[Newsbot]

<strong>Filibuster Cartoon</strong>
<strong>Title: </strong> <a href="http://www.filibustercartoons.com/archive.php?id=20061120" target="_blank">Harper meets China</a> (click to view)
<strong>Date: </strong> November 20, 2006

Prime Minister Harper was in Vietnam this week, attending an APEC economic summit with the leaders of Asia and the Pacific. <br> <br>Controversy soon arose, however, when Harper openly declared that he planned to discuss human rights abuses with the Chinese president. This is something Canadian prime ministers rarely do, since Chinese trade is so important to Canada. Liberals in particular continue to hope that Chinese trade will eventually make Canada less trade dependent on the United States, so for years, the Liberal Party carefully cultivated a fawning relationship with the Chinese regime. When it comes to human rights, we don\'t ask and don\'t tell. <br> <br>Harper\'s decision to change course has resulted in a lot of criticism from establishment voices in Canada, such as the Liberals, business leaders, and newspaper editorial pages. They\'re all blasting him for rocking the boat and \"not understanding diplomacy.\" <br>

[Schizo]

It really is amazing how quickly the rights of others no longer matter when it earns you that kick-ass trade deal. China seems to the be the only place left that still evokes the old 1984 socialist government that Orwell was so afraid of, and yet no one seems to care either. I'm not exactly pro-conservative, but good for Harper for actually showing some cojones and getting ready to confront the biggest human rights abuser out there (and don't mention Sudan and Darfur - if it weren't for China, the UN would already BE there cleaning up that mess).

[Psudo]

I wish the USA would address Chinese human rights issues, too. Both major parties ignore the issue pretty much completely.

[Rhoffman]

As much as I wish we could do something about all this, the sad fact of the matter is that the entire world economy is completely dependent on China from a both consumer and producer standpoint. They're unfortunately too much of an influence for any real change to take place at any time in the immediate future, but I applaud Prime Minister Harper if he actually intends to do as he says.

..... and I just hate how Canadian Liberals can call themselves "liberals" when they're not just ignoring the China issue but actively protesting against any discussion on the matter.

[ridenrain]

Definately a hit with that one.

[Kjorteo]

Good one.

[Swarm]

That one hit the nail right on the head, didn't it.

It's all very well to say something should be done about Chinese human rights abuses, but just what can be done to stop them?

Addenum: That's wasn't sarcastic or rhetorical. How should our various governments act?

[andrewcool]

monsters having feeling too!

[Beldar2000]

Here's another good one, at MacKay Cartoons

Harper's Visit Conditions

[Tman1]

Harper, meet China

[ridenrain]

Tman1 : So what's you're point?
I normally think about piles of knockoff CD/DVD's being crushed by a tank, not because there fake but because the right person didn't get a bribe.

[Tman1]

I don't have a point (whatever made you think I did?) I posted that for fun.

[Indelible]

i suppose one could take that pic as meaning that if harper tries anything he'll be facing 6 million chinese armed to the teeth but everyone know's that's dumb and will never happen.

[Tman1]

They could but if they're smart, they wouldn't. I applaud Harper for his tough stance.

[Indelible]

yeah why start a world war over something as petty as human rights?