On Deadly Ground

I described the San Francisco Olympic Torch protesters who were herded into "free speech zones", in my article "1984", as an injustice. Looking back it seems like they were treated fairly when compared to how protesters are to be dealt with in Nepal. Nepal’s Home Ministry spokesman Modraj Dotel said that their police and soldiers, "have been given orders to stop any protest on the mountain using whatever means necessary, including use of weapons." To be fair, officials said that they will try to use non-violent means of getting the protesters to depart, but reserve the right to use deadly force. Chinese climbers will take the Olympic Torch to the peak of Mt. Everest. During that time, climbers will be prohibited from ascending to the higher elevations. Already, Pro-Tibet protesters in the Nepalese capital of Katmandu have been beaten by police. This story again reminds us of the plight of Tibet's people, and China's poor Human Rights record. It should also remind each and every American of the blessings of liberty. I think free speech zones are wrong, but they're allot better than bullets.