China's PR Machine Kicks Into High Gear

China's carefully managed international media tour of Tibet's capital ran into a public-relations roadblock Thursday -- a protest by screaming Buddhist monks at a holy shrine. CNN.com

CNN was not actually allowed to join the dozens of journalists invited by the Chinese government to tour Lhasa, in a PR move to show that all is just fine and dandy after the recent unrest. The news organization has been accused (along with several other western outlets) of inaccurately portraying the Tibetan protests as a justified response to years of turbulent (and often violent) Chinese rule.

With the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing just months away, China is going to be cranking up their PR machine to steer the focus from the Tibet-Chinese tensions (which top several other issues the government is facing international backlash for, like its handling of Sudan) and towards the games.

I'm sorry, but I don't think cute, fuzzy mascots and well-orchestrated media tours are going to do the trick. The problems are just too big. And I don't see them going away anytime soon.

Human rights activtists are pushing global leaders, the IOC, and sponsors to take action against China's violent reaction to protesters, who include many Tibetan monks, and some are listening. France is still not confirming its participation; however, yesterday Britain declared they will still be in the games.

As for the monks, how horrible and crazy could these vessels of serenity and peace be? Because China is really trying to put on the spin. The Dalai Lama is a liar. The monks are confrontational shit disturbers.

But, what are the monks going to do, really? Go up against machine gunfire waving incense sticks and using mind power to hurl rocks? Does China really think they're stashing AK-47s under their flowing robes? Come on.

I don't claim to fully understand the entire political background between China and Tibet, I just know Tibet and its people want their little slice of land so they can self-govern and practice their religion freely and without threat. It'll be interesting to see how the next few months play out. I hope the casualties subside, but with heightened emotions too easily giving way to destructive intentions, I am afraid I may be a bit too idealistic.