A blind activist in China and his family have been placed under house arrest for four months and he was beaten by thugs when he tried to venture out, after exposing forced abortions in his home province on the east coast.
Club-wielding goons believed to be hired by local authorities have been posted outside Chen Guangcheng’s one-storey brick home in Dongshigu, a farming village in Shandong province, since September 6 to prevent him, his wife and 71-year-old mother from leaving, Chen said.
“China is lawless,” the 34-year-old activist told Reuters by telephone. “They’re worried I will expose more of their crimes.”
“Do (President) Hu Jintao and (Premier) Wen Jiabao know? If they know, why have they not done anything?” Chen asked.
Authorities have jammed signals to and from Chen’s mobile phone but they could not block calls on Friday due to a power failure. His home phone has also been cut.
Up to 30 people have been guarding Chen’s house in each shift round the clock. The only visitor allowed is Chen’s older brother.
Chen and his family have survived on food bought by the goons, who have beaten him at least twice when he tried to leave his home. He was denied medical treatment.
The goons once dragged Chen’s 30-year-old wife, who gave birth to a girl last July, back into the house when she tried to go out, he said.
Chen’s whistleblowing prompted the government to sack and detain several officials in Shandong’s Linyi city, state media have said.
Interesting, to see Reuters using words like “goons” and “thugs.” Good for them. Now, if they’d only apply those terms to Delay and Abramoff and the rest of BushCo, I might start believing the media was wising up. A good sign, nonetheless.
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By Yagij
I’m still on my quest for a blog that isn’t so polarized by the current American political landscape. I may never find it between the Carter/Clinton Haters and the “Dumbuya” Haters. *sighs*
Having that much said, I don’t think Delay, Abramoff, or anyone else from “BushCo” should be labeled “goons” or “thugs” anymore than Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao should be labeled. They are way too high up on the political/socio-economic ladder to be labeled so crudely. Maybe “crooks” or “felons”?
January 6, 2006 @ 1:01 pm | Comment
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By Thomas
The problem with crooks, thugs and goons is that the words themselves pass judgement on those holding the titles. I am not saying it is not true in this case, but “goon” assumes the ones holding them hostage are bad. “Captor” would actually be a better term. Yagij brought us “felon.” This term should really only be used if the person in question has been condemned of a felony.
I wouldn’t encourage the media use these words personally….primarily for the judgement reason. Why? Because they have the potential to be overused or used inappropriately. In many cases (such as with your Bush/Cheny group), goons and thugs might be accurate to you, but might be a little harsh to some others. It is not supposed to be the job of the media to pass judgement. So being neutral is best.
That said, I agree that the captors in question really are goons, and I’m sure most people would agree.
January 6, 2006 @ 7:55 pm | Comment
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By Ivan
What the hell? You said:
“‘goon’ assumes the ones holding them hostage are bad.”
WHAT?
When the hell is ever NOT bad to hold people hostage?
January 6, 2006 @ 8:28 pm | Comment
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By zhongdian
It’s the polarized people that are going to be {“rabid”,”motivated”} enough to spend effort blogging about political things, one way or another.
January 6, 2006 @ 9:07 pm | Comment
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By richard
In all seriousness,I’d only want the media to use such terms with great caution. Bush should not be referred to as a goon. I think in the case of people who actually are paid to beat people up, goon and thug are appropriate. Just like people who blow up buildings and kill innocents should be called terrorists. No need to dance around the truth.
January 7, 2006 @ 3:54 am | Comment
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By ACB
Yagij
If you want a blog that doesn’t isn’t partisan, drop by mine, I dispise everybody equally.
Back to the story though. It does seem like China is living in a modern version of the feudal era.
Hu sits on his thrown, making proclomations like an emperor , while the local authorities act like warlords, carving up their own personal kingdoms regardless of central government.
January 7, 2006 @ 8:40 am | Comment
7
By De Gustibus Non Est Disputandum
Blogosfera
* Como o exército japonês tratou mal os japoneses durante a batalha de Okinawa. * O pior inimigo do evolucionismo é o evolucionista sem argumentos (e divirta-se com Rasmusen). * Como o governo chinês bate em velhas cegas. * Como…
January 8, 2006 @ 2:18 am | Comment
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By Godfrey Daniel
What Richard said.
January 16, 2006 @ 11:36 am | Comment