Obama Lesser of Three Evils Concerning Iraq War (According to Ron Paul)
Tis’ good to see Ron Paul back in the limelight. The man’s idealism is admirable… Moreover he is the most consistent politician I’ve ever seen… I wonder what impact that had on his chances? Maybe he will have better luck pushing some paper… Buy his book!
Chinese Newspaper Exposes Factory’s Forced Child Labor
The Chinese press may not be free. However, cases such as the recent work by the Southern Metropolis Daily liberation of kidnapped children forced to work in factories indicates that the press is free to investigate important stories in some instances. Prosecuting traffickers in child slaves is a no-brainer from a Western view; but the pressure element, levied by a free press, is a critical element of ensuring authorities hold such criminals to the rule of law.
While the media in China is by and large interested in maintaining the state propaganda talking points. I wonder if developments such as this recent event could work to change the media culture. From a repository of state propaganda slogans, into an institution driven to author stories in the general public interest. In other words, a civilizing institution working to increase transparency into the inner workings of both: the traditional Communist party elite; and the new wealthy industrialists. Such an institution is a critical prerequisite in transforming China into a more democratic and lawful polity.
It is also encouraging to see the authorities enforcing rule of law when spurred on by the media. There is still a ways to go mind you. Moreover I would be curious to know what drives the authorities to shutdown these child sweatshops: Is it their moral repulsion to seeing young lives irreprebly harmed? Or is it driven so as to ensure its customer base, us occidentals, keep buying their products? I suspect it is the latter. It’s easy to be pessimistic based on such an assessment, but when you think about it most everything, on the macro level anyway, seems to be instigated by plain economics. I suspect its not that simple, but perhaps the economic factor is the easiest way to analyze what drives the motors of civilization as a whole.
Whatever the case lets hope China expands upon its positive trend toward rule of law and other democratic precursors, ideally catching up with its unprecedented economic growth. Interestingly the economic boom has positioned the West to influence in no small way how China develops politically. It is time for people from both worlds, West/East, to ensure increasing engagement and dialouge continues.
International Herald Tribune: Child Labor Cases Uncovered in China
A girl cried after being rescued on Monday from a factory where she had been forced to work in Dongguan, China. (China Daily, via Reuters, via IHT)
“Authorities said Wednesday they had “rescued” more than 100 children from factories in a manufacturing center known for exporting toys, textiles and electronics.”
