Good for them

During his recent visit to France, Chinese president Hu Jintao got what AP for January 27 described as the "rare honor" of addressing the French National Assembly. What he found there may have surprised him. (We can certainly hope.)

Many lawmakers stayed away, though it wasn't possible to say how many did so in protest. Many of the absentees apparently boycotted the speech to express dissatisfaction with China's human rights record, with some joining protesters outside. One lawmaker, Philippe Foillot of the centrist UDF party, wore a white gag as he listened.

I'm trying - and failing - to imagine a similar scene in the US Congress. Does anyone here recall even a single incident in which some member of Congress stayed away from a speech by some esteemed personage or another as a means of protest? If so, please let me know, 'cause I can't think of a one.

For a people who so loudly praise democracy and free speech, we practice surprisingly little of it.

In the meantime, it's business as usual for the Big Boys.

Chirac spoke out strongly in favor of lifting a European embargo on arms sales to China - imposed after Beijing's crackdown on democracy protests in Tiananmen Square in 1989. ...

European ministers meeting Monday in Brussels, Belgium, said the EU could decide this spring to lift the ban.

This, no doubt, because human rights are so much more advanced in China now than they were then.

Footnote and Update February 2: From the Toronto Star for February 1:

Hong Kong - Seven months ago, they seemed unstoppable: a half-million marchers on the streets of Hong Kong demanding democracy and good government.

Now, they seem cornered. A gloom is settling over the city as the cold, hard reality sinks in that the mainland is pulling the strings tighter.

Big Brother has sent word from Beijing - via various emissaries and underlings - that the people of Hong Kong are going too far, too fast. In recent weeks, the signals have been unmistakable and unrelenting.

Did anyone really honestly believe that Beijing would honor the promises it made about political freedoms for Hong Kong? I mean really? And what do you think are the chances, with the "huge Chinese market," as it's always described, in play, that anyone will speak out on behalf of Hong Kong now?