Originally posted by Lew:
The other thing to keep in mind about China is that, eventually, something has got to give. Long before jet travel, word still got around. Now with the internet and all this modern technology, word really gets around. In other words, hundreds of millions of Chinese are fully aware that their government is stuck in the medieval times. I read yesterday about all the "rules" for visitors during the Olympics. The 2008 Olympic games are supposed to be their big propaganda draw, to showcase to the world once and for all that they are the new sheriff in town. And yet, when they issue these child-like (and in some cases, outright dictatorial) constraints on freedom, it causes problems.
History has taught us that the masses have a yearning to be free. Governments, of course, have a yearning to keep everyone reined-in. And eventually, something has to give. In this case, you have the largest group of citizens in the world, and the fact is, they know about freedom and more importantly they know what freedoms they don't have. And the Chinese government, so far, has taken the approach that they're going to rein-in things like the internet and what have you, but in the end that's not going to work. Word will still get around.
But there's an even more powerful force at work. I mentioned earlier about my buddy who went on a junket over there last year. The dominant theme he saw over and over was their absolute love of money. If you're talking money with them, they'll be your best friend. If you're not talking money, they're not interested in what you have to say. "Communist" nation indeed; they'll whore out for cash even more than we will. Well, newsflash- a repressive government that constrains freedom is NOT condusive to making money. It is for a few people, but not the masses. And the bottom line is, the masses are going to want to start making money. Green, get the money, dolla dolla bill, y'all.
I'm very sorry about the recent earthquakes. I don't wish any harm on anyone. But quite honestly, nothing would make me happier than to see them undergo all kinds of growing pains over the next decade or so. You know, protests, attempts at organized labor (can't wait for that), attempts at political reform. Scandals, corruption, an inevitable increase in crime. Oh, and before we forget- Al Gore and his minions want to go around and talk about all the "greening" we need to do in the world. Well, the PRC is the biggest polluter of all (far worse than us). I want Al to personally go over to Beijing and openly call-out the Chinese government to stop destroying our world. I'm sure they will be most attentive to him.
All the things we've had to deal with, let China get to go through them as well. Quite honestly, the major sports should open up leagues there as well, and that way they can deal with the likes of Chad Johnson.
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