hi Larry - Being genuine in my book means a lot of things, many of which are beyond my own capacities <sg>. However, by no means an attempt to insult other people's intelligence, it was widely understood to the native observers of the time [my informants were relatives from HK at that time] there were shadowy characters playing as puppet masters who used the students as pawns of their cowardly ideology [hint: they escaped to England subsequently.]
Again, I want to emphasize that there are indeed exceptional - and exemplary - characters in the mix, but I do not see they command the kind of respect like those of the May 4th movements, or even the oversea students [primarily French and Japanese] of yesteryears like Deng or Chou. Of course, this is very subjective, based on the residual racial psyche.
Larry, again, by no mean trying to insult your intelligence, for I do believe you are a highly capable person, but calling people here apologists doesn't help rational discourse. If you want to see real *apologists*, usenet has a boatload of them. And no, like you, I am not heartless. I feel for the *political prisoners* and their sufferings. But it is a mistake to confuse the two, i.e., those who genuinely understand their destinies and wilfully suffer the consequence, like the late Philipine Senator Aquino, and those who foolishly follow the bidding of the puppet masters and end up suffering for the ambition of others.
Chai Ling and Vanessa Mae are of different Karma, if you will. Btw, to unveil my own little joke <g>, I mentioned VM a few times before not particularly b/c I am a fan of hers [she is pretty and talented, that is for sure] but b/c I want to demonstrate the fact that *oriental musicians* can be a deceptive notion, in the sense that the world is getting smaller as communications are getting better and faster. To wit, it is important for us to abandon our preconceived notions, without abandoning our integrities, I hope, and see things as they are.
best, Bosco |
