Um, no one gave it to them. They took that power by force a long while back now. Does anyone really think they’re just going to hand it over now without a fight?

“Every Communist must grasp the truth: Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.”

These are the kind of people you are dealing with, Murong Xuecun. Your liberal bleating and whining are useless in the face of such a ruthless opponent. They just don’t give a fuck.

And certainly things are going to get better and better! As we know, in about 2007 a classic leftist purge was carried out in Chongqing, with murder, torture, long prison sentences and subversion of legal institutions and rules. Even a large number of policemen were tortured and imprisoned, isn’t that fabulous! Then, around the same time, a campaign against dissidents nationwide also was begun, including, you guessed it, torture, murder, harassment and intimidation and long prison sentences, plus subversion of legal institutions and rules. So, clearly, things are going to get better and better!

Let’s meet up for a drink sometime and chat about China’s wonderful rise under the guidance of the party! It will be fun!!

“No fly list / NSA wiretaps, PATRIOT Act, NDAA, expanded FBI surveillance / Fox News” made it quite clear… We have the same shite/madness going on where we are from (I am from Germany). Maybe the madness is just a little more sophisticated than in China (where it is more obvious). But I am also sure that things on this part in will “improve” in China…

Of course knowing that things aren’t always that different elsewhere – doesn’t necessarily make things better in China. But it helps trying to see things in a wider perspective. Less black and white…

Well, I am not going to get into any more detail. Sometimes the internet ain’t the place for that – and I try to get away from the screen once in a while…

Next time I am in China we should all go out for a beer

Cheers!

I’m not making any false equivalencies, I’m merely providing a mirror to you.

You get on your soapbox comment after comment holding China up to a standard. A standard of what? A standard that doesn’t exist. The USA certainly doesn’t live up to it. That’s my point with the “false equivalences.” I’m never saying that the US is worse than China, or that China shouldn’t improve. I’m saying there are no easy answers, the reality is murky, and there is a lot more to take into account than just your own, hardened point of view.

Whatever solution there is for China – and we all want to see China improve the lot of its people – it’s certainly not going to come from whatever we think we know about the world, because the world right now is all pretty much different shades of black. It’s only going to come from thinking deeper about the assumptions we hold, and pushing ourselves to new places.

So when I bring up Fox News and Guantanemo, I’m not wagging my tongue at you. I’m saying, “yes, China sucks, but what example does it have to follow?”

In the moral and social vacuum of contemporary China, what truths can they anchor themselves to? Are we not having crises of our own in the west?

I like playing devil’s advocate and throwing up dissenting opinions. They’re just comments meant to breed some kind of new insight or a new discussion. I’m just not eloquent enough or clear enough, I guess?

Sure, I say stupid shit sometimes, like any person does from time to time. I use my real name, too, because I’m willing to stand behind what I’ve said. I can admit when I’m wrong, and I often do, but I refuse to feel guilty about failing to reach the “correct” conclusions because I thought for myself.

Does that mean I should be dehumanized, disrespected or driven to silence through humilation? You know who else says “stupid shit” depending on who you ask? Murong Xuecun! Get it now?

I think this a very well-written and exciting blog, and personally I’d like to see it’s comments reach a higher level beyond grizzled expats shouting over each other. (I’ve been guilty of that, too.) You think very highly of your opinions about this country, but in all honesty they are very simple. Censorship is bad. No shit. The CCP is corrupt. Yes, I also got that memo.

Maybe we could actually have some real discussions instead of everyone competing to see who can hate the Chinese government in the most sophisticated way?

1. Alpart writes vague comment that looks like a false equivalence.
2. I point out the equivalence is false, and mention that 50 centers use this tactic all the time.
3. Alpart gets pissed off because people are dragging his name in the dirt, see, and that ain’t cool, see.
4. Alpart replies to a further comment with a classic false equivalence comment.
5. I point out, again, that its a false comparison. Yes I can see the connection, no its not the least bit relevant, unless we are discussing how the US should be careful not to devolve down to China’s level.
6. Alpart has a hissy fit because his poor name got dragged in the mud.

Your name gets tarnished because you say stupid shit, but pls do go on, lord knows your name ain’t gonna get no cleaner anytime soon. You wanna pass out blame, look in the mirror. I would call you a useful idiot but I am not sure you are particularly useful.

Do you know what Guantanamo Bay is?

I know Fox News is not paid with by government money, it’s corporate money, which supports and dictates the government through lobbying. What’s the difference where the money comes from – the result is the same, just comes through a different pathway with a different label.

Just because what I’ve listed are not the *exact same* as in China, you are that dense that you can’t see the connection?

And I am aware and have been aware of 50 centers.

No, I don’t like the abuse, but I don’t like having my name tarnished simply expressing my opinions. Gee, someone like you who is all about free speech should be a little more supportive of unpopular opinions.

Look at you, hiding behind your RhZ name, dishing out insults to anyone dastardly enough to think differently that you. You are so like those you claim to despise. You coward, how about revealing your real name, or even meeting in person? I’d love to see if you express yourself so boldly face to face!

The fucking guy can’t get out of the country because of some entry into a database, its Kafka-esque, where is the fucking equivalence to the US?

Dissidents are beaten and tortured for years in some cases, where is the fucking equivalence Jonathan? One person, Jose Padilla, compared to thousands in China on a yearly basis.

50 centers, which exist as you finally realized, even in English, are paid with government money. Fox news, not so much, fucking equivalence??

God you are a piece of work. And I think you enjoy the abuse. Now piss off home foul wanker!

No fly list.

“Think about a system where a guy has secret police watching him around the clock, by order of whoever, but then finally is able to walk out of the country because his name wasn’t on the list that customs uses of dissidents.”

NSA wiretaps, PATRIOT Act, NDAA, expanded FBI surveillance.

“And think about a country that hounds people into leaving the country, only to have the 50 centers tell everyone that these people are not influential, nobody knows them.”

Fox News.

Wank on!

People in power just have the ability to ruin others at their whim, without a reason and as easily as picking up the phone. Think about the guy who can’t leave the country cuz someone with guanxi put his name on the list of foreigners who have lawsuits against them. So far no solution in that case. Think about a system where a guy has secret police watching him around the clock, by order of whoever, but then finally is able to walk out of the country because his name wasn’t on the list that customs uses of dissidents. And think about a country that hounds people into leaving the country, only to have the 50 centers tell everyone that these people are not influential, nobody knows them.

China’s government today solves every problem with repression and the removal of people’s rights, and the expansion of government power. And that’s how its gonna be, until its not any more. Which, given how brutally the government controls dissent, will be a really ugly day.

You’re welcome to call me a loser because I really don’t care what some random blog commenter thinks about my personal life. I had such a fantastic Friday evening that it didn’t even end until Saturday afternoon and I’m still recovering. Losing has never hurt so good!

Wang Jiaming
Ministry of Foreign Apologists
4689 Chang’anjie Road
Beijing, Beijing 100045
P.R.C.