(Tibet) protests and the Olympics

[Guest guest]

Hello all. It is quite upsetting as Tibet is overwhelmed by Chinese tanks and

police once again right now. We are having protests against the Chinese even in

Seattle now.

 

The Olympics will be a forum for everyone who has grievances against the Chinese

now! And who doesn't! Stephen Spielberg quit as artistic director as he is

upset about China and Darfur.

 

I read the posts from within China (including Jill Robinson) begging to work

within the system for China's animals as progress is being made. I have a lot

of sympathy and am so grateful for those in Beijing right now trying to help

stray animals. And also read Merritt Clifton's analysis as to why protesting

against the Olympics will not work. Certainly any boycott of Chinese made

products in the states (and have been done many times for various reasons) seems

futile.

 

I was there as the Dalai Lama came into the airport in New York for his first

visit in the late 70's. All of us worked towards and expected Tibet would have

some freedoms by 2000 certainly as we watched the Berlin Wall come down and

other freedoms for other peoples. So can hardly believe the sad situation (and

terrifying for some areas) that Tibet finds itself in 2008.

 

Please note that environment of the vast acreage of the Tibetan plateau would

fare much better with as much influence as possible from the Tibetans themselves

(those who have not sold out to Chinese interests by now of course). A Chinese

businessman came to Lhasa and tried to convince Tibetans to go towards factory

farming for the yaks and the Tibetans are simply not interested in doing that to

their animals. Even though essentially not a vegetarian people the concern for

the environment and individual animal welfare is high among the Tibetan people.

 

For these reasons alone I am suggesting that animal rights/welfare people would

do well by supporting the cause of the Tibetan people if they are able.

 

Thanks for listening.

Seattle, WA (USA)

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

I fully agree with most of what Weintraub has said, with the

exception of a boycott of Chinese-made products. We can and must vote with our

wallets.

However, unless it is a substantially total boycott, it will not suceed.

 

has first-hand knowledge of Tibet and its people as does Jill of China's

system and I would take their advice seriously. As has said, many will

use the Olympics as a forum to air their grievances, much of it genuine but some

certainly exaggerated.

 

The rights abuses in China - human and animal - are all the more sordid

considering their age old civilization, but I must add that much cruelty to man

and animal has been a sad and substantial part of their history, too.

 

Regards

 

S. Chinny Krishna

 

 

aapn [aapn ]On Behalf Of

Weintraub

Friday, March 21, 2008 1:10 AM

aapn

(Tibet) protests and the Olympics

 

 

Hello all. It is quite upsetting as Tibet is overwhelmed by Chinese tanks

and police once again right now. We are having protests against the Chinese

even in Seattle now.

 

The Olympics will be a forum for everyone who has grievances against the

Chinese now! And who doesn't! Stephen Spielberg quit as artistic director as

he is upset about China and Darfur.

 

I read the posts from within China (including Jill Robinson) begging to

work within the system for China's animals as progress is being made. I have

a lot of sympathy and am so grateful for those in Beijing right now trying

to help stray animals. And also read Merritt Clifton's analysis as to why

protesting against the Olympics will not work. Certainly any boycott of

Chinese made products in the states (and have been done many times for

various reasons) seems futile.

 

I was there as the Dalai Lama came into the airport in New York for his

first visit in the late 70's. All of us worked towards and expected Tibet

would have some freedoms by 2000 certainly as we watched the Berlin Wall

come down and other freedoms for other peoples. So can hardly believe the

sad situation (and terrifying for some areas) that Tibet finds itself in

2008.

 

Please note that environment of the vast acreage of the Tibetan plateau

would fare much better with as much influence as possible from the Tibetans

themselves (those who have not sold out to Chinese interests by now of

course). A Chinese businessman came to Lhasa and tried to convince Tibetans

to go towards factory farming for the yaks and the Tibetans are simply not

interested in doing that to their animals. Even though essentially not a

vegetarian people the concern for the environment and individual animal

welfare is high among the Tibetan people.

 

For these reasons alone I am suggesting that animal rights/welfare people

would do well by supporting the cause of the Tibetan people if they are

able.

 

Thanks for listening.

Seattle, WA (USA)