[Dublin, a city of outraged conscience]This weeks thousand of protestors from across the political spectrum of the Irish capital took to the streets in angry protests sparked by the massacres in Urumchi in East Turkestan, called Xinjiang by the Chinese government.
The Chinese government admits to 197 deaths, mostly of indigenous Uighurs. Uighur sources, though understandably unable to be exact, say that in fact thousands of Uighurs have been killed by the Chinese authorities and in inter-communal clashes. Though reports are sketchy, it appears that in response to Uighur attacks, Han Chinese residents retaliated by killing a number of Uighurs. Most Han residents of Urumchi are settlers who have immigrated to the Uighur province of Xinjiang since China took control of it in 1949.
The violent killing of hundreds or thousands of innocent Uighur Muslims by Chinese authorities and settlers, sparked angry demonstrations all over Europe. In Dublin, the Dail voted a motion condemning Chinese aggression and withdrawing the Irish embassy from Beijing. The Irish Academics Association main executive body voted to suspend all contacts with Chinese academics.
The Irish National Student Association voted to boycott all Chinese-made goods. When it was pointed out that that included all iPods, cellphones, Blackberries, PDA's, Gameboys, Wii's, laptops, running shoes, and clothes, the resolution was amended to add the language, "in principle". Questions from the floor of "What principle?" were ruled out of order and the amended resolution was passed.
At the same time the Irish Socialist Party voted to divest from China in protest. As with the resolution of the Student Association, questions from the floor of "Divest what?" were ruled out of order. Sources indicated that the objectors were apparently the same persons as had objected during the Student Association vote. Their leader, Yitzhaak ben Diogenes, was escorted out of the hall by ushers.
In a public response interview, a Dublin-ite who gave his name as "Christy" was disturbed from his slumbers on the floor of a local alehouse. We asked him his opinion of the Urumchi massacres. Lying amid the sawdust and vomit, he opined, "Fuckin' Japs!" and passed out again.
Across town in another public response interview we spoke to a Dublin man named Damien. Damien said he regarded the massacre as a bad thing because it distracted public attention from real atrocities like Jews making Arabs wait in line at checkpoints to have their identity cards checked.
The Chinese government admits to 197 deaths, mostly of indigenous Uighurs. Uighur sources, though understandably unable to be exact, say that in fact thousands of Uighurs have been killed by the Chinese authorities and in inter-communal clashes. Though reports are sketchy, it appears that in response to Uighur attacks, Han Chinese residents retaliated by killing a number of Uighurs. Most Han residents of Urumchi are settlers who have immigrated to the Uighur province of Xinjiang since China took control of it in 1949.
The violent killing of hundreds or thousands of innocent Uighur Muslims by Chinese authorities and settlers, sparked angry demonstrations all over Europe. In Dublin, the Dail voted a motion condemning Chinese aggression and withdrawing the Irish embassy from Beijing. The Irish Academics Association main executive body voted to suspend all contacts with Chinese academics.
The Irish National Student Association voted to boycott all Chinese-made goods. When it was pointed out that that included all iPods, cellphones, Blackberries, PDA's, Gameboys, Wii's, laptops, running shoes, and clothes, the resolution was amended to add the language, "in principle". Questions from the floor of "What principle?" were ruled out of order and the amended resolution was passed.
At the same time the Irish Socialist Party voted to divest from China in protest. As with the resolution of the Student Association, questions from the floor of "Divest what?" were ruled out of order. Sources indicated that the objectors were apparently the same persons as had objected during the Student Association vote. Their leader, Yitzhaak ben Diogenes, was escorted out of the hall by ushers.
In a public response interview, a Dublin-ite who gave his name as "Christy" was disturbed from his slumbers on the floor of a local alehouse. We asked him his opinion of the Urumchi massacres. Lying amid the sawdust and vomit, he opined, "Fuckin' Japs!" and passed out again.
Across town in another public response interview we spoke to a Dublin man named Damien. Damien said he regarded the massacre as a bad thing because it distracted public attention from real atrocities like Jews making Arabs wait in line at checkpoints to have their identity cards checked.
Got my personality down to a tee Jack!
ReplyDeleteI actually did enjoy this post, especially that paragraph about the student committee having to 'amend' its motion. Good satire Jack - I dislike giving you credit but I did find that post quite funny!
ReplyDelete