smartpolitics

Eight Americans, a Briton and a German were deported on Sunday after the Chinese government caught them instigating pro-Tibet demonstrations at Olympic venues.

Though the U.S. has said it was a “diappointment” that China had not used the Olympics as an opportunity to be more tolerant of criticism and free spech, we have not issued any harsher reprimand than the word “disappointment.”

Perhaps this is a good sign; for once the U.S. is not politically bullying other countries into behaving as we wish. On the other hand, we couldn’t have chosen a worse situation to not get involved in; the Free Tibet movement has lasted ever since China first invaded. It is absolutely foolish that we still bully Middle Eastern countries that pose no threat to our safety and then suddenly decide to back off when it comes to China even though the issue (free speech) is much more important.

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