A few words on Tibet....

Some time ago I read a book about the Tibetan warriors during the Chinese occupation in the 1950's. These were some hardcore dudes who lived in the high country and did not take any crap from anybody. They were devout Buddhist and followed the teachings of the Dalai Lama but believed that you used violence to protect what was your own. They vowed to fight to the death for their religion and their freedom. Unfortunately they ended up losing both. The Dalai Lama escaped to nearby India and has lived there in exile ever since.
The Chinese government killed millions of Tibetans and destroyed the ancient monestaries leaving the people without a religious leader and stripping them of their culture and identity.
In 1965 the Chinese renamed the area Tibet Autonomous Region or TAR for short. This turned the country basically into Chinese provinces. The dominant ethnic group is called Han Chinese that make up about 90% of the population. The remaining Tibetans have been fighting mostly a losing battle to regain some sense of their former lives up to the present.
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama (Ocean Of Wisdom) is still recognized as their spiritual leader even though he still resides in Dharmasala which is located in India across Tibet's western border. He still preaches the words of non-violence and peace. A philosphy most Buddhists practice in everyday life.
Well this past week many young students and monks have decided that they have had enough of the on-going oppression of the Chinese government. What seemed to me as a peaceful demonstration has turned violent. The shit has hit the fan. Blood has been shed from the capital of Lhasa which is in the middle of the country to provinces of Sichuan in the east up through Qinghai in the north. The Chinese government has reported 19 dead while the Tibetans have declared at least 100 as of Friday night. The city of Lhasa is in lock down and a ban on journalist and cameras is in effect. It appears as though Lhasa is a complete mess with burning buildings and military activity throughout the town. With the government controlling the media (like George Bush in Iraq) no one really knows the extent of damage or an accurate body count.
The Chinese are blaming the Dalai Lama for inciting the riots which we all know is bullshit. Americans are used to this type of pro war propaganda from Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Powell, Rice, Wolfowitz and the rest of the right wing controlled media to know who is lying.
The Dalai Lama has said he will resign if the Tibetans do not stop the protests. I'm not sure if he has any control at all over these strong-willed beaten down champions of the cause.
I understand and appreciate his non-violent and peaceful approach to world problems. If the Pope was half as cool as His Holiness the earth would be a much better place to live. But in this instance his philosophy hasn't done much for his people in recent history. So now what?
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi went to visit the Dalai Lama in Dharmasala and at a press conference there had this to say:"Freedom-loving people throughout the world do not speak out against China's oppression in China and Tibet, we have lost all moral authority to speak on behalf of human rights anywhere in the world". In-tuned people have spoken out about the people of Tibet on Hollywood stages and in print for awhile now, but the governments around the world have been the silent ones.
We are all (at least people with half a brain) anti-war. We are all (repeat) pro-choice. But what choice do the Tibetans have? I guess if you believe in something so strong that you are willing to sacrifice everything to achieve it you have to go for it. If the United States were occupied by a right wing regime(like in Iraq) would you fight for your freedom and lay everything on the line? Or would you just shut up and take it? I know I will support the people of Tibet and their cause either way.