C. Philion,
Your letter was stupid. The criticisms you put forward were well off the mark and without merit. There's no "gotcha" here. Everybody knows why the Dalai Lama shades the international issues as he does. He says it ouright in the interview. Obviously, the Dalai Lama has to act both as a spiritual leader and as a diplomat. Moreover, he has to be diplomatic, primarily, with two of the most war-like powers in the world - India and the United States. Without India's patience with illegal Tibetan immigrants, the movement to free Tibet is atomized. Without American pressure, China won't change its policies. So what do you want him to do, slap George Bush in the face?
Don't be ridiculous.
peace,
boddi