In China, a Grass-Roots Rebellion

[Coventina]

Source: Washington Times

SHANGHAI -- When Tang Xiaozhao first saw a copy of the pro-democracy petition in her e-mail inbox, she silently acknowledged she agreed with everything in it but didn't want to get involved.

Tang, a pigtailed, 30-something cosmetology major, had never considered herself the activist type. Like many other Chinese citizens, she kept a blog where she wrote about current events and her life, but she wasn't political.

A few days later, however, Tang surprised herself. She logged on to her computer and signed the document by sending her full name, location and occupation to a special e-mail address.

"I was afraid, but I had already signed it hundreds of times in my heart," Tang said in an interview.



Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2009/01/29/ST2009012900102.html

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These people are really, really brave. I consider them heroes.

[originalpckelly]

1. How quickly we forget that China's really not a free country.

If only the people realized that they could simply stand together at once and have a revolution that was fairly bloodless, if not totally peaceful, this would end tomorrow.

Tyranny is a lie, democracy is a truth. It is a mathematical and physical truth, the vast majority of people cannot be killed by a tyrant, only those who dare to speak before the people know the truth. More people can project more physical force, were it to come to blows.

[Blue_Tires]

7. I'm still amused by the bloviating congresscritters

who fought, kicked and clawed to normalize trade relations with China but any mention of lifting the Cuba embargo was "OMG YORE IN LUV WIT COMMANIST CASTRO!"

[originalpckelly]

2. Why aren't there more responses?

I love this right here:
"China's No. 4 official, Jia Qinglin, warned in the party's theoretical journal Qiu Shi in mid-January that the country should 'build a defensive line against interference by incorrect Western thinking.'"

It looks like our slaves are rising up, and I can't help but love them for it. You go China, I just hope their government doesn't shoot them all.

[marions ghost]

3. I'm skeptical

that many Chinese people would sign on for the total chaos of a revolution. Their government would certainly kill them. But these people who do stick their necks out give hope to many that something can change.

[originalpckelly]

4. Revolutions don't have to be chaotic, as long as there is general consensus.

It sounds like they're doing this the right way. This is how real democracy happens, people start daring to write freely about incorrect Western thinking, then more people do. Then people get together and think of ways to implement incorrect Western thinking. More and more people stand up for incorrect Western thinking, and then eventually the government folds for lack of support.

Their government wouldn't be responding to this if they were so afraid of it.

[pampango]

5. Indeed they are heroes. As their economy stalls, the ability of the ruling party

to buy loyalty with economic progress will wither. Large scale dissatisfaction and protests (not a few thousand like in Tienanmen) will lead the government to a choice.

They might choose to break the discontent with brute force. It worked in Tienanmen, but many millions have now have had a taste of a better life and it will require a bold gamble and massive force to pull this off.

The other choice would be to open up the political system, as they have the economic system. Gorbachev followed this path (with results that may give Chinese leaders cause for concern).

[originalpckelly]

6. Government derives its power from the consent of the government.

In any system, when that consent is lost, it is only a matter of time until the government falls. They can't kill everyone, so if this spreads underground, then one day something will trigger them all to act.

[pampango]

9. I agree with you long term. I only hope that desperate politicians don't try

to "kill everyone" as a tactic to hold on to power, even if it is doomed to failure in the long run.

[bridgit]

8. Yes. And Norma Ray-esque kinds of individuals are what scare the hell out of ruling Chinese...

communist elites. I wish for her long life & every kindness. Elsewhere such people move 10's maybe 100's of thousands of people; in China they are able to move millions upon millions of people...and that's what freaks out China's power elite.