Thursday, February 17, 2011

China's Intellectual Autarchy Imperilled

Massive revolution is spreading across the Middle East, with two dictatorial "presidents" fleeing from power at the powerful, forceful impulses of people power. It is wonderful to see the cracks in the technological tyranny of the "People's" Republic of China.

Modern technology has made it even harder for repressive regimes to prevent international controversies and revolutions from being heard within their borders. The world witnessed nearly two years ago as protesters young and old took to the streets in Tehran. The Ayatollah and Ahmedinejad could not trap any communication from the individual protesters, who cryed out against the fraudulent reelection of the current President of the increasingly Modern-Day Persia.

Who could forget the death of that poor young woman, Neda Agha-Soltani, whose image was reproduced like the Presidential Poster for then-Candidate Obama? The striking red, white, and blue, encaptioned with her name below, appealed to the world. With one look at that dying gaze, no viewer could deny the personal and passionate impulse surging through the protesters in those daring June days. An impersonal news crawl became an emotional appeal. This revolution entered into the daily lives of many and impacted us far more than any newspaper headline.

A ruthless dictatorial regime still officially espousing the soul-killing doctrine of Communism, China must have a lot to worry about. The people power of two nations, Tunisia and Egypt, has brought down their wicked and callous leaders. Uprisings throughout the Middle East suggest that more autocratic and traditional leaders are also in danger of losing their power. China could be next. Yet no matter how hard the Chinese propaganda machine tries to supress the political nature of the Middle Eastern protests, it is becoming increasingly clear that China's authoritarian days are numbered. As one Chinese dissident quipped, "Today, we are all Egyptians." One could very well attribute this desire for freedom on the part of every human being, whether in the Americas, Africa, or the Middle East. It appeals to everyone, even those persecuted in the Far East.

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