As the anniversary of Tiananmen Square passes, Chinese authorities still claim that it was in defense that so many pro democracy protester were killed.
What kind of argument does that sound like today?
The Assad regime in Syria.
I always wondered why the people of China, especially in light of the Arab Spring, haven't stood up in massive numbers to demand democratic reforms.
It might have something to do with Pizza Hut, McDonald's and the drive away from the farm to the city condo, and the illusion of freedom that 'Western' ways of life engender.
But can they vote for their leaders?
No.
Sufficed to say it is quite clear that even here in Canada, the assault on democracy takes on small paper cut form, rather than one large sweeping cut.
Bill C-38, or the laughably titled Budget Implementation Act, crams so much down one hole that it's befuddling a democratically elected government would not pass each piece separately so as to ensure that the public gets a clear view of what is being passed through parliament.
Don't get me wrong, if the Liberals were in power federally they might very well be pulling off the same stunt with the Conservatives crying foul.
Here's an idea, in Papua New Guinea, in many villages, no one is really in charge and if you want a decision made, the entire village is consulted.
This is infuriating to outsiders who are not accustomed to that kind of system of discussion and debate.
Oh, what was my original point? Ahh yes, China is now apparently going to be censoring micro blogging.
So the Chinese support a blood soaked regime along with Russia via veto power at the UN while we, including me, right at this very moment with what I am posting on the Internet, still enjoy some level of freedom of expression that the Chinese government refuses to give to their people.
So long as geopolitical and economic considerations trump human life, I will not trust the words of politicians who till the Arab Spring, were more than happy to let businesses do business with regimes so long as the people didn't protest, and after the people started protesting, hypocritically told those regimes they had to go.
