So what's the deal in China, Henry

[Daniel]

Henry's post on criticism within the CCP of the course of reform in China is
the most interesting thing I've read about China in ages. Thank you, Henry.
This certainly puts the "successes" of market reform in China in a different
perspective.

Similarly, from another angle, one can't be in the least bit objective (i.e.
unbiased) without seeing that the crowing of the West about the economic
failures of communism is ridiculous. The successes of communism have been as
dramatic, and obvious.

Moreover, as Henry, I think, rightfully asserts, the West does not have the
moral authority to criticize human rights abuses in China.

I was thinking about all of this today in connection with another event. Is
Cuba celebrating the 40th aniversary of the revolution today? I only just
caught the end of a CNN blip. A few nights ago, I saw, for the second time,
a Cuban movie called "Strawberry and Chocolate." It's SO GOOD. How great the
Cuban revolution is! I say this not as a statement of agreement with Castro
and his party. It's a statement of love for Cubans, and of the marvelous
things their revolution has accomplished. Did anyone read the other day
about a Cuban doctor who couldn't get into the country for a conference in
California? - yet, he operates on heads of state around the world (including
Mitterand and Sadam, hah-hah!) Cuban medicine competes with the most
advanced in the world. They certainly match the developed world in movie
arts, in quality if not quantity. I am convinced that Cuban society would be
richer than North American society today if not for the embargo. Have any of
you read Kennedy's "Rise and Fall of the Great Powers." According to
Kennedy, throughout the modern era, beginning, say, in the 17th century, the
average time for any nation to achieve super-power status, when once it
decides to do so, is 6 years. What could Cuba have achieved with its people,
so rich in life and spirit? Don't underestimate it.

If you must know, I love Castro. I think his reception of the Pope last year
will go down in history as one of the most sublimely comical moments in
history. His speech was an incomparable masterpiece. I don't know any
political leader that can hold a candle to his wit and intelligence. But, it
doesn't end there for me. At the same time, I wish he would step down and
facilitate a retreat from the one-party state, and other things too. So
what? I'd never presume to advise Cubans. It's their life. And, they're
defending it against MY country (not really true, since I've seceded).

Still, on the least important level, which is philosophy and ideology, I
must feel free to say that human rights obtain all over this planet. It is
difficult, Henry, to treat Chinese leaders with forebearance when one hears
that they employ slave labor. I appreciate their problems as the political
heirs of a great revolution, in the face of Western opposition and
subversion, but slave labor is not something I'm prepared to excuse on any
grounds. Please understand, I am not saying that you would excuse it either.
I am only saying that you may be reading more into complaints about human
rights abuses in China than is intended by some of the people expressing
those complaints. The views of thinking people here toward China are not
necessarily as one-sided as you are describing them. I hope I'm not like
that unforgettable upperclass "Lady" in "The Horse's Mouth" who keeps
saying, "I think I see."

Happy New Millenium, everybody! (Well, it does begin today, doesn't it?)
Quincy (since there's another Daniel on the list, I'm now Quincy)