China Has Gall To Talk About US Human Rights

[RoadRash 0]

From the NYTimes

Quote

China Gives America a D

SINCE 1977, the United States State Department has issued an annual
global report card called the Country Reports on Human Rights
Practices.

The document has long been a thorn in the side of authoritarian
governments, including China's, which responds with a nettled review
of its own, called "The Human Rights Record of the United States,"
the 2004 version of which was recently released.

(It is available in English at:
http://english.people.com.cn/200503/03/eng20050303_175406.html)


China's assessment, unlike the sober State Department tome, is a
frank indictment and draws a picture of America that approaches
caricature. But that doesn't mean it won't buttress the negative
image of the United States held by its critics around the world.

Excerpts follow, with the document's grammatical and other errors
intact.

Life, Liberty and Security of Person

American society is characterized with rampant violent crimes, severe
infringement of people's rights by law enforcement departments and
lack of guarantee for people's rights to life, liberty and security
of person.

The United States has the biggest number of gun owners, and gun
violence has affected lots of innocent lives. About 31,000 Americans
are killed and 75,000 wounded by firearms each year, which means more
than 80 people are shot dead each day.

The United States characterizes itself as "a paradise for free
people," but the ratio of its citizens deprived of freedom has
remained among the highest.

According to statistics from the Department of Justice, the number of
inmates in the United States jumped from 320,000 in 1980 to two
million in 2000, a hike by six times. The number of convicted
offenders may total more than six million if parolees and
probationers are also counted.

Political Rights and Freedom

The United States claims to be "a paragon of democracy," but American
democracy is manipulated by the rich and malpractices are common.
Elections in the United States are in fact a contest of money. The
presidential and Congressional elections last year cost nearly $4
billion.

Campaign advertisement and political debates were full of distorted
facts, false information and lies.

Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Poverty, hunger and homelessness have haunted the world richest
country.

Upper middle- and upper-class families that constitute the top 10
percent of the income distribution are prospering while many among
the remaining 90 percent struggle to maintain their standard of
living. According to the statistics released by the United States
Census Bureau in 2004, the number of Americans in poverty has been
climbing for three years. It rose by 1.3 million year on year in 2003
to 35.9 million.

Racial Discrimination

Racial discrimination has been deeply rooted in the United States,
permeating into every aspects of society. The colored people are
generally poor, with living condition much worse than the white. The
death rate of illness, accident and murder among the black people is
twice that of the white. The rate of being victim of murders for the
black people is five times that of the white. The rate of being
affected by AIDS for the black people is ten times that of the whites
while the rate of being diagnosed by diabetes for the black people is
twice that of the whites.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission of the United States
received 29,000 complaints in 2003 of racial bias in the workplace

The Declaration of Independence said all men are created equal, so
the gap between black and white people is simply an insult to the
founding essence of the United States.

After the Sept. 11 incident, the United States openly restricts the
rights of citizens under the cloak of homeland security, and uses
diverse means including wire tapping of phone conversations and
secret investigations, checks on all secret files, and monitoring
transfers of fund and cash flows to supervise activities of its
citizens, in which, people of ethnic minority groups, foreigners and
immigrants become main victims.

The Rights of Women and Children

The situation of American women and children was disturbing. The
rates of women and children physically or sexually victimized were
high. According to F.B.I. Crime Statistics, in 2003 the United States
witnessed 93,233 cases of raping. The statistics also showed that
every two minutes one woman was sexually assaulted and every six
minutes one woman was raped.

Children were victims of sex crimes. Every year about 400,000
children in the U.S. were forced to engage in prostitution or other
sexual dealings on the streets.

In recent years scandals about clergymen molesting children kept
breaking out.

It is believed that from 1950 to 2002 more than 10,600 boys and girls
were sexually abused by nearly 4,400 clergymen.

The Human Rights of Foreign Nationals

In 2004, United States Army service people were reported to have
abused and insulted Iraqi prisoners of war, which stunned the whole
world. The United States forces were blamed for their fierce and
dirty treatments for these Iraqi P.O.W.'s. They made the P.O.W.'s
naked by force, masking their heads with underwear (even women's
underwear), locking up their necks with a belt, towing them over the
ground, letting military dogs bite them, beating them with a whip,
shocking them with electric batons, needling them sometimes and
putting chemical fluids containing phosphorus on their wounds.

The United States frequently commits wanton slaughters during
external invasions and military attacks. Spain's Uprising newspaper
on May 12, 2004, published a list of human rights infringement
incidents committed by the United States troops, quoting two
bloodthirsty sayings of two American generals, "The only good Indians
I ever saw were dead" by Gen. Philip Sheridan, and "we should bomb
Vietnam back to the Stone Age" by Air Force Gen. Curtis LeMay.

A survey on Iraqi civilian deaths, based on the natural death rate
before the war, estimates that the United States-led invasion might
have led to 100,000 more deaths in the country, with most victims
being women and children. In addition, the United States troops often
plunder Iraqi households when tracking down anti-United States
militants since the invasion. The American forces has so far
committed at least thousands of robberies and 90 percent of the
Iraqis that have been rummaged are innocent.

Despite tons of problems in its own human rights, the United States
continues to stick to its belligerent stance, wantonly trample on the
sovereignty of other countries and constantly stage tragedies of
human rights infringement in the world.

Instead of indulging itself in publishing the "human rights country
report" to censure other countries unreasonably, the United States
should reflect on its erroneous behavior on human rights and take its
own human rights problems seriously.

I'm sorry, this was just too damn funny to pass up.

~R+R...He made me do it!!!...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Fly the friendly skies...^_^...})ii({...^_~...

[jenfly00 0]

"the United States should reflect on its erroneous behavior on human rights and take its
own human rights problems seriously."

There is much merit to the last line of this article. Patriotic ferver should not blind us to our own actions.

Jen

-----------------------
"O brave new world that has such people in it".

[Kennedy 0]

You do realize this is China telling us about human rights short comings, yes?

If we get a D, what do they get, a Dennis Leary "Q" ?!?

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[mr2mk1g 10]

What about next time the US moans about someone else's human rights record and people all over the world say:

"You do realize this is the US telling them about human rights short comings, yes?"

That's not a particularly great boat to be in.

[gordy 0]

Well stated!

[SkyDekker 1,465]

Being Canadian I am certainly no expert, but are there any factual issues with the piece?

[markd_nscr986 0]

Hey Roadrash,

Next thing you know,some of our compadres here at SC (YOU know which ones) are going to be packing their bags and emigrating to the PRC

Marc SCR 6046 SCS 3004

[GTAVercetti 0]

Quote

You do realize this is China telling us about human rights short comings, yes?

If we get a D, what do they get, a Dennis Leary "Q" ?!?

It does not matter if it IS China saying it. She was saying that the last line, which states that America has problems and should fix them before trying to fix everyone else's, is a good idea.

I agree.

America may be a great country to many people but it does not negate the facts that we have many murders, plenty of poverty, and every growing incarcerations without any attempt at rehabilitation (many of which are for non-violent crimes).

I love living in the US, but to imply that we don't have problems just because it is China that points them out is ludicrous.

Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing.

[rickjump1 0]

I think this is what our trading partners really think of us. Got it off newsmax.com...............


[url]Sept. 11 Amuses Chinese Premier
Charles R. Smith
Thursday, April 25, 2002
Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji recently cracked a joke about the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.
Zhu told the joke to a captive audience of Asian executives during the April Bao business conference held on Hainan Island. Zhu's remarks came during a question-and-answer session with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

According to Zhu, "Japan bought many huge buildings in New York, but luckily they didn't buy the World Trade Center. If they had bought them, now the Japanese would be sadder than the Americans."

Zhu's joke was quickly followed by a long round of laughter and applause from the Asian businessmen. Ironically, Japan lost two citizens aboard one of the hijacked airplanes, and 24 Japanese citizens are still missing in the remains of the World Trade Center.

The remarks by Zhu underscore other events of Sept. 11 that received little or no coverage. On that fateful day a group of Chinese reporters were being given an official tour by the U.S. State Department. The Chinese reporters witnessed the terror attacks against the Twin Towers live on television along with several U.S. press members and their State Department guides.

Chinese Press Cheers Attack

According to several U.S. reporters, the Chinese journalists broke into cheers and applause when the second 767 struck the World Trade Center. Several Chinese journalists reportedly exchanged "high-fives" celebrating the successful attack on America.

The U.S. State Department guides, aware that the incident was now a major embarrassment, quickly shut down the TV set and hustled the Chinese journalists back to the PRC embassy.

The tension between Beijing and Washington may not be so obvious, but it still circulates beneath any official meetings. Chinese Vice President Hu Jintao is expected to visit Washington on Saturday. Hu plans to meet with President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.

What a time to kick us in the dirt.

Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts.

[Kennedy 0]

Quote

Being Canadian I am certainly no expert, but are there any factual issues with the piece?

Only that they call it factual.

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[SkyDekker 1,465]

Quote

Only that they call it factual.

okay, anybody care to enlighten people and refute their supposed facts?

[GTAVercetti 0]

Quote

Quote

Being Canadian I am certainly no expert, but are there any factual issues with the piece?

Only that they call it factual.

Actually check the US stats on crime, incarceration, poverty, and such and get back to us on how close what they say is to reality.

Here is just one example from the FBI crime release:

"An estimated 93,433 forcible rapes occurred in the Nation during 2003."

I see their numbers were just a little off. There may be a anti-USA slant for sure, but they got many of the numbers from our own government(ignoring the Iraqi stuff and opiniion stuff like racism -- which we know does exist anyway, in any country).

Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing.

[Kennedy 0]

Quote

Quote

Only that they call it factual.

okay, anybody care to enlighten people and refute their supposed facts?

What, you don't like it when people follow your example?

The entire thing is a joke.
First, they use total numbers, not any sort of per capita or other useful numbers.

Second, they provide no frame of reference (particularly if we could get our hands on their real numbers, instead of the "state news agency" BS).

Third, it sounds like they just quoted every type of meida whore, from NOW to the Brady Campaign to the NAACP.

Really, I could go line for line and dispute jusa bout everything in the report. Just look at their first point.

Quote

American society is characterized with rampant violent crimes, severe infringement of people's rights by law enforcement departments and lack of guarantee for people's rights to life, liberty and security of person.

Baaaaaaaaaaahh.

The USA has one of the lowest crime rates on the planet.
Our LEO's are some of the most restricted anywhere.
We have courts to redress greivances.
We have the First, Fourth, and Fifth amendments.

It only gets worse if you actually read their complaints.

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[SkyDekker 1,465]

you would be surprised to find out how many people outside of the US hold opinions similar to those expressed by the Chinese. Now I know most of the american population could care less, because you are baddest, sickest, strongest, best people out there and could kick everybody ass. However, it would seem that many of the stats are correct. Sometimes it does behoove one to deal with perception. As America's superpower status starts slipping in the future, that will become even more important.

[Kennedy 0]

Human Rights violations are hardly the same thing as an imperfect law enforcement.

If you really want a police force that can stop nearly all crimes, you're going to have to put up with some real human rights issues to get there.

Also, that number is not particularly high when compared around the globe (to places that put out honest numbers). You have to put it into perspective with a per capita ratio, otherwise it's just a big number meaant to scare the uninformed.

I'll be the first to say the the US has some serious issues. Our murder rate being near the top of my list.

However, rampant Human Rights violations is not one of them. This entire report is a complete joke. I'll not waste more time explaining why.

Anyone who can't understand why is beyond any explanation possible in a post, and anyone who wants to believe it will not be swayed by anything.

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[Kennedy 0]

Quote

you would be surprised to find out how many people outside of the US hold opinions similar to those expressed by the Chinese. Now I know most of the american population could care less, because you are baddest, sickest, strongest, best people out there and could kick everybody ass.

Nice strawman there. Too bad I never said anything remotely similar to that dumbed down, ignorant rant.

Quote

However, it would seem that many of the stats are correct. Sometimes it does behoove one to deal with perception. As America's superpower status starts slipping in the future, that will become even more important.

Even the stats that are correct do not show human rights violantions, and are not, in and of themselves, all that different from anywhere else.

As stated above, I'm done. Enjoy either learning or America bashing or whatever you plan on doing.

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[GTAVercetti 0]

Quote

Anyone who can't understand why is beyond any explanation possible in a post, and anyone who wants to believe it will not be swayed by anything.

In much the same way that you hold the opposite position?

But you are right...very few people will have their minds changed by an online forum. However, the wise thing to do is not to look at something like this and "Say, ahh fuck that, its China saying it. They suck" but to say, "We should do something about those numbers. We should fix ourselves before we fix everyone else."

Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing.

[Kennedy 0]

I agree. However, after getting over the laughing fit from seeing China giving anyone shit about human rights, I read the report and it was everythign I expected (grade A prime Bullshit).

I also think more effort should be put in at home before abroad. Again, just because we aren't perfect, doesn't mean we aren't working on it, or that we aren't improving. (we are)

Too bad those @#$%^&* can't say the same thing about their shit hole. Well, they can say it on their little pravda network, but that doesn't make it true.

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[SkyDekker 1,465]

Quote

Nice strawman there. Too bad I never said anything remotely similar to that dumbed down, ignorant rant.

Never said you did, though I have read many a comment like that on these forums. No need to be all defensive.

Quote

Even the stats that are correct do not show human rights violantions, and are not, in and of themselves, all that different from anywhere else.

That might be true. But the gist of the story is that before America tries to become the policeman of the world, they may want to look at themselves. That statement will sound true to many outside of the US. If you want to simply label that America Bashing, feel free to do so, but at some point perception does become reality.

[billvon 3,118]

Well, we lecture other countries about torture and WMD usage. Countries, like people, prefer to bitch about other countries than deal with problems in their own. It's ten times easier.

[justinb138 0]

Quote

That might be true. But the gist of the story is that before America tries to become the policeman of the world, they may want to look at themselves. That statement will sound true to many outside of the US. If you want to simply label that America Bashing, feel free to do so, but at some point perception does become reality.

I really wish the government would concentrate more on domestic issues as opposed to foreign ones as well.

However, I find it kind of funny that when the US gets involved in another part of the world, there is criticism for being "policemen of the world", yet when nothing is done there is criticism for not getting involved when people thought something should have been done.

[kallend 2,148]

Quote

You do realize this is China telling us about human rights short comings, yes?

If we get a D, what do they get, a Dennis Leary "Q" ?!?

Just because China gets an "F" does not in any way improve the USA's record. Can you point to the factual errors in the article, rather than attacking its authorship?

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[GTAVercetti 0]

Quote

Quote

You do realize this is China telling us about human rights short comings, yes?

If we get a D, what do they get, a Dennis Leary "Q" ?!?

Just because China gets an "F" does not in any way improve the USA's record. Can you point to the factual errors in the article, rather than attacking its authorship?

We just discussed that in the replies above.

Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing.

[Kennedy 0]

Quote

We just discussed that in the replies above.

That requires actually reading the thread. You expect too much.

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[GTAVercetti 0]

Quote

Quote

We just discussed that in the replies above.

That requires actually reading the thread. You expect too much.

My bad. I guess I am more of an optimist than I thought.

Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing.