China vs. CNN (and Tibet)

Recently there's been a bit of a to-do between CNN and China over comments that CNN commentator Jack Cafferty made about the Chinese efforts to make the Olympic Torch relay smoother, i.e. without protests. Cafferty said on CNN's "The Situation Room":

"I think they're basically the same bunch of goons and thugs they've been for the last 50 years."

China has demanded an apology from CNN and Cafferty, saying that Cafferty was out of line. CNN issued an apology, but Mr. Cafferty has not.

My take: This seems like a bit of a knee-jerk reaction by China. They are thinking not with their intellect, but with their gonads. Someone criticized them, and all they can think of is how someone was mean to them. Hey, Chinese, we have this great thing in the U.S. called "freedom of speech." Also, "freedom of the press." That means that Jack Cafferty can say whatever the heck he wants about you. And you can take that and shove it.

Here's the video:


In other China news:
In the run-up to the Beijing Olympics, China has been trying to suppress signs of unrest in Tibet. To that end, the Chinese have referred to the Dalai Lama as a "wolf in monk's robes" and a "terrorist." For people who don't understand, let me give you an illustration.