More democracy

Although the democratization of the middle east is nothing to forget or ignore, we must remember that equally important to the stability of the world, human rights, and American interests is the democratization of Asia. Currently the Communist countries China, Vietnam, and North Korea all have less than stellar marks for human rights violations.

China especially. And now that Donald Tsang is stuck in such a precarious situation, I can only hope that the USA will take a firm stance in helping Hong Kong. America has turned a blind eye to China's attempt at blocking Taiwan's independence.

When will we remember the values that have made America great? From 1765-1789 (American Revolution) and 1861-5 (Civil War) Americans fought, bled, and died for the principles that all men are created equal, and have the right to pursue life, liberty, and happiness. The events leading up to the Civil war should be especially poignant to us. Each slave rebellion (Nat Turner, Gabriel's, Deslonte's, Denmark Vesey) was orchestrated by free blacks or those who were educated and literate. They had tasted freedom, knew what blessings it had, and wanted more (unlike the blind planter class which blinded itself with the argument that blacks were better off under slavery than not, and any free blacks would be content with their station in life).

It is obvious that the same principles underlie the fight for democracy in Asia. Those who have tasted freedom and liberty in Hong Kong and Taiwan do not want to give it up, and in Hong Kong's case (like the free blacks of antebellum America) they have only partial freedom and chafe at not living totally free.

Obviously there are economic reasons why America should protect a free Hong Kong and Taiwan, but look past that, into the ideology of America, democracy, and humanity. You will see a crusade not totally unlike that undertaken by our forefathers in the 18th and 19th centuries ready to be tackled. I hope we can rise to the occassion.