[compound w]

I’ve been in China since mid-June. Even party members tell me that “Communist” is now just a brand name. China is more capitalistic than Britain, Canada, or just about any other major democracy.

I read with amazement the other day the main op-ed piece in one of China’s government newspapers. The writer stated that the people of China must have the right to engage in civil disobedience as long as they don’t try to overthrow the government.

This is not the China of 20 years ago. Satellite dishes are everywhere and they’re pulling in uncensored TV from Taiwan and other democracies. One party member told me, “Thank God for America bringing capitalism to China.”

Clearly the government still holds great authoritarian control, but the point has come where so many freedom “genies” can’t be put back in the lamp.

[ImphClinton]

What I would expect from someone living there.

Repeat the party line.

P. S. Did you sell your first born? How did you afford the tax for your second child you kept? Or are you childless as your government nearly forces.

P. P. S. Enjoy it now the Olympics will be over soon enough then protesters will once again be shot and the internet heavily censored once again.

[MrB]

Show me a public assembly criticizing the gov’t without being run over by tanks, and I’ll start to believe you.

[Zhang Fei]

Satellite dishes are everywhere

That I haven't seen. I've heard that people caught with these things will have their dishes confiscated and incur heavy fines.

[Hot Tabasco]

Even party members tell me that “Communist” is now just a brand name. China is more capitalistic than Britain, Canada, or just about any other major democracy.

Why yes, and Christianity is spreading like wildfire, right? Party Members are now free practicing Catholics, Lutherans and Baptists, right?

Families are now free to raise as many children as they wish, right?

If government control of all major industries is "capitalistic" then I guess you're right.

Just because a "Party Member" tells you communism is no longer existant in China is like Nancy Pelosi telling you that she is not a Democrat but rather a Moderate Republican who filled a vacancy on the Democrat ticket..........

(SDS) Students for a Democratic Society: Ask any of them, they'll tell you they are not marxists.

The Weathermen Underground Organization: Ask any of them, they'll tell you they were not marxists.

A.N.S.W.E.R. (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism): Ask any of them and they'll tell you they are not marxists but just a bunch of Americans wanting to end the war........

[PA Engineer]

Clearly the government still holds great authoritarian control, but the point has come where so many freedom “genies” can’t be put back in the lamp.

That was exactly my impression after my last visit. I told my Chinese hosts this as we were leaving. That left them with a big smile and nodding in agreement. I was very comfortable (except for navigating some of the crowds while visiting Shanghai) and found the Chinese to be great hosts, wanting to learn and willing to clear up misconceptions they have about the west. I wish I could say the same about some of the clueless posters on this board.

To say that that opportunity is growing in China while it is beginning to die in the west would be an understatement and only understood by those who have been there recently.

While the surviving frogs have jumped out of the hot pot in China, ours are becoming comfortable with the warmth provided by their government.

[Rebelbase]

“Clearly the government still holds great authoritarian control, but the point has come where so many freedom “genies” can’t be put back in the lamp.”

The Tibetans would beg to differ.

[editor-surveyor]

" but the point has come where so many freedom “genies” can’t be put back in the lamp"

But a .50 cal machine gun does a pretty good job of putting them in a coffin.