Sound Politics: Local Tibetan Community Holds a Candlelight Vigil in Seattle

March 21, 2008

Local Tibetan Community Holds a Candlelight Vigil in Seattle

Members of the local Tibetan community and supporters held a candlelight vigil on Wednesday at Westlake Mall in Seattle to protest the recent crackdown by the Communist government of China on Tibet. You can see my coverage of this vigil here.

Posted by byrond at March 21, 2008 01:41 AM | Email This

Comments

1. Why hold a candlelight vigil? They should realize that real change will come from liberals placing "Free Tibet" bumperstickers on their vehicles here in the U.S.
It's that action, and not candlelight vigils that will bring about an epiphany from the Chinese communist leaders.

Posted by: Rick D. on March 21, 2008 05:07 AM

2. Why does China give a rip about Tibet? Why do they even care about Tibet being an independent nation? Tibetans aren't even Chinese: they're Tibetan.

Posted by: Politically Incorrect on March 21, 2008 05:23 AM

3. #1: Brilliant!!! ...and don't you forget it!

Posted by: Duffman on March 21, 2008 05:26 AM

4. @1: Better "Free Tibet" stickers than... oh... nothing? Let me know what the current administration has done to promote freedom in Tibet, will you?

Posted by: bma on March 21, 2008 07:03 AM

5. @ 4

Okay, I will describe everything that President Bush has done to promote freedom in Tibet. Here goes:

Posted by: Richard Pope on March 21, 2008 07:59 AM

6. @ 4 & 5- When you're dealing with a delicate situation like this, you do it behind the scenes. Would you prefer G.W. to "Cowboy up" and threaten a Nuclear Superpower in public on behalf of the Tibetans?

They don't tell you which side of your subaru to put your "free Tibet" sticker, so you don't tell them how to perform international diplomacy.

Posted by: Rick D. on March 21, 2008 08:16 AM

7. Maybe the Bush Administration can convince America that Tibet is going to attack us, we can invade, find the WMD's and bring democracy and stability to the region.

Posted by: Cato on March 21, 2008 09:34 AM

8. bma and Richard: If Bush did anything overt to promote freedom in Tibet, you would immediately be screaming "NATION BUILDING"! You can't have it both ways.

Posted by: katomar on March 21, 2008 09:51 AM

9. In disgust over the treatment of the Tibetans the Bu$h administration has decided to tighten the screws on Cuba.

Posted by: HappyHeathen on March 21, 2008 11:32 AM

10. In case all you Leftists missed it....

....there were recently rallies throughout Europe to get European nations and/or the EU to boycott the upcoming Olympics in Beijing in protest over the situation in Tibet.

That would be quite a symbolic statement and that would raise awareness of the issue all over the world to the point that it could no longer be ignored.

And what did all those enlightened EU nations do to show their solidarity with Tibet and the protesters? Oh, that's right - not a damn thing.

Cato,

What is Hillary's and Obama's position on Tibet? How will they implement real change in the region? How will they encourage the Chinese government to free all the Tibetans?

And, most imporantly, if you think we have race relations problems in THIS country - how will it help to send Hillary or Obama to China to negotiate? Do you think the Chinese will listen?

Do you really think your team will accomplish any more than our team has?

Shah, right.

Posted by: Larry on March 21, 2008 02:29 PM

11. Katomar:

Yeah that is right only Bush can have it both ways when it comes to nation building!!!

Posted by: Lysander on March 21, 2008 04:57 PM

12. rICK d:

I thought I freed them in that concert back in SF in 96! Now you are saying that concerts do not free people, bumperstickers do? Damn it!!!

Posted by: Lysander on March 21, 2008 05:01 PM

13. Oh, that's rich, a bunch of anti-war people protesting that Bush hasn't done enough to free Tibet.

Are you really so idiotic to believe that China would ever give it up if we just whispered sweet nothings into their ear during some diplomatic talks?

And if you seriously think he's a hypocrite for invading Iraq but not China, you are arguing against the stereotype of Bush you've built up in your head, not Bush as he actually exists.

And actually, he's done considerable things to help Tibet. A. He's strengthened our relationship and our commitment to the defense of Taiwan, which is a great way to clamp down on Chinese aggression and keep them from expanding further. If we can keep them from expanding, they will eventually start falling backwards. B. He's also done a lot in our relation to India, and if you understand the politics of the region at all, you'll understand why India, a key rival of China, will have a HUGE hand in whatever events may lead to Tibet's survival.

Posted by: cliff on March 21, 2008 08:10 PM

14. I am not advocating that Bush do more for Tibet. I am advocating that Bush do as he said he would and NOT use our military for nation building EVERYWHERE including Iraq and Tibet!

Posted by: Lysander on March 21, 2008 08:15 PM

15. Lysander~ it's time you stopped huffing paint.....seriously! I'm worried about you man.

Posted by: Rick D. on March 21, 2008 08:51 PM

16. China is the ultimate outcome of the Marxism favored by today's Progressives. Tibet should indeed be freed, as should the many other peoples oppressed by Collectivism, and Tyranny, whether by force or by failed economies.

Posted by: Jeff B. on March 21, 2008 10:50 PM

17. Rick D:
why do you think I am huffing paint?

Posted by: Lysander on March 22, 2008 10:41 AM