I. On 26 Sep 2004, at 06:51, Craig Franklin wrote:
No matter what their other economic successes (...), these things will forever overshadow it.
Sorry to say it, but I consider that cultural defeatism. Especially the "will _forever_ overshadow" bit.
OUW GAWD, OUW GAWD. TEH WOARLD EEZ DOOMED. It's going to hell in a handbasket and things ain't NEVER gonna get better. OH PUH-LEEZE. ;-D
NB: PERPETUALLY denying your fellow human beings the chance to be full equals is not healthy. You may want to reconsider this point.
II. How much do you know about the Chinese government? Are you aware that many, many Chinese "ordinary Joes" are government officials? From low-low levels right through to the top? Are they all "irrevocably evil pedophile child-eaters"? And what do you propose? Burning a quarter of China's working population at the stake? (Number is made up for the sake of rhetoric, but you're getting my drift.) "The Chinese government" is a widespread community thing. (And yes, there is an etymological relation between "communism" and "community" -- think of that what you will.) Yes, we regret the deaths on Tiananmen Square. Believe it or not, many, many people ''of the Chinese government'' regret them, too. But how much do you really know about this--honestly? Have you actually talked to people who were there? Because a friend of mine was. And no, your wholesale damnation of a group of humans that conveniently doesn't include yourself is not the answer.
III. You may want to make it clear that you were referring to Ireland (you were, right?) as regards "sitting on your island". Because otherwise people will get confused because of your Australian address. Speaking of Ireland, I was in Dublin--resident in Dublin--when the first ever foreigner to die from a racist attack was killed in Ireland: It was a Chinese person. Yes, I too still love Ireland but you nevertheless may want to exercise a tad bit more healthy restraint. Being openly disrespectful will just make you temporarily feel better because of the venting opportunity but it will make a lot of our Chinese contributors feel a lot worse -- and needlessly antagonize people and not help anybody.
-- ropers [[en:User:Ropers]] www.ropersonline.com