The Free Tibet Thread

[BlaRo]

I'll be in Tibet in a day or so, and I thought this would be a good time to bring up the Tibetian Independence Movement. I admit I don't know much/anything about it, so I was wondering what you fellow members knew about it. Arguments for freeing Tibet? Arguments against? No flaming please, I just want to ask.

Also, Chinese Internet is heavily censored against topics like this, which is pathetic. If China wants to be taken seriously as a world superpower which they're trying desperately to succeed, then they ought to lift this ban and face the music.

[Ultra_Kool_Dude]

I don't know much about it either. Maybe I'm too cynical, but I think it's one of those minor causes that hippies take up so they can feel self-righteous, even though they have no real effect (along with global warming and animal rights).

[Viper007Bond]

As usual, Wikipedia knows all: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Tibet

[Firecat]

Originally Posted by Ultra_Kool_Dude

I don't know much about it either. Maybe I'm too cynical, but I think it's one of those minor causes that hippies take up so they can feel self-righteous, even though they have no real effect (along with global warming and animal rights).

lol....it's something to put on a t-shirt.

I don't know about Freeing Tibet...but I say, Free Mumia!

[hanasand]

Please please change your sig firecat, my keyboard is going to be destroyed soon as
I almost vomit everytime I look at that sig of yours

[Firecat]

Do you have something against bearded men?!? I don't think viper will tolerate that kind of intolerance.....

[BlaRo]

Originally Posted by Viper007Bond

As usual, Wikipedia knows all: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Tibet

Wikipedia is blocked in China precisely because it mentions that cause.

I looked at the article on Answers.com，but it showed the government‘s views more than the Tibetians’ views. That‘s why I asked here.

I hope they don‘t come after me now...

[budzi]

Originally Posted by BlaRo

Wikipedia is blocked in China precisely because it mentions that cause。

I looked at the article on Answers。com，but it showed the government‘s views more than the Tibetians’ views。 That‘s why I asked here。

Ｉhope they don‘t come after me now。。。 ：unsure：

China is very agressive when foreigners talk about Tibet or Taiwan

On football (soccer) game has been banned in China, because it said Tibet was an independant country

[BlaRo]

I've been thinking about this some more, to the dismay of the Chinese government.

What I know so far is: Tibet was a self-governing region until the Mongols invaded it along with the rest of China. When they left, China took over Tibet until the 1920's, when Tibet became self-ruling again. After WWII, the PRC went into Tibet and took it over in 1959, killing a lot of people in the process. And it's been that way ever since.

If I'm wrong, feel free to correct me.

The thing is, though, is that before 1959, Tibet was with the Dalai Lama and under the feudal system, with serfs and landowners who were oppressive towards them and their slaves. After the PRC came in, they abolished the feudal system and freed the serfs. Maybe I've been reading too much propaganda, but the PRC claims all kinds of statistics, like how miscarriages have gone down and life expectancies have gone up.

The people who are with the Independence Movement say that China is transforming Tibet into a Disney-like tourist state, and after seeing armies of tourist buses with rich tourists I can see where they're getting at. Yet the PRC claim to be helping the economy, by building more and more homes, bridges, and the recently opened railway that the Free Tibet people say is helping transform Tibet into Disneyland.

So. Have the PRC actually improved Tibet, or are they oppressing the people? Is freeing Tibet a legitimate cause, or is it just another overblown movement by elitist wannabes desperate to join/start a revolution, any revolution? Your thoughts?

[FATMOUSE]

Originally Posted by hanasand

Please please change your sig firecat, my keyboard is going to be destroyed soon as
I almost vomit everytime I look at that sig of yours

Adblock on Firefox pwns.

[BlaRo]

So nobody here cares at all? Why do I even bother?

[geoff_a_pult]

It's one of those causes that aren't really worth debating-
Yes it is wrong that China took over Tibet, yes it is terrible what is happening there.
No, it' not worth what would be needed to make China give it up (war, which we have enough of right now), and no it isn't one of the most pressing issues in the world right now, or even the most pressing of opressions.

It might seem much more important and relevent in China, but right now I am more worried about how to stop Bush from invading another Middle East country for no reason or how to stop Israel and Lebanon from destroying each other.

[zenkidori]

Originally Posted by BlaRo

So nobody here cares at all? Why do I even bother?

I do, but I don't check this section often anymore, every discussion devolves into a flame war and there is really no point.

[王珏寅]

“It is unfortunate that despite my sincere efforts not to separate Tibet from China, the leaders of the P.R.C. continue to accuse me of being a ‘separatist,’“ the Dalai Lama said, referring to the People’s Republic of China.

Why did Hu Jintao have the protest out of control?So many Hui and Han killed, to show the "Dalai Lama's cruelty"?

The CCP dare not talk with the Dalai Lama,for that will incur attention on the autarchic system!

[Blind_Io]

Originally Posted by BlaRo

So nobody here cares at all? Why do I even bother?

1) There is nothing I can do to change the situation one way or another
2) It has no direct effect on me
3) I'm tired of seeing "Free Tibet!" on the back of smoky old VW vans and rusting Volvo 240s.
4) Did I mention there is nothing I can do to change it?

I'm not going to work myself up over every social and political injustice - the world is full of them, get used to it, live your life the best you can.

In other words, welcome to life - it can such at times, that's why it's called life.

[hansvonaxion]

Originally Posted by BlaRo

Maybe I've been reading too much propaganda, but the PRC claims all kinds of statistics, like how miscarriages have gone down and life expectancies have gone up.

You believe statistics published by the Chinese Gov that support their argument/position? Life expectancies were lowered for those killed/executed.

Originally Posted by BlaRo

The people who are with the Independence Movement say that China is transforming Tibet into a Disney-like tourist state, and after seeing armies of tourist buses with rich tourists I can see where they're getting at. Yet the PRC claim to be helping the economy, by building more and more homes, bridges, and the recently opened railway that the Free Tibet people say is helping transform Tibet into Disneyland.

If things are improving so much, why is the independence movement so strong that people are willing to sacrifice their lives? Another point about the railway I heard was that its a way to (forcefully?) emigrate Chinese people to the region and further weaken the Tibetan culture.

Originally Posted by BlaRo

So. Have the PRC actually improved Tibet, or are they oppressing the people? Is freeing Tibet a legitimate cause, or is it just another overblown movement by elitist wannabes desperate to join/start a revolution, any revolution? Your thoughts?

I'm certainly no expert and have no idea whether things have improved or degraded, but when people fight for their freedom/independence and are willing to give up their lives I can only assume that they have good reason. If things really are that much better then China should have no problem allowing a referendum on the issue.

[Viper007Bond]

Guys, 2 year old thread...

[hansvonaxion]

Damn Tibetans! Resurrecting old threads is just going too far!

[KaJuN]

Free Tibet? Where can I get mine??

[Hidden_Hunter]

Even though it's a 2 year old thread i'll throw my 2c in

Personally I don't know enough about what it's like over there, causes etc and I suspect the vast majority of protestors don't either because hey it's "cool" to protest