China

For those who would like to believe that China is our friend because they see so many goods made in China sitting on the shelves of all the major retailers in the U.S., consider this news item today:

China rounds up, beats mourners for deposed leader Zhao: witnesses
Thu Jan 27, 6:40 AM ET

BEIJING (AFP) - China has detained dozens of people, some of whom

have been severely beaten, for trying to mark the death of former

leader Zhao Ziyang, witnesses said.

The allegations came as the government intensified security to

prevent mourners attending Saturday's funeral in Beijing for Zhao,

the former Communist Party secretary general purged for opposing

the 1989 military crackdown on the Tiananmen democracy movement.

At least three people, including a woman in her 70s, were punched

and manhandled by police officers outside the government offices

which receive complaints in the Chinese capital, witnesses said.

They were among some 60 people who pinned white paper flowers

to their clothes, a traditional Chinese symbol of mourning, said a

bystander who took pictures of the beatings and posted them on

overseas websites.

If you mourn the passing of Zhao, you must be an enemy of the state. This is something to remember the next time you are in Walmart, Bed Bath and Beyond, Home Depot, Target, and other stores where it is difficult to find a product not made in China.