Comments on: Free Tibet http://www.margaretcho.com/blog/2008/03/14/free-tibet.html Thu, 7 Aug 2008 20:08:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Mitch http://www.margaretcho.com/blog/2008/03/14/free-tibet.html#comment-1720 Mitch Fri, 04 Apr 2008 06:54:13 +0000 http://www.margaretcho.com/blog/2008/03/14/free-tibet.html#comment-1720 I'm SO glad you posted this because, as a gay American living and working in China for six years, I have been affected by this whole situation and believe it has been blown up by every side of the media. It's like a volleyball match, in my opinion. The Chinese media/government is quite desperately trying to quell the problem but all I hear from outside sources is completely the opposite. Recently I brought up the Tibet riots and the Dalai Lama with co-workers and much to my surprise, one of the girls said, in English, "Oh, yes, he's a bad man." It has really opened my eyes to some views about the big picture. But why is it that we don't hear so much about the condition from Tibetans who actually live there??? I don't give a shit about Nancy Pelosi's intentions, although I'm impressed with her rise to power. Anyway, I think it's wonderful that some peeps on the Net can express their feelings about such a sensitive issue and still be untouched by the Chinese censorship-machine! You are my ultimate hero, Margaret! Keep bringing it!!!!! I’m SO glad you posted this because, as a gay American living and working in China for six years, I have been affected by this whole situation and believe it has been blown up by every side of the media. It’s like a volleyball match, in my opinion. The Chinese media/government is quite desperately trying to quell the problem but all I hear from outside sources is completely the opposite.
Recently I brought up the Tibet riots and the Dalai Lama with co-workers and much to my surprise, one of the girls said, in English, “Oh, yes, he’s a bad man.” It has really opened my eyes to some views about the big picture.
But why is it that we don’t hear so much about the condition from Tibetans who actually live there??? I don’t give a shit about Nancy Pelosi’s intentions, although I’m impressed with her rise to power.
Anyway, I think it’s wonderful that some peeps on the Net can express their feelings about such a sensitive issue and still be untouched by the Chinese censorship-machine!
You are my ultimate hero, Margaret! Keep bringing it!!!!!

]]> By: Margaret Cho Blog » Blog Archive » When I Think of Tibet http://www.margaretcho.com/blog/2008/03/14/free-tibet.html#comment-1663 Margaret Cho Blog » Blog Archive » When I Think of Tibet Sat, 29 Mar 2008 01:37:20 +0000 http://www.margaretcho.com/blog/2008/03/14/free-tibet.html#comment-1663 [...] the weeks go by and tensions and violence escalate in Tibet, it makes me more and more anxious. Tibet is a beautiful, mysterious country. I visited many years [...] […] the weeks go by and tensions and violence escalate in Tibet, it makes me more and more anxious. Tibet is a beautiful, mysterious country. I visited many years […]

]]> By: heart in san francisco http://www.margaretcho.com/blog/2008/03/14/free-tibet.html#comment-1297 heart in san francisco Tue, 18 Mar 2008 02:32:32 +0000 http://www.margaretcho.com/blog/2008/03/14/free-tibet.html#comment-1297 Ajaz, with apologies to Margaret, Where in my comment did I say that I wanted Tibetan people to die, and where in your diatribe against the Dalai Lama did you say that you didn't? I'm not sure what Tiananmen Square has to do with it, but I equate that shameful incident with the Kent State shootings in my own country. Does that make me prejudiced against Americans, Ms-whosit? Ajaz (again,) I would absolutely agree that peacefully persuading China to let Tibet be would be preferable, but in 49 years that has not happened. All attempts to bring this about have failed and brought retribution on the Tibetans, who continue to live as prisoners in their own land. Understandably they are a bit perturbed by now. Ms-whosit, I have no prejudice against the Chinese, but I take a dim view of the way they overran Tibet in 1959 and have continued to oppress the Tibetan people. If there is a way to separate China from the Tibet issue, I would very much like to hear it. Ajaz, with apologies to Margaret,

Where in my comment did I say that I wanted Tibetan people to die, and where in your diatribe against the Dalai Lama did you say that you didn’t?

I’m not sure what Tiananmen Square has to do with it, but I equate that shameful incident with the Kent State shootings in my own country. Does that make me prejudiced against Americans, Ms-whosit?

Ajaz (again,) I would absolutely agree that peacefully persuading China to let Tibet be would be preferable, but in 49 years that has not happened. All attempts to bring this about have failed and brought retribution on the Tibetans, who continue to live as prisoners in their own land. Understandably they are a bit perturbed by now.

Ms-whosit,

I have no prejudice against the Chinese, but I take a dim view of the way they overran Tibet in 1959 and have continued to oppress the Tibetan people.

If there is a way to separate China from the Tibet issue, I would very much like to hear it.

]]> By: Ajaz http://www.margaretcho.com/blog/2008/03/14/free-tibet.html#comment-1263 Ajaz Mon, 17 Mar 2008 02:27:49 +0000 http://www.margaretcho.com/blog/2008/03/14/free-tibet.html#comment-1263 right on ms-whosit right on ms-whosit

]]> By: ms-whosit http://www.margaretcho.com/blog/2008/03/14/free-tibet.html#comment-1260 ms-whosit Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:24:13 +0000 http://www.margaretcho.com/blog/2008/03/14/free-tibet.html#comment-1260 NancyG, your remark ("toxic dog food") is creepy and racist. Why has no one else here called her on it? Ditto to heart in san fancisco ("..instead of basing his views on Chinese fortune cookies"). If you have some prejudice against Chinese people, please deal with that yourself. Don't use the Tibet issue to give voice to it. NancyG, your remark (”toxic dog food”) is creepy and racist. Why has no one else here called her on it? Ditto to heart in san fancisco (”..instead of basing his views on Chinese fortune cookies”). If you have some prejudice against Chinese people, please deal with that yourself. Don’t use the Tibet issue to give voice to it.

]]> By: Ajaz http://www.margaretcho.com/blog/2008/03/14/free-tibet.html#comment-1259 Ajaz Sun, 16 Mar 2008 23:05:26 +0000 http://www.margaretcho.com/blog/2008/03/14/free-tibet.html#comment-1259 heart in san francisco you fail to get my point. remember tianamin square, people died for what? and now you want tibetans to die. isn't it better that china is persuaded peacefully to allow tibetans their freedom rather than some stupid people igniting tibetans to more harm. i am a pragmatist not an idealist. heart in san francisco
you fail to get my point. remember tianamin square, people died for what? and now you want tibetans to die. isn’t it better that china is persuaded peacefully to allow tibetans their freedom rather than some stupid people igniting tibetans to more harm. i am a pragmatist not an idealist.

]]> By: heart in san francisco http://www.margaretcho.com/blog/2008/03/14/free-tibet.html#comment-1258 heart in san francisco Sun, 16 Mar 2008 22:09:35 +0000 http://www.margaretcho.com/blog/2008/03/14/free-tibet.html#comment-1258 Ajaz needs to read some history books instead of basing his views on Chinese fortune cookies. If the Dalai Lama attempted to return to Tibet, he would be assassinated on the spot. He does his people more good by traveling the world and making people in other countries aware of their sad plight under Chinese rule. Can you say o-p-p-r-e-s-s-e-d, Ajaz? I knew you could. Ajaz needs to read some history books instead of basing his views on Chinese fortune cookies.

If the Dalai Lama attempted to return to Tibet, he would be assassinated on the spot. He does his people more good by traveling the world and making people in other countries aware of their sad plight under Chinese rule.

Can you say o-p-p-r-e-s-s-e-d, Ajaz? I knew you could.

]]> By: Crystal http://www.margaretcho.com/blog/2008/03/14/free-tibet.html#comment-1254 Crystal Sun, 16 Mar 2008 21:46:16 +0000 http://www.margaretcho.com/blog/2008/03/14/free-tibet.html#comment-1254 Margaret - Thank you so much for posting this blog. It's so refreshing to hear from someone who has actually set foot in Tibet and knows from experience what happens there. Just thought I'd try to add some clarification for a certain commenter: Before China came into Tibet, the Dalai Lama was THE political head of tibet. To be the Dalai Lama meant you were both a politician, and the leader/most enlightened being of Tibetan Buddhism. Irony being that he'd both be a monk and without a doubt the richest of all Tibetans. This was not a position that he chose, but rather one that what you'd call "religious leaders" bestowed upon him. He was nothing but the son of a poor farmer at that point prior to them "discovering" him. It was when he was still a young and inexperienced leader that China became interested in Tibet. When it became clear that General Mao and the Chinese interest was not in preserving Tibetan culture, the Lama (not having an "army" of his own) reached out to America and other countries asking for help. The bottom line was that America (nor any of the other western countries he contacted) had nothing to gain by "going to war" with China. With Tibet having little protection, the Chinese took total control of Tibet and its people, and the Lama had to seek refuge in India (along with other Tibetans). All of his wealth and possessions were gone at this point! It wasn't until he won the nobel prize and the award money came in that he had any type of "wealth" what so ever, but he turned around and donated it all to charity. At that point in his life he was living off the equivalent of $10 a day. Now, I'm sure he does have money coming in from books, etc, but he has always spoken out against personal wealth and for charity. Sure he stays in hotels (ever think that possibly whoever is sponsoring an event that he's speaking at might be picking up the bill???), but ultimately he lives a very modest life. I really don't see how anyone could interpret his lifestyle as being anything grand. Maybe you've been looking at Google or Yahoo China, where EVERY LINK to a pro Lama site is not even listed?!? That's right people, censorship at it's best! But, enough about blaming someone, or who's hurting who... bottom line is that the Dalai Lama has always had the interest of both the Tibetans and Chinese at heart...he has always spoken out against violence and people wishing ill upon the Chinese. He doesn't blame them for what Mao did to him many years ago. We shouldn't either. We should hope for peace for all of the parties involved, and hope that one day Tibetans will be free again. "First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win." - Mahatma Gandhi (one of the Lama's personal heroes) Margaret - Thank you so much for posting this blog. It’s so refreshing to hear from someone who has actually set foot in Tibet and knows from experience what happens there. Just thought I’d try to add some clarification for a certain commenter:
Before China came into Tibet, the Dalai Lama was THE political head of tibet. To be the Dalai Lama meant you were both a politician, and the leader/most enlightened being of Tibetan Buddhism. Irony being that he’d both be a monk and without a doubt the richest of all Tibetans. This was not a position that he chose, but rather one that what you’d call “religious leaders” bestowed upon him. He was nothing but the son of a poor farmer at that point prior to them “discovering” him. It was when he was still a young and inexperienced leader that China became interested in Tibet. When it became clear that General Mao and the Chinese interest was not in preserving Tibetan culture, the Lama (not having an “army” of his own) reached out to America and other countries asking for help. The bottom line was that America (nor any of the other western countries he contacted) had nothing to gain by “going to war” with China. With Tibet having little protection, the Chinese took total control of Tibet and its people, and the Lama had to seek refuge in India (along with other Tibetans). All of his wealth and possessions were gone at this point! It wasn’t until he won the nobel prize and the award money came in that he had any type of “wealth” what so ever, but he turned around and donated it all to charity. At that point in his life he was living off the equivalent of $10 a day. Now, I’m sure he does have money coming in from books, etc, but he has always spoken out against personal wealth and for charity. Sure he stays in hotels (ever think that possibly whoever is sponsoring an event that he’s speaking at might be picking up the bill???), but ultimately he lives a very modest life. I really don’t see how anyone could interpret his lifestyle as being anything grand. Maybe you’ve been looking at Google or Yahoo China, where EVERY LINK to a pro Lama site is not even listed?!? That’s right people, censorship at it’s best! But, enough about blaming someone, or who’s hurting who… bottom line is that the Dalai Lama has always had the interest of both the Tibetans and Chinese at heart…he has always spoken out against violence and people wishing ill upon the Chinese. He doesn’t blame them for what Mao did to him many years ago. We shouldn’t either. We should hope for peace for all of the parties involved, and hope that one day Tibetans will be free again.

“First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win.” - Mahatma Gandhi (one of the Lama’s personal heroes)

]]> By: kate http://www.margaretcho.com/blog/2008/03/14/free-tibet.html#comment-1249 kate Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:47:13 +0000 http://www.margaretcho.com/blog/2008/03/14/free-tibet.html#comment-1249 . . . isn't that what most humans do when confronted with fore-thinking/visionary folks who threaten their way of life? ban them, kill them, attempt to erase any trace of their existence. i've been reading a lot of derrick jensen ( http://derrickjensen.org/) (you probably know all about his books, tho :) i'm pretty new to your blog (love your shows - seen them all on dvd, tv, etc.). glad to have found your writing, thoughts again . . . :) . . . isn’t that what most humans do when confronted with fore-thinking/visionary folks who threaten their way of life? ban them, kill them, attempt to erase any trace of their existence. i’ve been reading a lot of derrick jensen ( http://derrickjensen.org/) (you probably know all about his books, tho :) i’m pretty new to your blog (love your shows - seen them all on dvd, tv, etc.). glad to have found your writing, thoughts again . . . :)

]]> By: Ajaz http://www.margaretcho.com/blog/2008/03/14/free-tibet.html#comment-1243 Ajaz Sun, 16 Mar 2008 15:02:17 +0000 http://www.margaretcho.com/blog/2008/03/14/free-tibet.html#comment-1243 Red Mojo Budhism teaches simplicity and humbleness. Dalai Lama, a spiritual leader of Budhists has a lifestyle totally the opposite of that. He does not practise what he preaches. Red Mojo
Budhism teaches simplicity and humbleness. Dalai Lama, a spiritual leader of Budhists has a lifestyle totally the opposite of that. He does not practise what he preaches.

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