I found this as quite a shock.

Originally Posted by http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/04/20/china.protester.ap/

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A White House arrival ceremony for Chinese President Hu Jintao on Thursday was interrupted by a protester who appealed to President Bush to stop the Chinese president from "persecuting the Falun Gong."

The two leaders were meeting for talks about the U.S.-China trade gap, human rights, and the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

The woman began shouting from the top of a camera stand that was located directly in front of the two leaders so that news photographers could record the arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House.

She shouted in heavily accented English, "President Bush: Stop him from killing" and, "President Bush, stop him from persecuting the Falun Gong."

Bush, standing next to Hu, leaned over and whispered a comment to the Chinese leader, who paused briefly when the shouting began and then resumed his remarks.

The protester was waving a banner with the red and yellow colors used by Falun Gong, a banned religious movement in China. She kept shouting for several minutes before Secret Service uniformed agents were able to make their way to her position at the top of the camera stand. They dragged her off the stand.

A photographer who was standing next to the protester tried momentarily to quiet her by putting his hand in front of her mouth.

"It's hugely embarrassing," said Derek Mitchell, a former Asia adviser at the Pentagon and now an analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

China "must know that this Bush administration is good at controlling crowds for themselves, and the fact that they couldn't control this is going to play to their worse fears and suspicions about the United States, into mistrust about American intentions toward China."
CNN.com

Okay, I hope I'm not the only person who finds this a little appalling. Not only is this a clear demonstration of the administration ignoring the pleas of the oppressed, it's the administration silencing a plea to intervene in the persecution of a people by way of covering her mouth and "dragg[ing] her off the stand". I understand that it is important to maintain tidy relations with China, especially given the fact that they are one of the biggest suppliers of goods to the U.S., but to ignore--much less silence--the cries for help on account of economic and national interests is an open display of indifference.

It's not as though it was an out-of-place appeal, either--the leaders were, indeed, meeting to discuss human rights (according to the article and its sources).

I may be making a big deal out of nothing, but for some reason things of this nature disgust me. The reactions by the administration, the comment on this incident being "hugely embarrassing"--it all just seems so uncalled for and so condescending.

Comment and discuss--and not only on this: on apathy toward the suffering and oppressed in general.

Of course I agree with you, but it is obvious because of China's growing economic power all our own values suddenly mean nothing anymore. You can see this as how for instance google and other companies help with censorship. it's all about the money.

Not only is this a clear demonstration of the administration ignoring the pleas of the oppressed, it's the administration silencing a plea to intervene in the persecution of a people by way of covering her mouth and "dragg[ing] her off the stand".

Well, why should we have intervene. Should Bush then declare "war on oppression" now? Why should we go around being "superman" for the entire world? As a country, we shouldn't be "invading" others, pressing our morals of righteousness on them and being their "liberators", if I remember correctly doing that in the past cost harm to us. After WWI, most Americans didn't want to get involve with the rest of the world, that may not have been wise because of what happened at Pearl Harbor..... but this is a bit different I believe. This isn't about a threat to us, it's simply Chinese matters.

it's the administration silencing a plea to intervene in the persecution of a people by way of covering her mouth and "dragg[ing] her off the stand".

From your article, it wasn't the administration that silenced her but a photographer, then she was taken away later, like at all "outbursts" during such events.

Originally Posted by KING_LIZALFOS

Well, why should we have intervene. Should Bush then declare "war on oppression" now? Why should we go around being "superman" for the entire world?

Maybe the government should persecute and kill your family.



I wonder if then you'd sing a different song--just a thought.

Originally Posted by LionHarted

Maybe the government should persecute and kill your family.



I wonder if then you'd sing a different song--just a thought.

No, I wouldn't. What's happening to people in China aren't threathening my family. My symphaties, yes but if you're running a country you don't try to protect those who aren't your citizens. Putting our lives, spending our money, sending our soldiers there to do something isn't right. As individuals, people can help if they want. But as a gov't we really shouldn't.

Originally Posted by KING_LIZALFOS

No, I wouldn't. What's happening to people in China aren't threathening my family. My symphaties, yes but if you're running a country you don't try to protect those who aren't your citizens. Putting our lives, spending our money, sending our soldiers there to do something isn't right. As individuals, people can help if they want. But as a gov't we really shouldn't.

You're looking at this from a "how does this affect me?" viewpoint.

I'm asking you to look at it from a "what if this did affect me?" viewpoint.

You're looking at this from a "how does this affect me?" viewpoint.

Actually, I'm looking at this from "how does this affect America" viewpoint or "what can we gain from this?".

Also, I can't look at this as "what if this did affect me" because it isn't. But if it did, then yes I would try to have the problem solved. But the fact is, this doesnt affect us.

Originally Posted by KING_LIZALFOS

Also, I can't look at this as "what if this did affect me" because it isn't. But if it did, then yes I would try to have the problem solved. But the fact is, this doesnt affect us.

So, if this did affect you, you would be completely unopposed to not receiving any support whatsoever from other nations?

Brilliant.

Well, of course I support the overall idea of human rights. Even more specifically, I pray for the overthrow of the oppressive and murderous Chinese communist party.

Yet... I wouldn't say that it would be a good idea to scream and yell about anything during a conversation between two world leaders.

That doesn't mean that her position was wrong, that the woman in the article shouldn't have her beliefs, that she shouldn't express them, or that it doesn't have merit, but I think that the secret service had every right to take her away.

No, I wouldn't. What's happening to people in China aren't threathening my family. My symphaties, yes but if you're running a country you don't try to protect those who aren't your citizens. Putting our lives, spending our money, sending our soldiers there to do something isn't right. As individuals, people can help if they want. But as a gov't we really shouldn't.

Textbook case of isolationism.

America's foreign relations position until the rise of Hitler...

I am not surprised or shocked at this at all. China is a Communist country.

Originally Posted by ChrisHoulihan

I am not surprised or shocked at this at all. China is a Communist country.

Agreed. And America should NOT try to do anyhting about it. We need to stop making ourselves the "World Police".

Originally Posted by Obsequious Eye

Agreed. And America should NOT try to do anyhting about it. We need to stop making ourselves the "World Police".

I am not surpised at this comment. Its a typical American veiw. "Who cares about the rest of the world, what about me?"

I think it is important to care about our fellow human beings in other countires, I beleive that even Chinese people deserve freedom.

I think the rest of the world doesn't WANT the US government meddling in their affairs.

As for removing the protestor... That was not the time or place for protest, I'm afraid. Not that it would have changed anything, anyway - The president was not about to suddenly start issuing policy to the Chinese president right then and there.

In any case, we can't do anything about it, and that's what makes it a Chinese affair. Well, I suppose we could, but we like our low prices at Wal-Mart. Interesting how much policy is a result of consumer's choices (We're not exactly in any position to start pushing the Chinese around, either).

So, if this did affect you, you would be completely unopposed to not receiving any support whatsoever from other nations?

Brilliant.

You know good darn well that nowhere in my post I said that. Of course if it was affecting me I'd want help.

I am not surpised at this comment. Its a typical American veiw. "Who cares about the rest of the world, what about me?"

I think it is important to care about our fellow human beings in other countires, I beleive that even Chinese people deserve freedom.

Oh, they deserve freedom alright. We american citizens aren't denying that, but also we don't think our country should go around helping everyone who is in danger, as a country we must watch out for ourselves, make allies for ourselves and help our allies who in return help us. If I remember correctly, Vietnam was a result of sticking our necks where we didn't need to.

Originally Posted by KING_LIZALFOS

we don't think our country should go around helping everyone who is in danger, as a country we must watch out for ourselves, make allies for ourselves and help our allies who in return help us.

It is this selfish veiw that makes the United states so Great. Terrible, but great. THe American people are extra weathly and free because of the freedom and wealth that is denyed of people all over the world. America takes from other countries cheap labour and cheap resources and gives little in return.

So many American kids are wearing clothes made by kids the same age as them working for about a doller an hour. America won't do anything about this becuase as a country the should only "watch out for ourselves".

Originally Posted by ChrisHoulihan

It is this selfish veiw that makes the United states so Great. Terrible, but great. THe American people are extra weathly and free because of the freedom and wealth that is denyed of people all over the world. America takes from other countries cheap labour and cheap resources and gives little in return.

So many American kids are wearing clothes made by kids the same age as them working for about a doller an hour. America won't do anything about this becuase as a country the should only "watch out for ourselves".

Exactlly, all countries should do such a thing if they want to become great. Remember, if you're the leader of a country you're a leader of YOUR people, not Mr. Adam or Mrs. Julie of a country across the world.