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Google's first complaint was that some e-mail accounts purportedly owned or used by internal and external dissidents were hacked into. That is a valid complaint and should be properly investigated.
The US has an array of laws that allow, and disallow, the government to snoop on both Americans and foreigners -- all in the name of "national security." We know that America does it, regardless of what the laws are -- typically after the fact, and only after great pressure is brought on the government to confess its misdeeds. What we do not know are all the details about the "hidden espionage" and "hidden national security" fronts that the US utilizes to gain information about its own, and other people.It happens.Everyone knows it happens. The problem is that nothing can be proven conclusively.
In the immortal words of Col. Sherman Potter, M*A*S*H -- "bull hockey."
More and more people are now voicing their opinions and beliefs that democracy and all the freedoms the dissidents advocate for, would not be in the best interests of either the country or the Chinese people. These opinions are coming, not only from those within the country, but also from Chinese Americans who have come to live and work in China. In short, and this is not to be disrespectful of the Chinese people, they cannot handle the freedoms or the democracy concepts. These things are totally contrary to Chinese culture and tradition.
With respect to the Chinese bloggers and citizens support of Google, this should not be interpreted to mean anything specific.Humans, like cats, are curious. If they are told they cannot or should not see something, they will want to see it. This is human nature.What must be remembered is that curiosity killed the cat.
There is a plethora of information on the Internet that is not really fit for consumption by the masses. Society does not "need" pornography. The world does not need a soapbox for radicals and those focused on destruction of others as is found on the Internet. The world does not need freely available information on how to create weapons of mass destruction. The Internet is full of this type of information, and much other societal damaging information. These types of information only encourage the less stable -- both mentally and emotionally -- to do things that can harm society and the world.
Washington, with its numerous think tanks and experts, no doubt is well aware of the fact that the concepts of democracy and freedoms are contrary to Chinese culture and tradition. The culture and traditions have created sub-societies that are totally dependent on each other, and not individualism. Washington knows that introducing individualism to China would bring the country to its knees. This is what Washington has been attempting to do in subtle ways for time immortal -- bring China to its knees.
In an attempt to discredit China, it is more than feasible that Washington put Google up to this latest charade as it attempts to reassert its position in Asia. China, no longer the "Paper Tiger" it has been perceived to be by Washington, simply told Google that if it wishes to conduct business in the country it must obey all laws. Plain, simple and to the point. It sends Google, and Washington, the clear and concise message that China does not need Google.
In this game, in diplomat speak, Beijing holds the home-court advantage. The rules favor both Beijing and the Chinese people. There is not much that Google or Washington can do to salvage their position in this game.
