AFP: China hits back at US on rights, says Iraq war a disaster: "BEIJING (AFP) — China on Thursday accused the United States of human rights hypocrisy, as it branded the US invasion of Iraq the 'greatest humanitarian disaster' of the modern world."
This is what happens when you lose your human rights credibility...
3 comments:
Your tone makes me question if you are trying to help, or if you are simply on the other side.
The fairness of China's comment all depends on when you think the "modern world" began. If it was in 2003, and if we exclude Darfur--where human rights abuses are largely funded by Chinese investment--then maybe they're right. But of course if you just mean during many people's lifetimes, then you still have to beat Mao's all-time greatest hits: the seizure of Tibet, the Hundred Flowers Campaign, the Great Leap Forward, and the Cultural Revolution.
Actually, I agree with your comment about how bad it is that we've lost our credibility, but it 's pretty ridiculous to get a lecture from the Chinese of all people.
Exactly. It IS ridiculous to get lectured by the Chinese. But, we've left them an opening to feel than they can do that somewhat credibly. And the result of that isn't more freedom in the world, as the Neocons would have us believe. It is less. Revolution (whether violent or intellectual) in China is now less likely because their citizens do not have the shining beacon on the hill to look toward for an example anymore, but something tarnished and hypocritical. THIS is what gives power to our enemies, not a "show of weakness" which supporters of tough-guy diplomacy suggest is anything less than a bombing and occupation.
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