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China this week announced plans to curtail the rights to free assembly and association in Hong Kong starting July 1.
Sarcasm: It was nice to see the President and State department in such a furor over the action by the Beijing regime.
I wonder what the reaction would have been if China announced that they were going to give away pirated copies of Michael Bolton and Toni Braxton Compact Discs to the citizens of Hong Kong to celebrate the change of guard? Probably a little different. But I guess that is what generous campaign donations will buy a country in today's political free market.
So I don't want to hear the President of the U.S. referred to as "The Leader of the Free World". What a pompous and disingenuous title that is. The office is more like the "Leader of the S&P 500". If it's good for business, it's good for the U.S. And in today's picture, rocking China's emerging market is bad for business.
Well, Mr. President, I expect as much from business. When you pony up and kiss ass, however, it is always a little more disheartening. So spare me the rhetoric about preserving democracy, and the torch of liberty, and the rest of it. You talk a good game when Haiti threatens free elections. Let's see you step up to China, let's see you stand up for Hong Kong.
That's what I thought.
Sycophant of the Free World.
Toady to the Free Market.
And you have the gall to wonder why people are cynical about election reform.
Do us all a favor. Admit to accepting money from any foreign interest willing to offer it. Forget the Education reform ruse, and leave a real legacy. Make an impassioned plea for election reform with yourself as the sacrificial lamb. Resign, and make the loss of your office the banner to clean up the election process.
While you are at it, stand up to China, and prove that you did not sell out ideals for campaign funds. Do it soon, too. Greg Norman is free this weekend if you want to get together and chat.
Last Updated: 12 April 1997
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