Comments on: In The End, The Slogan “Free Tibet” Barely Won Out Over “OH SHIIIT, I’M ON FIIIRE!” http://www.cracked.com/blog/2008/03/27/in-the-end-the-slogan-free-tibet-barely-won-out-over-oh-shiiit-im-on-fiiire/ The CRACKED.com take on the world, in America's oldest weblog, since 1958. Sat, 10 May 2008 17:56:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: kyle http://www.cracked.com/blog/2008/03/27/in-the-end-the-slogan-free-tibet-barely-won-out-over-oh-shiiit-im-on-fiiire/#comment-24541 kyle Fri, 02 May 2008 15:54:48 +0000 http://www.cracked.com/blog/2008/03/27/in-the-end-the-slogan-free-tibet-barely-won-out-over-oh-shiiit-im-on-fiiire/#comment-24541 Andy Pants, you used to teach here? Then maybe you can explain what the fuck "properganda" is or what the fuck "suppourting" means. Good thing you don't still teach here. Or should I say teech hear? Sorry, I'm drunk Andy Pants, you used to teach here? Then maybe you can explain what the fuck “properganda” is or what the fuck “suppourting” means. Good thing you don’t still teach here. Or should I say teech hear? Sorry, I’m drunk

]]> By: kyle http://www.cracked.com/blog/2008/03/27/in-the-end-the-slogan-free-tibet-barely-won-out-over-oh-shiiit-im-on-fiiire/#comment-24535 kyle Fri, 02 May 2008 15:50:50 +0000 http://www.cracked.com/blog/2008/03/27/in-the-end-the-slogan-free-tibet-barely-won-out-over-oh-shiiit-im-on-fiiire/#comment-24535 Oh, one more time. Slavery, segregation? Let's make sure we have a clear conscience before ragging on an entire nation. If we held entire countries responsible for the actions of a handful of assholes, who would be in more trouble? America/Canada/UK, or China? Oh, one more time. Slavery, segregation? Let’s make sure we have a clear conscience before ragging on an entire nation. If we held entire countries responsible for the actions of a handful of assholes, who would be in more trouble? America/Canada/UK, or China?

]]> By: kyle http://www.cracked.com/blog/2008/03/27/in-the-end-the-slogan-free-tibet-barely-won-out-over-oh-shiiit-im-on-fiiire/#comment-24529 kyle Fri, 02 May 2008 15:44:50 +0000 http://www.cracked.com/blog/2008/03/27/in-the-end-the-slogan-free-tibet-barely-won-out-over-oh-shiiit-im-on-fiiire/#comment-24529 Oh sorry, I forgot a couple things. Abu Ghraib? Guantanamo Bay? Get your own shit straight. Oh sorry, I forgot a couple things. Abu Ghraib? Guantanamo Bay? Get your own shit straight.

]]> By: kyle http://www.cracked.com/blog/2008/03/27/in-the-end-the-slogan-free-tibet-barely-won-out-over-oh-shiiit-im-on-fiiire/#comment-24525 kyle Fri, 02 May 2008 15:42:12 +0000 http://www.cracked.com/blog/2008/03/27/in-the-end-the-slogan-free-tibet-barely-won-out-over-oh-shiiit-im-on-fiiire/#comment-24525 Well, first of all, wikipedia is available in China. I'm here, I know. Also, while I do NOT agree with Chinese oppression of Tibet, boycotting the Olympics is not the way to go. There are over 1 billion people living in China. How many of them do you think stand resolutely behind the government in all its actions? About as many as stand resolutely behind the Bush administration. Remember that this is a country coming to grips with its massive economic development, and the things that Chinese people see and hear about all this hatred toward China regarding Tibet will only serve to fuel the fear and xenophobia that the government here perpetrates. I am Canadian, and in Canada, Quebec has been raving about sovereignty for decades. If a bunch of French-Canadians marched on federal buildings armed with pipes, rocks and knives, (like the Tibetans did) everyone would think they were crazy. Because that's just fucked up. Keep that in mind. Well, first of all, wikipedia is available in China. I’m here, I know. Also, while I do NOT agree with Chinese oppression of Tibet, boycotting the Olympics is not the way to go. There are over 1 billion people living in China. How many of them do you think stand resolutely behind the government in all its actions? About as many as stand resolutely behind the Bush administration. Remember that this is a country coming to grips with its massive economic development, and the things that Chinese people see and hear about all this hatred toward China regarding Tibet will only serve to fuel the fear and xenophobia that the government here perpetrates. I am Canadian, and in Canada, Quebec has been raving about sovereignty for decades. If a bunch of French-Canadians marched on federal buildings armed with pipes, rocks and knives, (like the Tibetans did) everyone would think they were crazy. Because that’s just fucked up. Keep that in mind.

]]> By: Ｍing http://www.cracked.com/blog/2008/03/27/in-the-end-the-slogan-free-tibet-barely-won-out-over-oh-shiiit-im-on-fiiire/#comment-18586 Ｍing Sun, 13 Apr 2008 23:18:49 +0000 http://www.cracked.com/blog/2008/03/27/in-the-end-the-slogan-free-tibet-barely-won-out-over-oh-shiiit-im-on-fiiire/#comment-18586 Fraser Ronald, You are a stand-up comedian for sure. I enjoyed reading your post. Still, I think the right response is not "free Tibet," but "free China"! The Chinese government is not fucking up Tibet alone, it is fucking up the whole country of China. If Tibetans are treated as second-class citizens, then there is reason for them calling for independence. But the Han Chinese have equally few rights as the Tibetans. Fraser Ronald,

You are a stand-up comedian for sure. I enjoyed reading your post.

Still, I think the right response is not “free Tibet,” but “free China”! The Chinese government is not fucking up Tibet alone, it is fucking up the whole country of China. If Tibetans are treated as second-class citizens, then there is reason for them calling for independence. But the Han Chinese have equally few rights as the Tibetans.

]]> By: Darkness http://www.cracked.com/blog/2008/03/27/in-the-end-the-slogan-free-tibet-barely-won-out-over-oh-shiiit-im-on-fiiire/#comment-17309 Darkness Fri, 11 Apr 2008 05:19:00 +0000 http://www.cracked.com/blog/2008/03/27/in-the-end-the-slogan-free-tibet-barely-won-out-over-oh-shiiit-im-on-fiiire/#comment-17309 Honestly, I think that any completely unbiased person (though I know of none) would view government in Tibet (Government, PERIOD) as fucked up. Really fucked up. Oh, and for the record, BY MY VIEW, China would be a terrible place to live in as opposed to the freedoms I have here in America. Honestly, I think that any completely unbiased person (though I know of none) would view government in Tibet (Government, PERIOD) as fucked up.

Really fucked up.

Oh, and for the record, BY MY VIEW, China would be a terrible place to live in as opposed to the freedoms I have here in America.

]]> By: xu http://www.cracked.com/blog/2008/03/27/in-the-end-the-slogan-free-tibet-barely-won-out-over-oh-shiiit-im-on-fiiire/#comment-16335 xu Mon, 07 Apr 2008 08:06:18 +0000 http://www.cracked.com/blog/2008/03/27/in-the-end-the-slogan-free-tibet-barely-won-out-over-oh-shiiit-im-on-fiiire/#comment-16335 Lier is against of human nature, please check your source of picture!!! Lier is against of human nature, please check your source of picture!!!

]]> By: The Captain of Outer Space http://www.cracked.com/blog/2008/03/27/in-the-end-the-slogan-free-tibet-barely-won-out-over-oh-shiiit-im-on-fiiire/#comment-15337 The Captain of Outer Space Wed, 02 Apr 2008 05:36:02 +0000 http://www.cracked.com/blog/2008/03/27/in-the-end-the-slogan-free-tibet-barely-won-out-over-oh-shiiit-im-on-fiiire/#comment-15337 Just for the record, here in China the list of blocked web sites includes wikipedia.com (all of it), youtube.com (since the recent Tibet activities), and just about every political blog I've wanted to read since I got here last year. I have my friends email me screenshots of web pages just to keep up with the news (which was how I found out about the Tibetan protests) in case my email gets scanned. But it's not just that Chinese don't know history, it's that they don't care. To Chinese, there is only one important thing in the world: saving face. That's why they won't stand down on Tibet or Taiwan, and that's why almost no Chinese (like Proud Chinese in the comments) will stand criticism of any kind without vehement argument. It's not about being right or wrong, it's about looking good. Like HerrBlod says, they've got a serious, nation-wide inferiority complex. Just for the record, here in China the list of blocked web sites includes wikipedia.com (all of it), youtube.com (since the recent Tibet activities), and just about every political blog I’ve wanted to read since I got here last year. I have my friends email me screenshots of web pages just to keep up with the news (which was how I found out about the Tibetan protests) in case my email gets scanned. But it’s not just that Chinese don’t know history, it’s that they don’t care. To Chinese, there is only one important thing in the world: saving face. That’s why they won’t stand down on Tibet or Taiwan, and that’s why almost no Chinese (like Proud Chinese in the comments) will stand criticism of any kind without vehement argument. It’s not about being right or wrong, it’s about looking good. Like HerrBlod says, they’ve got a serious, nation-wide inferiority complex.

]]> By: Fraser Ronald http://www.cracked.com/blog/2008/03/27/in-the-end-the-slogan-free-tibet-barely-won-out-over-oh-shiiit-im-on-fiiire/#comment-15193 Fraser Ronald Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:33:25 +0000 http://www.cracked.com/blog/2008/03/27/in-the-end-the-slogan-free-tibet-barely-won-out-over-oh-shiiit-im-on-fiiire/#comment-15193 Holy (or unholy) fucking hypocrisy! Tibet was a feudal society with slaves! In the 1950s no less! And China offered glorious freedom to everyone and . . . oh, wait no it didn’t. How about that Great Leap Forward? How about that Cultural Revolution? Those just went swimmingly, eh? Well, that’s okay, because now China offers glorious freedom to everyone and . . . oh, wait, no it doesn’t. How about that Tiananmen Square protest? How about that Falun Gong? It’s all a big happy lovefest in China. If Chinese rule of Tibet is so awesome, how about a free and transparent referendum on Tibet independence? I'm not holding my breath. Oh, but wait, we aren't allowed to say such things because no one can understand the pressures of governing China. I certainly can’t. I’ve never been forced to decide whether to stifle protest by running people over with tanks or sending them to concentration camps. Oh, the pressures of totalitarian governance are truly frightening! Holy (or unholy) fucking hypocrisy! Tibet was a feudal society with slaves! In the 1950s no less! And China offered glorious freedom to everyone and . . . oh, wait no it didn’t. How about that Great Leap Forward? How about that Cultural Revolution? Those just went swimmingly, eh?

Well, that’s okay, because now China offers glorious freedom to everyone and . . . oh, wait, no it doesn’t. How about that Tiananmen Square protest? How about that Falun Gong? It’s all a big happy lovefest in China.

If Chinese rule of Tibet is so awesome, how about a free and transparent referendum on Tibet independence? I’m not holding my breath.

Oh, but wait, we aren’t allowed to say such things because no one can understand the pressures of governing China. I certainly can’t. I’ve never been forced to decide whether to stifle protest by running people over with tanks or sending them to concentration camps. Oh, the pressures of totalitarian governance are truly frightening!

]]> By: J-Force http://www.cracked.com/blog/2008/03/27/in-the-end-the-slogan-free-tibet-barely-won-out-over-oh-shiiit-im-on-fiiire/#comment-15115 J-Force Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:44:47 +0000 http://www.cracked.com/blog/2008/03/27/in-the-end-the-slogan-free-tibet-barely-won-out-over-oh-shiiit-im-on-fiiire/#comment-15115 The other issue that is seldom addressed is the legitimacy of the Dalai Lama as a leader of a country. First of all, it seems odd for Americans to support the head of a religious sect as the leader of a country. Whatever happened to separation of Church and State? Moreover, the Dalai Lama was the biggest slave owner in Tibet. He had 6,170 field serfs and 102 house slaves directly under his control. Billed as a non-materialistic man by the Free Tibet campaigns, not only was he the biggest slave owner, "the first time he fled to India in 1950, the Dalai Lama's advisors sent several hundred mule-loads of gold and silver bars ahead to secure his comfort in exile. After the second time he fled, in 1959, Peking Review reported that his family left lots of gold and silver behind, plus 20,331 pieces of jewelry and 14,676 pieces of clothing" (Revolutionary Worker). And this is made even more salient because 95% of Tibet was starving and forced to do hard labor so that the Dalai Lama could accumulate this amount of wealth. Could this possibly be the Tibet that the Free Tibet activists are fantasizing about? This is apart from the fact that the Dalai Lama has no real experience in managing a country. But more importantly, historically "only three of the 14 Dalai Lamas actually ruled. Between 1751 and 1950, there was no adult Dalai Lama on the throne in Tibet 77 percent of the time. The most powerful abbots ruled as 'regent' advisors who trained, manipulated and even assassinated the child-king Dalai Lamas" (Revolutionary Worker). So in fact, it was the status quo to not have the Dalai Lama rule. Of course, then there is also the reincarnation issue which I will resist commenting upon. In conclusion however, the traditional political system of feudal exploitation in Tibet was in no sense democratic, or even remotely morally defensible. The other issue that is seldom addressed is the legitimacy of the Dalai Lama as a leader of a country. First of all, it seems odd for Americans to support the head of a religious sect as the leader of a country. Whatever happened to separation of Church and State?

Moreover, the Dalai Lama was the biggest slave owner in Tibet. He had 6,170 field serfs and 102 house slaves directly under his control. Billed as a non-materialistic man by the Free Tibet campaigns, not only was he the biggest slave owner, “the first time he fled to India in 1950, the Dalai Lama’s advisors sent several hundred mule-loads of gold and silver bars ahead to secure his comfort in exile. After the second time he fled, in 1959, Peking Review reported that his family left lots of gold and silver behind, plus 20,331 pieces of jewelry and 14,676 pieces of clothing” (Revolutionary Worker). And this is made even more salient because 95% of Tibet was starving and forced to do hard labor so that the Dalai Lama could accumulate this amount of wealth. Could this possibly be the Tibet that the Free Tibet activists are fantasizing about?

This is apart from the fact that the Dalai Lama has no real experience in managing a country. But more importantly, historically “only three of the 14 Dalai Lamas actually ruled. Between 1751 and 1950, there was no adult Dalai Lama on the throne in Tibet 77 percent of the time. The most powerful abbots ruled as ‘regent’ advisors who trained, manipulated and even assassinated the child-king Dalai Lamas” (Revolutionary Worker). So in fact, it was the status quo to not have the Dalai Lama rule. Of course, then there is also the reincarnation issue which I will resist commenting upon. In conclusion however, the traditional political system of feudal exploitation in Tibet was in no sense democratic, or even remotely morally defensible.

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