The past two weeks have seen chinese mobs of angry protesters demonstrating their disgust at Japan's rewriting of history and wanting to take a seat on the UN Security Council. "That would be like allowing a criminal to join the police," say some. But as always, there is another side to the story...
"Young Chinese are taught about the atrocities committed by the Japanese during World War II. They are not however taught about the 17 official apologies that Japan has made to China over the last 30 years, including one from the Japanese emperor when he visited Beijing. Nor are they told of the $30bn in aid that Japan has given to China since ties were re-established in 1972, aid that has helped build Beijing's international airport and the city's new subway system. You'll search in vain for a plaque on either acknowledging where the money came from.
Unlike Japan, in China the government really does control history."
I'm no fan of Japan - their on-going policy of destruction against dolphin and whales will make me think twice before buying any product made in that country. But the Japanese do have a point when they observe China's history of invading N. Korea and supporting that government to this day, the invasion of Vietnam and the killing of thousands of those people, and the way the Communist government of China has treated its own people (i.e. Tienamen), and its present day threat to rage war against 23 million Chinese in Taiwan - China is not all that much better than Japan was sixty years ago.
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South San Francisco, California, United States
"There is no creator" - the Dalai Lama. These are words of common sense, and it tells me that "spirituality" has nothing in particular to do with a belief in the supernatural. But then, those of us who grew up in the seventies watching "Kung Fu" already knew that being a vegan, atheist who follows the path of the buddha can reach enlightenment.
All kidding aside, what does a vegetarian atheist have to say? Stick around and you'll find out! Politically I'm rather liberal, but I do like to listen to staunch conservative talk show host Michael (the 'Whiner') Savage so I'll probably be mentioning him from time to time in my weblogs. So for now, how about some talk of broccoli, carrots and peas? Recipe's anyone??
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"As mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality."
- George Washington
"Maybe happiness is a fragment of existence, but with better packaging."
