Some Fun Reactions to "Tibet" Column.

Ah, it's good to be back in the crosshairs again.... I spent a fair part of Saturday morning answering complaint emails about the column, "Tibet: This Year's Fashionable Victim." It might help if you read the column first, just below, to know what was and what wasn't said. First a few of the complaints themselves, and then my responses, additional commentary in brackets if necessary.

Subject: "Tibet"

From: S Bevilacqua

If the Right has such a problem with Communist China, then why have they sent all of our manufacturing there? Yes, Tibet has always been a trendy annoying cause with the Left and idiot celebrities, but the Right has sunk the ecomony of this country into the toilet, and China has been a big part of that.

Reply: Almost had a good question there. The problem comes in assuming that all corporations are Right-wing and that all conservatives are - what, exactly? - corporatized? Or something similar? The difference is, companies don't exist to provide jobs for Americans; they're in business to turn profits and, where applicable, serve shareholders. To those ends, companies are free to ship their product to just about anywhere if, at the end, it serves financial interests. Do you want to get in the business of telling companies where and with whom they can, well, do business? I don't.

Now if you're trying to say that China finances too much American debt, then I agree with you; if American debt didn't exist to such degrees, that sort of propping up wouldn't be necessary. You're right.

As for regular conservatives - I'm not sure what you're talking about. We've always been against China. You know, on account of all that forced abortion and rolling over student protesters with tanks. And et cetera. Best; brian s. wise

Subject: "American Daily Feedback"

From: big

Really? This oppression started when China forced the monks out of Tibet? Talk about jumping on the bandwagon. You are aware that with the Dalai Lama, there was a caste system in place where the commoners basically served the priest caste? If you don't, you shouldn't be writing an article about it, and if you do know, you've chosen to ignore the fact the the Tibetan people have been oppressed for a long time, but at least the Chinese are bringing in modern technology, although they are trying to leave the native Tibetans out in the cold. The Dalai Lama wants Tibet back because it's better to be king and have your own sovereign nation, not because he cares about the people. Communism.. they're not even communists, what a joke, but clearly a caste system is so superior.

Reply: Try reading the column again; this time, read it for what it says, not for what you think it says, or worse yet, think it should have said. Best; brian s. wise

[If I were to receive a hundred complaint emails, 95 of them would be answered with a reply very similar to this one above, because most often the problem they're having stems from that exact symptom. Of those 95, 93 would let it go. Then you have people like this, who quoted portions of the column and then asked these questions.]

Subject: "American Daily Feedback"

From: chris maze

I have no dog in this fight, but this is probably the stupidest opinion piece I have ever read. [I'm number one! Whoo-hoo!] Are you suggesting using military force against China is a viable option? If not, what are you talking about? Are you suggesting the "free Tibet" movement is a recent "fad"? Are you suggesting the Dalai Lama hasn't sold out American arenas and venues for years? How old are you?

Dude, just read a book or something before you write again. And Communism is old hat. Islamofacism is the new thing for you te be afraid of. China really hasn't been "communist" for a while now, hence the explosion of their markets.

Reply: If this is the stupidest opinion piece you've ever read, why on Earth did you read the whole thing? Well, at least give it one more shot - this time, try reading it for what it says, not for what it doesn't say, or what you want it to say. Best; brian s. wise

Not responding to my questions and a idiotic response. Ok. Dude, you are made for right wing junk pieces. Shit, you'll probably have a book deal before long!

I pray for my country :(

Okay, okay. I'll take them point by point.

1. "Are you suggesting using military force against China is a viable option?" No. Read the column. It's not about force against China. It's about fashionable support for Tibet

2. "If not, what are you talking about?" Not taking advantage of the recent Tibet matter for political gain knowing, as was said in the column. [sic] You can't just talk and reason with China, as they are "closed [minded] on the subject," as was also written. Read the column

3. "Are you suggesting the "free Tibet" movement is a recent "fad"?" No. Read the column. I've downplayed the recent concerns of those who have taken it up as a fad, however, saying in fact that if you give "people four months and a hand-to-hand battle between the Obama and Clinton camps at the Democratic national convention, and they'll go back to ignoring Tibet again." Which will be the case, but I don't expect I'll be hearing from you then

4. "Are you suggesting the Dalai Lama hasn't sold out American arenas and venues for years?" No. But that's not what the column was about. It was about fashionable support for Tibet. Read it, you'll see

5. "How old are you?" Probably old enough to be your father, judging by the way you read, interpret, and write, "dude." Best; brian s. wise

Addendum: Sunday, 13 April @ 619am EST: Saturday at 9.52pm I received this email frm Chris ...

Not ever gonna be good enough for fox asshole :)

Really, you addressed nothing in the context I asked it. That was why I ask in reference to specific quotes. And in 4 months, Democrats will fade away and the Dalai Lama will cease selling out events? History shows you a fool.

Your party is destroyed. They did it to themselves. God knows the Dems didn't have any backbone. This kind of "insightful writing" is done. Reality always wins. Enjoy obscurity bro. And don't burn yourself on the fryer at work :)

Peace dude

And then this one, at 12.56am Sunday.

Nevermind bro. I just read your site :)

Keep up the good work. Destroy the party. Drive people away from your bullshit in droves. Kill your party from the inside. Great work you half illiterate joke.

Well, by the time we get to this point, I've lost another fan. Incidentally, Chris Maze is from Seattle, Washington, which explains quite a bit. Here's his email address: boomaze@gmail.com.

One of the mentions of the "Tibet" column can be found here, described (correctly) by Rob Peters as follows: "Meanwhile, writer Brian Wise calls Tibet 'this year's fashionable victim,' and chastises protesters who seem to care about Tibet only when its cool." He's reading the exact same column as Chris Maze, except he understands it.

Incidentally, a note for Chris Haze: I am enjoying obscurity, thank you, and they give us special elbow length rubber gloves so that we don't burn ourselves. Not everyone writes to get themselves published or on television, you know.

Second Addendum: Sunday, 13 April @ 5.52pm. Things with Chris have now digressed into name calling and obscenity, which means we're probably both having a great time.