Praise for Obama

Perhaps Barak Obama had an eye on history, particularly the dispossession and marginalisation of America's original indigenous population, or the longstanding and ongoing injustices heaped on black Americans, when he bit his tongue over Beijing's policy towards the Uighurs. Perhaps he thought, "Well, we did that. So I guess it's okay for them to do the same."

Probably, he was more concerned with America's cheque book (1). It's a bargain that would have made Faustus sicken.

As far as the Communists in the PRC are concerned, he has done precisely the right thing, that is, what they wanted him to do - nothing. They have commended him for doing nothing and saying nothing:

A Chinese diplomat says China appreciates what he calls the "moderate attitude" of the U.S. response to ethnic riots in China's oil-rich Xinjiang region.

Speaking in Washington, Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya said Tuesday that U.S. officials also indicated that the U.S. position on violence involving Muslim minority Uighur residents was that it constituted a domestic affair of China. (2)

One can't help but wonder what the response would be if the Communists decided to roll tanks over a crowd of students in 2009. Presumably, that would also count as a 'domestic affair of China.'

If you are being praised by the heirs of Chairman Mao, surely it is obvious that you're doing something wrong.

1 - As described previously on lefthandpalm: http://lefthandpalm.blogspot.com/2009/07/this-is-why-rebiya-kadeer-will-be.html
2 - "China welcomes 'moderate' US response to riots," unattributed AP article, 29th of July, 2009. (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hqLramON8toBQBppkuM6zEzExUZgD99NO9B82)