Give China a chance

[Re: “One way out of Beijing,” News, Aug. 21] I enjoy the Mirror’s irreverent style (even the toned down version that seems to have settled in over the years). But I wanted to comment on the hype given to the pro-Tibet side of things. 

The issue of Tibet within the PRC is complex, with strong opinions on the many sides of this debate. It seems to me too trite and precious to turn this into a publicity campaign for one person, Chris Schwartz. You try to be tongue-in-cheek with the photo of a young white guy in front of an incredible array of religious objects. But really, do you see any other possible irony here?

The greatest problem with this issue is that some of those who push it in front of the camera are just as misguided as the ones they claim to oppose. Media images of China as a big bad dictatorship are placed beside outdated images of Tibet as a cosmic place of “Magic and Mystery.”  Neither are accurate.

China has come a long way since 1949 (and for that matter 1989). It’s quite a place, and I heartily recommend people get to know a bit more about China. There’s so much going on there politically and culturally. Why not something about Mainland pop, which has been exploding since the 1980s? It ain’t goosestepping Maoists any more folks.

And for that matter, the “pro-Tibetan” side is not some monovocal political group. There are different groups speaking in different parts of the world (and there are many Chinese and Tibetans out there as well by the way). At least the PRC government is making gestures towards meeting with the Dalai Lama (which might be because he is what political pundits like to call a “moderate”). 

This is more than a “bad guys” and “victims” story. A Google search, even the Wikipedia article on Tibet (which contains so many particulars it threatens to become incoherent) gives a more nuanced reading than the simplistic story of this “man with a cause.”

“The Chinese Government couldn’t wait to get rid of him . . . they drove to the airport at over 140 km/h.” Yeah, sure. Maybe the “driver” just likes to drive fast? What did this guy expect? A leisurely, scenic ride past the Great Wall?

>>Sean Macdonald, McGill University, Department of East Asian Studies

Don’t slag the USA

[Re: “Oh-wimp-icks”, Riff-Raff, Aug. 21] Raf Katigbak says, “let’s get over Canadians bitching about how much better they are than Americans,” but then goes on to wax nostalgic about “thick-neck,” south-of-the-border jocks chanting “U-S-A, U-S-A” on the streets of Montreal in years past. 

And in regard to Katigbak’s railing against American Big Macs and the “artery-blocking” french fried potatoes with which they are consumed, rare (and I mean RARE) is the Montreal restaurant of any ethnic persuasion that doesn’t bombard you with “frites” sloshing around in a thick pool of mayonnaise! I’m surprised Lipitor isn’t offered for dessert.

As an American, a Floridian, who routinely spends two months a year in this great city of Montreal, I refer to myself as a Reverse Quebecois Snow Birder.

With money tight on both sides of the border and Canadian business owners complaining about a sharp drop in American dollars, I’d can this not-so-subtle America bashing. 

Instead, I’d concentrate on my own social issues (including riots, shootings, cannibalistic beheadings, etc.), which, from this observer’s vantage point, are quickly eclipsing those of your southern neighbour. 

>>Howard Karlitz

God loves hippies

[Re: “God lives,” Letters, Aug. 7] I’m in agreement with letter writer John Hill on most points, however, his focus on our lust and sexuality is typical of the problem in Christianity.

Jesus told the Pharisees, “The whores and the publicans will enter the kingdom before you.” Jesus focused far more on greed, insensitivity, hypocrisy, mistreatment of the poor and the helpless.

He said, “The love of money is the root of all evil.” There are Christian churches that say it’s a good idea to pray to God to get rich. The Church has often sold out to the rich and powerful—the very elements that Jesus most actively opposed. The Christian Right supported Bush and Reagan and their ideology of the greedy over the needy.

I think the hippies had a philosophy that was closer to Christ. And many churches opposed them as well. Anyone with a Hummer parked in front of his condo has more to fear on the day of judgment than the libertine.

>>David Arrayet, member of the United Church of Canada

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