tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6589721271130573939.post6059817926490110503..comments2023-04-22T11:42:47.203-04:00Comments on Random Thoughts: The Tank ManChopstikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09313201801907282602noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6589721271130573939.post-60057650876741648362011-06-03T22:33:05.566-04:002011-06-03T22:33:05.566-04:00I would prefer to continue this discussion via ema...I would prefer to continue this discussion via email. If you click on my name, I have now enabled the profile page and posted a link to my work email address... (will delete it again after I hear from you).Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05400578164501904011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6589721271130573939.post-62215493403500441112011-06-01T07:20:09.155-04:002011-06-01T07:20:09.155-04:00David, thanks for your response. I'll try to a...David, thanks for your response. I'll try to address your questions as best I can (and they actually make me wonder if I should do so in another post but I'll try here first).<br /><br />First, I will look into the documentary you recommended. Thanks for the tip.<br /><br />Your implication is that the Tank Man survived that day. Unfortunately, there is no evidence one way or the other in that regard. The people who hustled him away could have been good samaritans or members of the PSB, no one knows. The fact that he has never come out or been identified since then could mean he was executed that day in secret or that he still hides in fear of being arrested or worse - he is still a powerful symbol in the West, even if few in China are familiar with his act that day. And yes, the tanks did not roll over the students in the square (though they had no problem with doing so to the citizens who tried to block their way to the square) so why they hesitated doing so to the Tank Man is a good question (and one that the government would happily show as an example of their magnanimity on that day). Perhaps it was easier to roll over people in the dark and chaos that was the night of June 3 and they could not do so to a single, non-violent man in the middle of the day? Perhaps they were not drugged so as to lower their inhibitions (as has been rumored they were on the night of June 3 so as to brutally repress those they were charged to protect)? Unless and until the government permits open and free investigations into that time, we will never know (which was my underlying point).<br /><br />Your argument that the troops and police were verbally and physically abused on their way into Beijing needs clarification. Are you talking prior to June 3, when they were stopped by citizens who tried to reason with them and plead with them not to harm the students and to join with the people? Or the night of June 3 when the troops ran roughshod over the makeshift barriers that the people put into place in a vain attempt to prevent the crackdown? It is worth pointing out that the troops used live ammunition that night against a citizenry whose only weapons were their bodies and the rocks they could throw at the troops. Not exactly what an impartial observer would consider a "fair" fight. And the government line on that event has been that the citizens attacked the troops first despite mountains of evidence (available in the West) to the contrary. In the weeks and months after that time, the country was subjected to the government line of the few troops who were hurt and completely ignoring the innocent civilians who were shot in their homes or in the back when running away from the troops.<br /><br />Finally, your question should be what "DID" happen in the West during several of the G8 and G20 summits? And the answer is that the demonstrations (which were not peaceful) were controlled for the most part and those who were violent were arrested - not killed with live ammunition nor were innocent bystanders shot "by mistake". Sure, democratic nations in the West are not always polite or cordial but people have the right to express their opinions without being attacked by the government.<br /><br />These are just my thoughts but I would enjoy discussing the topic more if you're so inclined.Chopstikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09313201801907282602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6589721271130573939.post-42801895012150895632011-05-31T21:11:14.897-04:002011-05-31T21:11:14.897-04:00If you liked "The Tank Man" you would en...If you liked "The Tank Man" you would enjoy the longer PBS documentary "Tian An Men - The Gate of Heavenly Peace" even more. Link:<br />http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/gate/<br /><br />This one contains a lot of clips and interviews from the time and from more recent years with student leaders, etc.<br /><br />One thought, though:<br />While the Tank Man and Tian An Men are continuously brought up as example of Chinese oppression, ask yourself these questions:<br />Why did the Tank Man survive? Why did the tanks (that according to Urban Legend had just driven over hundreds of students) not just simply roll over this one guy?<br /><br />Why did the Chinese government troops and police on their way into Beijing allow so many people to abuse them verbally and physically (just watch the videos) without fighting back - despite the fact that quite a few SOLDIERS were hospitalized?<br /><br />What would have happened in similar situations in the democratic and free West (remember Seattle and other G8 / G20 protests)?<br /><br />Note:<br />I am a German, married to a Chinese wife with by now 13+ years in China. I am working and publishing as an academic on Chinese politics, culture, international relations, etc.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05400578164501904011noreply@blogger.com