Oct 29, 2007 at 09:00 PM
By Kenneth Todd Ruiz, Staff Writer Pasadena Star News, Article Launched: 10/29/2007 11:11:37 PM PDT

PASADENA - A Catholic monk's withered arm, deformed from what was described as years of torture, only compounded the City Council's unease Monday night as it considered a response to wide-ranging complaints over China's participation in the 2008 Rose Parade.

Thrust into the spotlight by a local controversy that has grown into a referendum on China's suitability as Olympic host, the council resembled an international court as the dozens of speakers lined up to deliver testimony on the balance of that nation's past and current abuses.

Some were present to support the Beijing Olympic float, an idea years in the making with the help of the city's own Sister City Committee and Mayor Bill Bogaard, designed to celebrate the spirit of the Olympic Games.

Ultimately the council agreed to endorse a 60-year-old "universal declaration" of human rights from the United Nations to be sent to federal officials and all of Pasadena's sister cities, including one at the heart of the debate -- Xicheng, a Beijing district.

No action was taken regarding the float itself.

Float supporters were eclipsed by a vocal majority, from local residents to international human rights organizations, which used the phalanx of cameras and media coverage to declare China had broken its promises to clean up its act with respect to human rights.

"It's symbolic," said Bob McCloskey, a local labor union activist. "The Olympics are going to happen, but they made commitments to improve human rights and they haven't."

McCloskey added imprisonment and abuse of workers to the balance of religious persecution, trafficking in human body parts, complicity in abuses in Sudan and Burma, quashing dissent, jailing journalists and more.

In a striking piece of visual testimony, Peter Zhou Bangjiu held high his emaciated arm he said was the result of years of torture and abuse because he wouldn't comply with the Communist Party's directives about how he practiced Roman Catholicism.

Bogaard said he thoughtfully weighed calls for his recusal from the discussion but said he was confident in his ability to be fair. As for those critical of China's rights record, the mayor added he respected "their right to have those views" but again strenously avoided making any statements which could be perceived as critical of China. After the meeting, he again declined to comment on China's record.

First to speak was Kenneth Hardy, the chairman of the advisory board whose report was before the council. The council delivered high praise for the report but rejected most of its recommendations.

Making a pre-emptive move against the argument that the debate was too big or exceeded the bounds of the City Council, Hardy cited examples when the city took positions on external matters and called attention to the mayor and Sister City Commission's role in making the float happen.

"By having the sister city relationship itself, the city has already decided to step outside of its borders," he said, adding that the commission was struck by float supporters' "profound lack of sensitivity to their fellow Chinese" who have complained.

Hardy also alluded to a parallel between Beijing today and Berlin in 1936 when Adolf Hitler presided over the Olympic Games.

Providing counterpoint, Sister City Chairman Fred Alcantar said his group was part of promoting human rights but discouraged the council from taking action he considered out of its jurisdiction.

"We don't believe the remedy should come from the local level," he said.

That point was raised most directly by District 6 Councilman Steve Madison:

"I don't believe I was elected by my constituents to express opinions on international matters."

Just as the council didn't issue a resolution condemning Al Qaida for Sept. 11, Madison said, weighing in on the issue would open the door for Pasadena to be asked to address any number of perceived unjustices. "We don't have a sister city relationship with Al Qaida," said Councilman Chris Holden in response. "We do have one with China."

There was unanimous consensus to support the concept of human rights, but the council hesitated when it came to applying that to China specifically.

Councilmembers Victor Gordo, Chris Holden and Jacque Robinson favored a more direct statement designed for China.

"If they come back and say we have a problem with your view of human rights, then we'll have to re-evaluate wheter that city is the right fit for Pasadena," Gordo said.

Gordo accepted the idea of including a letter that said the resolution came in response to "allegations of human rights abuses" by China, but Holden urged the council to focus on the matter at hand.

Saying they'd "side-stepped the whole issue of the float," he suggested sending a specific statement to China, which only Councilwoman Jacque Robinson supported.

As the meeting adjourned, Ann Lau, president of the human rights group Visual Artists Guild, held up a drawing she made of a chicken.

The cost of the Beijing Olympic float, estimated at $400,000, was split between Avery Dennison Corp. and an association of Chinese-American organizations, at least one of which is an entity that was created by the Chinese Government.

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Human Rights Commission recommendations

1 The City Council shall create an ad-hoc committee for the purpose of reaching out and communicating with the various individuals and the groups in this matter, the expectation is that the dialogue will result in some concrete action, as discussed above. The ad-hoc committee shall include members of the City Council, the Human Relations Commission, and any others the City Council believes will contribute to this matter.

2 The ad-hoc committee shall report back to the City Council in no later than 30 days. At that time the City Council shall take a final position on the matter. The City Council should entertain any and all of the options discussed and take into consideration the efforts of the involved parties to communicate, to reach some sort of understanding over the issues, and to agree on some concrete action. If some action is agreed to by the parties, then that could be submitted to the City Council for review and, if sufficient, ratification as its final action in the matter.

3 After the ad-hoc committee reports back, the City Council shall also issue a resolution expressing the central importance of human rights principles and concern over the human rights issues in China. The resolution shall reflect upon those matters discussed as well as take into consideration any good faith efforts at interaction, or lack thereof, and shall be communicated in an appropriate manner to the Xicheng District of Beijing.

(626) 578-6300, Ext. 4444

www.insidesocal.com/pasadenapolitics

This is a poster for the 2008 "Chinese New Year Spectacular" (click to enlarge), Los Angeles.

This is part of a global tour of 50 cities and 120 shows during the Chinese New Year Season, The Year of the Rat. A rare chance to see authentic Chinese culture.
In New York, Paris, London, Taipei, Sydney, Toronto, San Francisco, Berlin, Seoul,.... For more information you may visit the official site of NTDTV's Chinese New Year Spectacular.

I'm very touched by this artwork and I'd like to share it here (click to enlarge):


Artwork by an Imprisoned Practitioner: Presenting Birthday Peaches

It was made by a Falun Dafa practitioner who was unlawfully imprisoned in the Heilongjiang Provincial Jail for Women. She used red and black ballpoint pens to construct this picture under very difficult circumstances. The painting was made to celebrate the 12th anniversary of esteemed Master's introduction of Falun Dafa and to congratulate Master's birthday.

The Difference Is in a Single Thought

By Luwen



(Clearwisdom.net) Li Linfu (who died in 752 A.D.) was Prime Minister for Emperor Tang Xuan Zong (713-756 A.D.) of the Tang Dynasty. He lived on the east side of Luoyang City. When he was 20 years old he had yet to take up serious studies, though he enjoyed swimming, hunting, and was fond of falcons and dogs. He often stood upside down on his hands and leaned against a wall to rest. One day he met a Taoist who told him, "Although you are very good at this, you may one day fall suddenly into a calamity, and then it will be too late!" Li Linfu immediately stood up normally and said that he would cultivate himself and practice morality from then on, learn to be respectful and prudent, and give up his bad behavior. The Taoist said, "I've traveled the world for 500 years and you're the only one I've met who has a predestined relationship with the divine. After you've completed your cultivation and consummated you can rise up in broad daylight and leave (becoming an immortal) (from the book Yi Shi). If you don't wish to cultivate you can be Prime Minister for twenty peaceful years and wield great power. Now go home and think about what you want, and come back and see me in three days."

When the day arrived, Li Linfu told the Taoist, "I'm a young member of the Emperor's clan and have been chivalrous since childhood. I'd rather be a Prime Minister for twenty years and have great power than become an immortal. That's my decision."

Upon hearing Li Linfu's words the Taoist said sadly, "I've only met one predestined person in 500 years, and he'd rather cling to power in the human world and miss his opportunity to cultivate. What a pity!"

Li Linfu was very regretful and wanted to change his mind, but the Taoist said, "A person's first thought is most important. The Gods have already heard your wish, and it's too late to change it now."

The Taoist cautioned him, "When you serve as an official you should do good deeds and help people as much as you can. Don't kill innocent people. Don't become vicious and never commit crimes. In 300 years I'll teach you how to cultivate and you can still become an immortal." Li Linfu agreed to obey, while falling to his knees and crying, and said goodbye to the Taoist.

Not long after, Li Linfu became very successful in his career, made steady progress and soon became the Prime Minister. However, he was shrewd and calculating, with ulterior motives and a silver tongue, and Emperor Tang Xuan Zong liked him very much. He established a big prison and killed many dissidents. Many people were falsely accused, and the common people led miserable lives.

One day the Taoist suddenly showed up at the Prime Minister's office. Li Linfu saw him and recognized him as the same old man who'd taught him so many years before. He was extremely ashamed and fearful, and was at a loss for words. He remembered that the Taoist had told him he'd be "Prime Minister for twenty years." He realized his time was up, yet he hadn't fulfilled any of the teachings. He felt sick to the stomach and immediately knelt before the Taoist.

The Taoist said, "Many years ago you promised to do what I asked you, but you haven't done any of it. I asked you to do good deeds, yet you are sly and vicious and have killed many innocent people. The Heavenly Gods know every single detail of your crimes and your punishment is horrifying!" Li Linfu kowtowed continuously when he heard that.

Li Linfu asked the Taoist, "I remember you said in 300 years I'd have the opportunity to become an immortal. Is it still possible?" The Taoist replied, "What you've done is against the laws of Heaven. There will be negative consequences and we'll have to add another 300 years, so you won't get another chance until 600 years have past."

Li Linfu was extremely regretful.

February 9, 2007


Posting date: 2/27/2007
Original article date: 2/27/2007
Category: Open Forum
Chinese version available at http://www.minghui.org/mh/articles/2007/2/10/148633.html