Riots spreading in Tibet

[Dartzap]

Beeb

Shops on fire amid Tibet protests
Fires have broken out in the Tibetan city of Lhasa amid reports of rioting, as rare street protests led by Buddhist monks appeared to gather pace.

One eyewitness told the BBC how large groups of people were setting fire to cars and shops and destroying anything of Chinese influence.

The US embassy in Beijing said US citizens had reported hearing gunfire.

Rallies have continued all week in what are thought to be the largest protests against Beijing's rule in 20 years.

Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, released a statement expressing deep concern, saying the protests were a "manifestation of the deep-rooted resentment of the Tibetan people".

The Dalai Lama, who heads Tibet's government-in-exile in India, called on the Chinese leadership to stop using force and begin dialogue with the Tibetan people.

He also urged Tibetans not to resort to violence.

"As I have always said, unity and stability under brute force is at best a temporary solution. It is unrealistic to expect unity and stability under such a rule," the statement said.

Tear gas

The US-based International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) said at least one police car had been set on fire on Friday.

ICT spokeswoman Kate Saunders said her group had received reports that the Tromsikhang market in Barkhor Street - a busy commercial neighbourhood - was either on fire or had burnt down.

"It seems that lay people have now become involved in the protests," she said.

An eyewitness told the BBC there was a thick pall of smoke hanging over the city.

Another eyewitness said security forces and monks had clashed on Wednesday and several monks were beaten.

He said about 300 monks had tried to leave the Sera monastery to protest but security forces brandishing clubs stopped them and at least one monk was beaten to the ground.

The protests began earlier this week, when a number of monks were reportedly arrested after a march marking the 49th anniversary of a Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule.

Hundreds of monks took to the streets to demand their release - and reports say tear gas was used to disperse them.

The police were reported to have sealed off the city's three main monasteries on Thursday.

Correspondents say there is growing evidence that protests against Chinese rule are intensifying, despite assurances by Beijing on Thursday that the situation was under control.

China says Tibet has always been part of its territory, though Tibet enjoyed long periods of autonomy before the twentieth century, and many Tibetans remain loyal to the Dalai Lama, who fled in 1959 and currently lives in exile in India.

Just heard on News24 several people reportedly killed in the protests as well. Guess we are going to see more this closer to the Olympics we get.

[TithonusSyndrome]

That's fucking hysterical that the monks can so casually make themselves look like victims and advocates for peace and human rights in Tibet after being some of the most obscenely gruesome torturers of their nation's class-locked serfs for hundreds of years. The PRC aren't saints, but the past 50 years have seen more freedom in Tibet than the 500 before it by a fucking long shot.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

That's fucking hysterical that the monks can so casually make themselves look like victims and advocates for peace and human rights in Tibet after being some of the most obscenely gruesome torturers of their nation's class-locked serfs for hundreds of years. The PRC aren't saints, but the past 50 years have seen more freedom in Tibet than the 500 before it by a fucking long shot.

Most of the world remains ignorant of the tyranny of the theocracy in Tibet, unfortunately.

[Siege]

TithonusSyndrome, I've heard remarks to that extent before and am interested in learning more... But a quick google on "Tibetan monks" and "torture" turns up nothing but accusations of Chinese evil-doers torturing Tibetan monks, and if mass media are to be believed Tibet was a mixture of Shangri-La and The Sound of Music with some fluffy bunnies cavorting about on snow-tipped mountains thrown in for good measure, so that's not going to be much use... So my question would be, could you (or anybody else for that matter) provide some more information on the subject of the state of Tibet pre-Chinese invasion?

[TithonusSyndrome]

Michael Parenti is your friend, Mr. Tank.

[White Haven]

And as we all know from recent experiences, invading another nation and spreading freedom works quite well and is an acceptable practice.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

And as we all know from recent experiences, invading another nation and spreading freedom works quite well and is an acceptable practice.

Considering their former masters make even the communists look tame?

[Buddha]

This is some kind of disturbing when you consider the fact that Buddhism is a mostly peaceful religion. As for the whole torture thing, that is pure propaganda from the Chinese to create hatred for the monks and Buddhists in general. It's not that much different from the Red Scares with McCarthy or any other instance of false information causing panic. This is a people who have been repressed not by their religious leaders, but by the Chinese government, who has made them criminals. This is just victims lashing out at thier tormentors and nothing more. I challenge anyone to find a reputable source for any torture by any Tibetan monk or any monestary involved in torture.

[Julhelm]

This is some kind of disturbing when you consider the fact that Buddhism is a mostly peaceful religion. As for the whole torture thing, that is pure propaganda from the Chinese to create hatred for the monks and Buddhists in general. It's not that much different from the Red Scares with McCarthy or any other instance of false information causing panic. This is a people who have been repressed not by their religious leaders, but by the Chinese government, who has made them criminals. This is just victims lashing out at thier tormentors and nothing more. I challenge anyone to find a reputable source for any torture by any Tibetan monk or any monestary involved in torture.

The Buddha was amiable and enlightened; on his deathbed he laughed at his disciples for supposing that he was immortal. But the Buddhist priesthood --- as it exists, for example, in Tibet --- has been obscurantist, tyrannous, and cruel in the highest degree.

- Bertrand Russell, ``Has Religion Made Useful Contributions to Civilisation?'' (1930)

Yeah, pure Chinese propaganda.

[The Duchess of Zeon]

Allowing a religion to have total unchecked control of a government inevitably breeds corruption. Fullstop. Guess what was the case in Tibet for centuries? The Popes could only dream about that, even in the middle ages.


P.S. You think the Catholic Church is bad? The Tibetans had a systematic form of abuse of boys which was very well documented in William Percy's history of homosexuality. The whole thing was as formalized as in ancient Greece.

P.P.S. Just to make it clear what I'm thinking about this, I'm listening to The March of the Volunteers right now.

[Invictus ChiKen]

This is some kind of disturbing when you consider the fact that Buddhism is a mostly peaceful religion. As for the whole torture thing, that is pure propaganda from the Chinese to create hatred for the monks and Buddhists in general. It's not that much different from the Red Scares with McCarthy or any other instance of false information causing panic. This is a people who have been repressed not by their religious leaders, but by the Chinese government, who has made them criminals. This is just victims lashing out at thier tormentors and nothing more. I challenge anyone to find a reputable source for any torture by any Tibetan monk or any monestary involved in torture.

My friend your wasting your breath. Around here any insult on religion is automatically seen as true no matter how shaky the evidance or how obvious something isn't right about it...

This is a place where people have come out and said they wish to see all religion destroyed if possible and eagerly await that day.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

My friend your wasting your breath. Around here any insult on religion is automatically seen as true no matter how shaky the evidance or how obvious something isn't right about it...

This is a place where people have come out and said they wish to see all religion destroyed if possible and eagerly await that day.

That aside, you do know that corruption in the Buddhist clergy in Thailand is quite rampant, and that they actually marched last year demanding a theocracy? It's disturbing as it is to see that sort of thing happen.

[Shroom Man 777]

This is a place where people have come out and said they wish to see all religion destroyed if possible and eagerly await that day.

I come out and say that I eagerly await your mom.

Got a problem? There's the door. The mean ole atheists and homosexuals of SDnet ain't tying your nubile butt into a chair with a hole drilled on the seat for Einy to stick his footlong cock up your ass.

That said, whatever. China's a dick and those Tibetan theocrats are dicks. It's like comparing Fidel Castro's regime in Cuba with Bautista's, communist Cuba and a potential Cuba ruled by pro-American douchefags. Fidel Castro had a next door neighbor who was supported by America, his name was Francois Duvalier.

If China wasn't harassing the Tibetan people, then it would be the theocrats and whatever Buddhist equivalent of Duvalier's fucking Voodoo Secret Police they can muster. Like Tonton Macoutes with prayer wheels.

[Kane Starkiller]

What is the position of the general population in Tibet anyway? Do they want to secede from China or is it just monks?

[Invictus ChiKen]

I come out and say that I eagerly await your mom.

Got a problem? There's the door. The mean ole atheists and homosexuals of SDnet ain't tying your nubile butt into a chair with a hole drilled on the seat for Einy to stick his footlong cock up your ass.

To you I offer a cock to suck on (It's mint flavored!) Fuck off, for better or worse differing opinions and views are liked here. I stay out off the religious discussions for a reason... Not sure how you got from that I dislike homosexuals but then I'm sure you just wanted to use the old "ZOMG TEH RELIGIOINIST OPPRESS GAYZ!!!111!ONE" line...

[Invictus ChiKen]

Ghetto edit for Kane (forgive the double posting).

It's MY understanding and I could be wrong, that the Tibetan people want there Lamas back.

If there is any truth to the Lamas are teh evil tyrants view then I guess it be a case of better the homegrown devil you know than an outside devil you don't know...

[Shroom Man 777]

To you I offer a cock to suck on (It's mint flavored!)

I don't want to suck (your) mint flavored cock.

Fuck off, for better or worse differing opinions and views are liked here. I stay out off the religious discussions for a reason... Not sure how you got from that I dislike homosexuals but then I'm sure you just wanted to use the old "ZOMG TEH RELIGIOINIST OPPRESS GAYZ!!!111!ONE" line...

No. Differing opinions are not liked here. Any insult on religion is automatically seen as true no matter how shaky the evidance or how obvious something isn't right about it.

Stop wasting your breath. My friend.

This is a place where people have come out and said they wish to see all religion destroyed if possible and eagerly await that day.

So stay out of the religious discussions. For a reason.

Yes.

[Invictus ChiKen]

So can we say anything original? Or are you only able to parrot what others say?

[Shroom Man 777]

So can we say anything original? Or are you only able to parrot what others say?

Yes.

Like pointing out your being a condescending ass. With a mint-flavored cock.

By using your own words.

My parrot refutes you.

No. (Yes)

[That NOS Guy]

So can we say anything original? Or are you only able to parrot what others say?

Does it matter? What is he saying that isn't true? That's the question you should be asking. Put up or shut up asshole.

[Shroom Man 777]

Well, if what he's saying (or what he said) is/was full of shit, then that means I'm full of shit as well for parroting what he said.

But at least my parrot isn't mint-flavored.

[Invictus ChiKen]

Could a wondering Mod split this before it really gets derailed? (If it hasn't already).

Tell me how what I said isn't true?

Differing opinions are allowed on this site. Yet paradoxically there is a strong anti-Religious views as well. Recent topics like how much science will it take to destroy religion and a recent statement that many wish they could outlaw religion all together have come up.

Religious bashing happens even when the topic has little to nothing to do with religion, there have also been times when any insult against religion was taken on face value.

If anything good is said about religion bashing tends to come (I could probably post an article on the good work a Catholic Charity is doing and it would go down in flames within a day). Hell just look up my own thread from when I JOINED the Catholic Church to see my point.

[CJvR]

Former domestic tyrants of 50 years ago vs current foreign ones... Yeah very odd that the Chi-Coms are unpopular.

IIRC the Chinese have taken to Chinify Tibet in the same tradition of their Soviet comrades russification of certain areas so I think the popular opinion is ethnicly divided by now.

[Pelranius]

China's wanting to hold on to Tibet now, not only for geostrategic and historic reasons, but that there's been a lot of mine reserves discovered there recently. Which doesn't surprise me, since the Himalayas are perhaps the last unsurveyed and unexploited patch of resources in the world.

Also, supposedly there are also tens of billions of barrels of oil there. But we only have the word of Clive Cussler and some Chinese oil prospectors, so that is questionable at best.

[Invictus ChiKen]

Former domestic tyrants of 50 years ago vs current foreign ones... Yeah very odd that the Chi-Coms are unpopular.

IIRC the Chinese have taken to Chinify Tibet in the same tradition of their Soviet comrades russification of certain areas so I think the popular opinion is ethnicly divided by now.

That is a good point. I've noticed the outlawing of Tibetan as a language and the destruction of all Tibetan Buddhist items. Monasteries, prayer wheels, statues of Guru Rinpoche.

I've read somewhere at this rate Tibetan Culture will be confined to museums and Tibetan enclaves outside of Tibet.

Maybe the Tibetans can all move to Japan and take over after the current population dies off?