Friday, October 10, 2003
I just read that the Chinese government has jailed a man for revealing a State secret.
The State secret being that the Henan Health Department spread HIV to villagers who sold their blood.
In a further touch of sad irony, this happened in a China that has signed the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which "guarantees" the right to the highest attainable standard of health and that health informaton will not be censored, withheld, of intentionally misrepresented.
This is sad, but par for the course. I mean, in living memory China has been ruled by a philandering mass murderer.
But then, so has America.
Meanwhile China's getting ready to put men on the moon.
Things like this happen when the government doesn't have to answer to the people. China's had emperors for millenia. Their only worry is keeping the peasants just content enought that they don't start pitchforking.
This China story has my mind going:
--
Right now in my mind's eye I see a member of the gerontocracy getting up in the morning and shouting orders over his first tea of the day:
"Infect Hanan with HIV!"
"Put men on the moon!"
"More tea!"
It's a pity Spitting Image and Monty Python's Flying Circus aren't doing new episodes. I can just see a Chinese version of The Spanish Inquisition sketch.
--
One of the first things to go in a totalitarian regime is respect for the rule of law. The ruler bends the law and the organs of law enforcement to his will, and the people understand that the law truly is an ass.
No wonder we saw looting and lawlessness after Saddam was ousted. No wonder South Africa is so violent. No wonder the Mafiya runs Russia. These are no more than the consequences of repressive regimes. Everyone pretends to respect the law until the regime loses its grip on power. Then it's "Katy bar the door!"
Even French philosophers think that the US reaction to the Whigs - banishment to Canada - was better than the French reaction to the aristocracy - a ride in a tumbril and a hasty meeting with Mr. Guillotine.
Mind you, there are impressive examples out there of doing things right. For example, Taiwan was able to hold peaceful elections that ousted the GuoMinTang. This despite the repression the GuoMinTang had inflicted on Taiwan, and threats from the mainland.
Can you imagine what Beijing thought when Taipei had a peaceful, elected transfer of power?
Can you imagine the impact of the California Special Election on China? On the European Union?
--
Speaking of the California Special Election, I'm of two minds about it.
On the one hand, I'm generally against rule by plebiscite - too much of this is simply rule by mob, pure democracy. Next thing you know, you're holding Special Elections to force your leading philosophers to drink hemlock.
On the other hand, it's better to remove your incompetent, corrupt rulers by ballet than by bullet.
I guess this Special Election is the worst possible thing, except for all the alternatives.
--
I used to cringe at the line, but I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free.
The State secret being that the Henan Health Department spread HIV to villagers who sold their blood.
In a further touch of sad irony, this happened in a China that has signed the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which "guarantees" the right to the highest attainable standard of health and that health informaton will not be censored, withheld, of intentionally misrepresented.
This is sad, but par for the course. I mean, in living memory China has been ruled by a philandering mass murderer.
But then, so has America.
Meanwhile China's getting ready to put men on the moon.
Things like this happen when the government doesn't have to answer to the people. China's had emperors for millenia. Their only worry is keeping the peasants just content enought that they don't start pitchforking.
This China story has my mind going:
--
Right now in my mind's eye I see a member of the gerontocracy getting up in the morning and shouting orders over his first tea of the day:
"Infect Hanan with HIV!"
"Put men on the moon!"
"More tea!"
It's a pity Spitting Image and Monty Python's Flying Circus aren't doing new episodes. I can just see a Chinese version of The Spanish Inquisition sketch.
--
One of the first things to go in a totalitarian regime is respect for the rule of law. The ruler bends the law and the organs of law enforcement to his will, and the people understand that the law truly is an ass.
No wonder we saw looting and lawlessness after Saddam was ousted. No wonder South Africa is so violent. No wonder the Mafiya runs Russia. These are no more than the consequences of repressive regimes. Everyone pretends to respect the law until the regime loses its grip on power. Then it's "Katy bar the door!"
Even French philosophers think that the US reaction to the Whigs - banishment to Canada - was better than the French reaction to the aristocracy - a ride in a tumbril and a hasty meeting with Mr. Guillotine.
Mind you, there are impressive examples out there of doing things right. For example, Taiwan was able to hold peaceful elections that ousted the GuoMinTang. This despite the repression the GuoMinTang had inflicted on Taiwan, and threats from the mainland.
Can you imagine what Beijing thought when Taipei had a peaceful, elected transfer of power?
Can you imagine the impact of the California Special Election on China? On the European Union?
--
Speaking of the California Special Election, I'm of two minds about it.
On the one hand, I'm generally against rule by plebiscite - too much of this is simply rule by mob, pure democracy. Next thing you know, you're holding Special Elections to force your leading philosophers to drink hemlock.
On the other hand, it's better to remove your incompetent, corrupt rulers by ballet than by bullet.
I guess this Special Election is the worst possible thing, except for all the alternatives.
--
I used to cringe at the line, but I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free.
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