Free Nepal [or Tibet, or that Himalayan Country]…
April 14, 2008 | 7:19 PM
With advisors like this, we’re just lucky Bush didn’t invade the Maldives instead of Afghanistan. Nepal… and Tibet… Afghanistan… and the Maldives… in case you wanted to be our new National Security Advisor. Question: Why didn’t Stephanopoulos correct him?
Posted in Ethics, Journalism, Life, Politics, Travel
joe kennedy, 2008
Stephanopoulos didn’t stop him because, from a certain standpoint, he is correct. It very much is a China / Nepalese issue. (The Chinese would beg to differ, they say it’s a domestic issue. Are you taking the Chinese side, is that why you think he erred?)
Nepal borders Tibet. There are more Tibetans in Nepal than in the Himalayans (there is not much habitable space up there.)
I realize not everyone agrees with this ‘viewpoint’, but to imply that this guy is an idiot or that Bush is one for listening to him merely profiles YOUR lack of knowledge. This is his viewpoint, it’s a popular one among pro-Tibet people (not the Richard G. type, the type that actually understand the issue.)
April 14th, 2008 at 8:45 PM
Steve,
a) lighten up, it’s a joke.
b) if he discussed the recent maoist gains in the nepalese government, then that would be one thing. but there hasn’t been a single mention of bush boycotting the olympics (or the opening ceremonies) due to nepal- which is the purpose of the discussion. however, there has been a lot of discussion about bush boycotting the opening ceremonies due to tibet. and yes, there is a distinction- nepal is nepal, and tibet is tibet.
c) not that i’m questioning you about nepal having more tibetans than in the himalayas (i don’t think i suggested that there were… you’re right, it’s very hard to breathe up there)… but why would the buddhists be voting for maoists in nepal?
i think you really reacted hard because i made a joke about G-Dub, Steve. maybe you take those shots personally- i don’t know. it should be noticed that i took a similar shot at a clinton guy, so at least i’m an equal opportunity offender. seriously, though- lighten up. and maybe re-read the very, very few words i used in my post.
April 14th, 2008 at 8:54 PM
Your right, I should lighten up.
Tibet, China, Nepal, it’s all just something out there for our entertainment… Oh, our president too, he’s just some guy who’s there for our personal comedy relief.
For you, this may be a source of comedy. For the people in that region, myself included, it’s not funny, not even a little bit.
April 14th, 2008 at 9:05 PM
What’s going on, man?
You’re not responding to the real issue- which is that Hadley made a major mistake on national TV regarding the difference between Nepal and Tibet. Here’s a link to a video that shows him discussing the same issue on both FOX and ABC (for what it’s worth, he got it right in the FOX interview, which taped before the ABC interview).
You’re right, too. It’s not a joke. It’s not a joke that Hadley screwed up on TV. The simple fact is, an NSA guy shouldn’t make a mistake like that, regardless of the circumstances (apparently he heard Carter talking about visiting Nepal and got that country stuck in his head). Someone who is a National Security Advisor, especially one allowed near a TV set, shouldn’t make that kind of gaffe. He should be much more calculated and intentional with his words. Nepal and Tibet are completely different situations that must he handled differently, and should not in any way be mistaken for each other. So maybe it’s not a joke. It’s a disgrace that reminds us of Miss South Carolina 2007.
But do me a favor, Steve. Do not presume to know me because you’ve posted 3 comments on this blog. Don’t presume to think I’m not paying attention or watching what happens in Nepal, Tibet, or China. You don’t know me. You don’t know my passions. My suggestion is you read a little more on the Internet, complain on the websites of Foreign Policy Magazine, the Huffington Post, or one of many, many other news/blogs. To think because you’ve commented here you know me well enough to step up and go reactionary on me isn’t necessary or polite in any regard. So back off or chill.
April 14th, 2008 at 9:18 PM
Your right, I don’t know you. I never claimed to. (I have read your blog for several months though.)
YOU said you were joking, I sensed that you were too. I reacted to that (I shouldn’t have) because I’m tired of the anti-Chinese racism displayed by a large number of my Christian brothers here in America. sorry, I shouldn’t have lumped you in with those guys - you’re not one of those guys, are you?
April 14th, 2008 at 9:25 PM
No I’m not, Steve. I love TIbet, and I’ve read a lot on my Chinese brothers. If you were to ask me what the top ten places in the world I’d like to visit are, you’d find Kazakhstan and Nepal in there. The region blows my mind in its natural beauty and incredible place in history. I’ve had a limited exposure to Russian-Mongolian shamanism and I’ve always wanted to study its similarities to Tibetan Buddhism.
More importantly, I’ve got very, very good friends who have been involved in work in the region. I care deeply for them and I’ve been concerned for their safety, as well as the safety of the followers in Tibet, since the riots began a couple weeks ago.
So no, I’m not anti-Chinese. I’m not anti-anybody. I’m a huge fan of the area, and would love to visit there sometime. And yes, I was joking- more about the simple fact that we, as Americans, can’t seem to get it right when it comes to foreign policy. It blows my mind how careless we are, especially in the public arena… and sometimes you can’t help but laugh at the insanity of it all.
I hope that you keep reading and commenting. Peace.
April 14th, 2008 at 9:35 PM