Rights Issue Looms as Bush Heads to China

[saltwn]

With President Bush set to leave next week for the Olympics in Beijing, the White House is coming under increased pressure from lawmakers and advocacy groups to make a public statement of concern about the crackdown on human rights and freedom in China.

White House aides said it is likely that Bush, who has focused considerable attention to the cause of Chinese religious freedom, will worship at a church in Beijing during his trip, but they say the rest of his schedule remains in flux. What the president will do or say in Beijing is the subject of considerable debate within the administration, several officials said, but they expressed doubt that Bush would do much to embarrass the Chinese leadership during an event it considers something of a coming-out party for China as a world power. washingtonpost.com

How 'bout this one, President Bush. Don't go. That'll make a statement.
Whoops! Can't do that cause we owe them tons of money!
Count me tuned out.

[Mikeyy]

I disagree, You don't bring folks in to the light by isolating them. And it is about the athletes. Its not their fault people want to play politics with the games. And lastly, Who said sending Bush was a sign of respect. He will no doubt do something stupid. Like do a dance or give someone a back rub. Or start giving people nicknames and stuff. Its actually like sending Chevy Chase.

Besides, Have you ever wondered what Bush does all day? I mean seriously. Weeks go by without him doing anything important that I'm aware of. Probably just biking anyway.

[Michael1]

Originally Posted by Mikeyy

I disagree, You don't bring folks in to the light by isolating them. And it is about the athletes. Its not their fault people want to play politics with the games. And lastly, Who said sending Bush was a sign of respect. He will no doubt do something stupid. Like do a dance or give someone a back rub. Or start giving people nicknames and stuff. Its actually like sending Chevy Chase.

Besides, Have you ever wondered what Bush does all day? I mean seriously. Weeks go by without him doing anything important that I'm aware of. Probably just biking anyway.

Bush bashing really isn't constructive, or all that funny anymore, and the reason you don't know what he does all day is because the media is busy licking some Barackstar's balls.

I think the President should most certainly go and should give a strong speech that condemns the Chinese government ala Reagan in Berlin. Sure, acknowledge their gains but most certainly point out their lack of freedoms and environmental irresponsibility. There's no need to sugar coat because we need to be pissing of their government officials...

[Mikeyy]

Originally Posted by Michael1

Bush bashing really isn't constructive, or all that funny anymore, and the reason you don't know what he does all day is because the media is busy licking some Barackstar's balls.

I think the President should most certainly go and should give a strong speech that condemns the Chinese government ala Reagan in Berlin. Sure, acknowledge their gains but most certainly point out their lack of freedoms and environmental irresponsibility. There's no need to sugar coat because we need to be pissing of their government officials...

Why can't it just be about the athletes? They train all their lives just to have politicians rain on their parade. Give em a break and Lets do politics the other 50 weeks of the year. I'm going to China in September. I'll tell them their bad when I get there.

[Michael1]

Originally Posted by Mikeyy

Why can't it just be about the athletes? They train all their lives just to have politicians rain on their parade. Give em a break and Lets do politics the other 50 weeks of the year. I'm going to China in September. I'll tell them their bad when I get there.

The Olympics has never been just about the athletes. They wouldn't be getting rid of sports Americans are dominant in if it was just about the athletes.

[Mikeyy]

Originally Posted by Michael1

The Olympics has never been just about the athletes. They wouldn't be getting rid of sports Americans are dominant in if it was just about the athletes.

When you say its always been about politics. What you mean is that politicians have always used the olympics. You don't train because you want o give a platform to a politician. Bush should go and cheer on Americas team. Thats all. Or the next time he gives a state of the union speech they should allow the athletes in to do floor exercises while he talks.

Might be more entertaining.

[foundit66]

Originally Posted by saltwn

How 'bout this one, President Bush. Don't go. That'll make a statement.
Whoops! Can't do that cause we owe them tons of money!
Count me tuned out.

Reason #6F8A on why the sky-rocketing deficit is something we should be concerned with.

If somebody had talked about a communist country owning $502 billion from the U.S. during the Cold War, the response would have been deafening.
But we do it today, and people ignore the problem...

A traditional defense of the national debt is that Americans "owe the debt to ourselves", but that is increasingly not true. The US debt in the hands of foreign governments is 25% of the total[24], virtually double the 1988 figure of 13%.[25] Despite the declining willingness of foreign investors to continue investing in US-dollar–denominated instruments as the US Dollar has fallen in 2007,[26] the U.S. Treasury statistics indicate that, at the end of 2006, foreigners held 44% of federal debt held by the public.[27] About 66% of that 44% was held by the central banks of other countries, in particular the central banks of Japan and China. In total, lenders from Japan and China held 47% of the foreign-owned debt.[28] This exposure to potential financial or political risk should foreign banks stop buying Treasury securities or start selling them heavily was addressed in a recent report issued by the Bank of International Settlements which stated, "'Foreign investors in U.S. dollar assets have seen big losses measured in dollars, and still bigger ones measured in their own currency. While unlikely, indeed highly improbable for public sector investors, a sudden rush for the exits cannot be ruled out completely." [29]

In 2006, the central banks of Italy, Russia, Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates announced they would reduce their dollar holdings slightly, with Sweden moving from a 90% dollar-based foreign reserve to 85%. [30] On May 20, 2007, Kuwait discontinued pegging its currency exclusively to the dollar, preferring to use the dollar in a basket of currencies.[31] Syria made a similar announcement on June 4, 2007.[32]

United States public debt - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Giving them political clout, and putting us at economic risk.
Just in time for the 2008 Olympics, and the current U.S. financial crisis.

[foundit66]

Originally Posted by Michael1

Bush bashing really isn't constructive, or all that funny anymore, and the reason you don't know what he does all day is because the media is busy licking some Barackstar's balls.

Yeah.
Bashing "Barackstar" is so much more fashionable these days, and all those people who complained about "Bush bashing" are showing their true colors...

But back to substance, what IS Bush actually doing that is worthy of attention?
I asked earlier regarding people's complaints that McCain wasn't getting enough attention, and the silence on the response was deafening.

Are these complaints worth nothing more than just a sound-bite?

[Michael1]

Originally Posted by foundit66

Yeah.
Bashing "Barackstar" is so much more fashionable these days, and all those people who complained about "Bush bashing" are showing their true colors...

But back to substance, what IS Bush actually doing that is worthy of attention?
I asked earlier regarding people's complaints that McCain wasn't getting enough attention, and the silence on the response was deafening.

Are these complaints worth nothing more than just a sound-bite?

No, no one bashes Obama nearly to the degree the lefties bash Bush.

Besides, you miss the point entirely.

Bush is doing what Presidents do. Trust me, you can't be in that office and just kind of slack off. I believe that even Bubba was busy most of the time, though we know he certainly had other priorities during his time in the Oval office.

The point is the media covers what it wants to cover, and that is currently the assumed coronation of Obamasiah. They're school girl giddy over him. McCain very recently travelled much more extensively than the next coming, but got much less press. Just admit the truth and get over it.

Ask yourself what Obama is doing differently that deserves more attention than McCain and you'll realize that the answer is absolutely nothing.

He's just busy telling us that McCain is going to use race against him .

[foundit66]

Originally Posted by Michael1

No, no one bashes Obama nearly to the degree the lefties bash Bush.

Yeah.
And Fox News is "fair and balanced"...
And the whole "Obama is a Muslim" / "Terrorist fist jab" / "Obama is a racist" / ...
Obama has had to dedicate a web-site to dealing with this inane crap!
Fight the Smears | Fight the Smears Home

I get about 1-2 anti-Obama smears in my spam-box a week.
I don't think I have EVER gotten anything for Bush.

Originally Posted by Michael1

Bush is doing what Presidents do. Trust me, you can't be in that office and just kind of slack off.

Yeah. You can.
Look at Bush's first year and his records in "time taken off".
Hard truth be told, if it hadn't been for 9/11, he wouldn't have had a second term.

Originally Posted by Michael1

I believe that even Bubba was busy most of the time, though we know he certainly had other priorities during his time in the Oval office.

Silly me.
Of course we need to revive Clinton bashing.
But wait! I'm betting Clinton was never "bashed" like poor ol' Bush is, right?

Originally Posted by Michael1

The point is the media covers what it wants to cover, and that is currently the assumed coronation of Obamasiah.

And of course, my question never got answered...

WHAT is McCain doing lately that warrants news?
WHAT is Bush doing lately that warrants news?

And let me toss a third question onto the pile...
WHAT is Obama getting coverage on that does NOT warrant news?

Geez. There is a thread around here that complains that a SOLITARY HECKLER in Jerusalem didn't get news coverage.
And then people turn around and complain that the news covers Obama TOO much...

If you guys could only objectively see how you chase your tail to try to slam Obama on anything you can....

Originally Posted by Michael1

McCain very recently travelled much more extensively than the next coming, but got much less press. Just admit the ruth and get over it.

"much more extensively"???
WHERE???

He travelled to a grocery store to lament rising grocery prices.
He travelled to see Bush Sr., and THAT got coverage.

Obama travels to visit foreign REAL elected officials (who are in office), and you lament that he's getting too much coverage.
Stop asking for truth and give me the REAL ISSUES. Not just vague allegations and boring name-slurs that amuse nobody but anti-Obama-ites...

Originally Posted by Michael1

Ask yourself what Obama is doing differently that deserves more attention than McCain and you'll realize that the answer is absolutely nothing.

I can't help but wonder if you are just flapping your gums to hear yourself talk.
Obama went overseas. He talked in Germany to 200,000 people.
What the heck has McCain done lately that compares to that???

Originally Posted by Michael1

He's just busy telling us that McCain is going to use race against him .

How many weeks ago was that????
You having to dig that far back for a complaint kind of proves my point FOR me...