Monday, July 31, 2006

News of the Day (July 31)

From the China Freedom Blog Alliance: The Korea Liberator finds Communist China once again preparing to slowly occupy northern Korea before freedom comes to it. TKL also has the latest in South Korean silliness (including the tragic farce of Kaesong), plus one sign rationality still exists in the South. TKL likes what it hears from Ambassador John Bolton, Vice President Cheney, and Raphael Perl. The blog also has the latest Stalinist rant, plans, and news.

More on the Communists' Korean colony: ASEAN voice "concern" (Yonhap via Daily NK) about the Stalinist projectile dysfunction; Stalinist North Korea turns a deaf ear (BBC, Time Asia). As flood damage wreaks havoc on northern Korea (Daily NK), Stalinist-in-chief Kim Jong-il refuses to respond to aid offers (Daily NK), leaving the people under his thumb to fend for themselves (Daily NK).

On the Communist-backed mullahcracy and its allies: Yours truly mourns the death of Akbar Mohammadi (Shotgun). Henry Kissinger takes a long-winded, rhetorically circuitous route to surrender in the Washington Post. Scottish Conservative MEP Struan Stevenson calls for more support for anti-mullah groups in Iran, including Mujahedeen-e-Khalq (People's Mujahideen) in the Washington Times (given the group's checkered past, yours truly's not so sure about M-e-K). Meanwhile, the leading Muslim Sufi leader from Syria calls for his homeland's liberation (Washington Times) and Hezbollah's leader is rumored to be hiding in Iran's Embassy (Bill Gertz, Washington Times) as his group loses support (Weekly Standard).

More on Communist China making the world safe for dictators: The Mugabe regime of Zimbabwe is jamming the radio signals of SW Radio Africa and Voice of America's Studio 7, thanks to jamming equipment Mugabe acquired from Communist China (The Zimbabwean).

On the Falun Gong War: Communist China's attempt to stretch its anti-Falun Gong crackdown into San Francisco runs into resistance (Epoch Times). Meanwhile, in Singapore, "Minister Mentor" Lee Kuan Yew is called as a witness by Falun Gong practitioners defending themselves against domestic charges (Epoch Times) and practitioners in Taiwan protest organ-harvesting by Communist China (Epoch Times).

Taiwan missile test to be held in September: Sadly, the United States "is reportedly urging Taiwan to back off its missile program" (Christian Science Monitor). Apparently, ruffling feathers in Zhongnanhai is more worrisome in Washington than the island democracy's vulnerability to attack.

Gao Zhisheng under arrest: The cadres jailed the human rights attorney (sixth, tenth, fifth, lead, third, last, twelfth, eighth, third, second, third, eighth, eleventh, eighth, fourth, fourth, last, fourth, fifth, twelfth, fifth, second, lead, next to last, seventh, last, next to last, lead, second, last, sixth, tenth, eighth, second, eighth, ninth, lead, sixth, eighth, seventh, fifth, fourth, last, fifth, seventh, next to last, fourth, last, twenty-first, twenty-second, seventh, fourth, sixth, fourth, sixth, eleventh, eleventh, fourth, last, sixth, eighth, tenth, thirteenth, eleventh, eighth, tenth, last, next-to-last, next-to-last, and twelfth items) after beating him (Epoch Times).

Communists demolish "illegal church": Cadres in Zhejiang Province razed to the ground a church that "did not have the approval of the religious affairs bureau or the government" (BBC). Roughly 3,000 believers protested the demolition, twenty of whom were hurt by Communist police.

Appellant who was given AIDS during childbirth arrested in Beijing: Li Xige was given HIV-infected blood in 1995 by doctors who "violated safety procedures" (Epoch Times) during the birth of her oldest daughter. As with most citizens done wrong by local cadres, she went to Beijing to plead her case. As the Communists usually do with appellants, they arrested her.

On organ harvesting: The account of former Communist police officer Sun Liyong (sixth item) gets the attention of the Australian press (ABC News, Australia).

More news from within Communist China: The Communist "union," and thus the regime that controls it, gets a foothold in Wal-Mart (BBC). Alan Reynolds of the Cato Institute laments Hong Kong's decision to impose a value-added tax on its citizens (Washington Times).

Thursday, July 27, 2006

News of the Day (July 27)

Due to a prior commitment, the next News of the Day will be posted on Monday, July 31.

From the China Freedom Blog Alliance: The Korea Liberator has a LiNK update, more Stalinist North Korea news, the latest dovishness from South Korea's government, and the people's continuing rejection of it (see also United Press Int'l via Washington Times).

More on the Communists' Korean colony: The ASEAN conference begins, without any talks on SNK's nuclear ambitions (BBC). The Stalinist regime threatens to "bolster its war deterrent" (UPI via Washington Times). Genevieve Long, Epoch Times, examines the "recent game of chess" between SNK and Japan. Stalinist-in-chief Kim Jong-il hasn't been seen for three weeks; Han Young Jin (Daily NK) speculates as to why. Kim Young Jin (Daily NK) examines a leprosy outbreak in Yonggang. The Stalinists back South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon's campaign for United Nations Secretary General (Cybercast News). SNK "may have helped Iran to test-launch a sea-going Scud missile" (China Confidential via Epoch Times).

More on the Communist-backed mullahcracy: Yohanan Ben Jacob (Epoch Times) examines Iran's role in the Israel-Hezbollah battle, as does Thomas Lipscomb (Washington Times). Trinity University Professor David W. Lesch calls for "diplomacy" with Iranian ally Syria in the Ignorant Comment of the Day (Washington Post). David Dolan (World Net Daily) details the history of Khomeinism. Author Jerome Corsi says Hezbollah agents "came across the border with Mexico" (Newsmax).

Albania grants asylum to five Uighurs from Guantanamo: The small European democracy defied Communist China and officially granted asylum to the five Uighurs the U.S. sent there from detention in Guantanamo Bay after the Pentagon determined they weren't terrorists (Washington Times).

U.S. House approves nuclear deal with India: The House of Representatives voted 369-58 to approve the U.S.-India nuclear deal (second item). Report: Times of India

On the July 21 rally: The Epoch Times was on the scene (and reprinted yours truly's speech).

Communist doctor is leading candidate to head WHO: Dr. Margaret Chan, currently the Director for Communicable Disease Surveillance and Response for the World Heath Organization, was Hong Kong's health czar before and during most of Tung Chee-hwa's reign over the city. She is considered to "have the inside track" for the top WHO post of director-general (Time Asia). Taiwan has repeated tried to join the WHO, and Communist China has repeatedly stymied the efforts of the island democracy.

More on Taiwan: A forum on Taiwan's economic future opened today. The most discussed topic is expected to be - no prizes for guessing - "economic links with China" (BBC).

More on Communist China and the rest of the world: Falun Gong practitioners criticize Australia for downplaying reports of organ harvesting (AAP via Epoch Times). Japanese finance minister Sadakazu Tanigaki announces his candidacy for Prime Minister, promising to "improve ties with China" (BBC). The favorite to replace outgoing Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is still the anti-Communist Shinzo Abe.

"He beat himself to death." Well, the Communists didn't quite follow the old parody excuse, but they came close on the case of Fu Xiancai (ninth, eighth, third, and fourth items): "Chinese investigators say activist Fu Xiancai, who was paralyzed after a severe beating, inflicted the blows himself" (BBC).

Did Xiao Guopeng beat himself to death? Given the above story, the cadres may reach for the parody regarding the death of the Anshun reporter (eighth item). For now, the Committee to Protect Journalists ripped the killing (Boxun).

From Gao Zhisheng: The human rights attorney (sixth, tenth, fifth, lead, third, last, twelfth, eighth, third, second, third, eighth, eleventh, eighth, fourth, fourth, last, fourth, fifth, twelfth, fifth, second, lead, next to last, seventh, last, next to last, lead, second, last, sixth, tenth, eighth, second, eighth, ninth, lead, sixth, eighth, seventh, fifth, fourth, last, fifth, seventh, next to last, fourth, last, twenty-first, twenty-second, seventh, fourth, sixth, fourth, sixth, eleventh, eleventh, fourth, last, sixth, eighth, tenth, thirteenth, eleventh, eighth, tenth, last, next-to-last, and next-to-last items) details the cadres' violent intimidation campaign against him (Epoch Times).

Century China website shutdown: Reporters Without Borders condemned the latest example of Communist internet censorship (Boxun).

More on matters inside Communist China: The editors of the Epoch Times examine the futility of Communist anti-corruption efforts. Communist China's largest inland sea, the Bohai Sea, is dying due to pollution (Epoch Times). Communist premier Wen Jiabao is concerned about his regime's economy "overheating" (BBC). Given the massive industrial expansion in surplus and useless goods (fifteenth, twenty-ninth, thirtieth, tenth, sixth, last, last, seventh, and last items), he may be merely masking his real worry - the popping on the investment bubble.

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

News of the Day (July 26)

From the China Support Network: The parent org praises Congress for passing three anti-Communist resolutions, then calls on the legislature to move past symbolism to concrete measures for freedom in China.

From the China Freedom Blog Alliance: Between Heaven and Earth notes the filing of criminal complaints against two Communist doctors for torture. The Korea Liberator calls for the confirmation of Ambassador John Bolton (which this corner also endorses), reviews the candidates for the next Chair of the House Int'l Relations Committee (this quarter would prefer Ros-Lehtinen or Smith), has the latest on three Korean refugees in Shenyang, and finds that South Korean dovishness may be reaching its limits.

More on the Communists' Korean colony: The idea that upcoming ASEAN talks "can kick-start negotiations on the North Korean nuclear stand-off" (BBC) is growing stale. Daily NK reveals a Stalinist "life education" propaganda session.

Enlightened Comment of the Day: William R. Hawkins wins again, this time with his Washington Times column on how Communist China uses the United Nations to stymie the U.S. in the Middle East.

Communist observer killed in Lebanon: An Israeli air strike accidentally hit a U.N. observation post in Lebanon, killing four U.N. observers, including one from Communist China. Israel expressed "deep sorrow" (Voice of America via Epoch Times) over the deaths; Communist China issued some vituperative rhetoric (BBC).

More on Communist China and the Middle East: Israeli Major General Amos Yadlin "told Israeli lawmakers that Syria was funneling payments of $100 million per year to Hezbollah that originated from Iran" (Newsmax). While Israel contemplates expanding the war to Syria (or to be precise, how to avoid doing so), the other Communist ally supporting Hezbollah - the Iranian mullahcracy - threatens "a hurricane" for Israel (Newsmax). Meanwhile, Macleans reports a very promising development - U.S. support for anti-mullah forces in Iran.

More on Communist China and the United States: The Communist China-Communist Cuba oil drilling venture off the Florida coast (fifth item) is underway (Newsmax). Tom Pickering and Frank Wisner, both former U.S. ambassadors to India, joins this quarter in endorsing the U.S.-India nuclear deal (Washington Times). Meanwhile, the Indian people are looking at Israel's response to terrorism with envy (The New Republic).

Guizhou reporter beaten to death by Communist police: Police in Guizhou province beat Anshun reporter Xiao Guopeng to death last week (Boxun), a murder condemned by Reporters Without Borders.

Zhao Yan verdict delayed again: The trial of New York Times researcher Zhao Yan - who had charges against him dropped, then new charges brought against him (see second, sixth, tenth, and ninth items) - continues to be in a holding pattern. Zhao's attorney, Mo Shaoping, was told there would be no verdict any time soon (Washington Post).

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

News of the Day (July 25)

From the China Freedom Blog Alliance: The Korea Liberator has the latest from Stalinist North Korea and South Korea.

More on the Communists' Korean colony: The U.S. is looking at more penalties against SNK (United Press Int'l via Washington Times), while dovish South Korea still opposes any sanctions (Daily NK). The Stalinists have their excuse for the next famine (Washington Times). Shin Bo Ra (Daily NK) examines the closely controlled lives of those from northern Korea allowed to go to Communist China.

On the Communist-backed mullahcracy and its Syrian ally: As the Iranian regime continues its antics in Lebanon (Daily Standard), it is also using the situation "to avoid responding to an internationally backed offer promising incentives for suspending its nuclear program" (Washington Times). It has even tried to smuggle nuclear material (Small Dead Animals). Meanwhile, Michael Ledeen (National Review Online) examines how the Assad regime manages to avoid well-deserved blame for its support for terrorism.

Anniversary of Falun Gong crackdown announcement marked around the world: Seven years ago last week, the Communists called Falun Gong an "evil cult" and made public their crackdown against the spiritual group. The seven years of brutality were remembered in Washington (Epoch Times), Sydney (Epoch Times) and Wellington (Epoch Times).

Enlightened Comment of the Day: In his latest Front Page Magazine column on the American corporate sector and Communist China, William R. Hawkins summarizes the anti-Communist economic view perfectly: "It makes more sense to support economic growth at home or to shift trade to allies, rather than to help advance the capabilities of a strategic rival" (emphasis added).

More on Communist China and the United States: Falun Gong makes a presence at the World Transplant Congress in Boston (Epoch Times). Dan Sanchez (Epoch Times) has another installment on the Pepperdine University conference on Taiwan and the U.S. Lev Navrozov (Newsmax) sounds the alarm once more on the nano-tech race. The Communist currency slips over 12.5 cents, but is still nowhere near the 15-16 cents it would likely be in an unregulated market (BBC).

Canada file: Graham Fraser (Toronto Star) takes notice of the Harper government's robust anti-Communism, but since it's the Star, it won't praise him for it. Meanwhile, CBC and the Globe and Mail have the latest on Canadian citizen and Communist prisoner Huseyin Celil.

Taiwan won't even get the Olympic torch: Communist China is insisting "that the torch pass through Taiwan as an 'internal route'" (Taipei Times), which would "make the entire event a big piece of political propaganda by the Chinese authorities." Thus, the island democracy will likely turn down the "honor" of being part of the torch route; all of this is yet another reason why we should not be in Beijing in 2008.

Bird flu running rampant through East Turkestan: Over 350,000 chickens have been lost to the avian flu in and around Aqsu City (Epoch Times).

More on occupied East Turkestan: Not even Han Chinese sent to the occupied nation by the Communists were spared from the Cultural Revolution. Chen Xuelian (Epoch Times) has the harrowing story of a surgeon whose hands "were publicly chopped off with a broadsword."

More on Communist China and the rest of the world: Huawei Technologies, the firm that helped Saddam Hussein integrate his air defenses inks a deal with Japan's eMobile (UPI via Washington Times). Zhang Jielien (Epoch Times) rips Singapore for doing Communist China's dirty work. Last month's military plane crash could have included scientists from Ukraine and Pakistan (Epoch Times). The cadres may cut export tax rebates (BBC). Some in India think the reports of Pakistan's nuclear reactor (last item) was "an attempt to 'bomb India's N-deal' with Washington" (Cybercast News). Meanwhile, Rupert Wingfield-Hayes (BBC) pens the Ignorant Comment of the Day by focusing on the superficial in comparing Communist China and India.

Anson Chan steps up for democracy in Hong Kong: The "top civil servant under Tung and the last colonial Governor, Chris Patten" (Time Asia) is arguably the most popular official in the city. She has decided to add "some democratic thunder and lightning to the world's press" (Christian Science Monitor) by coming out full-force for democracy in Hong Kong.

Web users arrested; site shut down for 48th time: Police in Fuzhou arrested six internet users "were using the Internet in a NetBar without confirming real names" (Boxun). Meanwhile, the cadres shut down the Democracy and Freedom website "for the 48th time on Sunday" (South China Morning Post via Boxun).

More on human rights abuses in Communist China: Guo Yuetong has been arrested and jailed twice in the last four years; she is six years old (Epoch Times). The cadres are taking aim at "unhealthy" karaoke music (CBC). In response to worldwide criticism over their high level of executions, the Communists "are gradually moving toward what they say is a more discreet way of killing its prisoners: execution vans" (Asia Times). A Communist court's response to a citizen who tried to take his own life was as follows (Epoch Times): "Your attempted suicide in the Jinshui River disgraced the nation. If you wish to die, why don't you just hang yourself in the privacy of your own home?"

Did provincial cadres try to hide storm deaths? That was the question asked by numerous reporters (including the BBC) when the number of reported deaths from Tropical Storm Bilis more than doubled "after journalists visited the town of Pingshi and found that the initial death toll had been too low."

Communists double military pay: Beginning this month, Communist China's soldiers will earn twice as much as they did earlier, "the largest wage raise in the history of the Chinese Communist Party" (Epoch Times).

Millions of peasants will suffer land seizures: The Communists themselves are admitting that "15 million farmers in China are expected to lose their land" (Washington Post, second item) between now and 2011. Of course, the Communists put the blame on "urbanization," rather than their lust for land and corrupt profits.

Monday, July 24, 2006

News of the Day (July 24)

From the China Freedom Blog Alliance: Between Heaven and Earth examines Communist China's role in the Darfur slaughter, David Kilgour and David Matas' attempt to stop doctors from Communist China from attending the World Transplant Congress, and what this all should mean for the 2008 Olympics. The Korea Liberator has the latest on Stalinist counterfeiting, South Korea's maddening doves, America's reaction, the presence of Iranians at the projectile dysfunction, a possible return to the six-party talks charade, more from Gordon Chang, and the rest of the SNK news.

More on the organ harvesting: Among those weighing in on Kilgour-Matas are Jay Nordlinger (National Review Online, second item), Peter Westmore (News Weekly), and Debra J. Saunder (Townhall). Meanwhile, the Communists try to save face with new regulations on corpse handling (Epoch Times).

More on Stalinist North Korea: The Stalinist-in-chief has a new "wife" (BBC, Daily NK). Epidemics in SNK are spreading, including whooping cough (Daily NK). Attempts to cobble a united front against the Stalinist missile launches run aground, thanks to the colonial master (United Press Int'l via Washington Times). Han Young Jin (Daily NK) suspects SNK's decision to suspend "reunions" (third item) has more to do with Japan and the U.S. than with South Korean food aid.

More on the Communist-backed mullahcracy: Iran is getting its killed Revolutionary Gaurdsmen out of Lebanon (World Net Daily), probably in the hopes no one will notice the Guard's prominence in Hezbollah. Iranian dissident Akbar Ganji discusses how the rest of the world can help the Iranian people take their country back (Epoch Times). Dan Darling and Lee Smith (Weekly Standard) examines Iran and Syria's deep ties to Hezbollah, which is now primed to commit acts of terror around the world (Jerusalem Post). Dennis Ross, meanwhile, manages to write hundreds of words on the subject without recommending anything constructive (The New Republic).

Speaking of Syria, Judi McLeod (Canada Free Press) delves into the secretive Alawite beliefs of the Ba'athist Assad family, while James Robbins (National Review Online) calls for "a diplomatic opening to Syria," and thus runs away with the Ignorant Comment of the Day.

More on Communist China and the War on Terror: Indian police arrest the head of Lashkar-e-Toiba, the terrorist group historically supported by Communist ally Pakistan (Voice of America via Epoch Times). Meanwhile, Pakistan itself may be dramatically increasing its nuclear weapons capability (Washington Post).

Friday, July 21, 2006

Quit the CCP Rally Speech

Yours truly gave the following address to the rally at Lafayette Square, Washington, DC, in support of the (nearly) 12 million who have quit the Chinese Communist Party.

The next news of the Day will be on Monday, July 24.

Today, here in the de facto headquarters of the free world, there is much to consider: the battle between Hezbollah and Israel, the crisis over Stalinist North Korea's nuclear and missile ambitions, similar concern over the same ambitions in Iran, and the ongoing battles of Afghanistan and Iraq. Those who focus too exclusively on one or even several of these crises may consider this gathering to be less important. They are wrong, and they are wrong because today, as we stand up against the Chinese Communist Party, we take a stand against not only an evil and brutal regime, but against the one entity that has been the benefactor of every enemy of freedom in the aforementioned crises. The Chinese Communist Party is not merely a danger to the Chinese people; it is the greatest threat to the democratic world, for without it, the other threats would be far weaker, and quite possibly even nonexistent.

As we speak, in northern Lebanon, the Hezbollah terrorist group is firing missiles into Israel, missiles given to them by the Khomeinist mullahcracy of Iran - missiles produced for Iran by none other than the Chinese Communist Party. Iran’s partner in this crime - the Ba'athist regime in Syria - is also a Communist ally. In fact, it was in Syria that Hu Jintao himself smeared Israel as a "colonialist plot aimed at detaching from the Arab nation a part that is dear to it – Palestine."

The CCP has also been there for the Iranian dictatorship in its quest for military hardware, missile technology, and nuclear weapons development. In fact, we now know the very uranium Iran recently enriched this past spring was sold to it by the CCP in the 1990s. The Communists have made no secret of their alliance with Tehran and Damascus, despite the continuing support the regimes have given to terrorists who kill Americans in Iraq and Israelis in Israel.

The nuke-craving regime of Stalinist North Korea is also a Communist satellite regime. According to renowned Sinologist Willy Lam, the crisis over the North Korean missile launch "confirmed that Beijing is more interested in cementing its 'lips-and-teeth' alliance with Pyongyang than in contributing to the worldwide campaign against the development of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) by rogue regimes." I would also note that Kim Jong-il launched his missiles less than 24 hours after the Honorable David Kilgour gave Canadian television a preview of his July 6th report - quite a coincidence.

Even the Taliban and al Qaeda have found a friendly reception in Beijing. We now know that Communist China laundered money for Osama bin Laden through its front companies in stock markets around the world. As for the Taliban, it signed an economic agreement with the Communists on the very morning of September 11, 2001 - mere hours before the Pentagon was attacked and the World Trace Center fell.

Why has Communist China sought alliances with the most vile and virulent terrorists on the face of the earth? Because they share two critical characteristics: hatred of America, and fear of democracy. The CCP is well aware what the Chinese people really think of it. It knows that it has lost nearly twelve million members to the truth. It knows that the democratic world shines as an example of what China could be without tyranny. This is an example with which the CCP cannot compare, thus the CCP must eliminate it.

This is what is behind the Communists policy of making the world safe for dictators such as Ali Khameini, Bashar Assad, Kim Jong-il, Fidel Castro, Robert Mugabe, Hugo Chavez, and Omar Bashir. This is why the Communists are fighting a Cold War against America, and siding with her enemies in the War on Terror. The Communists know they cannot co-exist with the free world. It is them, or it is us.

Is this a dangerous world? Yes it is, but it is not without hope. For this reality also means that the American and Chinese people are locked in a death struggle, but not against each other. They are joined in this battle, fighting together against the Chinese Communist Party. Together, the world’s youngest and strongest power, combined with its oldest and richest civilization can indeed defeat the Communist menace that threatens them both. America will never be secure until China is free, but this also means China’s fight against the CCP is America’s fight as well.

The American people see the Communist threat already; in time, they will realize that threat has merged with the threat from terrorism, and act accordingly. Before and when that day comes, I will do whatever I can to help the Chinese people take their country back. God Bless You and God Bless the American and Chinese peoples.

Thursday, July 20, 2006

News of the Day (July 20)

From the China Freedom Blog Alliance: Between Heaven and Earth marks the anniversary of the beginning of the brutal crackdown against Falun Gong. The Korea Liberator reports from a press conference with refugees from Stalinist North Korea; the horrific accounts are beyond description. TKL also comments on the possible SNK leprosy outbreak (see also third item), more reaction to the Projectile Dysfunction, a triumph of reason in South Korea's press, and the rest of the Stalinist news.

Communist China's reaction to SNK baffling even experts: There are few who have better read on the pulse of the Chinese Communist Party than Willy Lam of China Brief. In Lam's words, the cadres' reaction to the Stalinist projectile dysfunction (second and third items) "confirmed that Beijing is more interested in cementing its “lips-and-teeth” alliance with Pyongyang than in contributing to the worldwide campaign against the development of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) by rogue regimes." Lam goes further to place the blame for this squarely on Hu Jintao, who "has surprised even the Chinese foreign policy establishment with his enthusiastic 'about face' to restore the 'lips-and-teeth brotherhood' with the DPRK."

More on the Hu's Korean colony: It's not just the South Korean press that is wising up to Kim Jong-il's game (Daily NK). The possibility for talks on the SNK nuclear weapons program is either good (Cybercast News) or not-so-good (Washington Times). Meanwhile, South Korea reacts to the Stalinists' decision to suspend family reunions (United Press Int'l via Washington Times) as its dovish government says no to sanctions against SNK (UPI via Washington Times). Henry Sokolski, Executive Director of the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center, says ending SNK's nuclear program could be vital to doing the same with Iran in National Review Online (but he doesn't call for the liberation of either nation).

Enlightened Comment of the Day: Today's winner is Charles R. Smith (Newsmax) for detailing how Hezbollah ended up with missiles from Communist China (second item), and highlighting its relevance: "Once again, the lesson here is to know thy enemy. China is no friend to America or Israel."

More on the Communist-backed mullahcracy: Michael Ledeen calls for Iran's liberation again in NRO. The editors of The New Republic come as close as possible to doing the same without actually using the L-word. Max Boot just focuses on Hezbollah (Daily Standard). Victor Davis Hanson (Real Clear Politics) warns Assad and Khameini that they're risking war - with the U.S. Michael Petrou and Colin Campbell (Macleans) provide the latest news of Ramin Jahanbegloo - the Canadian of Iranian birth languishing in a Khomeinist prison (the news, sadly, is not good). Former U.S. envoy Dennis Ross tries to sound tough on Iran - and in my view, he fails (Washington Times).

As for Syria, Barbara Newman, senior fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, provides compelling evidence of the Assad regime's closeness to Hezbollah (Washington Times). University of Otago (New Zealand) Professor William Harris explains some of Bashar Assad's reasons for thrusting Hezbollah into the fight in NRO. One of those reasons - Syrian Reform Party head Farid N. Ghadry - asks the U.S. to help him liberate his country in the Washington Times.

Amnesty International rips U.S. tech firms for aiding Communist web crackdown: The human rights group "is urging UK users of Yahoo, Microsoft and Google to e-mail the companies asking them to change the way they operate in China" (BBC). This news led Rupert Wingfield-Hayes (BBC) to field viewpoints on the "Great Red Firewall."

More on Communist China and the rest of the world: Army War College Professor Stephen Blank examines Communist China's ties to Central Asia in China Brief. Falun Gong practitioners and supporters protest Singapore's arrest of their fellows (Epoch Times). In reaction to the Stalinists' projectile dysfunction, Japan is getting American missile defense systems (Washington Post).

Chen Guangcheng's trial delayed; supporters arrested: The trial of anti-"one child" activist Chen Guangcheng (tenth, second, ninth, ninth, thirteenth, lead, tenth, fifth, tenth, sixth, ninth, eighth, ninth, and eighth items) was delayed "at the prosecution's request" (BBC). The likely reason was the "Activists and supporters (who) had gathered outside the court in Shandong to support Mr. Chen" and "were detained after scuffles with men they described as plain-clothes policemen." For more on the supporters who tried to make the trial, including human rights attorney Gao Zhisheng (sixth, tenth, fifth, lead, third, last, twelfth, eighth, third, second, third, eighth, eleventh, eighth, fourth, fourth, last, fourth, fifth, twelfth, fifth, second, lead, next to last, seventh, last, next to last, lead, second, last, sixth, tenth, eighth, second, eighth, ninth, lead, sixth, eighth, seventh, fifth, fourth, last, fifth, seventh, next to last, fourth, last, twenty-first, twenty-second, seventh, fourth, sixth, fourth, sixth, eleventh, eleventh, fourth, last, sixth, eighth, tenth, thirteenth, eleventh, eighth, tenth, last, and next-to-last items) see the Epoch Times.

More on Communist China: Carrie Gracie (BBC) examines Communist China's push for advances in biotech - sadly, without any reference to Project 863. Meanwhile, Phillip C. Saunders and Brian Harding, in China Brief, discuss Hu Jintao's fetish with "publicized Politburo study sessions" - designed to make it appear the Party cares about the people.

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

News of the Day (July 19)

From the China Support Network: A call for the liberation of Singapore comes from JPK.

From the China Freedom Blog Alliance: A lawsuit against Jiang Zemin and other cadres by Falun Gong practitioners moves forward in Ontario (Between Heaven and Earth). Is Communist China getting annoyed at its Korean colony? The Korea Liberator thinks it is, but not too much. TKL also has the latest on other Stalinist news and South Korean politics.

More on Stalinist North Korea: Japan is planning its own sanctions against SNK (United Press Int'l via Washington Times). South Korea is preparing a missile defense command (UPI via Washington Times). The Stalinists decide to hold split families hostage again (BBC). Daily NK examines the prospects of famine and epidemics in SNK. Michael Abramowitz (Washington Post via MSNBC) chronicles increasing disillusionment on the political right with President Bush's "Kerryism" on SNK and Iran. Which bring us to . . .

News on the Communist-backed mullahcracy: The regime already has a large presence in Lebanon's Hezbollah zone (New York Sun), to the point where Meyrav Wurmser of the Hudson Institute thinks Israel's hitting of Lebanon is avoiding what should be the real targets - Iran and Syria (National Review Online). How we can even consider talks on Iran's nuclear weapons development is beyond both me and Andrew McCarthy (NRO), as Uzi Rubin details the mullahcracy's plans against the United States (Jerusalem Issue Brief ). Hezbollah itself has threatened American interests (World Net Daily, Michelle Malkin via WND, Steve Janke - a.k.a. Angry in the Great White North). Meanwhile, within Iran itself, resistance to the mullahcracy continues (Newsweek, Washington Times).

More on Communist China and the War on Terror: The Syrian regime - allied to both the Khomeinists and the Communists - was caught trying to ship missiles to Hezbollah (Small Dead Animals), as Israel debates what to do about the Assad regime (Newsweek). India fingers the man it believes spear-headed the Mumbai bombing - Dawood Ibrahim, an al Qaedist who "also has financed operations of Lashkar e Taiba" (NBC via MSNBC). Meanwhile, Andre Pachter, China Confidential via Epoch Times, examines Communist China's ties to radical Islam.

Taiwan to get F-16s from United States: Taiwan's China Times reported that the Pentagon "has given its nod over the sales of 66 F-16C/D Block 52s" (Agence France Presse via Intelligence Summit) to the island democracy.

More on Communist China and the rest of the world: Australian Senator Andrew Bartlett rips his government for turning "a blind eye to major human rights abuses simply because there is money to be made" in Communist China (Epoch Times). Reporters Without Borders joins other human rights groups in support of the Global Online Freedom Act under consideration by the U.S. Congress (Boxun). Communist China may soon open ports in Mexico (Human Events).

Chen Guangcheng trial to start tomorrow: The blind anti-"one child" activist (tenth, second, ninth, ninth, thirteenth, lead, tenth, fifth, tenth, sixth, ninth, eighth, and ninth items) faces up to six years in jail (Cybercast News).

Anti-Communist Church comes to petitioners' aid: The Ark (Fangzhou) Church came to a petitioners' village in Beijing and "offered approximately 330 pounds of free food" to more than 100 who are camped out in Beijing waiting for their grievances against cadres back home to be resolved (Epoch Times). Petitioners, also known as appellants, usually faces nothing but silence and beatings from the Communists (see also eighth, second, fifth, fifth, seventh, ninth, seventh, eighth, thirteenth, twelfth, and seventh items). The Ark Church, meanwhile, has a history of standing with the Chinese people against the Communist Party.

Cadres send in armed police to disperse anti-pollution protestors: About 1,000 residents of Xialei Town, Guangxi staged a protest against plans by CITIC to build a manganese electrolysis plant. The cadres responded with "almost a thousand armed police from nearby counties. Eight (protestors) were arrested and a dozen injured by electric batons" (Epoch Times).

On the Chinese Communist Party: Zhang Tianliang has some very interesting things to say about the internal dynamics of the Chinese Communist Party (Epoch Times). Sadly, he risks falling for the ABJ syndrome (Anyone-but-Jiang), by centering nearly all of the Communist Party's evils on the ex-leader.

Another Communist-owned bank gets ready to fleece investors, ahem, float stock: This time it's the largest regime-owned bank of all, the Industrial & Commercial Bank of China (BBC).

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Is the key to peace in Iraq a war in Syria?

This is one of those posts I hate when others write them: the question posts. The author will put forward an idea (usually very provocative and controversial), present the pros and cons, and finish with "I'm just asking the question" when you know full well (s)he has a favorite answer in mind. Now, I'm actually going to write one, but I don't see any other choice here.

As followers of this blog already know, yours truly called for Syria's liberation last week, due to the Assad regime's support for anti-American and anti-Israeli terrorists and the support it receives from Communist China. I left open the question of how this liberation could occur, although I obviously preferred a peaceful liberation. Now, I'm not sure so the democratic world should wait that long.

I believe as much as I did in 2004 (National Review Online) that Iraq will never be at peace until its neighbors (Iran and Syria) are free. The two tyrannies have been allies for decades, both in the fight against Saddam Hussein (the 1980s Iran-Iraq war) and the current fight against Iraq's democratically elected government (both are supporting varying anti-American terrorist "insurgents"). The longer Syria and/or Iran remain unfree, the more Americans will die; it's that simple.

The first question I have (and to which I do not know the answer) is this: will expanding the military action into Syria help relieve the pressure in Iraq? On the one hand, shifting American troops out of the Iraqi theatre (the most likely precursor for a Syria operation) could make an already dicey security situation even worse. On the other hand, Bashar Assad would, I suspect, have to pull back the terrorists he's sending into Iraq for his own protection. I'm guessing (or perhaps hoping is the better term) that fewer terrorists and fewer American troops would point to a quieter Iraq, but I'm not really sure (and yes, that's an open invitation for readers to opine on the subject).

The second question is just as important as the first: how would this affect Israel's battle against Hezbollah and Hamas? Syria would obviously be less able to aid Hezbollah's battle if it's busy fending off the U.S. military. That could make it easier for Israel to defeat its terrorist enemies (in fact, I would submit that the battle will never be one until Syria is out of the terrorist-sponsoring business permanently). However, what would the reaction of the rest of the Arab world be? My guess is little different from its current reaction to the Israel-Hezbollah battle, i.e., sit it out. However, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, et al could decide three democracies in the Middle East (Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon; Palestine does not count) are too many.

The third question is at least equal to the other two: What about Iran? Would the Khomeinist regime decide to intervene militarily? If so, how? I would surmise Iran would probably try to intensify their terrorist activity in Iraq, and try to make up for Syria's withdrawal from the field in Lebanon and Israel, but that's just a guess.

Finally, and most importantly, how close is Syria's Reform Party and other pro-democracy forces to toppling the Assad regime? If Assad is as weak now as Milosevic was in 2000, that fact alone could trump everything. If, rather, he is as strong as Saddam in 2002, we should probably swallow hard and take military action. My fear is the truth is closer to the latter than the former.

In other words, I am coming to the conclusion that Syria may need to be liberated by military force. It would, in my view, make it easier to stabilize Iraq, help Israel and Lebanon immensely, and leave Iran (and its all-important benefactor, Communist China) isolated. Combined with active support for Iranian nascent pro-democracy movement, it could even hasten the end of both terrorist regimes.

However, there are some "facts on the ground" that I do not have at present, so I am hesitant to put my foot down here. Instead, I will open this up to you the readers, and meekly end with "I'm just asking the question."

Well, not quite: one thing beyond question is this - neither Iran nor Syria, nor all their terrorist friends, would be as dangerous as they are without the Chinese Communist Party. The road to victory may end up going through Damascus, but the War on Terror is really just part of Cold War II, and the road to victory will only end in one place - Beijing. Until the Chinese people can take their country back from the Communists, neither America nor any one else in the democratic world will truly be secure.

News of the Day (July 18)

From the China Freedom Blog Alliance: Between Heaven and Earth calls Singapore to the carpet for doing the Communists' bidding against Falun Gong (see also Epoch Times). The Korea Liberator has a useful reminder of Communist-backed Iran's support for al Qaeda, plus the latest on South Korea's doves, Stalinist North Korea news, and an excellent interview with author Gordon Chang.

More on the satellite regimes: Andrew McCarthy (National Review Online) details the mullahcracy's terrorist history. Former Director of Central Intelligence James Woolsey calls for military action against Syria (World Net Daily). Former Defense Department official F. Michael Maloof asks why the U.S. hasn't been tougher on one of the major links among Iran, SNK, and Communist China - namely Pakistan - and provides some disturbing answers in the Washington Times. Speaking of the Communists' Korean colony, Jame DiBiasio, Managing Editor of Finance Asia, pens the Ignorant Comment of the Day for suggesting a "Helsinki solution" while ignoring the modern parallel with the Soviet Union: namely Communist China. Meanwhile, SNK defector Hwang Jang-yop aims the rhetorical double-barrel at Kim Dae-jung (Daily NK) and Park Hyun Min (also in Daily NK) examines the Stalinists' Projectile Dysfunction (second and third items).

More on Communist China and the War on Terror: India continues to finger Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba for the Mumbai bombing (United Press Int'l via Washington Times); Pakistan continues to deny any involvement (CNN).

Canada file: The cadres remain silent on the fate of Huseyincan Celil, the Uighur-Canadian jailed by Uzbekistan and sent to Communist China (Globe and Mail), where he faces execution (seventeenth, sixth, and third items).

Press organizations call for Li Yuanlong's release: The World Association of Newspapers and World Editors Forum have both "called on the Chinese government to free a journalist who was jailed for two years for publishing an essay on democracy and freedom" (Boxun). That journalist is Li Yuanlong (next-to-last, tenth, and ninth items).

Another former policeman comes forward on organs: Less than a week after former Communist police officer Zhang Jianhua presented his account on organ harvesting in Communist China, another former officer - Sun Liyong - has broken his silence (Epoch Times).

Communists ignore the appeals of an entire town: Roughly 10,000 citizens in the Three Gorges area were relocated en masse after an initial geological survey. Since then, local cadres "embezzled a hundred million yuan through taking the immigrants' compensation, disaster relief funds and welfare" (Epoch Times). The victims have appealed to Beijing for three decades, but have "received nothing but violence, arrests, detainment and sentences."

Communists claim economy is still red hot: Communist China's economy "grew 10.9% in the first half of 2006 against the same period a year ago" (BBC), that is if the Communists are to be believed. How much of this is from investments headed for failure was not mentioned (twenty-seventh item).

Monday, July 17, 2006

News of the Day (July 17)

From the China Support Network: The parent org looks to the week ahead.

From the China Freedom Blog Alliance: Between Heaven and Earth launches a petition to bring the Kilgour-Matas report to the attention of the World Transplant Congress. The Korea Liberator notes Iran's role in supporting Hezbollah - with CCP-made missiles. TKL also has, as one would expect, quite a bit on the Stalinist Projectile Dysfunction (second and third items), including Japanese plans for sanctions (see also BBC), the United Nations' half-hearted response (see also BBC, Cybercast News, Daily NK, Washington Times, and Dana Milbank in the Washington Post for the most perceptive view), South Korea's reaction (see also Angry in the Great White North, and an idea from Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist; plus the latest news.

Is Communist China harvesting organs from Koreans? That's the latest charge from the unnamed military doctor (third, third, eighth, and eleventh items) in his latest report to the Epoch Times. More on the organ harvesting issue can be found in the Toronto Sun, Epoch Times, and Clearwisdom.

More on the Communists' Korean colony: The Stalinists' Projectile Dysfunction was "an intelligence windfall for the Communist regime in Beijing" according to Edward Timperlake (Human Events). Simon Elegant (Time Asia) succumbs to the conventional wisdom on the missile launch. John Carey calls for "nuanced diplomacy" in the Washington Times. Gary Schmitt and Dan Blumenthal, of the American Enterprise Institute, say such a thing betrays our Japanese allies (Weekly Standard). Meanwhile, the food situation in Stalinist North Korea is so bad it has led to malnourished mothers - and "imbecile infants" (Daily NK).

More calls for the liberations of Syria and Iran come from Ezra Levant (Calgary Sun) and William Kristol (Weekly Standard). Michael Oren of The Shalem Center won't quite go that far, but does call for toughness against the Ba'athists in The New Republic. Meanwhile, the role of the Communist-backed mullahcracy is explored by Christopher Dickey, Kevin Peraino, and Babak Dehghanpisheh (Newsweek), and President Bush (Newsmax).

The Department of Pundits Who Don't Get It: These don't quite reach the ignominy of Ignorant Comment of the Day, for there is much in both Oliver North's Washington Times commentary and Sebastian Mallaby's Washington Post column that is good. However, both seem to believe Communist China can be convinced to side with us against the terrorists, ignoring recent history.

Is Communist China fueling America's Meth binge? This Langley Times report opens the possibility.

More on Communist China and the United States: The editors of the Washington Times call for Congress to pass the U.S.-India deal (which this quarter also supports). Andre Pachter (China Confidential via Epoch Times) examines the possibility of a Made-in-China boycott in the U.S.

Chen Guangcheng sues Linyi: The blind anti-"one child" activist (tenth, second, ninth, ninth, thirteenth, lead, tenth, fifth, tenth, sixth, ninth, and eighth items) has decided to sue the locality that is imprisoning him (Radio Free Asia via Epoch Times).

More on human rights in Communist China: Ceci Neville (Epoch Times) talks to Jennifer Zheng, the author of Witnessing History, an autobiographical account of her persecution by the Communists for her belief in Falun Gong. Zhang Jiankang, also in the Epoch Times, discusses the hurdles facing attorneys in Communist China. Jay Nordlinger, National Review Online (ninth item), brings attention to Ching Cheong (sixth, eighth, and fourth items) and Yang Jianli (third and tenth items).