Washington's Wailing Wall

Michael Chertoff's legacy is to build for America the 8th Wonder of the World, the Great Wall of Mexico. This monumental madness will certainly make people of the world wonder: "What insanity drove them to build that monstrosity?" China's more than 2,000 year old wall is now a tourist attraction, after it has outlived its usefulness as a deterrent for unwanted invaders. Chertoff's wall is a tourist and environmental repulsion, using 21st century technology for a 1st century concept that history has repeatedly proven to be incapable of stemming the tide of human intent.

Like his counterparts in China more than 2,000 years ago who erected a wall to fend off invaders, Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff's wall intends to substantially minimize, if not totally flatten out the illegal entry of Mexicans into US territory. Authorities say that the sea of illegal immigrants provide an ideal cover and venue by which terrorists can hide, which also offers a reliable means of entry. However, of the 735,000 illegals caught in 2004 and the 1.2 million intercepted in 2005, none were terrorists; just poor folks looking for a way to make a living by taking menial jobs Americans detest, where the pay cannot fill their belly with beer while watching their favorite weekend sport on TV.

Walls were never a deterrent for the intention to enter, legally or otherwise. Jericho's walls collapsed on the trumpets of Joshua; China's walls were penetrated time and again through bribery, fear, siege, threats, among others; the Berlin Wall could not prevent escapes and entries until its final collapse; the Gaza strip wall likewise collapsed. What makes Chertoff believe this wall will be different might be the fact that it's state-of-the-art. In truth, it only shows the state of America's inhospitable attitude and its dreadful art of expressing vulgar conceit.

Surveys show that the wall is supported by the populations affected at 56% against those who oppose at 31%. The surveys have naturally injected the word terrorist as a fear factor for voting in favor of the wall. This unsightly structure ignores the effects on the environment where numerous species endemic to area could be adversely affected, the water systems and resources that would be trashed by steel and concrete, the damage that the bulldozers and graders would generate, the partitioning of the lands of three nations of Native Americans - lands that were given for them to settle out of the goodness of the white man's heart - even if these were not arable and worthless, and the properties of ranchers that would be forcefully partitioned just so the wall is erected.

In financial terms, the initial cost of building the barrier was stated at around $2.5 billion, but the infrastructure alone can easily exceed that amount. Add to this the cost of maintaining and manning the walls, with all state-of-the art equipment and vehicles, the cost is expected to go up to $60 billion. On top of this, Homeland Security is locked in legal battles with landowners which could tie up completion and further escalate costs. All these for a disgraceful and senseless wall that illegals can overcome by going around, going over, or going under. Already, 40 tunnels have been discovered and the Mexicans can build a hundred more along the 2,000 kilometer stretch. Money that could have been used for productive purposes, or finding real solutions to the immigration problem will be wasted on a wall that will be scaled one way or the other by the determination of those who seek to improve their lives.

Americans who favor the wall must be feeling like the Native Americans felt when the white population came in droves into their lands seeking a better life, just like the Mexicans today. Perhaps there is fear that the Mexicans will retake Texas. Sitting Bull. Geronimo, and Crazy Horse must be chuckling in their graves. The costs of health care and crimes committed by illegals are also being bandied as a reason for the barring of illegals. These are peanuts compared to health costs to consumers of food and medicines with toxic substances and deadly chemical components sold by big US corporations. The crimes of many favored companies like Enron certainly dwarfs the cost of the crimes of the illegals. The fact is, if the surveys are accurate, 56% don't like poor Mexicans polluting the bloodline of the supreme white race, it will wipe out their purity and diminish their attractiveness to the world at large.

And Chertoff's obsession with erecting the wall may be due to a failure to erect something else. Compared to the wall, viagra would be a lot less cheaper.

Haarrrrwwwwk...Twoooooph...Ting!


Source: New York Times, Washington Post, Google Photos

China's Conscientious Citizenry

Never in the past ten centuries have policies brought more peace and prosperity to China's citizens than in the last two decades. Recent graduates of China's educational system are the most forward looking bunch since expectations of a lifestyle with their own homes, cars and gadgets, fueled by double digit economic growth throughout most of their student lives, are within reach. Young professionals have not experienced repression, Tienanmen is a distant, if not unknown event, and their concerns have been allowed to dwell in the realm of personal and economic development and growth; largely through the efforts of its government.

This, coupled with an overhauled educational system that inculcates the vivid oppression suffered under foreign invaders in the 19th century, while glossing over the Cultural Revolution and suggesting that Chairman Mao's dictatorship was a 30% arithmetical mistake, period; is the foundation of the fierce loyalty and intense patriotism of China's educated youth. They are the biggest beneficiaries of the country's rise as an economic giant and an emerging military power.The absence of exposure outside the academe that would provide a wider perspective other than the government's viewpoint is a limiting experience. Studying is the major, if not sole, focus.

China has successfully developed a citizen's defense line of educated and computer savvy young professionals who are adept at defending and countering global animosities toward their beloved country. Their rightful pride in their country's accomplishments find unquestioning support for the government, and drives them to close ranks and take action against those who malign their government's policies, especially those that pertain to Tibet. They cannot comprehend why Tibetans would refuse improved incomes and a better financial future, opting for a return to a feudal society instead.

In recent weeks, they have been able to organize counter rallies in other countries versus the Olympic torch protests, used photos of Chinese supporting Tibet and plastered these on websites with their complete identities, background, and relatives in China for harassment and vilification. Calls for boycott of French products flood Chinese websites; and some Chinese have taken their reactions offline, targeting specific individuals using information on what is referred to as "Human Flesh Search Engines". CNN was a target for service interruption in some parts of Asia yesterday, believed to be a result of attacks by China's bloggers. Chinese authorities have cautioned its citizens to curb their patriotic zeal and warned against endangering open policies for foreign investment.

China's citizens have anchored their dignity on the Olympics and are extremely proud of being hosts for the Games. They expect more open and informed communication as a result of first hand-inside knowledge of the country, and hope to establish better relations with nations of the world. They view western media's portrayal of China as biased and are inclined to think that envy of their progress and a desire for their failure propels this initiative. Majority believe that the issue of Tibet and human rights be tackled after the Games, as losing face will affect the nation's momentum. Protesters are in danger of making enemies of everyone in China if they persist.

Some argue that Tibetans were treated better by China than the New World settlers treated the Native Americans and the African Americans. Also, that Tibetans are better off than their Iraqi or Afghanistan counterparts from the way they were invaded by US and British forces; while human rights at Guantanamo and rendition by the US have been going on for some time. From the Chinese citizens' perspective, based on their studies of history and internet access, the west has often used a double standard in passing judgment on other countries' actions while covering it's own transgressions with hype, denials, falsehoods, skewed opinions, half truths and blatant lies. The current theme being used by the west that China will host the Games to parade itself is seen as a narrow point of view perpetuated by a condescending attitude, disguised as concern for justice and human rights. It is meant to downplay the admiration for the efforts of the country and its citizens. These are the reasons why China's citizens believe the issues are being drummed up.

From this perspective, they have a valid point.

Haaaarrwwwwk...Twooooooph...Ting!

Credits : Ricky Dungca, US Correspondent