war. Tibet was specifically stated to belong to China.

In in 1950, after the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) won the civil war, Panchen Lama sent a telegraph and through other ways asked CCP to send troops into Tibet to liberatte it. Panchen Lama is the second most powerful man in Tibet, only second to Dalai Lama, but independent of Dalai Lama. Panchen Lama remained in Tibet to work with CCP. Yes, some people in Dalai Lama's camp thought Panchen Lama is a traitor.

In 1951, a 17-point agreement was reached for peaceful "liberation" of Tibet. Tibet would remain autonomous. But some people (Tibet communists) tried to push the reform over Serfdom of Tibet too faster. The Tibet Serfdom rulers including Dalai Lama uprose. They killed the Tibet communist leaders and tried to over run the military. But they were no match for the Chinese troop. They were defeated and had to escape to India.

I agree that since 1959, Tibet has not been really autonomous.

The Chinese central government and the current Tibet local government can not accept Dalai Lama's return as the political leader of Tibet. There were only a few thousand Tibetans went for violence protests. They are only a small percentage of several million Tibetans. Most Tibetans are satisfied with the current political system. Yes, a lot of them still view Dalai Lama as their spirit leader.

But would they welcome Dalai Lama back as a political leader? Especially for former surfs, they may not welcome their masters back to rule them. Of course, most Tibetans were born after Dalai Lama fled Tibet.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Kaleb Pino, Fairfax, VA — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 10:25:37 GMT

This is not about if the French are brave and the American bravest, neither about Iraq (some idiot said that we went there to fight "Freedom", most likely an ignorant Southerner). This is about the FREEDOM of an invaded land and people. Tibetans DESERVE freedom and their own country, as Kurds do, as we all do. Just because the Chinese monsters have weapons and money, that doesn't mean we should accept their atrocities. Tibet was free, and we all should fight for them ... we would like others to do the same for us if we were in their situation. Kudos for the French, people that have the BALLS to put values over MONEY, not like our "brave" government.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Joe Walsh — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 11:24:10 GMT

I didn't want to say this but you folks (half of you probably dont even know where Tibet is) are seriously deluded if you really believe in your one tracked minds (and your bigoted and biased media) that China is the 'evil empire' in this whole fiasco... lots of Western tourists (mind you not the Chinese state propaganda machine at work here) coming out of Tibet reported that Tibetians were burning ethnic Chinese alive, looting, pillaging, robbing etc etc. Granted the Chinese government overreacted here but everyone's putting the blame on China cos face it, Westerners are scared s***less by a powerful China... human rights (pffft)...solve your own guantanamo bays in your own backyards first you hypocritical Americans...

Honeymoon over for China and France

JF, Detroit, MI — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 11:37:43 GMT

Joe is obviously not from LA - and is also obviously the same Joe from the post directly above. Almost as big a liar as China

Honeymoon over for China and France

Sydney — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:11:55 GMT

Hi guys, just one quick question, if Dala Lama has nothing to do with the recent voilence in Tebit, so why should the chinese gov set a talk with him instead of the ture leader of the activity? what is his possition here then?
Btw, as a chinese I truly welcome that Americans boycut the goods "made in china" so finally all those "Nike" "Gap" "Guess" companies can close their "beautiful" "well human righted" facuties.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Don Joe — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:15:29 GMT

I agree with a previous contributer to this site, "cut the crap about France." If our country ran it's affairs half a well as the French do (on average), we wouldn't be in the fix we are politically and economically. As for their support and sacrifice for the US, read David McClough's authorative book on Ben Franklin. Few in the US know that France bankrupted it's nation supporting the colonies during our Revolutionary War, and the both the King and his Queen went to the blade because of it! So, cut off the crap! We will never be able to repay the French for their support of us. Also, your mind is poor if you don't recall how strenuously the French tried to keep us from entering the Viet war, and yes, this disasterous war in Iraq!!!!!

Kind advice for all of us, if the French don't have a stake in it, consider very, very carefully if we ought to be there? You don't see French troops fighting in Iraq, do you?

No, I am not a Frenchman. I am a N'th generation Scot.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Cynthia — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:17:02 GMT

Those of you who are bad-mouthing The Dalai Lama need to learn about his history before making uninformed statements.Wendy from Boston, you obviously know very little about The Dalai Lama. He is not " hiding." He is NOT instigating violence in Tibet/China. Just as they have radical military in China, they also have radical Tibetans who instigate violence. This is not the Dalai Lama's doing. He is not in exile by his own choice! He is in exile because if he wasn't he would be killed by the Chinese military. I don't blame him for protecting himself! Wendy from Boston....find out the truth before you judge.
The Dalai Lama has lead his country for longer than ANY world leader in history. The man is getting old and his health is not that great...yet he is on a nationwide tour of the USA talking to thousands of people about compassion and trying to bring his message of " NON VIOLENCE." He has been an upholding force for PEACE and most recently has made the public aware of the Buddhist philosophies that are based on NON VIOLENCE. He is actively partaking in the study of science and religion trying to enlighten through knowledge and proof... and has a non profit organization headed by reputable universities and hundreds of caring scientists, physicians and scholars.www.mindandlife.org
This is just a FRACTION of what the Dalai Lama has done for the world. Instead of getting on this board criticizing someone who is DOING for world peace, some of you should maybe educate yourselves before making such uninformed statements.
Dalai Lama --- You have a computer, Google his name.

Honeymoon over for China and France

kanwal — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 13:15:28 GMT

y is human rights such a big issue in china when most people dont reall y give a damn when it comes to the wars in iraq and afghanistan????or what about palestine, bosnia and chechnya???? seriously i think sarkozy is a big fraud who thinks that he's right and everyone else is wrong...yeah n how can we forget the plus-30 billion dollar business deals that sarkozy clinched with the chinese before stabbing them in the back...shame on you sarkozy, shame on you!!!!!!

Honeymoon over for China and France

paul, long island, ny — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 13:49:31 GMT

for the most part the comments i have read here are inaccurate & in fact the pro-chinese ones seem to have been written by chinese flunkies with a poor command of written english...the question is, i believe, are the chinese fit to hold an olympic event?
in my opinion they are not. they are the new colonialists who dump shoddy products on the world (thank you walmart)& poison our children knowingly with lead painted products, thats despicable! they support repressive governments, racism & to the idiot who accused the dalai lama of formenting violence, please read more about buddists practices. as to the french, one of the writers had it correct, without the french they would be no united states. the french did not walk away from ww2,they were occupied by a technologically superior enemy (sound familar?)and by the fact 20 yrs prior the war they had lost 3 million men in another pointless war on their soil. i could go on like this for longer but i hope you see my point, namely that the chinese suck.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Robert, Boise,Idaho — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 14:47:18 GMT

Think of all these athletes that look forward to being in the Olympics and not where they are.Why can't we put them first. Aren't they what this is really all about. My, how we forget.
Robert USA

Honeymoon over for China and France

David — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 15:08:43 GMT

Nobody can coerce the Olympics with Tibetan issue.
I don't know what else Sarkozy want to do.He is not honest to his last wife and he is insincere.
The world is tolerant to Dalai lama,because he is really versed.But if he still go his own way,there will be less and less population respecting him.

Honeymoon over for China and France

alfred — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 15:15:57 GMT

China, as it emerges as a economic and military power on the global scene will have to contend with dissent and world scrutiny over its internal as well as foreign affairs. It cannot sit back as a totalitarian regime an ignore its impact on the global scene. With great power comes great resposibility. The Chinese people have a great value for honor , history and economy. The transition from a totalitarian to a more loosely controlled federation is inevitable. The USSR is the best example of this. The Communist state does not readily fit current Chinese culture and economics. This federation will also include the resolution of the Tiawan issue.It will make this block a more formidable economic and military rival of the West as it is capable of including more and more Asian nations under its influence. This is similar to the EU federation in Europe.

Honeymoon over for China and France

John Deere — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 15:26:09 GMT

This is about free speech. Whether your on one side or another people should have the right to protest. I live in China, and people don't have that right. If you speak out against the government and you are a citizen, you go to jail. If you are a foreigner you get deported.

People should be able to protest a government and be able to agree or disagree as they please. That is why corruption and cronyism run rampid throughout the political and social bodies of law and government here. That is why police are corrupt and why organised crime runs rampid. That is why, on several occasions, I have witnessed gangsters come in broad daylight and destroy a small shop owners livelihood without any fear of police retaliation, because the police have been paid to look the other way.

Because of the lack of free speech and the fear of government and being thrown in Jail things have gotten out of control. Whether or not a person agrees or disagress with the tibet situation, these people should have the right to protest without being imprisoned, shot or beaten as long as it is peaceful protest.

And in rebut to the gentleman calling Iraq a liberation, lets not kid ourselves now. That began as a stop of weapons of mass destruction that we were told were there. Later it was conveniently turned to a "Liberation". The Iraq war was the biggest mistake this country has made since Vietnam. It is a waste of lives and money. That was a war about oil and revenge for daddy Bush. A lot of good it did too as gas is still 3.50 a gallon last I heard. The UN told us not to go into Iraq, and when the world unites in telling you not to do something, one should listen. It isn't about France, it was THE WORLD.

Anyway, I got off topic. This is about the basic human right to be able to speak your mind against your government or otherwise, without fear. People should be able to influence their own fate without fear. As cheesy as this is, I heard a very good phrase in the Movie "Vendetta". "People shouldn't fear their governments, governments should fear their people.

I am John Deere, because I live in China and don't want a visit from the police myself (which I have already had once before for speaking about government policies to students).

Honeymoon over for China and France

David — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 15:44:09 GMT

I am glad to see so many friends all over the world have the impersonal ideas.
I am here from China. You know,in fact in China these decades we are all equal in our daily life. I have many friends from the minority nationalities. We get on well everyday,you should image.No one cares for where you come from,really it is.
Our country has many favourable terms for the minority nationalities,such as the mark plus when they go to the college.It is a big benefit,as I think.
We are brothers,sisters,YES.

Honeymoon over for China and France

James — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 15:52:17 GMT

From my understanding during my several months staying in US, most of western people only know a little about China and Chinese. My only suggestion for you is to come to China and see what is real China and what Chinese is thinking --- they are working hard and enjoying a very simple and happy life. Everyone has a personal understanding of freedem which can not be formed by some people in Western. If we look back to 300 years ago, the explanation rights of the freedem was owned by China, what about 100 years later? let's see.

Honeymoon over for China and France

ForPeace, Oregon — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 16:32:55 GMT

I am afraid that “Human Rights” and various special interest groups have picked a wrong target to pressure China.
First and foremost, it is the Chinese Government who freed absolute majority of Tibetans from the barbaric slavery rules of the Dalai Lama and his associates.
Secondly, the Dalai Lama represents everything that is opposite to “Democracy”. He was a dictator the last time when he was in Tibet. And he has continued to keep both governmental and religious authorities of those Tibetans in exile.
For sure, there are many issues waiting to be tackled in China. But, Tibet seems to be the wrong one. The West lured the Dalai Lama into rebellion against the Chinese Government in 1959, and is now asking the Chinese government to take him back (aka, negotiating with Dalai Lama). Why would anyone expect the Chinese government to do just that?

Given the seemingly extreme moves (on Tibet topics) by the Germen and French politicians, I suspect that they want to stir up the heat and lure the US and China into further confrontation. That is how Hillary Clinton got Obama and McCain to follow her on call for President Bush to boycott the Olympics. And evidently, the Bush administration is not following the suit of Germen and French.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Illuminati — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 16:44:44 GMT

Really if the chinies people want to live thier lives according to the will of thier communist leadership, who are we to argue.And how would we in America like the Chinies population backing up the Hispanics in thier Quest to take over the south west of the United States in which we all know how a majority of Americans feel about that issue.whats ours is ours and whats yours is ours also it's the way of the Super Powers and it will always be that way.There is nothing you can do about it people.My corperation along with mnay others and China's and Russia's corperations will not allow you little people with your little utopian ideas to ever flurish.We own you.We always will own you.This is a Dystopian world society and theres nothing you peasants can do to change it.So pay your bills and by our products like the good little peasants that you are!

Honeymoon over for China and France

Jimmy Crackhorns — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 17:45:21 GMT

Americans are so stupid. As a 5th generation native I am constantly amazed at the level of ignorance in many of the messages when it comes to foreign affairs. Given the opportunity Americans would have protested in poickets but I think most Americans could care less about human rights in China or Tibet. Right now so many are more concerned with their current plight trying to compete with China to get American made products into Wal-Mart. Oh wait, Americans don't make anything, except welded decorations for someone's back porch or fence and maybe an Old Smokey charcoal pit....anything that requires skilled labor goes overseas. This country is hypocritical and short sighted and yes....chickens do come home to roost.....even with the fox is guarding it.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Grant, Watertown, NY — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 17:45:25 GMT

Simple question to all those saying Tibet has always been a part of China. What was the need for the invasion 57 years ago? Also I find it extremely funny to read comments by obvious Chinese government employees. The sxact thing you are doing here, speaking you opinion, can't be done in China, plain and simple! Also for all the talk about the Tibetian terrorists, why can't we come and see all the terrible things they have done? Oh, that's right there aren't any basic freedoms in China, so the press sees only what the Chinese goverment wants people to see. The different US media outlets are biased, but due to the full variety allowed by law, bias can be identified. I hear how all Chinese love the olympics. How about the thousand's of people who's homes were taken from them to build the olympic venues? I am sure they are thrilled! Simple fact, China is having a 24 hour tape delay of the olympic broadcasts for one reason. To ensure they can censor all media coverage of it. No China does not deserve the olympics, and if not for it's current economic might it would never have been a consideration. China, your propoganda works only when you control communication, it does not work here, so you can stop your BS. It's clear who from China is commenting at sites like this, as the average person in China isn't allowed, it is government workers. Spew your vial propaganda somewhere else. Please boycott any company that advertises during these olympics.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Matt, Kansas, but Id rather be home in California. — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 18:34:57 GMT

Ok so Im not a fan of the French, however it does tickle me that they have managed to piss off a major trading partner, with no real malice aforethought (I dont think I spelled that correctly). France, Europe in general really, loves to protest things. In fact they are REALLY good at it. I dont think that it is a very realistic assesment to say that the French government is now screwed in any future dealings with the Chinese government. The gentlemen that made the argument about saving face probably has the best assesment of the situation. The Chinese, having been slighted by a supposed "friend", have to make some response in order to not be seen as weak. In the end, money and neccesity will drive future dealings, even if both sides have to take public lashings in order for their countries to have saved face.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Woo — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 19:15:15 GMT

Does China deserve Olympics? what has happened in Tibet? Please visit China personally. A country so big can't be changed overnight. See what has happened in Iraq.
If you think Tibet people have not rights, read this:
http://www.blog.newsweek.com/blogs/beijing/archive/2008/04/09/deja-vu-monks-protest-before-media.aspx

Honeymoon over for China and France

Roger Hanson, Hutchinson, MN. — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 21:39:23 GMT

Fa gu sounds a little like American slang. And you say it means what in Chinese?

Honeymoon over for China and France

alan, Maryland, US — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 21:46:34 GMT

Someday the Chinese are going to bury the US, Europe & India, and all the stupid people who are pro-Chinese now are going to wonder why they didn't see it coming...

When China is strong enough, the claws will come out... instead of Tienman Square it will be the National Mall...

Honeymoon over for China and France

ChineseAmerican, Princeton, NJ — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 22:03:12 GMT

Some people (including some here) have bias against Chinese people as a race. That is why the medias in US, France, England, etc. have strong biases against Chinese people. When reporting the recent events of torch delay, these medias have much much bigger bias than Chinese media. Why I am so sure? Because I can watch TVs and read newspapers in both languages. CNN is disgusting.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Alan, NYC — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 22:20:53 GMT

First, I think US should boycott all the products from China, and DO NOT borrow any money from China.

Second, as for XiZhang(Tibet), for those who do not know what it was like when Dalai Lama and all the previous Lamas were there, what kind of human right they had “enjoyed” at that time, you'd better study history or go to Tibet and find out yourself.

Third, Westerns should study their own history, their own history of human right records.

Forth, Western countries should boycott oil from Saudi.

Fifth, Western countries should explicitly declare that any terrorists who harm them are really terrorists, and any terrorists who conduct terrorist activities in China should NOT be considered as terrorists, and they should be supported and funded, as is now.

Sixth, we should allow Iraqis to start counting how many Iraqis have died since the war, which is banned by US.

Seventh, to my fellow Tibetans, have you ever thought why all of a sudden Westerns start to caring about Tibet so much, when China is rising as world power? Why when China was very weak and they did not do anything? Don’t you think you were just being used as a tool for some politicians/or special interest groups for their own benefit?

Honeymoon over for China and France

Alan, NYC — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 22:31:55 GMT

Here is a story: (You cannot access the site from inside China)
http://www.aladding.com/newsDetail.cfm?postid=451514

Honeymoon over for China and France

KPRO — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 22:46:34 GMT

Hey Matt, nice attempt at being an English, but your rotten grammar gives you away as Chinese. By the way, speaking of kind-hearted Chinese, wasn't it you guys who sneaked 300,000 "volunteers" into Korea to slaughter American soldiers in their sleeping bags? Isn't it you who torture and imprison Christians trying to practice their faith in China? What are you so afraid of over there? You got nothing but a slave state over there, and you've been jealous of the United States for a couple of centuries. I mean, who are you trying to kid? You're so intent on catching up with the United States that you pollute your air so it's not fit to breath, you endanger your own people by having them work in unsafe and unsanitary conditions, and you're obsessesed with stealing our military secrets. Tell me about a peaceful and loving China now, as you gun down people in Tibet.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Cinster — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 23:01:00 GMT

It is obvious that some of you should do a Google search on Tibet and The Dalai Lama. Do yourself a favor and know the truth before judging. We cannot possibly know what those people are going through over there. Your criticisms and uninformed statements only fuel the conflict. France could not control their people...they did what any democratic society would do....they protested human rights violations.
Also, FYI us boycotting China is not going to put a very big dent in their economy, but if China stops helping US, we will be in trouble. Basically, China is one of the largest funders for the Iraqi war....(I am not saying that that was a good idea)
Those of you who know very little about the Dalai Lama...believe me, he is one of the GOOD GUYS.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Randy — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:07:21 GMT

The people of China get what news the State wants them to get. They will never know of the protests, I bet. Since we buy most of our stuff from there, with very little choice, they will soon own us, as they are the ones buying all the debt OUR government is selling. Everyone forgets very quickley about things and rewrites history. Don't believe me? Isn't the Miss U contest going to be in Viet Nam? Why the HECK is that allowed to happen. Where are the protests? They killed millions of American war helpers,Laotians and Cambodians after the War. No war crimes trial eh? The one guy died before the trial. So let's not complain about the Chineese. They are only do what the world lets them do. Besides, just like the Vietnamese, they will look like good guys in 30 or 40 years. Keep buying that junk at Wal-Mart. Use ALL your rebate check the way the Prez wants you to. We look a little 2 faced don't we?

Honeymoon over for China and France

RaNDY — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:10:12 GMT

We must not forget too, about the French. They did assist us greatly during the American Revolution. Without them,we may not have made it. Lest us not forget too, didn't some of their recent weapon sales end up in Iraq, or Afganistan? (Being used against us) I know it happened, just can't remember which place.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Linda Wu, San Francisco, California — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:36:34 GMT

To boycot China?

Think again.

China had been boycoted for decades, if not any longer.

When Chinese sent their athletes to 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Game, westerns cheers even louder.

Hope Chinese bend under pressure? Dream on.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Rob, Portland, Oregon — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:49:16 GMT

China is a communist state that does not allow free speech or free press. They imprison political prisoners. The summer Olympics should be boycotted simply because of their oppresive government.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Bryan, New York, New York — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 01:06:02 GMT

Joe McDove, are you an idiot? Really? Which Republican sponsored world war II history book did you read? The Free French Forces fought very bravely on the side of the allies, even when some of the government were part of the Vichy Regime. I don't agree with the Vichy government but one cannot say the WHOLE nation is a bunch of "cheese eating surrender monkeys." There were actually over 1 million of these soldiers fighting on OUR side. I can see you really do not know anything about history.

France's people can love liberty but not have to participate in this Iraq "war." The French were involved in a number of conflicts, such as Algerian independence and in Indo-China. Now, from experience, they were intelligent enough to realize not to get bogged down in some unpopular conflict thousands of miles away. Many nations around the world thought going to Iraq was DUMB and did not see the means to justify action. The security counsel of the united nations could not even agree on creating a war over there. And look at it now, a quagmire which the United States is stuck in for years to come. Bush's legacy will not focus on valiant efforts after 9-11, but on this garbage police action he brought our great nation into. The US as a superpower has lost pretty much all credibility across the world. Well, at least the Albanians and Kosovar's love us...

What about Darfur? Why not get involved there - there is an active conflict and thousands of innocent people are being slaughtered. Maybe if there were a few alleged WMD's then that would change things...

Honeymoon over for China and France

Harry Moyer, Des Moines, Iowa — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 01:46:00 GMT

Just by reading these comments, the opinion of my countries recent decline of support for human rights is only bolstered. The Bush Administration has only been concerned with human rights and the Constitution when it's served their own big-business agenda.

I used to laugh at how this administation was so obvious in it's deceit. Humour has given way to sorrow. For I can't understand how so many in the US are so gullible, and in some cases greedy. The Dalai Lama is only asking for recognition/atonomy for his centuries old people and faith. They aren't asking for conflict, only respect.

Honeymoon over for China and France

randy sanders — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 02:43:22 GMT

is There anywhere To sign up and say

I AM BOYCOTTING THE OPENING OF THE BEIJING 'GENOCIDE' OLYMPICS

??

where is That? sign me up as #1 NO-SHOW

by The way The Tibetan Basketball Team is now boycotting The Beijing 'genocide' Olympics

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg192/bazooka_pbaz/Tibet%20Basketball%20Team/TibetanBasketballTeamwebs04.jpg

Honeymoon over for China and France

Dongming, Eden Praire, MN — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 02:56:45 GMT

As a chinese living overseas, I am really sick at hypocrisy of some western leaders such as French president and Nancy Pelosi. Tibet and China have a history tangled together for more than a thousand years. Any serious historian probably would tell that the case for Tibet was inherent independent is no more stronger than that it is inherent part of china. The record of past 60 years of chinese goverment on Tibet is far from perfect, but also not a lot worse than it on any other province of china. On the other side, I would also like to learn any achievement of Dalai as a head of government that really improved Tibet's well being either before or after 1959. Has anybody cared to ask how many people died including those Tibetans due to they were used by CIA as foot soldiers to fight the cold war and was cut loose when Nixon visited china? I don't mind one day Tibet is to be independent, or real autonomous via peaceful negotiation. Tibetan certainly have a right to protest just like they have done for many years on every occasion chinese leaders visited. I also think many ordinary French or British or Ameriacna people joining their cause without studing any history or facts, or even without asking where Tibet is, is based on good intention. But as a country leader, Sarkozy put out a list on Tibet as a condition of him not boycoting the Olympics is just political convenience. He already know the outcome even before he did this. He could have done some serious diplomacy if he really cares about Dalai and Tibet. The consequency of this action is a new wave of resentment among chinese to the west, which would not be at any country's interest. Dalai should know better that his goal can only be achieved when he has the sympathy from the ordinary chinese people. If he thinks they are all doped by their government, he can do a survey among those lived overseas who bombarded by 'free' media. Based on the events of the past week, only one thing achieved, humiliting a country of 1.3 billion poeple. Those people really wanted to do this can laugh. Politicans such as Sakozy can score points other than a glamous wife, the real innocent people, Tibetan, chinese, and werterners will pay the price. I really want to pray my predication is wrong.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Yoel Zussman — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 03:12:48 GMT

The whole event occurring in Tibet right now brings us back to the memory of the massacre in the Tiananmen Square in 1989, where western media were shut out from the scene and all those bodies gunned down and crashed by the tanks were removed by the Peoples army which belongs to the party not to the nation. Now according to satellite monitoring, hundreds of bodies in Lassa and other area have been removed by the army again.

If we go back to the history of Tibet, they never have been governed
by Quinn dynasty, that’s why Mao Zedong had to invade Tibet when international attention was focused to the Korean War.
The Tibetan culture and religion have not been respected as the way agreed upon by the Tibet gov then and Chinese communist party in 1951.
CCP government should get out of Tibet and stop ethnic cleansing.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Dennis, toronto — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 04:32:17 GMT

i want to know where was this western outrage when we had the Sydney Olympics about Australia's treatment of Aboriginals and the violation of their dignity and human rights. Western powers who have commited so many abominable atrocities through colonialism to so many people around the world including China have no right to criticize anyone. These protests are not about Tibet or human rights. They are based on Anti-Chinese resentment equivalent to Anti-Americanism. They resent China's economic and geopolitical rise as they also resent American global dominance. How pathetic, the Dalai Lama was funded by the CIA in the 50s and ruled Tibet as a feudalistic society. Why should the Chinese negotiate with him!

Honeymoon over for China and France

Scottsdale, AZ — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 04:50:30 GMT

I like how some come to America because of the freedoms it offers, then proceed to slam the US for trying to help free another country from terrorist governments. China is no different then Iraq, it is also run by terrorist government. Even the people of China speak ill will about the government behind doors, if they say it in public they end up in prison or vanish never to be seen again.

As for the French they were and still are cowards, the US saved them from German occupation and how do they thank the US by hiding behind a bottle of wine.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Alex, Orange County, Ca — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 05:13:55 GMT

It's funny, a lot of people seem to denounce China's doings, even support the protests, but when France is brought into this (their state didn't even do anything to directly provoke China, rather this is a consequence of protesting by regular citizens (and not just French ones either)), people start talking smack and bringing WWII into the issue. You guys are idiots.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Karoline, Austin, Tx — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 05:39:55 GMT

It real doesn’t matter what party rules the country, any country on this planet…each government, they are all same behavior about general population. If you don’t feel free in your home and around your family and friends, there is no government or any social establishment that could magically make you feel free. Going to jail while you are outspoken about your disliking of government or other social group(s) behavior, religion beliefs, racial differences or criticizing and threatening any other differences in the establishment will land you in jail or disconnecting you from society in any country regardless of the name “democrat”, “socialist”, “communist” or “dictatorship”.

Honeymoon over for China and France

wilt, orange, ca. — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 06:26:39 GMT

Visit http://zonaeuropa.com/20080410_1.htm

Look at the pictures and read the articles. The pictures you do not see in the Western Press.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Tsing — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 07:23:47 GMT

Why Chinese got angry?
Just imagine what will happen if anybody say:
to u.s. free Alaska !
to France free Corsica !
to u.k. free Northern Ireland ！

Honeymoon over for China and France

Richard — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 09:15:44 GMT

This is a internal problem in China. So let's leave it to the PRC. If U.S decide to give up Puerto Rico then I'm sure China are willing to give up Tibet. This way they both could build a military base right in each others back yard.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Frank Lau — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 11:23:00 GMT

The last time western predators asking china to give up its soverignty was during the boxer rebellion after many failed attemp to resist the interference of imperialists; these resistance wars include Opium war, Arrow war, invasion by Franch in Vietnam, the north east by Japan, killing of innocent tibtan by British colonialist with a funny name of Young Husband; finally after losing the boxer rebellion to the combined expedition forces of Britain, France, Germany, American, Japanese and three other in early 1900, every chinese had to pay compensation from then up till the second World war.
If it was not due to Mao Tze Tung forming a new China, the compensation would have continue up till today. (British war ships still sail freely right up to Chunking in 1949 one year before the forming of new china and collect taxes in china's sea port.)
Looking at the unreasonable twisting of news and propaganda to demonized china while it's leaders were proven clean and dedicated to the cause of peace and prosperity for its and outside people,
what it proved is that criminals who escaped punishment will repeat their depicable acts.

Honeymoon over for China and France

DC — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:42:37 GMT

The people who are calling for boycotting China has peanuts in their brain. China is the biggest growing economy in the world, any country calling for such boycott is doing big harm for their own economy...

Will Americans move out of Mexico city and hawaii? Will Whites move out of Australia and return the land to Aborigines? China will never let go of Tibet for the very same reason.

I have been to Tibet and I think most people there dunt give a shit who is running the government. They just want to get on with their lives. The people who cares most are the people who desperate to return to power in Tibet, hence are doing whatever they can to stir up anti-chinese government sentiment.

Honeymoon over for China and France

ehtaga montreal canada — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:00:02 GMT

The games are one thing. Politics another. If the tibetan protesters are so right now, where were they when Bejing had its hat in the ring to host the olympics? I mean why now? this supposedly has been going on for many decades. And where are these protesters when they re buying those cheap phones and other paraphanalia made by the abused and downtrodden chinese laborer? I believe the chinese are wrong to try and hold onto Tibet at any cost. It really is never worth it to hang on to a population that doesn t want to be part of you. Too bad with all the Chinese faults, this union with China is Tibet s ticket to progress and better conditions for its people. Too bad also the Chinese won t sit down and discuss a new arrangement with Tibet. It might actually be to the benefit of both. The Dalai Lama has always said his aim is not to separate from China. A spiritual leader according to some but a very practical man as well. I just hope he can retain his influence over the Tibetans and not lose it to other Tibetans with their own agendas ie power. the Chinese and Tibetans would be well served to sit down and discuss a new arrangement. Otherwise the consequences for both would at best remain neutral, at worst extremely costly for both.
And for those who relate this to the German pre war olympics, how much worse may it have been without them? Its almost as if some here attribute the atrocities to the olympics. how silly ! just the opposite. The ideals of these games are the exact opposite.
live long and prosper dear friends

Honeymoon over for China and France

Rich Wargo, Voorheesville, NY, USA — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:30:04 GMT

Oh, goodness, where to begin.

On Tibet: After ignoring Tibet for centuries, in 1959 the Chinese sent in their army to conquer Tibet by force. How does that make Tibet any more part of China than Japan is part of U.S.? After all, we conquered (defeated) the Japanese; shouldn't we then have made Japan part of U.S.? Same story for Taiwan; neither place has been traditionally part of China, no matter what the imperialists running China want people to believe.

Wendy, the Chinese should never be considered victims. Victims do not have an army of millions that march into places and conquer.

On the Dalai Lama: Have any of you ever met him? No? Then how can you possibly know what is in his heart? Or are you just puppets of a disinformation campaign? Always question what you are told; usually the person telling you has an agenda. That includes anybody's public relations department be it a government, a public entity, or a private entity. They tell you what they want you to hear and say. Be independent; don't believe anyone, but do the research and find out for yourself.

The French: Yes, during World War II, there were plenty of people who fought against the German aggressors, mostly because they were German. The French and the Germans have had a thing going for a long time. But there were also collaborationalists, most egregiously the Vichy. The same would be true if the U.S. were conquered.

Like the U.S., the French have a collective sentiment for doing what they individually want, never mind what the government says or does. The art of protesting is well-developed in both countries; however, protesting does not give one any "right" to commit criminal acts against another individual.

Kevin Cao, Dayton, NJ: If you truly believe what you wrote, why are you living in the U.S.? Please move to China, then in a few years you can write and tell us how much more pleasant it is there.

Now, on to the big one, the Olympics in China: Let's face it, folks, the Euro-peons who run the Olympic movement are not the most sophisticated people on the planet. In fact, Jacques Rogge and his henchmen are, like Olympic leadership in the past, the biggest bunch of rubes on the planet. To think that a mere sporting event is going to make any difference at all in the dynamics between nation-states, is dangerously naive. So the Olympic "leaders" thought in 1936, so they think is 2008.

The steps taken by the Chinese government to ensure a "perfect" Olympics border on the criminal. Forcibly displacing thousands of people to make room for the venues? Uprooting the whole fabric of a country and society just for a "photo-op"? The thing is that the Chinese leadership, no better than the Emperors they replaced, is hell bent on getting what they want, no matter the cost to anyone else.

And when the inevitable clash occurs between the Chinese leadership's mania to "manage" every little detail comes into conflict with the tradition of Western media's distain for authority? Yes, I can't wait to see the People's Army crushing the rebellious Western journalists like it did the Tienamen Square rebellion a few years ago. Anybody remember that? Big brave Chinese leadership sending tanks against unarmed civilians.

The Olympics as an ideology are laughable, good thing there are some good athletic performances to watch, otherwise it would be a total waste of time and space. I don't have the time to spare on watching it, besides, I don't watch U.S. commercial network TV anyway, too many drooling, knuckle-dragging inbred yahoos, especially the so-called "news" programs.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Vic liu — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:33:22 GMT

True: US is still the greatest Country in the world. And true: that China still has so many problem, though they have made huge leap from abyss several decades ago. And China is destine to rise no matter what kind tricks people play. We like to be frinds. But if you like to make us your enemy, so be it. Though you already have so many enemies: eg, Muslim. You really want to make Chinese also as your enemies: there are additional over 1 billion of us.

Honeymoon over for China and France

WHuang, Granger, Indiana — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:47:47 GMT

Chinese People around the world (in China, in US, in Canada, in European countries) are angry because:
1) The Tibetan rioters luted stores and killed over twenty innocent civilians mostly Han Chinese and Hui (muslim) Chinese and also a Tibetan girl working for a Chinese store during the March 14 riot, and yet most western media portrated a totally opposite picture.
2) There are groups of loyal to Daila Lama advercating violence to achive Tibet indepenedece. For example, Tibet Youth Congress. If Daila Lama is a peaceful man, which I hope so. Then Daila Lama needs to condemn violence against innocent non Tibetan Chinese civilians. You can not have the cake and eat it both.
3) Tibetans are brothers and sisters in the Chinese Peoples family which includes 56 ethinic groups in China.
4) Tibet is part of China just like California is part of USA. Stop using the word "invading".

Honeymoon over for China and France

silence chan ,GuangDong Province,China — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:11:11 GMT

chinese is a nation love peace very very much.why you always like to have suspicion on us ? China are a developing coutry and will be a developing coutry in a long period .I was born in 1980s,it means that i am the generation which just can lead a better life after the world war two,we fear the war ,we love peace and we really want to make friends with people all aroud the world.

China have great changes in the recent 20 years , some of you criticized the human rights of our coutry,but have you ever listen to the voice of the ordinary people just like me just like my family ,just like my friends ?????????????

now ,i tell you again:the situation of the human rights of our coutry had changed a lot ,and it is going to get better.as well as the living standards of our people .

at last ,my English is not well ,but i really hope all of you can understand what i want to expect.and i also hope my favorite actor Richard Gere can see this ,welcome to visit the new China ,feel the new China.please ,please support us ,please support us to host the Olympic Games.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Liu Yi, Beijing, China — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:17:13 GMT

Leave China along, mind your own business, Westners! We Chinese are peaceful people, much more peaceful than Tibetan. If you do like to come to China for the game,then don't come.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Bud Ferrell — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:23:44 GMT

China doesn't like anyone and couldn't care less if no other country likes them. They are completely satisfied shipping cheap but shoddy merchandise all over the world which is filling their coffers and adding to their smugness. There will be a day of reckoning but not in the near future since the powers that be are firmly entrenched in an iron-fisted rule.

Only through outside, globally initiated intervention can the Chinese people achieve some semblance of freedom and dignity.

This is so sad because they are really intelligent, likeable and energetic people.

Honeymoon over for China and France

Tom Jeffersom, Virginia — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:42:44 GMT

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.