Blame it on China
In November, the Chinese government was afraid of economic losses and pride, so it covered up the spread of SARS in Guangdong. Had China admitted the spread of the disease and tried to contain it, it might never have spread beyond China. Instead, they covered it up to save money.
This is yet more proof that the Chinese government is hopelessly corrupt and incompetent. China's princelings rule through fear and lies. We can't afford to have large, important countries subjugated by bands of petty kings and criminals.
Such people don't respect human life at all -- the lives of their own people or those in other countries. By contrast, free Taiwan has responded with great efficiency. Taiwanese officials even tried to warn the West about China's abject disregard for human life over Christmas, and still Taiwan is refused membership of the WHO out of mistaken respect for the ruling autocrats in Beijing.
Liberal intellectuals apologize for the Chinese dictatorship and dance around the subject (without acknowledging the obvious) often and loudly.
We can no longer tolerate irresponsible, undemocratic governments.
The Chinese are trying to save face now without admitting the total failure of their bureaucracy over SARS. They can't be allowed to slip away again. They must be held to account.
Perhaps Western countries who suffer losses because of this outbreak should sue the Chinese government for their bare-faced lying and covering up of what could become a serious international problem.
Thanks a lot, China. Perhaps what China's leaders need is to be properly humiliated in front of the whole world, especially in front of their subjects. Chinese people in China and around the world deserve a lot better than this.
After Iraq, we should take a much harsher stand against tyrannical governments everywhere, for the oppressed people of the world and our own security.
Craig Urquhart
Toronto, Canada
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