Olympic Protests¹

I know, I know. I was supposed to kill this thing off some time ago. But since the death of Mindinclined, my viewership has doubled and I am receiving sponsors. So what the hell, let’s keep babbling.

My topic today, a favorite among the do-gooders of our world, human rights. And, as usual, I am sick of it. How long have we been seeing these damn protests and commentaries about how awful China is? You could fill a library with how they abuse, imprison, and stalk their people. Nobody mentions how China has sustained 30 straight years of economic growth. Besides, all governments have ‘violoations’ to some extent, so why don’t you mind your own business?

Maybe I’m insensitive. Granted. But what is a ‘Human Right’ anyway? Something you’re born with? Acquire? Take by force? Really it’s patchwork of scribblings compiled over the years, by particular groups, agreed upon, and given power ONLY by acceptance of people. It is an artificial creation; an idea. We are trying to bully China into accepting our idea (brainwashing even?). I’m still waiting for the ‘Human Right’ to masterbate in public before I  buy into the idea myself.

Ok, let’s stop right here, lest you get confused. I am not suggesting that any of the so-called ‘Human Rights’ are bad ideas. I think most of them can be beneficial. But they are just that: ideas. Not God-given or even natural states that we somehow possess just because we live. What bullshit. We made these ideas and we give them power. Sound familiar?

Now all China has to say to respond to this onslaught, is that their system works. It has provided HUGE economic prosperity for 30 years and will continue to do so. It has provided the most basic of Human Rights to much of its population: the Right to live. It is easy for us fat cats to bitch and whine about freedom of speech and privacy issues. But lets see how much protesting you can do when most of your day is spent earning a portion of rice and some clean water. Are we so fucking bored and bloated that we have to entertain ourselves by preaching our perfect systems to struggling countries? Hmmm, sounds like a little bit of Christian-dom infused in Democracy…

Oh you self-righteous glutons and your socially-progressive ideals. Can’t you see? While you are raving on and on about how superior your ‘Human Rights’ are, China is proving, by example, how superior their economic system is. And in the world of scarce resources, over-population, and war… ‘Human Rights’ mean shit.

Does nobody see how volatile our own system is? You civilized folk, you. Given the right circumstances, you’ll be tearing out each others hearts and selling them to China for loaves of bread. “Oh no, not me! Never.” Yes even you, preacher-man. You and your 5-year old kid will turn savage if your suvival depends on it. You’ll club seals, skin your cat, sell fake drugs, and auction your daughters into slavery. Why lie to yourself? All humans are equal. Remember? There is a monster inside of you too.

But I hate to be pessimistic, I really do. So how about proving, by example, that our ‘Human Rights’ can coincide with sustainable living and a strong economy? Or even progress civil liberties at the same time? If you can demonstrate that your way of doing things is better, people will ask for your advice. Otherwise, you’re just forcing your own brand of bullshit down their throats. And, I think any Human will agree, that is the worst violation of all.

1. Creative Commons http://www.flickr.com/photos/astrolondon/2396259086/ [↩]