Should the Empire State Building use lights to honor China’s 60th anniversary of communism?
Are you kidding me?!? Since when do we celebrate communism? Is that what we aspire to? Horrible suppression and no human rights?!? Show honor and respect to people who do honorable and respectful things. Recognize organizations and governments for lifting people up and moving civilization forward. Celebrate events that meant something progressive and positive. These are expressions I can completely support. Recognizing the founding of a brutal and uncivil communist government would be like celebrating Hitler's birthday. Give me a break!
I gotta agree with Jon from Seattle. The communist government of China does not warrant celebration.
While I have great sympathy for the Chinese people, I hope one day that they will be free of the oppressive government that slaughtered millions of people when it came to power. If we are celebrating China's communist birth, do we next celebrate North Korea's and Cuba's glowing examples?
Jon's right. I'm strongly in favor of a lot of what our own "red-state" citizens decry as "socialism," but Chinese communism is a far cry from universal healthcare. It is a black mark on humanity. It should be reviled and opposed, not celebrated from the top of one of our capitalist monuments the Chinese so abhor. It's private property; they shouldn't be prohibited from celebrating what they wish, but they also just shouldn't do it, period.
Get use to it!! The way this govertment is taking us, we will be celebrating Hugo Chavez birthday!!
We let China take our jobs, why not our land marks as well. And thank you, China for not backing us when it come to Iran's Nukes. We ought to celebrate the 60 year anniversary. Unless our government changes, we'll be under the Chinese spell for another 600 years.
Why stop here, make the Statue of Liberty change from Green to Red and then ship it to them.
Eric...is Bill Ayers Chinese?
sikocrap...what's with your "this government" crap? Do you now blame the skid marks in your underwear on Obama too?
The empire state building is privately owned and Obama nor any other federal government, including the state of New York, dictates its celebrations. New York's congressman tried to reach the owner/people who run the building to let them know he disagreed with this use of the building.
I know being responsible is no fun for some of you, but do some research before blaming your new favorite scapegoat.
Who are we to tell the Chinese people what kind of government they should have? If, by their inaction, they believe communism to be the right form of government for them, WHO THE H-LL ARE WE TO SAY OTHERWISE? And has anyone on this list been to China over the last 10 years, to see the progress that country has had in feeding and clothing its people? It isn't perfect but, to the CHINESE, again by their acquiescence, they have chosen it. just as we have the chosen the capitalist system we now seem to blame because they have been able to produce the goods and services we want at prices we are willing to pay.
Grow up, people. We should look at the Empire State Building lit up like that to remind us blaming other people is NOT going to fix our problems - we need to ask ourselves what we are willing to do, what we are willing to sacrifice.
@ juan-793525
The Chinese people chose absolutely nothing. Given the extreme lack of freedom of expression, press, etc. in the country, as well as its well-recorded history of making political dissenters (read: opposition) "disappear", to claim that the Chinese people chose the current regime... you might as well as claim that Saddam was a legitimately elected leader of pre-war Iraq.
John from Seattle, so you want to not celebrate china's rights violations by taking away the free speech rights of the owners of the empire state building? Way to show those Chinese dude!
For those that aren't aware, the empire state building is a privately owned building and therefore it would be a violation of the owners' first amendment rights to tell them what they can or can't say or celebrate.
Who are the commie bastards now, hmm?
Hey, a lot of Americans wanted "change" and they're getting it.
It was obviously done to show how great the partnership between US and Chinese businessmen have become. But, we are still Americans, and we are not Chinese. True, no one can take away their right to wave the chinese colors around, but this is our home.
Chinese who come here are Chinese Americans, maybe we should correct this to American Chinese.
Jon
I share your sentiment but wonder why our country has allowed ourself to be purchased by China.
You do realize that we have borrowed lots of money from them
I see no reason why not to. Every country has their issues, America itself included. Must we act all high and mighty? Especially given America's history? Give it a rest, let the building be lit up.
I'll buy the ticket. You should thank a Vet that you can write that without going to jail.
Why not celebrate every murderous totalitarian regime (Stalin's USSR, Idi Amin, Pol Pot, etc) - you could light the building all year! Hey- Show a little sense of patriotism Irisi (unless you're Chinese in which case you have). Disgusting!
So Irisi, were you upset when Van Jones resigned? I bet you were.
"You should thank a Vet that you can write that without going to jail."
and that whoever owns the building can light it up to honor China if they so choose, no matter how much we may dislike it.
Simple Jack has a puh-puh-point.* We may not like it, but they have the absolute right to do it. Doesn't mean they "should," but they have a right to, and that's a good thing.
*Tropic Thunder humor
get the hell out of our USA Irisi,
From a US Marine,BobbyMac
So if they were putting up a big swastika on the side of the building, you wouldn't have a problem with that either? It's the same issue. Period. We do not celebrate totalitarian governments which have killed their own citizens over their right to exercise their own freedoms. Maybe they technically have a "right" to do this, but we have a right to raise some hell about it too.
Click on Irisi name and see the SH-t posted including support of gay marrage No wonder this country is in such a mess!
And thank a vet for not being hung for the POS you are
iris given american history? has it been re-written again? every country has their issues? wow how insightful. high and mighty? iris dear that was a movie, can you see the light where your head is stuck?
I am sick to death with all this crap about 'America's history'. Our 'horrible' country has helped out many many other countries over the years. Hell - we let immigrants just come on in - no need to get legal! Hang around and you'll soon get free medical too!
If you honestly think America is so awful (just like your president/savior) - then GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!!! The rest of us are going to stand up and SPEAK UP about the corruption that is becoming to blatant to ignore. But you just keep sleeping and hopefully when you do wake up you'll still be able to speak your opinions. They are working on that already...
Obviously you know nothing about the history of communism and what it does to people. Wake up and look at what happened to the people of the former USSR. Communism, and it's lighter form (called socialism) takes away autonomy and makes dependent zombies of people. I'd rather die than than honor the f%$*ing communists, socialist, and Obama.
and that whoever owns the building can light it up to honor China if they so choose, no matter how much we may dislike it.
To say anything different would be to totally dismiss the sacrifices of every American soldier. The rest of you might as well be pissing on the graves in arlington.
How about you people that are so willing to trample the first amendment GET THE HELL OUT of this country first? I'm talking to you Kim! You seem to hate this country's constitution to the point that you might as well be tearing it up... you get the hell out first.
You are an idiot. Since you hate America, you need to move to China.
'scuse me irisi, but not celebrating some other country's activities is not "high and mighty". It is, however, a definite remark that we are our own nation, not a nation of someone else's making. We are NOT one world (there is no such thing) nor are beholden to any other nation. When we fall into the trap being laid to destroy us, America, as you, and I and all of us know her, will disappear.
Your posting, sweet thing, sounds as if you were one more vicitim of the present day level of what passes for education. Go to your library and read what our patriots have written since we even before we fought for our indepence and expand your knowledge. We want you to educate yourself. Don't go through life as a victim.
Best wishes.
This is utterly disgusting. Why should we honor such a belief. You might as well do the same thing for Hitler and his followers. The city must be hard up to take money for portraying such a scene.
#6 - Wed Sep 30, 2009 6:46 PM EDTThis is a stupid thing to do. When the Chinese people have freedom that would be a day to celebrate. What about the people of Tibet and the other minorities in the country. No way in hell that this government should be celebrated. Besides China is communist in name only because in reality they are a totalitarian regime where there is very little egalitarianism.
#7 - Wed Sep 30, 2009 6:54 PM EDTwell, you know maybe obama is giving us a little tast of what is to come in AMERICA, after all look at OUR OWN president and his beliefs! NOT GOOD, NOT GOOD!
okihadit, do you even understand what you wrote? "look at our own president and his beliefs"? Exactly, what beliefs are you talking about? Dear God, help us educate our citizens.
Ikie - why don't YOU educate yourself? Didn't Obama say during the campaign "If you want to know who I am - look at who I surround myself with."
Have you done that? Have you looked? Bill Ayres - the guy who tried to blow up the Pentagon? (Ayre's bomb partner has ties to Van Jones too!) His reverend in the church he attended for TWENTY YEARS. You know - the guy that says 'God DAMN America' and basically hates white people? How about all the communists/marxists he's appointed? Van Jones called himself a communist!!! Acorn... SEIU...
I could go on and on but you probably won't believe it. All these things that Fox News and Glenn Beck are saying? They back it up with VIDEOS and they reference books or articles. You can Google this crap yourself if you really want to be educated. Obama schooled you! He is a Marxist for sure - just look at the people he surrounds himself with - ALL HIS LIFE!!! WAKE UP ALREADY!
P.S. This has NOTHING to do with him being black... I almost voted for him simply because he is black - but decided that would be racist - and VERY ignorant...
Is this the change you believed in?
#8 - Wed Sep 30, 2009 6:54 PM EDTThis does not have anything to do with Obama, don't forget that the Bush administration is the one that danced with the Chinese for 8 years and gave them everything.
At least President Obama has began to put economical presure on them on behalf of the steel industry of the United States of America.
My father was in the Korean war fighting against communism. What the heck are they doing? This is an injuctice for the service men and women of this free nation! What are they doing - trying to brain wash us and desensitize us? Please, why were all the wars for if it were not because of freedom? Communism is not freedom but they are trying make it okay to "celebrate communism!"
#10 - Wed Sep 30, 2009 6:56 PM EDTThe freedom of speech your father fought for makes it okay for the private citizens who own the empire state building to celebrate communism. Your father would be very disappointed in you if he knew you wanted to trash the freedom of speech that he fought for. You should be ashamed of yourself Delores.
I see nothing wrong with it. We will soon be ruled by China because of our stupidity anyway.
#12 - Wed Sep 30, 2009 6:57 PM EDTThis really isn't a joke. Once again, big multinational corporations at work. I wouldn't be surprised to find the names of more than a few Chinese Corporations as majority stake holders on the buildings owner and management company, W.H. Properties, incorporation paperwork.
Once again, just follow the money.
But then again, with as much money as China has leveraged into the US financial system, it's a wonder that American school children aren't already singing "San Min Chu-i" (Name of China's National Anthem) instead of the "Star Spangled Banner".
Chalk it up to a sign of the times.
#13 - Wed Sep 30, 2009 6:58 PM EDTYou want to celebrate something, how about this; its been 144 years since the end of America's civil war, not another country on the face on this earth can boast this, why don't we celebrate it with another one. Looks like we need one to fix this country, to put it back to were it should be.
#14 - Wed Sep 30, 2009 6:59 PM EDTJohn, buddy I'm ready when you are. Let's take our country back.
If we continue to just sit with our thumbs up our asses, it will be in our life time that you will open your morning paper and on the front cover it will read "WELCOME TO THE NEW AMERICA (made in china)" . All those who have ever fought and or died in battle for this country will have died in vain, this must never be. We must unitedly stand-up to our government leaders ASAP! if we are going to fix this great nation.
Take the country back? From whom? From the republicans that sold it to the best bidder and now are laughing all the way to the bank?
what the hell are you talking about? we must take it back from obama, before it is tooooooooooooooooooo late!
ricardov get over the PARTISAN bs, we're all Americans. get the hell out of the back pockets of the partisan party crap, think for yourself, is that asking too much? yea i know you already do, yep! We have troops that are dying for you freedom to spew your bs. have you ever once thanked even one service member for your right to be an ass?
peggy/florida, I'm a former service member, and I take extreme offense to A-holes like you who use our service to this country as a reason to trample the first amendment rights of the people of this country. We served this country so that fascists like John Hill wouldn't be able to take away the first amendment rights of anyone that holds a different view. So I want you to understand just one thing, you're not standing up for America or my fellow soldiers when you don't respect the rights of others. You're only disrespecting everything we've ever fought for, and whatever you do, don't f-cking thank me for my service while disrespecting everything we're willing to die for.
Ben,
I am a Viet vet and hate the communist, @!$%# them! And any American who wants to say the same...God Bless them, that's what I fought for, and @!$%# any corporation who wants to celebrate with the commies...get my drift . Screw these corporations who have run to commie countries to get the cheapest labor possible, while abandoning the people in this country who made them what they are!
are we no longer americans what the f....k is this country coming to...red...white...blue....are the only colors that belong...what have all world war...1...2...etc soldiers have died for all these years.................
#15 - Wed Sep 30, 2009 7:04 PM EDTWell among other things, for the first-amendment rights of the private owners of the empire state building to express or celebrate whatever they want to, including communism in China if they so choose. Thank you very much for taking a big ole' crap on what every soldier since the revolutionary war has fought for by wanting to eliminate the first amendment.
I know China owns a big chunk of America in hock but is this part of the price we have to pay?
#16 - Wed Sep 30, 2009 7:06 PM EDTI voted No, but I must comment about the negitive commets. We are against their suppressive goverment, and yet we support China economically. So I guess if China offered every American family a free HD Flat Screen then the lights would be OK!
#19 - Wed Sep 30, 2009 7:10 PM EDTDid anyone light up red ,white, and blue for America? Let the White House do it!!!!!
#20 - Wed Sep 30, 2009 7:11 PM EDTGet over it, kids. China owns us, thanks in large part to George W. Bush, his war, and his recession.
Compared with other countries we call friends, such as Saudi Arabia, and countries we've called friends in the past, such as Pinochet's Chile, the Chinese aren't so bad. And at least the "Communist" government there has managed to feed their people for the past 40 years.
Let's give them a little face. Small gestures of respect mean a lot in Asia.
#21 - Wed Sep 30, 2009 7:13 PM EDTHold on a minute, there are a lot of things you can blame on G.W.Bush, but selling out America is not one of them. HUMMM, let me think, OH, wasn't that the peoples President ol' slick willy, William Jefferson Clinton.
One of the first things Tim Geithner did after Obama took office was go over to China and BEG for them to buy more of our debt. They couldn't spend fast enough! That wasn't Bush telling him to go over there and you need a new argument.
Sorry, but your Geithner facts are just wrong. Richard Nixon was the first president to sell us all down the river to China...Reagan re-inforced it and both Bushes promoted it. Get your facts straight, son.
I keep seeing these incredible stupid comments, I click REPLY - oh - it's Ikie again!!
No one disputes that we have been led down this path for years by both D's and R's. But good old Obama is the only one traveling all over the world to bow and kiss the asses of communist/marxists dictators, apologizing for America as our soldiers are DYING for defending our country and the rights of others in their countries. What kind of US PRESIDENT does THAT???????????????????? Can you focus on what is happening NOW?
How long is Obama going to blame Bush for EVERYTHING?
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This is not my America! I want my America back! Honoring a communist country with anti-human rights activities?... inappropriate!