As these Olympics wind down, I think China did a pretty good job. I mean, aside from the totally illegal underage gymnasts, letting an American get murdered, denying all requests for protests, the excessive smog and preventing journalists from full internet access (even though China said they'd get full access), it's gone pretty smoothly, hasn't it?But, you know China. They just can't help themselves when it comes to making comically hilarious human rights violations.
Yesterday, Chinese police brought the smack down on two women who dared protest the fact that their homes had been torn down to create Olympic venues. Oh, by the way, these women are super old and feeble beyond belief.
The two women, both in their late 70s, have never spoken out against China’s authoritarian government. Both walk with the help of a cane, and Ms. Wang is blind in one eye. Their grievance, receiving insufficient compensation when their homes were seized for redevelopment, is perhaps the most common complaint among Chinese displaced during the country’s long streak of fast economic growth.
But the Beijing police still sentenced the two women to an extrajudicial term of “re-education through labor” this week for applying to hold a legal protest in a designated area in Beijing, where officials promised that Chinese could hold demonstrations during the Olympic Games.
But the Beijing police still sentenced the two women to an extrajudicial term of “re-education through labor” this week for applying to hold a legal protest in a designated area in Beijing, where officials promised that Chinese could hold demonstrations during the Olympic Games.
The two are definitely huge troublemakers. I mean, what blind in one eye late-70-year-old woman isn't? By the way, I could be wrong, but I believe "re-education through labor" is Chinese for "death by firing squad."
This is just the 4,378th reason why the Olympic Games never should have been held in China. Naturally, the International Olympic Committee, who approved of China hosting the Games, is furious. Wait, just kidding, of course they're not.
Instead, IOC chairman Jacques Rogge is spending his time criticizing Usain Bolt for breaking out into celebration before Bolt crossed the finish line in the 100m dash. Because if ANYONE should be criticized during these Games, it's Bolt.
Glad to see you've got your priorities straight Mr. Rogge. The international community couldn't be more proud of you.
Too old and frail to Re-educate? Not in China. [New York Times]
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