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Originally posted by beezzer
reply to post by justwokeup
reply to post by boymonkey74
I get what you both are saying. (I think)
Individuals have principles, values.
Governments don't.
Originally posted by Jameela
reply to post by beezzer
What more can you expect from a government that went to war in Afghanistan to take over the poppy industry and a proposed pipeline?
Not quite the same thing.
Originally posted by Jameela
reply to post by beezzer
What more can you expect from a government that went to war in Afghanistan to take over the poppy industry and a proposed pipeline?
Originally posted by VeniVidi
Originally posted by Jameela
reply to post by beezzer
What more can you expect from a government that went to war in Afghanistan to take over the poppy industry and a proposed pipeline?
Do you honestly believe that Poppy is the reason we went to War in Afghanistan? No offense, but that statement lacks imagination. I agree that once there we took control of the poppy fields, but the reason we went to war?
The pipeline seems more logical.edit on 5/2/2012 by VeniVidi because: hanges from agree to believe
Originally posted by Jameela
reply to post by beezzer
I forgot, you have no understanding of why American went to war in Afghanistan or what we actually believe in our faith, and it is something obviously you prefer to care to learn from MSM than Muslims.
But that's OK, my point was what do you expect from a government who puts money above the lives of people....Nothing is ever about people, it is about the almighty dollar you worship.
Originally posted by facelift
reply to post by beezzer
World domination religions like islam won't escape my scrutiny.
Yay...another watered down thread we can look forward to from you.
Originally posted by facelift
Yay...another watered down thread we can look forward to from you.
Originally posted by Jameela
reply to post by beezzer
coming from the most critical of all!
Here is a selection of statements and tweets about the unfolding situation, both from those directly involved and from external commentators:
Excerpts From U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Statement On Chen Guangcheng
"I am pleased that we were able to facilitate Chen Guangcheng's stay and departure from the U.S. embassy in a way that reflected his choices and our values. I was glad to have the chance to speak with him today and to congratulate him on being reunited with his wife and children. Mr. Chen has a number of understandings with the Chinese government about his future, including the opportunity to pursue higher education in a safe environment. Making these commitments a reality is the next crucial task. The United States government and the American people are committed to remaining engaged with Mr. Chen and his family in the days, weeks, and years ahead".
Zeng Jinyan, Friend of Mr. Chen and Fellow Activist
Ms. Zeng sent out a series of tweets, most of them in Chinese, explaining what she says Mr. Chen told her. Below is CNN's translation of some of those tweets:
"His wife said local officials had installed surveillance cameras inside their house ... and would wait for her with sticks. If Guangcheng didn't agree to leave the embassy, she and the kids would be sent back immediately."
When contacted by CNN, she said what she tweeted was true, but that "she couldn't elaborate after being warned by state security agents".
GUANGCHENG TALKED TO ME. WHAT MEDIA REPORTED IS WRONG.
— zengjinyan (@zengjinyan) May 2, 2012
Excerpts From Chen Guangcheng's Statement To The Associated Press
Mr. Chen told the Associated Press via telephone from a hospital bed that "U.S. officials told him the Chinese authorities would have sent his family back to his home province if he remained inside the embassy. He added that, at one point, the U.S. officials told him his wife would have been beaten to death".
He says he told embassy employees, "I think we'd like to rest in a place outside of China. Help my family and me leave safely".
John Sparks, Channel 4 Asia Correspondent Who Interviewed Mr. Chen By Phone Today
#c4news asked Chen Guangcheng - Did you go to the hospital because of medical emergency?..Answer-(1/2) No. I came because of an agreement.
— John Sparks (@c4sparks) May 2, 2012
(2/2) I was worried about the safety of my family. A gang of them have taken over our house, sitting in our room and eating at our table.
— John Sparks (@c4sparks) May 2, 2012
Excerpts From Statements By An Unnamed Senior U.S. Official
"Throughout his stay at the embassy, U.S. officials consulted regularly with Mr. Chen to discuss his wishes. Mr. Chen made clear from the beginning that he wanted to remain in China, and that he wanted his stay in the United States Embassy to be temporary. He indicated that he placed priority on reunification with his family, and that he sought relocation to a safe environment elsewhere in China from the province that he's been living (in). He expressed his desire for assistance from the central government in addressing his concerns and grievances, primarily relating to his reported mistreatment and that of his family at the hands of local officials.
Mr. Chen decided to depart the embassy today and travel to a hospital in Beijing. He did so on the basis of a number of understandings. China acknowledged that Mr. Chen will be treated humanely while he remains in China... He has been reunited with his family - his wife and two children - at the hospital, and they remain together with him as a family. He had not seen his son in a few years, and his wife had not seen him (the son) either, so this was a family reunification after a long and difficult separation.
When he leaves the hospital, the Chinese authorities have stated that Mr. Chen and his family will be relocated to a safe environment so that he may attend a university to pursue a course of study".
Bob Fu, President of ChinAid, A Texas-Based Christian Human Rights Organization
"Relevant reports show, unfortunately, the U.S. side 'has abandoned Mr. Chen'. We are deeply concerned about this sad development if the reports about Chen's involuntary departure from the U.S. Embassy are true".
U.S. State Department Spokeswoman Victoria Nuland
"At every opportunity, he expressed his desire to stay in China, reunify with his family, continue his education and work for reform in his country. All our diplomacy was directed at putting him in the best possible position to achieve his objectives."
Liu Weimin, Spokesman For the Chinese Foreign Ministry
Liu Weimin, in comments reported by the state-run news agency Xinhua, called the U.S. activity "interference in Chinese domestic affairs, and this is totally unacceptable to China". He also said Mr. Chen left the embassy "of his own volition".