Why I'll be in a shell until Monday

About 36 hours ago, my mother lost her fight with cancer; she was 58. As one would expect, this hasn't been an easy time for me. Beyond the obvious, it was Mom who instilled in me the ambition to be aware of the world around me, and do what I can to change it for the better. She lit the spark that, fueled by my admittedly obsessive nature, became the now six-year-running China e-Lobby. As we Americans of Irish descent tend to take our time in remembering late relatives, I'll be out of pocket (actually, in a mourning shell is more like it) for the rest of the week. However, I'll be back with regular posts starting on Monday, December 4.

News of the Weekend (November 27)

From the China Freedom Blog Alliance (and related posts): Between Heaven and Earth has several posts on human rights in Communist China, including the regime's organ harvesting (see also Agence France Presse via Nine News and these Epoch Times links) and the beating of Gao Zhisheng's wife (see also Epoch Times). Boycott 2008 has a post on pollution in Communist China (see also BBC, BBC again, China Brief, and Time). One Free Korea was also very busy, with posts on Stalinist North Korea playing the nationalist card (see also BBC and Daily NK), the suffering northern Koreans refusing to play along (see also Daily NK), and more South Korean silliness (see also these Daily NK links).

Enlightened Comment of the Day: James G. Zumwalt (Washington Times) asks the perfect question: "how can any rational person now think direct talks between Pyongyang and Washington will reduce tensions?" Runner-up went to Mark Levin (yes, twice) for reminders of Communist China's ties to America's Middle Eastern enemies in his National Review Online blog.

More on Communist China's Korean colony: Communist China denied earlier reports that it had unfrozen some SNK assets (Daily NK), but Zhongnanhai has been quite busy keeping Kim Jong-il afloat in other ways (Daily NK). Concerns over SNK's currency counterfeiting have reached Interpol (Daily NK). The Stalinist regime is tagged as the least democratic on earth by the Economist (Daily NK). Daily NK also examines the future of SNK, how Japan can tighten the screws, and the painful story of a family separated by the Stalinists. The Red Cross gets tricked into a "historic" (Agence France Presse via Washington Times) deal with SNK.

Ignorant Comment of the Day: Fareed Zakaria (Newsweek) is more than willing to see Vietnam in Iraq, but he doesn't mention Iran once. He's the runaway winner.

On Middle Eastern Proxy Number One (Iran): Martin Beck Matustik ponders the possibility of a "Velvet Revolution" in Iran (Logos Journal). Talking to Iran earns maddening praise (United Press Int'l via Washington Times) and well-deserved criticism (National Review Online, World Net Daily, and Worldwide Standard). The mullahs' military suffers a plane crash (BBC). Tehran gets a Russian missile system, but not IAEA help for its nuclear reactor (Washington Times). Meanwhile, President Bush is hoping "to marshal a force of friendly Sunni regimes against the radical leadership of Shiite Iran" (London Telegraph via Washington Times).

On Middle East Proxy Number Two (Syria): The murder of Pierre Gemayel (Voice of America via Epoch Times and United Press Int'l via Washington Times) is having many question the idea of talks with Syria (London Telegraph, Wall Street Journal, Washington Times) - and for good reason (Small Dead Animals).

More on Iraq (the next Middle Eastern Proxy?): Two defenders of the need to persevere in Iraq step forward - Victor Davis Hanson (Washington Times) and Fouad Ajami (U.S. News).

More on Communist China and the United States: Stephen Dinan (Washington Times) interviews China e-Lobby favorite Duncan Hunter. Bill Gertz (Washington Times) reports that the Communists bought America's B-2 bomber stealth technology from a spy. Meanwhile, Communist China's geopolitical and military ambitions continue to grow (China Brief and Newsmax).

On Communist China and Canada: Finance Minister Jim Flaherty reveals a new policy to prevent foreign acquisitions of Canadian assets that could be "a threat to Canada" (Globe and Mail); analysts say Communist China is the main target. While Communist China still gets "aid" from the Great White North, its days appear numbered (Globe and Mail). Meanwhile, the House of Commons Subcommittee on International Human Rights hears more about Communist China's human rights abuses (Epoch Times).

Hu Jintao visits Pakistan: The Communist leader inked a new trade deal with his old ally (BBC twice).

More on Communist China and the rest of the world: Ren Zihui (Epoch Times) examines Communist China's charm offensive on Japan; Colum Lynch (Washington Post) finds the cadres getting more involved in United Nations "peacekeeping." Meanwhile, Communist Embassy officials attack Falun Gong practitioners in Israel (Epoch Times).

More on human rights abuses in Communist China: Ching Cheong's appeal is rejected (BBC), while Chen Guangcheng is dragged back into court (Epoch Times). AIDS activist Wan Yanhai is arrested, again (Washington Times). What Communist China calls "elections" are less than meets the eye, both on the mainland and in Hong Kong (Epoch Times). Communist China's internet crackdown extends to Skype (Radio Free Asia via Epoch Times). However, the World Council of Churches plays see-no-evil (Washington Post).

Rebiya Kadeer's son arrested in East Turkestan: Alimu Ahbudurimu is the son of the longtime activist for the Communist-occupied Muslim nation. He is now in jail for "tax evasion" (BBC).

Communist satellite breaks down: The Sino-Sat 2 "stopped working" (Taiwan Central News Agency via Epoch Times) due to a solar array malfunction.

Taiwan's President survives motion to recall him; Ma Ying-jeou investigation expands: President Chen Shui-bian's "pan-green" supporters stood by him (BBC), while the man likely to carry the opposition "pan-blue" banner is facing more questions (Time).

The anti-Communist movement must support Iraq's democracy

When the liberation of Iraq began in March of 2003, it was obvious to anyone who spent a substantial amount of time in the anti-Communist, pro-China-democracy community that the war would split the movement like a ripe melon. As someone who co-founded the China e-Lobby specifically to bring anti-Communists of all political stripes together, I dutifully avoided the subject as much as I could within the C e-L confines (outside the confines was another story). While it pains me to abandon that now, and effectively force the entire pro-democracy community to focus on this divisive issue, I feel I have no choice. The events of the last few weeks have made it abundantly clear to me: the pro-China-democracy community must come out in favor of the mission to build a democratic Iraq, and the China e-Lobby is now doing just that.

I write this knowing full well democracy in Iraq (or to be more precise, a republican form of government there) seems more elusive and less likely now than at any time in the last three-and-a-half years. However, I fell like I have no choice; the alternatives to a genuinely free Iraq would be disastrous for those of us who wish to see China freed from the Communist regime that currently imprisons it. Here are the reasons why.

Iran and Syria: Since "realism" seems to be in vogue these days, let's not forget one very important reality - the mullahcracy of Iran wouldn't be anywhere near as powerful as it is today with support from Communist China. Likewise, Syria's ties to Tehran and Beijing easily pre-date the current Iraq war. At present, the Bush Administration has been content to ignore the ties these two regimes have with both the Communists and the terrorists who are killing Americans in Iraq (second and fifth items), but we can't. The fact is, an Iraq under the thumbs of Iran and Syria is a de facto Communist Chinese proxy via remote control.

We cannot abandon the Iraqi people twice in two decades without repercussions: In 1991, as the Iraqi people rose up against Saddam Hussein, then-President George H. W. Bush publicly blessed the rebellion, than refused to do anything to help it. Millions of Iraqis remember the ensuing carnage bitterly. Letting the mullahs of Iran and the Ba'athists of Syria take the lead in bringing "stability" to Iraq will curse the Iraqi people once more. How would other allies respond to this kind of weakness from America, particularly our most important potential friends, the peoples of captive nations? The dictators of those nations will see, too, and they can tell their people America no longer cares for the oppressed peoples of the world. The effect in Communist China could be devastating. Millions of Chinese desperate to be free of their Communist overlords will be told - explicitly by the Communists and implicitly by the the U.S. itself - that America no longer cares what happens to them.

Contempt for the value of democracy outside of Europe will flourish: As more Americans try to determine what tactical mistakes were made in the liberation of Iraq, some are coming to the conclusion that the Iraqi people themselves are the problem (Charles Krauthammer in the Manchester Union-Leader, Ralph Peters - as cited by John Podhoretz in the New York Post - and John Derbyshire in National Review Online). As I mentioned above, "realism" is on the rise, and underlying much of it is the notion that self-government is just not possible or preferable among the Arabs. It doesn't take much to see where this is heading: the same people who denigrate the prospects for democracy in the Middle East will be just as cynical toward the Chinese people; in fact, one pundit - Arnaud de Borchgrave (fourth item) - is already saying that. So, in addition to being told the U.S. has no interest in helping them, the Chinese people will be told they are politically inferior to Americans. Is that the message we really want to send?

A defeat is a defeat is a defeat: No dressing-up a withdrawal from Iraq will change the fact that Iran and Syria will have won, and we will have lost. Communist China will certainly look to build upon the victory of its Middle Eastern proxies. The regime will also likely continue to build its ties to al Qaeda, which will certainly claim its part in the terrorist victory.

Now, I'm not saying a pro-democracy activist in China will suddenly decide it's time to look for the Party card; the Chinese people have too much pride in themselves for that. However, the pro-democracy movement in China will be dealt a crippling blow to morale if it sees America unwilling to persevere in Iraq. This could lead them to lower their sights, reduce their demands, and otherwise postpone the day when Communism ends in China. That means the regime will have more time to continue arming terrorists who wish to kill as many Americans and others from the democratic world as they can find.

I know many in the anti-Communist community opposed the liberation of Iraq, and many still do. I believe, however, that this is based on the errant notion that the fate of democracy in Iraq and the fate of democracy in China are separate and unrelated. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Instead of leaving the nascent Iraqi democracy to the terrorist wolves, the United States should make clear to Iran and Syria that we will never leave Iraq until after they do. This will probably require taking action to liberate Iran and Syria, much like taking action against the Nicaraguan Communists was required to get them out of El Salvador in the 1980s (National Review Online).

I know I'm asking a great deal of the anti-Communist, pro-democracy community from a political perspective, but I feel I have no choice. The end of Iraqi democracy will set back the cause of freedom around the world, including and especially in China, and the democratic world will never be secure until China is free. We cannot and must not allow the Iraqi people to be abandoned.

Therefore, I hereby beg my fellow anti-Communists to join me in supporting the continuing effort to liberate Iraq, and demanding the Bush Administration not abandon the Iraqi people.

Stephen Harper played the China card and won the pot. Why are his opponents still going all in?

I have been relatively silent about Stephen Harper standing up to Communist China this month, in part because so may have been willing to stick up for him (second and second items), and also in part because my schedule this week has been thoroughly wrecked. This has allowed me a chance to explore one of the lesser discussed aspects of this issue: the political consequences for Harper and his government in the (expected) 2007 elections.

Now, I should make clear, this corner has been with the Conservatives since the last election campaign, largely in anticipation of things like Harper's show of political strength on Communist China. One other aspect of the Conservative government that has gone widely underreported is its crackdown against both Communist espionage and Beijing's overseas intimidation of Chinese-Canadians (third item). So, one would expect me to think this issue is a political winner for Harper. I'm just confused why almost no one else seems to see it that way, especially the supposedly hyper-rational, ultra-pragmatic Liberals.

From my perspective (admittedly, 1500 miles south of the nearest Canadian), the Liberals and their Bay Street "engagement" allies are in a politically dangerous (for them) feedback loop. When Harper first began to make clear he would treat Communist China very differently from previous PMs, the Canadian business community went into anti-Harper overdrive. Those of us who see Wall Street in action whenever Communist China comes up were not surprised by this. However, Bay Street went way overboard from a political perspective, going so far as to criticize attempts to build relations with Taiwan, and even being dismissive of the Dalai Lama, who remains the most prolific recruiter of anti-Communism in the democratic world's collective left wing.

More importantly, Bay Street doesn't seem to understand just how much it has helped Harper by ripping him.

Harper has now run for Prime Minister under the Conservative banner twice, in 2004 and 2006. Both times, Harper "underperformed" on election day. Upon closer examination, there were at least three major factors that prevented Harper from defeating Martin in 2004, and achieving a majority government in 2006.

One: In the West, Reform and later Canadian Alliance voters concerned over the old PC "backroom boys" and their Bay Street money sources taking over the new Conservative party stayed home or went to other parties. This was most obvious in British Columbia, where the Conservatives actually have less than half the MPs.

Two: In Ontario and the Atlantic provinces, large numbers of traditional NDP voters were convinced to vote Liberal as the lesser of two evils. Thus the Liberals managed to win a majority of MPs in every English speaking province east of Manitoba.

Three: Rural francophone voters, whatever they thought of the Liberals, were just not comfortable with the Conservative Party, so they stuck with the Bloc Quebecois. This was not so noticeable in 2006 because the Quebec City suburbs were comfortable enough with the Conservatives to elect them as MPs in all 4 of their ridings.

These three problems are not exactly a surprise. Conventional wisdom has been talking about them for years, with many worried about how Harper could ever solve them. I would humbly submit that Bay Street did it for him. Here's how.

One: How many old guard Reformers are looking at Bay Street's carping of Harper and thinking, "Well, I guess this isn't a Mulroney redux after all"? The answer to that question may not be known until Election Day 2007, but it could very well mean a half-dozen BC ridings going from red/orange to blue.

Two: If the MPs are any indication, the ChiCom issue is one where the Liberals are isolated, not the Conservatives. So long as this remains an issue in 2007 (given the matter of Canadian aid to Communist China, that can be a sure bet come budget time) and the Conservatives stick with their anti-Communist stance (I'd call this a safe bet), would-be NDP voters hearing the "Conservatives are too scary" mantra over and over again will wonder why the richest men in Canada seem to like the Liberals and the bloodthirsty Beijing regime so much. Some of them may even decide the Conservatives are the lesser of two evils, though probably not enough to make a difference in a riding. More importantly, these voters will be more likely to decide the Conservatives can't be that bad (and the Liberals can't be that "safe") and stick with the NDP. The impact on Ontarian and some Atlantic Liberal MPs could be devastating.

Three: The impact may not be so strong with Quebec voters, but a foreign policy issue where they are more likely to agree with Harper over the Liberals can't hurt.

So why can't Bay Street see they're probably creating more voters for Harper than converting people away from him?

Here's where the "feedback loop" comes in. If I have Canada's relatively new campaign finance laws right, corporate contributions are out of bounds - except in leadership campaigns. Even if I am wrong on that (and please, let me know if I am), the fact is Canada's richest businessmen and executives have been hearing a lot more Liberals begging for money than Conservatives, since the former is in the middle of a leadership race. Thus, the politicians that have Bay Street's ear these days are mostly all Liberals, who just happen to agree with the business community's support for "engagement" with Communist China. Since none of the other three parties have leadership issues, they're spending a lot less time in financial centers of power, creating the unusual situation where the three parties who reflect the anti-Communist-China majority in Canada (Conservatives, NDP, and Bloc) are heard far less often than the one party with the minority view, the Liberals. So whenever Bay Street goes after Harper, the politicians begging them for money encourage them - and since they're not paying attention to anyone else, they actually assume the Liberals speak for the country.

The problem for Bay Street is that the Liberals don't speak for Canada on the issue of Communist China; the Conservatives do. As Bay Street keeeps reminding Canadian voters of this, Harper becomes more popular, and the prevailing headwinds he faced in 2004 and 2006 become far less powerful.

How long this will continue depends on Bay Street; it may come to its senses and settle down. Until then - for Harper and those who support him - with enemies like these . . .

Cross-posted to the Shotgun

News of the (longer than planned) Weekend (November 22)

Communist China helps Stalinist North Korea make end runs around sanctions:
According to a report relayed by One Free Korea, Communist China is unblocking SNK money previously frozen in Hong Kong's Banco Delta Asia. If this was Communist China's only action to help its Korean colony at the expense of the rest of the world, it would be bad enough. Of course, as OFK finds, it isn't.

More From the China Freedom Blog Alliance: Between Heaven and Earth has two posts on Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's refusal to cower to the Communists (see also Calgary Sun, Canadian Press, Epoch Times, Macleans, and the Shotgun Blog). Boycott 2008 ponders the Communists' organ harvesting outrage (see also Washington Post - last item). OFK has plenty more posts, including several on South Korea's myopic doves (see also Daily NK), the weakness of the rest of the world, and the latest SNK antics (see also Daily NK).

More on Stalinist North Korea: President Bush's plea to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit to get tough on SNK falls flat (BBC, Washington Post, Washington Times), with dovish South Korea leading the retreat (Time and Washington Times). As one would expect, the president's idea for a permanent Korean War peace treaty gets a much better reception (Daily NK and United Press International via Washington Times). A United Nations resolution criticizing SNK's human rights abuses - supported by South Korea (Daily NK) still infuriates the Stalinists (UPI via Washington Times).

As Syrian regime's standing rises, anti-Syrian Minister is killed in Lebanon: The Syrian regime had quite a good week - in particular better ties with Iraq (BBC, UPI via Washington Times, Voice of America via Epoch Times), the very country whose democracy the Assad regime has been savaging for three years. Naturally, it was a perfect time to get the other Middle Eastern democracy (namely Lebanon) to heel after the Lebanese stopped coddling Hezbollah (fifth item). Lo and behold, leading Lebanese Christian and longtime Assad opponent Pierre Gemayel is dead (BBC, Cybercast News, Fox News, National Review Online - the Corner, Newsweek via MSNBC, UPI via Washington Times, and Worldwide Standard).

More on Middle Eastern Proxies Two and Three: The family of a man kidnapped by Syria in 1983 marked his birthday (World Net Daily), while the regime looks to for "a strong comeback on the Palestinian scene" (UPI via Washington Times). Meanwhile, Hezbollah prepares to take its coup effort "to the streets" (Washington Times) as it boasts of the money it receives from abroad, especially Iran (Ynet).

That brings us to Middle Eastern Proxy Number One: Numerous pundits and politicians is saying the Iranian mullahs are the key to peace in the Middle East, if we would just stop being so nasty to them (BBC, Los Angeles Times, Newsmax, Newsweek via MSNBC, Washington Times). Of course, a slew of folks with more farsightedness took a very different view toward the mullahs (Christopher Hitchens in Slate, Cybercast News, Kenneth R. Timmerman in the Washington Times, NRO - fifth bullet, Reuel Marc Gerecht in Weekly Standard, and the Washington Times editors). As for the regime itself, it largely justified the skeptics. The mullahs hosted Zimbabwean thug Robert Mugabe (Shotgun) and a leading Korean Stalinist (NRO - Corner), arrested a leading dissident (American Enterprise Institute and NRO - corner), and threatens "100,000 centrifuges" (Bloomberg). Meanwhile, the likely successor the mullah strongman Ali Khameini is just as bad, if not worse (Worldwide Standard), and Ha'aretz reports the U.S. has given the green light to Israel to attack the mullahcracy.

Hu Jintao visits India, whose nuclear deal with the U.S. moves forward: The Communist leader won an agreement with India "to double trade to $40bn (£21bn) a year by 2010" (BBC). So does this mean India sees Communist China as a friend and not a rival? In a word - or if one prefers, four links (BBC, Epoch Times, VOA via Epoch Times, and Washington Times) - no.

Ignorant Comment of the Day: Joshua Kurlantzick admits Communist China is a threat in The New Republic, but then decides he's too scared to advice doing anything serious about it.

Enlightened Comment of the Day: Charles R. Smith (Newsmax) takes better note of Communist China's antics around the globe.

Communist China building up its navy - to counter us: That was the jarring observation made by U.S.-China Economic Security Review Commission member Daniel Blumenthal (Bill Gertz, Washington Times).

More on Communist China and the United States: The editors of the Washington Times, while not quite clear-eyed on Communist China, at least are not spineless. Even as the Communists conduct joint naval exercises with the U.S. (Agence France Presse via Breitbart), the regime is still plotting to use "asymmetrical warfare" (Washington Times - second item), including mass espionage (MSNBC). Dan Sanchez (Epoch Times) continues his interview with Bruce Herschensohn about Communist China, the U.S., and the island democracy of Taiwan.

On Communist China and the rest of the world: A Communist court tells international music companies to buzz off and let Baidu link to sites that rip them off (BBC). Hu Jintao wants to visit Japan; Wang Zhen (Epoch Times) examines why - and finds a desire to weaken Japan.

Communist China to consider military force - against protestors: The proposal to use to the military "to support the suppression of group protests" (Epoch Times) comes as the anniversary of the Shanwei massacre led one protest leader there to be arrested (BBC).

Communists arrest appellant - at exhibit to honor "human rights": As the cadres tried to fool the world with an "Exhibition of Human Rights in China," one appellant (petitioner) who was looking to exercise his rights was sent to prison (Epoch Times).

Communist prosecutor admits to torture: As one would expect, Deputy Procurator General Wang Zhenchuan only mentioned "at least 30 wrong verdicts (which) were handed down each year because torture had been used" (BBC). There was no reference to the verdicts the cadres considered "right" which would have gone the other way (i.e., for acquittal) had the accused not been beaten into a confession.

Sickness and broken bones

For anyone wondering, a combination of personal illness and familial maladies (in particular my son's broken ankle), have kept me away from the keyboard. With luck, I'll have a News of the Weekend by tonight or tomorrow.

News of the Day (November 17)

Harper gets his Hu meeting without caving, and wins praise at home in the process: Communist China has decided to "resume bilateral meetings with Canada" (Epoch Times), standing down from its previous policy of ignoring Prime Minister Stephen Harper and hoping he went away (second item). Harper, meanwhile, continued to call the Communists to the carpet on their brutal treatment of their own people and Huseyin Celil, for which he earned widespread praise (Andrew Coyne, CFRA poll, Small Dead Animals, and Toronto Sun).

More news from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting: President Bush talks trade and Stalinist North Korea (Washington Post); Communist boss Hu Jintao called for more investment in Asia "with no strings attached" (BBC) - in other words, don't bother us with pesky concerns like an oversized military (MSNBC), 900 missiles pointed at Taiwan (World Tribune), "organ tourism" (London Telegraph via Washington Times), and continuing brutality against the Chinese people (BBC, Epoch Times, and Little Red Blog).

Ignorant Comment of the Day: Arnaud de Borchgrave (Washington Times) writes hundreds of words on Communist China, "futurologists," and energy without making a single salient point.

More on Communist China and the rest of the world: Pingping Yu (Epoch Times) provides the evidence against Dr. Margaret Chan that the World Health Organization either missed or refused to see. Simon Elegant (Time) has a column that will make 2008 Olympians choke, literally.

From the China Freedom Blog Alliance: Between Heaven and Earth has respective posts on the new U.S. Congress, the Wang Pengfei affair (third item), and the latest organ harvesting outrage. Meanwhile, One Free Korea has respective posts on a South Korean would-be terrorist, the merits of liberating North Korea, and more South Korean dovish silliness.

More on the Communists' Korean colony: Daily NK examines South Korea's decision to support the UN anti-SNK human rights resolution. France interdicts a North Korean vessel in the Indian Ocean (BBC).

On the Communist-backed mullahcracy of Iran: A former ambassador for the mullahs is caught trying to acquire military gear for Hezbollah (Newsweek via MSNBC).

News of the Day (November 16)

Organ recipient in Shanghai told eight people were killed for his kidney: An unnamed kidney recipient told David Kilgour that his Communist doctor in Shanghai had arranged for eight kidneys "from executed Chinese prisoners, and that at least some of the organs had been harvested secretly, against the donors' will" (Epoch Times). Kilgour is "certain that at least some of these were Falun Gong practitioners who never went near a court, who were never convicted of anything." The former Canadian Secretary of State's assertion was, admittedly, just that, but he has detailed evidence of prior organ harvesting from practitioners.

From the China Freedom Blog Alliance: Between Heaven and Earth comments on the Hu-Harper spat (see also CBC, Steve Janke, and second item). Boycott 2008 has respective posts lamenting the lack of morality on Bay Street and concerns about press freedom at the Beijing Olympiad (see also Taiwan's Central News Agency via Epoch Times for more on the latter). One Free Korea has respective posts on the Democrats' North Korea views (see also Washington Post) and South Korea's decision to depart from previous dovishness and support the United Nations anti-Stalinist human rights resolution (see also BBC, Daily NK, and United Press International via Washington Times).

More Canada news - Communist Embassy aide kicked out for spying on Falun Gong: Canada refused to renew the visa for Wang Pengfei, an aide at the Communist Chinese Embassy's Education Office because Wang "was caught compiling information on Canadians who practice Falun Gong and inciting students to help him" (Epoch Times). It was the first report yours truly has seen of a free world country cracking down on this kind of intimidation-espionage; kudos to the Great White North.

Communist China relents on Wikipedia despite its refusal to follow Google's surrender: The Chinese-language version of the open-source information service was unblocked this week (BBC). Wikipedia famously refused to bow to Communist demands for self-censorship (last item).

Citibank "wins" the bidding for control of Guangdong Development Bank: However, the Financial Times (via MSNBC) story buries the fact that Communist firms will still own over 75% of the bank.

Minister tells Japanese broadcaster to focus on "North Korea's abduction of Japanese": Yoshihide Suga, Japan's Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, sent an order to the government-run NHK network "to air more content on North Korea's abductions of Japanese nationals in its shortwave radio service" (Japan Times). While the order ruffled some media feathers, Minister Suga refused to back down, "repeatedly claiming he would do his best to seek the rescue of the Japanese abductees." Bravo!

More news on the Communists' Korean colony: The Stalinist North is hoping to form a joint Olympic team with South Korea in Beijing (UPI via Washington Times). World Net Daily chronicles the story of a Korean refugee who returned to SNK as a Christian minister.

On the Middle Eastern Proxies: The Democrats want the Bush Administration to "wage diplomacy" (Voice of America via Epoch Times) with the Communist-backed mullahcracy of Iran, even as the mullahs try to push the U.S. economically (World Net Daily) and diplomatically (Washington Post). Michael Ledeen (National Review Online) holds out hope that the Baker/Hamilton Commission will push for the liberation of Iran and Syria.

News of the Day (November 15)

Shinzo Abe sees Japan as the exporter of freedom in Asia: Japan's Prime Minister is sowing the seeds for a dramatically ambitious and beneficial role in the world - as Asia's leading force for "freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law" (Washington Post). This comes with plans for closer ties with India and the U.S., hints that his country could become nuclear if it wanted to do so (Voice of America via Epoch Times), and possibly more support for dissidents in captive nations such as North Korea (Daily NK). Despite being in office less than two months, Abe already has given the cause of anti-Communism a dramatic shot in the arm.

Stephen Harper's badge of honor: Communist Chinese leader Hu Jintao backed out of a planned meeting with Canada's Prime Minister during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference next week. Hu and his cronies are, according to one analyst, "not happy with the tenor of the relationship" (Globe and Mail). Naturally, Bay Street (Canada's version of Wall Street) is unhappy. This corner, by contrast, is ecstatic.

Cardinal Zen says Communist China must respect freedom of religion: The leader of Hong Kong's Catholic, a longtime anti-Communist (twentieth, seventh, sixth, second to last, third to last, tenth, seventh, and fifth items), reiterated the demand while speaking to Zhongguang News (via Epoch Times).

Any chance President Bush will get the memo? Meanwhile, the Bush Administration appears more willing to be nice to both the Communists (BBC and Washington Post, don't let the latter's headline fool you) and their mullahcratic allies in Tehran (MSNBC, National Review Online, and Newsmax). Already, America's friends (Washington Times) and foes (Worldwide Standard) are noticing.

More on the Middle Eastern proxies: Iran and Syria are presenting demands of their own to the democratic world (London Times), while their Hezbollah puppet further destabilizes Lebanon (Small Dead Animals, Washington Post, and Worldwide Standard). Tehran is also tightening its grip in Gaza (Cybercast News), while Damascus dabbles in the West Bank (United Press Int'l via Washington Times). The mullahs' nuclear ambitions were also in the news, again (Toronto Star, VOA via Epoch Times, and Washington Times).

More on the Communists' Korean colony: China Freedom Blog Alliance Member One Free Korea comments further on the scarlet fever outbreak in the Stalinist North; OFK also found some bemusement in Ban Ki-Moon's continuing transition from dovish South Korean Foreign Minister to United Nations Secretary General. Meanwhile, the South's doves are still embarrassing themselves (UPI via Washington Times); SNK considers playing Moscow and Beijing off each other (Daily NK); and the UN considers another human rights resolution on the Stalinist regime (Daily NK).

On matters inside Communist China: Jia Jia talks to the Epoch Times about the value of outside media to those looking for truth inside Communist China. Beijing residents try to protect their dogs (Washington Post, see also tenth item). The cadres claim their efforts to tame the economy is working (BBC), but Andrew Cohen (Epoch Times) notes the danger in reading Communist statistics.

Taipei mayor admits to "serious administrative flaws": That was how the BBC characterized the opposition leader's account of possible embezzlement incidents (last item).

News of the Day (November 14)

U.S. analysts "stunned" at Communist sub incident: The U.S. military "confirmed reports of a close encounter between one of its battle groups and a Chinese submarine in the Pacific" (BBC, see also seventh item). An unnamed Navy official downplayed the incident, but "other defense officials said the submarine surfacing was a provocative action by the Chinese military" (Bill Gertz, Washington Times). More troubling was the fact that the Communist sub went undetected for quite some time. The incident "stunned" many in Washington still stuck in "engagement" mode with Communist China. The editors of the Washington Times were among those concerned.

Defense engineer accused of spying for the Communists: A Northrop engineer is charged with helping the Communists "design and test crucial parts of a stealth cruise missile" (ABC News).

On Communist China and Canada: Chris Selley (Macleans) gives a brief history of relations between the Communist regime and the Great White North. Meanwhile, the University of Toronto joins the battle against the cadres' internet crackdown.

Communist China's Ambassador to India claims a large swath of Indian territory: Sun Yuxi referred to the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh as "Chinese territory" (BBC), which was news to India.

From the China Freedom Blog Alliance: One Free Korea deservedly lambastes South Korea's doves.

More on the Communists' Korean colony: The Stalinist regime sees hope in America's mid-term election (Worldwide Standard) - part of a history of strange expectations the tyranny has about the United States (Daily NK); the U.S. Ambassador to Japan throws cold water all over it (Washington Times). Daily NK warns against a repeat of the 1994 Carter fiasco. Japan bans luxury trade with SNK (BBC).

Iran looking to take over al Qaeda while enriching uranium "on an industrial scale": The Communist-backed mullahcracy of Iran is "trying to form an unholy alliance with al-Qa'eda" (London Telegraph) by pushing to get pro-Tehran terrorists in the group's upper echelon. Meanwhile, the regime is planning on building 3,000 centrifuges "to enrich uranium on an industrial scale" (Voice of America via Epoch Times). The news comes as London and Washington are considering handing Iraq to the mullahs.

Middle Eastern neighbors not happy with the mullahcracy: As one would expect, Israel is spooked by the mullah's antics (Ha'aretz, Jerusalem Post, and Washington Times). Interestingly, Sunni Arab regimes in the Middle East also appear worried (Washington Times).

Hezbollah makes its move to topple Lebanon: The leader of the Lebanese Druze community rips the move (Washington Times), which he tied to the mid-terms here (World Net Daily).

On matters inside Communist China: The cadres intensify their surveillance against Gao Zhisheng's family (Epoch Times), insist a hospital that let a child die (fourth item) did nothing wrong (BBC), accuse two prominent scientists of lying about a new form of bird flu has ravaged six provinces (Epoch Times), and deny reports of a dog slaughter (Fox News).

Taiwan corruption charges hit leading opposition figure: Now Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou is under investigation (BBC).

News of the Weekend (November 13)

Will Iraq become Middle Eastern Proxy Number Four? British Prime Minister Tony Blair is willing to let the Communist-backed mullahcracy of Iran turn Iraq into a de facto colony - and get away with backing the terrorists who kill American and British troops; the folks at National Review Online sound the alarm.

More on the Middle Eastern proxies: A witness to the murder of Zahra Kazemi is executed (Shotgun). James T. Hackett expresses justifiable concern about the mullahs' missile program (Washington Times). Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice lets loose rare candor on Syria (Agence France Presse via Breitbart).

From the China Freedom Blog Alliance: Boycott 2008 highlights two more groups of Communist victims: dogs and athletes. One Free Korea ponders Stalinist North Korea's imminent return to famine.

More on human rights abuses in Communist China: Zhang Zilin, a leader of the mainland anti-Communist Pan-Blue Coalition (not to be confused with Taiwan's weak-on-Communism pan-blues) is now under arrest (Epoch Times); a protest leader in Shanwen is also in jail (Epoch Times). A boy dies in Guangan, Sichuan because Communist doctors wouldn't treat him before his parents paid the hospital fee (BBC); the Communists beat his mother for daring to appeal the cruel treatment of her son (Epoch Times).

More on the Communists' Korean colony: While Washington seems to be enthralled with re-running last year's six-party debacle, National Review (fifth bullet and Stanley Kurtz) is rightly less impressed. South Korea is probing an American for possible espionage, but doesn't mind openly enabling the Stalinist regime (United Press International via Washington Times). Defectors from Stalinist North Korea give a thumbs-down to aid to the regime (Daily NK). Daily NK also notices that when leading Stalinists receive medical treatment, it's almost never at home.

Ignorant Comment of the Day: While Eric Margolis (Toronto Sun) puts himself in the running with a sickening ode to the Communist regime, the dubious prize goes to Daniel Gallington for a stunningly naive Washington Times piece on the prospects of a "national security dialogue" between Zhongnanhai and the U.S.

More on Communist China and the United States: A Communist Chinese submarine "stalked a U.S. aircraft carrier battle group in the Pacific last month and surfaced within firing range of its torpedoes and missiles before being detected" (Bill Gertz, Washington Times). The Epoch Times and the China Support Network reports on an anti-Communist forum in New York. The Communist regime is not happy Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Epoch Times).

On Communist China and Canada: As Prime Minister Stephen Harper prepares for the next Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation Forum summit, his critics take another opportunity to go after him for daring to have an anti-Communist foreign policy (Canadian Press).

More on Communist China and the rest of the world: Communist China responds to the European Union's efforts to hold back its shoes (BBC). Tibet's leader calls for democracy in China (Washington Times, last item). Occupied East Turkestan become the transit point for Afghan narcotics (Epoch Times).

News of the Day (November 10)

From the China Freedom Blog Alliance: Boycott 2008 excerpts a Dictator Watch piece on how Communist China makes the world safe for tyranny. One Free Korea examines the Czech version of Keasong.

More on the Communists' Korean colony: World Net Daily examines the plight of Christians in Stalinist North Korea. Daily NK analyzes the effect of the recent American elections on SNK policy. Japan's military trains for interdicting Stalinist vessels (United Press International via Washington Times) amid talks of more dramatic action to counter the SNK nuclear threat (BBC). Future UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon puts the Stalinist nuclear issue at the top of his to-do list (UPI via Washington Times).

On the Middle Eastern proxies: The Communist-backed mullahcracy of Iran and its Syrian ally take solace in the Democratic mid-term victory (Cybercast News). Argentina wants leading mullah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani placed under arrest for "masterminding the attack on Buenos Aires' Jewish Centre" (BBC) in 1994. The editors of the Washington Times take note of Tehran's missile program; Nir T. Boms and Elliot Chodoff (also in the Washington Times) take aim at the mullahs' battle with the internet (fourth item).

On Communist China and Russia: As a Russian oil firm makes a deal with the Communist-owned China National Petroleum Corporation "to build hundreds of petrol stations in China" (BBC), Moscow is pondering adding the crown jewels of the Russian arms industry, i.e., "long-range strategic bombers or ballistic missiles" (China Brief) to its arms deals with the Communists.

On Communist China and the rest of the world: Paul Hare (China Brief) examines the cadres' energy ties to Angola - albeit naively.

On the militaries in Communist China and Taiwan: Both the island democracy and the Communist mainland are facing modernization issues. China Brief examines what faces each armed force.

More on the island democracy: Dan Sanchez (Epoch Times) interviews Professor Bruce Herschensohn, a longtime supporter of Taiwan. The legislature schedules a third debate on recalling Chen Shui-bian (BBC).

Sanzhou residents blockade warehouse built on seized land: A Communist land seizure went awry when thousands of residents refused to leave the seized land (BBC). The Communists had hoped to open a warehouse on the property, but instead had to use tear gas to disperse the crowd.

On the Communist internet crackdown: Wu Yisan (Dong Xiang via Epoch Times) examines the current state of the web in Communist China.

News of the Day (November 9)

Will Robert Gates make the U.S. even weaker on the Communist-backed mullahcracy of Iran? In 2004, current Defense Secretary-designate Robert Gates co-authored a report on Iran in which he "said he favors a policy of 'engagement' with Iran on its refusal to abide by international agreements on its nuclear program" (Bill Gertz, Washington Times). According to Jerome Corsi (World Net Daily) - who cites the report as evidence - such "engagement" could occur even with the mullahs developing nuclear weapons; no wonder the regime is so confident (National Review Online). Meanwhile, One Free Korea takes a look at the new Pentagon chief and doesn't see much hope for the suffering people of northern Korea, either.

More from the China Freedom Blog Alliance: OFK wonders what Bill Richardson is smoking, and examines how the new Congress might treat the Stalinist regime (as does Daily NK).

Protest in Hoiryeong: A sign that Stalinist-in-chief Kim Jong-il may not be as able to prevent liberation as conventional wisdom thinks was on display in Hoiryeong, where over a hundred Koreans took to the streets to protest a decision by local Stalinists (Daily NK).

PetroChina investment in Sudan ruffles feathers: Sadly, neither the cadres nor their economic enablers - ahem, "engagers" - seem worried about the Communist-owned firm cooperating with the butcher of Darfur. However, “a divestment movement started on several U.S. university campuses that has swept to city and state levels has gained momentum" (United Press Int'l via Washington Times).

Cadre tapped to run World Health Organization: Dr. Margaret Chan "has experience managing outbreaks of avian flu and severe acute respiratory syndrome" (UPI via Washington Times). Given the Communist coverup of both diseases, one would think that should disqualify Dr. Chan for the post.

Communist trade surplus hits monthly record: The annual surplus "will reach $160bn this year - a 60% rise on 2005" (BBC).

Communists admit journalism is dangerous, but won't say why: In Communist China, "being a reporter is the third most dangerous occupation" - and that's from the cadres themselves (Washington Post). Of course, there is no mention in the Communist report of the fact that the regime itself "is the world's leading jailer of journalists."

More on Communist China's human rights abuses: Jennifer Chou of Radio Free Asia examines the case of Chen Gaungcheng (tenth, second, ninth, ninth, thirteenth, lead, tenth, fifth, tenth, sixth, ninth, eighth, ninth, eighth, ninth, sixteenth, ninth, second, fifth, tenth, fourth, and last items) in the Daily Standard. Mo Bei reveals what the Communist Party did to her and her family (Epoch Times).

Party resignations pass 15 million: A rally for the withdrawals was held in New York last weekend (Epoch Times).

Corruption News: A former Communist banker is sent to prison for taking over half-a-million dollars in bribes (Taiwan Central News Agency via Epoch Times). Disaster relief is a prime target for corrupt cadres: "50 to 70 percent of relief funds for China have been misappropriated and embezzled" (Epoch Times). Nandu Weekly ranked the 10 most egregious scandals in Communist China's universities. The editors of the Epoch Times highlighted the top four.

News of the Day (November 8)

Anti-Communist ascends to House Speakership: While this is corner was more concerned about certain committee chairs, I'm not about to say Speaker Nancy Pelosi doesn't give me hope for the anti-Communist movement. China Support Network elaborates on the benefits a Pelosi House could bring. One Free Korea presents his thoughts on Election 2006.

More from the China Freedom Blog Alliance: OFK had quite a bit more, including a refreshing voice cutting through South Korean silliness (for more on the latter, see Daily NK) and stark reminders of Stalinist cruelty. Between Heaven and Earth has a post detailing the latest organ-harvesting news and a notice for a Vancouver rally against the outrage (for more on this subject, see Epoch Times). Boycott 2008 notes the campaign led by Reporters Without Borders against the Communists' internet censorship (see also (BBC).

More on Communist China's human rights abuses: Jia Jia has refugees status in Thailand, for now (Epoch Times). Ding Xiao, Radio Free Asia (via Epoch Times) has more details on a house church razed to the ground in Changchun (ninth item). Susan Jakes (Time) examines Communist China's overhyped changes to its death penalty (last item), and finds there is less than meets the eye.

More on the Communists' Korean colony: The U.S. puts its financial sanctions against Stalinist North Korea on the bargaining table (United Press Int'l via Washington Times) as the Bush Administration's growing weakness on SNK continues to get noticed (Daily NK and UPI via Washington Times). Yang Jung A (Daily NK) focuses on Stalinist-in-chief Kim Jong-il's expensive tastes, which he enjoys as the people starve.

Differences over Iran at UN "cannot be bridged," says Communist China: Communist China's Ambassador to the United Nations told the media that differences within the Security Council over how to treat the Communist-backed mullahcracy of Iran "cannot be bridged" (Voice of America via Epoch Times). The main difference seems to be between the United States, which wants the mullahs to pay real consequences for their nuclear weapons program, and the Communists, who say they want that but don't.

Enlightened Comment of the Day: William R. Hawkins (Washington Times) says its time to kick Iran out of Iraq - my one quibble is that he doesn't mention some prominent anti-Iranian Shiites.

More on the Middles East proxies: The Iranian mullahcracy offers to "share its missile systems with friends and neighbors" (Newsmax). Syria may be ready to seize the Golan Heights (World Net Daily). Hamas is talking about terrorist attacks against the United States (Cybercast News). Finally, Peter Brookes (Cybercast News) examines Hezbollah's slow-motion coup attempt in Lebanon.

More on Communist China and the rest of the world: Simone Elegant (Time) examines why the cadres' expanding ties in Africa are good for the continent's leaders, but not so good for ordinary Africans. Caoan Jushi tells Sound of Hope Radio via Epoch Times why Communist China's $1 trillion in foreign reserves is more a sign of weakness than strength.

On the Taiwan scandal: The Democratic Progressive Party is standing by embattled President Chen Shui-bian (BBC) in the face of the allegations against his wife and himself (tenth item). Meanwhile, Edward Cody (Washington Post) examines the damage done.

Election Day

Well, today is election day, and since two endorsees are on my ballot, I'm spending the day helping them win. As I write this, the voting booths are open across the nation. So, please vote for these candidates today.