I just learned from Mr. S.B. Woo (former Lt. Gov. of DE) that his "letter to the Editor" will soon be published. Here is the content of it.
Two Words Put Many On Dalai Lama's Side
To most Americans, Dalai Lama is a Tibetan "Buddhist" "monk" who has been driven out of Tibet by the atheist communist party in China. Although he is injecting politics into Olympics, we decide to cut him a break.
Here are some facts that we should consider, because we have other values besides rooting for the underdog, if indeed that Dalai Lama is an underdog.
To Americans, the word "Buddhism" connotes a religion that is so spiritual that it tries to cleanse love in order to avoid being possessive. Quite to the contrary, Tibetan Buddhism is a theocracy. Dalai Lama is "supreme in both temporal and spiritual matters." That is, he was the ruler of Tibet, ruling over a serf society that had slaves. So distinguish the Buddhism you know from the Tibetan Buddhism under Dalai Lama.
To Americans, the word "monk" conjures up the image of a person living in harsh conditions while serving the poor and the weak. Tibetan monks made up the privileged ruling class that lives on the backs of the serfs. So when they led protests, they could be looking to return to their "old glory."
There are two Lamas in the Tibetan Buddhism. Dalai Lama and Panchen
Lama. Panchen Lama is also "supreme in spiritual matters." So in spiritual matters, Dalai has a co-equal. China has always recognized Panchen Lama, though some claimed that the selection of Panchen was manipulated by China.
Now ask: Is Dalai Lama motivated by restoring Tibetan culture or his power? I'd say, primarily power, but perhaps both. So don't blindly take his side. Check things out a bit.
Our un-informed position-taking based on erroneous perception will weaken the democratic movement in China and strengthen Chinese people's suspicion of the Western world.
S. B. Woo
Lieutenant Governor (1985-89)
- Re: A letter to the Editor will be published soonposted on 04/10/2008
It is so important to clarify the concept of these two words. And also more scholars should say something to help public. - Re: A letter to the Editor will be published soonposted on 04/10/2008
Most politicians are idiots! - because there are more idiotic people! - Re: A letter to the Editor will be published soonposted on 04/10/2008
I just heard from him a minute ago that the newspaper is The News Journal, Delaware's only state-wide paper, and he allows me to spread the word without waiting for it gets published. - Re: A letter to the Editor will be published soonposted on 04/10/2008
The latest update. The letter is published today.
http://delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080410/OPINION10/80409065/1111
The title is now changed. - Re: A letter to the Editor will be published soonposted on 04/10/2008
Well done, Mr. Woo! - Re: A letter to the Editor will be published soonposted on 04/10/2008
Dr.Woo was a professor of physics at the U of Delaware before he stepped into politics.
A short letter that nails downs so many important facts, that takes Prof. Woo's incisiveness and penmanship. - Re: A letter to the Editor will be published soonposted on 04/10/2008
He is also one of the organizers of the 80-20 Initiative. - posted on 04/10/2008
This is no more than a mindless recitation of the Chinese propaganda we were all being force fed when growing up. No matter how you spin it, before the 1950s, despite paying suzerainty to the Qing court, historically the Tibetans always ruled their proud nation independently. In whichever system they choose to live their lives, it's not an excuse to justify the brutal subjugation of an entire people.
Throughout history, nations form alliances and then break up for wars. History isn't and cannot be the only reason to bind different ethnic groups together. As an overwhelming power (to the Tibetans), to show benevolence and tolerance is a far superior motivation to convince them to stay in China as one nation. There should be courage and far-sight to solve conflict with calm dialogues, instead of the belligerent rants that only hardens ethnic hatred. Moreover, sweeping all signs of trouble under the rug and letting the resentment fester and hoping for the best is crass. The ethnic riots will erupt again if the underlying fundamental issues are left unsolved.
An enlightened modern people befitting the honor of hosting Olympic games ought to behave more than a sullen schoolyard bully whose only antic is to throw a fit whenever criticisms are directed at him. Now if you are the baddest ass on the block and impervious to criticisms then it's another story. But make up your mind about how you want to project yourself to other people. Don't play the victim card in the mean time and act like a wronged kid telling on to the teachers while kicking the smaller kid in the groin.
Finally this counter demonstration is a PR disaster. If you are trying to convince the people of the world that the Chinese are not the bully the Tibetans are portraying them to be, then this is exactly the wrong way to go about. All people see on TV is some incoherent young men shouting slogans of being victimized by western conspiracies to bring down the Chinese people. This kind of insolent discourse will absolutely not resonate with the public opinion of the world.
And Mr. S.B. Woo is sadly not the most eloquent spokesperson to reverse the perception that oversea's Chinese are indifferent to sufferings perpetuated by their own brethren.
zxd wrote:
I just learned from Mr. S.B. Woo (former Lt. Gov. of DE) that his "letter to the Editor" will soon be published. Here is the content of it.
Two Words Put Many On Dalai Lama's Side
To most Americans, Dalai Lama is a Tibetan "Buddhist" "monk" who has been driven out of Tibet by the atheist communist party in China. Although he is injecting politics into Olympics, we decide to cut him a break.
Here are some facts that we should consider, because we have other values besides rooting for the underdog, if indeed that Dalai Lama is an underdog.
To Americans, the word "Buddhism" connotes a religion that is so spiritual that it tries to cleanse love in order to avoid being possessive. Quite to the contrary, Tibetan Buddhism is a theocracy. Dalai Lama is "supreme in both temporal and spiritual matters." That is, he was the ruler of Tibet, ruling over a serf society that had slaves. So distinguish the Buddhism you know from the Tibetan Buddhism under Dalai Lama.
To Americans, the word "monk" conjures up the image of a person living in harsh conditions while serving the poor and the weak. Tibetan monks made up the privileged ruling class that lives on the backs of the serfs. So when they led protests, they could be looking to return to their "old glory."
There are two Lamas in the Tibetan Buddhism. Dalai Lama and Panchen
Lama. Panchen Lama is also "supreme in spiritual matters." So in spiritual matters, Dalai has a co-equal. China has always recognized Panchen Lama, though some claimed that the selection of Panchen was manipulated by China.
Now ask: Is Dalai Lama motivated by restoring Tibetan culture or his power? I'd say, primarily power, but perhaps both. So don't blindly take his side. Check things out a bit.
Our un-informed position-taking based on erroneous perception will weaken the democratic movement in China and strengthen Chinese people's suspicion of the Western world.
S. B. Woo
Lieutenant Governor (1985-89)
- Re: A letter to the Editor will be published soonposted on 04/10/2008
The tide is turning...
- posted on 04/11/2008
The Olympics torch relay apparently went peacefully and was enjoyed by the Argentines. This is in sharp contrast to the events in London and Paris. It would seem that the street scenes today in Buenos Aires, when appear on the TV sets in the Chinese family rooms, will reinforce the last point Mr Woo made.
So far six cities have seen the torch. Here is my rating of the events:
Athens - Largely peaceful. :-)
St Petersburg - Peaceful, so much so that the West media did not even bother. :-)
London - Disastrous. :-(
Paris - Disastrous, very bad display of Sino-phobia by some protesters. :-(
St Francisco - Magical, known as Houdini relay. :-)
Buenos Aires - Peaceful and enjoyable. :-) - Re: A letter to the Editor will be published soonposted on 04/11/2008
- posted on 04/11/2008
八十一子 wrote:
London - Disastrous. :-(
London is not disastrous at all, actually. London even allowed 12 torch guards to form an inner ring, and police for the outer ring. And I now knew they were Chinese plain-cloth specicial forces or something - I have to tell you, this is unprecedent. :)
The media exaggerated the negative side. And the torch was not even out once. Do you remember, there were 1 M people protesting on the street in London prior to Iraq war, so what? This time is far far from disastrous.
Now there are quite a lot people began to interrogate Met police why the Chinese guard is allowed to bully us English in London's street. Ha ha ha...
I guess London got to take it a bit seriously since next toruble-take is London, in 2012.
- Re: A letter to the Editor will be published soonposted on 04/11/2008
听说要组织护炬队,让我想起《魔戒》中的护戒队。护炬队 -- the fellowship of the torch。哈哈
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