In IPR’s earlier interview with Chuck Baldwin, the Constitution Party presidential hopeful said there weren’t any real differences between him and Ron Paul. Well, LRC’s Laurence Vance begs to differ:
Many conservatives, however, still have a China problem. Even real conservatives like Constitution Party presidential candidate Chuck Baldwin. He is upset that Bush is attending the opening ceremonies of the Olympics.
He goes on to quote Baldwin:
“For example, the Chinese government has already created profiles of thousands of foreign journalists coming to cover the Olympic games. Communist officials will also be spying on virtually every visitor from the moment they arrive in China. Red Army surrogates will monitor virtually all Internet activity. One Chinese security official vowed “to punish anyone who takes part in a political, religious or ethnic demonstration or protest ‘in any form’ at an Olympic site during the 2008 Beijing Games.”
But, Mr. Vance asks, wouldn’t all of the above be true of America if the Games were being held in the U.S.?
Vance quotes a recent LRC article about China written by Ron Paul, who calls criticism of China “jingoism and hypocrisy”: “Instead of lecturing China, where I have no doubt there are problems as there are everywhere, I would suggest that we turn our attention to the very real threats in a United States where our civil liberties and human rights are being eroded on a steady basis.”
9 responses so far ↓
1 Jason_Gatties // Aug 5, 2008 at 1:24 pm
I see both points.
2 inDglass // Aug 5, 2008 at 3:23 pm
It would be true if they were held in the USA, if Obama or McCain were President. Baldwin certainly would not endorse spying on these people.
3 langa // Aug 5, 2008 at 4:56 pm
All this talk ignores the real problem with the Olympics: they’re a blatant celebration and glorification of Statism, regardless of where they happen to take place. I’ve never understood how any real libertarian could be a fan of the Olympics, with all the nauseating flag-saluting, anthem-playing, etc.
4 RedPhillips // Aug 5, 2008 at 5:10 pm
I disagree with Baldwin on this. As non-interventionists, we need to discourage the idea that normal diplomatic relations equals some sort of moral approval.
Bush appearing at the opening ceremonies does not constitute approval or endorsement of China’s policies.
5 G.E. // Aug 5, 2008 at 6:04 pm
No. He would probably just not allow them past the 5,000-foot walls around the entire perimeter of the U.S. that he’d construct with the revenue from his 10,000% tariff.
6 G.E. // Aug 5, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Red drops two criticisms on Baldwin back to back.
Baldwin is slipping.
7 Trent Hill // Aug 5, 2008 at 6:45 pm
“the Chinese government has already created profiles of thousands of foreign journalists coming to cover the Olympic games. Communist officials will also be spying on virtually every visitor from the moment they arrive in China. Red Army surrogates will monitor virtually all Internet activity. One Chinese security official vowed “to punish anyone who takes part in a political, religious or ethnic demonstration or protest ‘in any form’ at an Olympic site during the 2008 Beijing Games.—
I dont support China, its policies, or its practices. With that said, I dont like that our head-of-state is going to that country in show of support. However, its basically a non-issue. I wouldnt criticize him as President because he’s going, i’d criticize him as a person.
8 johncjackson // Aug 5, 2008 at 6:57 pm
langa,
One can always celebrate the Olympics for the individual accomplishments. While the medal counts are tallied by country and there is all the flag waving, when Michael Phelps ( or insert other medal winner year) wins a Gold medal- it is his accomplish not George Bush’s.
9 paulie cannoli // Feb 26, 2009 at 8:14 pm
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