Dalai Lama: China causing 'cultural genocide"

[TomClash]

Source: CNN

(CNN) -- The Dalai Lama on Sunday called for an international probe of China's treatment of Tibet, which he said is causing "cultural genocide" of his people.

A video image of Chinese police carrying out door to door searches in Lhasa.

1 of 3 The exiled spiritual leader of Tibet spoke at a news conference Sunday in Dharmsala, India, two days after violent clashes between pro-autonomy demonstrators and Chinese security forces in the Tibetan capital Lhasa.

A spokesman for the Tibetan exile government said it has confirmed at least 80 deaths in Friday's violence and that protests were continuing outside the capital on Sunday, further undermining China's hopes of a smooth run-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.



Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/03/16/tibet.unrest/index.html

---

IMHO, there's not enough we can do to help these people against the fascist Chinese government, one of the worst governments ont the planet.

[Slagathor]

1. The only thing about Tibet China did right

was to chase out the Dali Lama. Remember that this idiot is not only a randomly chosen hereditary spiritual leader of Tibet, but the moron also thinks that he's the country's legitimate secular leader. This is a heavily deluded man or outright liar who claims to be a reincarnation of a religious figure who came before him. He also is a homophobe and is anti-choice. Not to mention being a CIA stooge. No religious figure should EVER lead a country.

I wish that belief in Buddhism could be discouraged by non-violent means, but until people are willing to see reason and free themselves from that superstitious idiocy, we're just going to have to put up with it.

To hell with China. A criminal government if ever there was one, but the Dali Lama is a first rate asshole.

[bemildred]

2. As a matter of curiosity, is there anything you like? nt

[Robb]

5. (spits coffee)

:rofl:

[Slagathor]

6. Yes, I'd like a Free Tibet

but just because the Dali Lama is opposed to Chinese totalitarian rule doesn't make him the best possible choice to rule Tibet. How about a democracy?

[bemildred]

7. Thanks, I was wondering.

I'm not a big fan of the Dalai Lama, but I don't think he's much of a threat as far as being dictator of Tibet either. I'm all in favor of Tibetan autonomy and democratic rule, but if that means the Dalai Lama gets elected, it would not bother me any. China certainly does have an historic claim to Tibet, but I think the claims of the decadent Chinese emperor have little weight in the modern era, and we ought to respect the rights of Tibetans to political autonomy. Even the imperial chinese saw fit to do that.

[Slagathor]

8. The problem with Tibetan Buddhism

is that it would be a vast government-supported bureaucracy where no one actually does any productive work whatsoever, supported on the horrible labor of an incredibly poor peasant class. These morons should go spin their prayer wheels.

Freeing Tibet and handing it over to the Dali Lama makes about as much sense as liberating Kuwait from Iraq and handing it back to the Kuwaiti royal family.

[ohio2007]

9. freedom on the march

As being reported from China;


BEIJING (Reuters) - Rioting erupted in a province neighbouring Tibet on Sunday, two days after violent protests by Tibetans against Chinese rule in Lhasa that the region's exiled representatives said had killed 80 people.



http://in.reuters.com/resources/r/?m=02&d=20080316&t=2&i=3537398&w=&r=img-2008-03-16T193321Z_01_NOOTR_RTRMDNC_0_India-324999-22
"They've gone crazy,"



http://in.reuters.com/article/southAsiaNews/idINIndia-32499920080316

The Chinese province neighboring Tibet might be full of the independent minded 'fundies" of a certain other religion.
Not much different then "the fundies" running Iran but more along the sect favored and in control of Saudi Arabia imo

[subsuelo]

10. "These morons should go spin their prayer wheels"

Talking about anyone in particular? Or just all Tibetan Buddhists

[Slagathor]

13. Specifically the ones who advocate kleptocratic theocracy

that answer your question?

[bemildred]

11. How about just "Freeing Tibet" then, they could hold elections and like that?

[Slagathor]

15. But they wouldn't

The Dali Lama and his "church" would not hand government of Tibet to the people.

[bemildred]

18. They have no power, no army, nothing. Who is going to hand them control of Tibet?

Tibet will not be taken from the Chinese easily.

[Fredda Weinberg]

22. Funny ... you hold a different opinion in Palestine n/t

[Slagathor]

24. Palestine is irrelevant to practically any discussion of anything

unless you're talking about Israel.

[bemildred]

26. With all due respect, you don't know a thing about my opinions. nt

[trthnd4jstc]

29. This is not true. The Dalai Lama supports autonomy, does not support tyranny.

You cannot speak for the Dalai Lama. I am personally non-religious, and I do not favor any religion. Many of my family, clients, friends, and associates believe in one religion or another, though a non-believer, I cannot simply claim that they are superstitious. Further, the Dalai Lama has claimed to believe in Democracy. Does not support tyranny. He loves and supports the Tibetan People. He has placed many resources into helping many thousands of Tibetans. I will ask this. Imagine, people who chose Roman Catholicism, would have lets say Goths go in, take over the government, and say they are doing it to get rid of the superstitious government, and yet 78% of the people in Italy,and app. 56% in Rome have a strong belief in Catholicism, would you support the Goths in their tyranny, and rampage?

[Slagathor]

31. If he supports his own rule of Tibet, then he supports tyranny

of course you can claim that religious people are superstitious. Matter of fact, it's not a claim, it's a fundamental truth. They "believe" in things that simply are not true. Things that do not exist. The Dali Lama is deluded into either believing that he is the 14th reincarnation of a monastic leader, or he is just lying about it. Either way, he was justifiably chased out of Tibet in order to end his perverse theocracy. The only shame of the matter is that he was chased out by the totalitarian Chinese rather than a popular democratic groundswell.

PS you know nothing about the history of 5th century Rome, do you?

[diane in sf]

35. The Dalai Lama supports democracy for Tibet and has admitted there were

gross inequities in old Tibet. He has also stated that he agreed with some principles of socialism.

His attitudes toward homosexuality are from Tibetan Buddhism and being a monk. I wouldn't take the pope's opinion on birth control (which is considerably different than the Dalai Lama's) nor would I adapt the Dalai Lama's on homosexuality.

You don't sound like you know very much about the Dalai Lama.

[Fair Rights to All]

40. He is only interested in selling Tibet for a good price

Do you know him well? He is just a pawn caught up in the power struggle between communism and capitalism. He needed the West to help him restore his total control of Tibet, and the West needed him to gain more control in the Asian Pacific. Well, I am just thankful that Tibet has not turned out to be another Iraq.

[fascisthunter]

12. "the Dali Lama is a first rate asshole."

yeah... preaching about peace and wisdom and all... :crazy: :wtf:

[Slagathor]

14. He's an anti-choice, homophobe, blinded by celebrity

he's the Mother Teresa of Eastern Religion. Utterly worthless as a human being.

[fascisthunter]

16. You Should Try to Kill Him

you seem to hate him enough

[Slagathor]

17. No. I'd just rather not see him or his personal church actually run a country

I'd rather see Tibet as a democracy, free from the shackles of ignorant superstition.

[Fredda Weinberg]

23. I recognize the validity of your point. The Chinese can be cruel masters

and these remote sites have enjoyed autonomy for generations, but there is no such thing as cultural genocide.

[Traction311]

30. Religious leaders are usually anti-choice and anti-gay rights

As super-pro-choice as I am, it really would be unrealistic to expect the Pope, Dali Lama, or any religious leader to start handing out condoms and tell women it's ok to have an abortion. At least they are consistant. They oppose wars and the death penalty.

[Slagathor]

33. The POS supported India's testing of atomic weapons, too

He is an utter hypocrite on so many levels. Just like every other religious charlatan.

[trthnd4jstc]

28. I disagree with your assessment of the Dalai Lama.

I agree that I do not want religion involved in the governance of the US. Tibet was a separate country, with a separate culture, and the PRC invaded them. One may not label simple that Buddhism is superstition. Some practice Buddhism without any since of religion, and others are strongly religious. It is a vast series of different philosophies held together by the 4 noble truths, and the eightfold path. In fact Buddha was not simplistic in his philosophy. His teachings actually range over an approximately 40 year span of time.

Tibet should not have been invaded. In fact, if you could simply look at the Tibetan beliefs without hating them as superstitious, some aspects of the philosophy/religion have nothing more to do than liberating the mind, and being courageous. I very much like and apprectiate the Tibetan culture. I also appreciate the Dalai Lama. Also Slagathor, if you could read just one book written by the Dalai Lama, and still think he is an a$$hole, I would simply think that you do not believe in non-violence, forgiveness, meditation, and living without blame. The Dalai Lama is a most extraordinary man.

[Slagathor]

32. That's just insupportable, back-drawer, pseudo-philosophical bunkum

and it has no business being a system of government in anything even approaching the 14th century, let alone the 21st century.

Just read what you wrote with an open mind. Read your words with a rational mind. 4 noble truths... eightfold path... free yourself. It is unnecessary and, quite frankly, stupid superstition. I'd say that it was best left to children, but indoctrinating any child in any religion should be a criminal offense.

And yes, Tibet should have been invaded. Just not by China. No theocracy should be allowed to stand.

[Mr Rabble]

37. You are using logic and evidence to support you stand here.

Dont you know that these things hold little sway in this conversation?

It amazes me that people with access to Google can actually attempt to argue with your points in this thread, and yet have a look at the responses.

[pegleg]

36. So am I also to assume that you are an anti-religious bigot?

People should be free to practice their beliefs or not as they see fit. That is what is at issue here.

[Blue_Tires]

38. "I wish that belief in Buddhism could be discouraged by non-violent means..."

"...but until people are willing to see reason and free themselves from that superstitious idiocy, we're just going to have to put up with it."

That's very Buddhist of you
:eyes:

[KamaAina]

45. Yep, no difference between the Dalai Lama and Pat Robertson (sarcasm)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenzin_Gyatso%2C_14th_Dalai_Lama#Social_stances

He explains in his book Beyond Dogma: "homosexuality, whether it is between men or between women, is not improper in itself. What is improper is the use of organs already defined as inappropriate for sexual contact." It has been said that in 1997 he explained that the basis of that teaching was unknown to him and that he at least had some "willingness to consider the possibility that some of the teachings may be specific to a particular cultural and historic context."...

Of course, abortion, from a Buddhist viewpoint, is an act of killing and is negative, generally speaking. But it depends on the circumstances. If the unborn child will be retarded or if the birth will create serious problems for the parent, these are cases where there can be an exception. I think abortion should be approved or disapproved according to each circumstance.

Yep. That damn Dalai Lama's nothing but a Bush-lovin' far right wing kook. :sarcasm:

[ohio2007]

3. Tell it to the UN ! I'm sure they will sink their teeth into a strongly worded statement

to consider if cultural genocide should even be considered as a future discussion sent to a "committee" that will be led by ? ... Libya or a Chinese official

lol
/sarc

[onehandle]

4. Invade China. How about it, Bush?

You don't have the balls.

[Fair Rights to All]

42. US had already failed twice via Korea and then Vietnam

Wish everyone in US would remember that.

[David__77]

19. This all seems rather planned.

This seems like a planned provocation, aimed at disrupting the Olympics and creating negative public opinion about China. And the Western media are reporting on this as if Tibet were not an integral part of China, which it is. It's as much a part of China as Hawaii is part of the US - in fact, more so from a historical perspective.

[Fair Rights to All]

43. Totally Agree

[merh]

20. The Chinese have taken advantage of the US's weakened state

We no longer can claim to be the champions of human rights, we violate the rights of others hourly now, we condone torture and we are responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan.

They know our military is stretched thin and weak, they know we can't do anything and they know without our support, the UN cannot either. Why should they care what the UN thinks any way, the US doesn't.

This administration has destroyed world peace, has made the world more dangerous than it has ever been.

Oh, and it has practically destroyed our nation. Elect McCain for more of the same (if we can survive long enough to get there).

[Fair Rights to All]

41. Korea & Vietnam

The US did contribute greatly to the end of the World War II, Alas, though US's defeats in Vietnam and in Korea were never a threat/risk to world peace. And the victors of the wars did not wage wars everywhere. Enough said?

[trthnd4jstc]

21. If Pres. Clinton had required autonomy for Tibet, and political and religious...

Freedom for Tibet, as a requirement of China to have entered the WTO as a most favored nation, could the Chinese oppression of Tibet still continue?
The so-called Communist in China, with a small number of exceptions, only wish to exploit Tibet for its material resources. The Peoples Republic of China invaded a sovereign nation and got away with it. A complete violation of the UN Charter. We did nothing. We supported the South Koreans, but did nothing to support Tibet.

The Peoples Republic of China are well on their way to becoming the next tyrant of the Earth. Since the idiotic Neo-Conservative Republicans in our Nation have nearly, and possibly, bankrupted our Nation. We will, as a Nation, continue to slide down. China arises. I am against all tyranny. Our nation has been the tyrant. The PRC has been, and will continue to be the tyrant.

I wish for justice, and democracy worldwide. The injustices that our Nation has inflicted have helped to weaken, not strenghthen our Nation.

The PRC's injustices will over time weaken them too. Unfortunately, their tyranny seems to have strength to last more than a thousand years. Pres. Clinton, and the DLC's move to give the PRC most favored nation status has helped lead to our downfall.

Where to go from here:

After dealing with our economic downturn. We must get ourselves out of debt. We must become manufacturers again. We must not let the powerful in our Nation determine the rest of ours' future lives. They do not care. They helped wreck our Nation, intentionally at that making each and every one of them traitors. They should not be allowed to push the rest of us around any longer.

We must form a new form of currency, not backed by the banks, but backed by the Legislature. I suggest a time dollar. Please look up Bob Blain, Professor Emeritus, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. We can have a currency backed by labor, instead of wishes and hopes. We create value from our labor, and not from creating credit. End the tyranny of the Rich over the Working Classes.

We need to have a foreign policy based on cooperation with others in the world, instead of imperialism. The Neo-conservatives were completely against working with Nato in Afghanistan, and we can see how successful the Neo-Con/Rumsfeld war in Afhanistan has went. We should pull out of most of the world, simply defend our own nation, and shipping lanes, and air routes, but that is it. Decrease military spending. Fix Iraq. Work with Nato in Afghanistan, and end militaristic adventureism.

We have already given China the means to their assent as the dominant force of the next millenia. There is not much more than being better than them, and to form deeper economic alliances with, hopefully Latin America, and Europe.

We must be actively involved in our political situation. I have been active for more than 20 years, and only having poverty preventing me from obtaining the proper paperwork needed to vote in this last primary. I still write my representative, and Senators. I still write other Representatives and Senators, and any time I can, I actually go and talk to them... We must be a force to make our politician's not chose to do so many stupid policy decisions. They are sworn to serve our constitution, and our nation. Instead they are serving the Rich. This must stop.

It may be too late. Just imagine how China is treating workers in China, and Africa, like slaves. 12 to 18 hour days 6 days a week, with 10 to 14 hours on 1 day a week. This is not life. This is not living. The PRC way is even worse tyranny, than American Capitalism. Unfortunately, our nation has killed so many people, it is hard to say which country has killed more, but our system of laws protect more of the people than the PRC's. And because of the short-sightedness, and wrong-headedness of our leaders, we have given them the keys to the kingdom.

We must try to do something to prevent further deterioration.

I feel for the people of Tibet. The PRC, in general, are terrible, greedy tyrants. The should be stopped. We can't stop them. All I can do is cry, and pray for you.

Peace

[otherlander]

25. Who decides

whether a country gets to enter the WTO as a "favored nation"?

Time dollar... sounds interesting. I'll look it up.

[trthnd4jstc]

27. As far as I know the pre-existing members decide membership.

I know a little. Membership into the WTO depends upon agreement to a whole list of rules about tariffs, and acceptance by the pre-existing members. My point is that the PRC should have done more to protect Human rights.

[Fair Rights to All]

39. You are dead wrong

I am fond of Buddhism, in particular the Tibetan Buddhism. Yet I see no excuse for Tibetan rioters committing crimes against humanity. What they did was carefully planned (excellent timing) and brutally executed to smear a regime that they did like, on the expense of liberties of innocent parties. I found that utterly disgusting and unacceptable. The PRC may not be an Utopia, people in the PRC and run it are certainly no monsters. trthnd4jstc's opinion on PRC shows nothing but ignorance and arrogance. It is the ignorant bias held by people like trthnd4jstc, makes genocides in Tibet committed by some Tibetans excusable. Shame!

[DrCory]

44. That statement shows...

...you know nothing about the true nature of the PRC. Monsters a'plenty plague that tortured land. I know, I lived there.

[trthnd4jstc]

46. I had to write the abstract for 2 of the 5 year plans from the Communist Party

of the Peoples Republic of China for the Defence Department. Yeah, I don't know nothing. I am guilty of ignorant bias. I do know that the Peoples Republic of China wish to have the US removed from the Sea of China. I do know that the PRC invaded a sovereign nation. I do know that though the Communist Party in China calls itself Communist, it is not communist. It is a tyranny, and not a workers paradise. I do have contact with people who have lived in Communist China, and they call it a tyranny. I am certain Fair Rights to All that you have me understood and pegged! Not!

I also support democracy for all people. I believe in fair rights to all. I believe in equal justice under the law. I do not even think our nation has attained fair rights to all.

I even know Tibetan Buddhist. I am non-religious, but I think what the PRC did to Tibet was wrong. It was simply a land grab. Further, Mao Tse Tung was a lier. I have read his book also. The Peoples Republic of China could have been a country that made workers lives better. I am certain Fair Rights to All that you know that the people who run the PRC are not monsters. I disagree. They are tyrants. There is no such thing as free and fair elections in the PRC. I do not have time right now, but I will perform the research, when I get time to prove my points. Personally, I need to get back to work.

I do not feel like the viciousness of the self-righteousness of those that wish to attack me is warranted. I vote Democratic. I support the Democratic Party. I pay many thousands in taxes. I obey nearly every law. I am not perfect, but I try to be a part of the good in this world.

Peace to all. I do not wish to argue, nor fight with you all. I simply wish to do my best all the time. I do not understand the hatefulness against those that chose a religious viewpoint, and I do not even believe in religion.

Finally, Fair Rights to All, I even agree that these protests has been planned, but I would not label it committing crimes against humanity. That designation would more adequately explain the lack of religious freedom that the PRC has enforced upon the Native Tibetans. Good day to you, and I do not wish to engage with you again, unless you will behave civilly to me.

[SpikeTss]

34. Seems that he hasn't heard about the US policies in Iraq

:sarcasm:

It's sarcasm, but it's true.