There's been an earthquake with many casualties in Tibetan populated China. Several years ago when there was a massive earthquake in China, some people gloated (incredible!) that is was some sort of "karma" (which is phony) "for Tibet."
Who will gloat today about the poor in the Tibetan city who received the brunt of this earthquake?
God will not be mocked.
Showing posts with label China. Show all posts
Showing posts with label China. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Tough sentences China milk scandal OK with me
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/23/world/asia/23milk.html
snip
The tough punishments were the government’s latest effort to deal with a scandal that erupted in September, triggering a global recall of Chinese-made dairy products, shaking consumer confidence and devastating the nation’s fast-growing dairy industry.
But parents of some of the victims protested Thursday afternoon outside the courthouse in Shijiazhuang, where Sanlu is based, saying they were dissatisfied with the verdict.
“I feel sorry for them, but they are just scapegoats,” said Liu Donglin, 28, who said his 21-month-old son suffered from kidney stones after drinking tainted milk formula. “The ones who should take the responsibility are the government, like the quality supervision bureau and the Health Ministry. I spent nearly $3,000 taking care of my son and the government only compensated me with $300.”
***
Read about the sentences in the article, but I want to address this opinion of one of the victims, and also the lawyer for one of the defendants.
No: I disagree. They are not just scapegoats. The people who sold the chemicals to the dairies knowing they were being used to dangerously taint the milk, the milk producers who added the chemical, and the milk processors who found out about this and did nothing are ALL GUILTY and all the first line of culpability.
It is called personal responsibility. If you cannot trust fellow citizens who make money producing food, especially milk for the most helpless, you cannot trust anyone and hence you have no morality or society. Thus they are not scapegoats: they are the primary perpetrators who shirked and violated personal corporate and individual responsibility, all to make money.
The government is not your wet nurse nanny goat to "protect the public" if they are then going easy on those whom the public needs protecting against.
Having said that, I think the government should learn from this how to enhance their own honesty and quality control. All governments, including the great United States, needs to learn that, and I certainly would not be so harsh on the Chinese government who has to learn like everyone else the human cost of neglect and corruption.
Also having said that I think that kindness and compensation needs to be shown toward those who are victimized. How about giving them shares in the companies who offended? Or make the companies sell some assets and give the money to those who were harmed?
China government has a lot of leeway in trying new things. I would suggest a victim crime act where companies who harm their consumers have to compensate the consumers under government supervision, using devices such as selling assets and going out of business and giving the money to those harmed, or staying in business and sharing the profits with those who were harmed (such as giving them shares in the company or setting up trust funds for the children with profits), and other financial instruments. Try to avoid the government hand out slippery slope when it was an industry and personal failure: make those who failed correct themselves and then use their assets and profits to compensate. Hundreds of thousands children harmed? I think there should now be hundreds of thousands new shareholders in the corrected offending companies.
snip
The tough punishments were the government’s latest effort to deal with a scandal that erupted in September, triggering a global recall of Chinese-made dairy products, shaking consumer confidence and devastating the nation’s fast-growing dairy industry.
But parents of some of the victims protested Thursday afternoon outside the courthouse in Shijiazhuang, where Sanlu is based, saying they were dissatisfied with the verdict.
“I feel sorry for them, but they are just scapegoats,” said Liu Donglin, 28, who said his 21-month-old son suffered from kidney stones after drinking tainted milk formula. “The ones who should take the responsibility are the government, like the quality supervision bureau and the Health Ministry. I spent nearly $3,000 taking care of my son and the government only compensated me with $300.”
***
Read about the sentences in the article, but I want to address this opinion of one of the victims, and also the lawyer for one of the defendants.
No: I disagree. They are not just scapegoats. The people who sold the chemicals to the dairies knowing they were being used to dangerously taint the milk, the milk producers who added the chemical, and the milk processors who found out about this and did nothing are ALL GUILTY and all the first line of culpability.
It is called personal responsibility. If you cannot trust fellow citizens who make money producing food, especially milk for the most helpless, you cannot trust anyone and hence you have no morality or society. Thus they are not scapegoats: they are the primary perpetrators who shirked and violated personal corporate and individual responsibility, all to make money.
The government is not your wet nurse nanny goat to "protect the public" if they are then going easy on those whom the public needs protecting against.
Having said that, I think the government should learn from this how to enhance their own honesty and quality control. All governments, including the great United States, needs to learn that, and I certainly would not be so harsh on the Chinese government who has to learn like everyone else the human cost of neglect and corruption.
Also having said that I think that kindness and compensation needs to be shown toward those who are victimized. How about giving them shares in the companies who offended? Or make the companies sell some assets and give the money to those who were harmed?
China government has a lot of leeway in trying new things. I would suggest a victim crime act where companies who harm their consumers have to compensate the consumers under government supervision, using devices such as selling assets and going out of business and giving the money to those harmed, or staying in business and sharing the profits with those who were harmed (such as giving them shares in the company or setting up trust funds for the children with profits), and other financial instruments. Try to avoid the government hand out slippery slope when it was an industry and personal failure: make those who failed correct themselves and then use their assets and profits to compensate. Hundreds of thousands children harmed? I think there should now be hundreds of thousands new shareholders in the corrected offending companies.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Milk tainters should be charged with infanticide
The Chinese milk producers (or anyone in any country) who taints milk, knowing it goes to babies, should be charged with the crime of infanticide.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Congratulations to Chinese people accomplishment
That was a splendid launch, flight, space walk and return. I am especially impressed with the construction of the space flight suit and its performance. So I extend my congratulations to all involved in the space program and also to the Chinese people.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Catholics need to be patient with China
I posted this comment on the Ignatius Press blog site, and feel it is important to repeat here. It can be used as another case study for young people in particular to be able to put current events and issues in a proper context in order to discern the optimal opinion and actions.
This is very interesting and astute analysis, and all true. However, it is important to keep several things in mind to moderate one's reaction and to do the most good. The first is to recognize that one must be very patient with China. The Communist form of government will be only fifty-nine years old on October 1 of this year. If you put that in American terms, with the Declaration of Independence in 1775, China is in age as the United States would have been in 1834. When one looks at it that way, as much as others may deplore its shortcomings, there has been a remarkable evolution from the original Communist vision in a short 59 years. What seems as slow as paint drying to us is quite alarming to a government who has responsibility for over one billion three hundred million souls. Remember that it has been only thirty years since Chairman Mao died and the "Gang of Four" who were responsible for most of the Communist "Cultural Revolution" excesses were arrested. The government felt burned during the liberalizations that culminated in the 1989 Tiananmen Square demonstration and suppression. So I actually have been relieved to see the liberalization resume at all, and certainly at the pace that it has. Yes, I wish that Catholics were not tormented, persecuted and arrested. But there is something that they can do to help themselves in this regard too. That is to not try to serve two masters: God (via their Catholic faith) and social/political advocacy. I cringe when I read about bishops who on the one hand should be focused on shepherding their flocks and building respect and confidence by the Chinese government in their sincere piety, but on the other hand dabble in social/political/economic and environmental commentary. The reason that Catholics are often singled out by the Chinese is because they respect the potency of the Catholic faith, the Papacy and the power of its message and mission. The Chinese, therefore, realize that Catholics who so strong through the ages can be a potent destabilizing force in areas outside of their faith, such as pushing changes on the Communists faster than either they or, in their opinion the populace at large, can absorb. It is one of those examples of the degree of persecution being something of a compliment. Recognizing that reality, I urge Chinese religious and laity to emphasize the establishment of trust by focusing on the cultivation of their faith, and leaving social and political advocacy to other groups. Remind yourself that the United States was very fragile in 1834, the same age as the People’s Republic of China, and the United States had no where near the scale of challenge that China has with a population that has gone through a revolution with great suppression and suffering, and is now making remarkable progress, as impatient as we may be. I believe that as the Chinese government increasingly perceives Catholics to be very worshipful people first and foremost and not chomping at the bit to be social and political activists, that suppression will decrease and progress will accelerate. One never goes wrong when one’s primary focus is on God, and one can only set a good example and build confidence even among those who do not share the faith in fullness, or even at all.
This is very interesting and astute analysis, and all true. However, it is important to keep several things in mind to moderate one's reaction and to do the most good. The first is to recognize that one must be very patient with China. The Communist form of government will be only fifty-nine years old on October 1 of this year. If you put that in American terms, with the Declaration of Independence in 1775, China is in age as the United States would have been in 1834. When one looks at it that way, as much as others may deplore its shortcomings, there has been a remarkable evolution from the original Communist vision in a short 59 years. What seems as slow as paint drying to us is quite alarming to a government who has responsibility for over one billion three hundred million souls. Remember that it has been only thirty years since Chairman Mao died and the "Gang of Four" who were responsible for most of the Communist "Cultural Revolution" excesses were arrested. The government felt burned during the liberalizations that culminated in the 1989 Tiananmen Square demonstration and suppression. So I actually have been relieved to see the liberalization resume at all, and certainly at the pace that it has. Yes, I wish that Catholics were not tormented, persecuted and arrested. But there is something that they can do to help themselves in this regard too. That is to not try to serve two masters: God (via their Catholic faith) and social/political advocacy. I cringe when I read about bishops who on the one hand should be focused on shepherding their flocks and building respect and confidence by the Chinese government in their sincere piety, but on the other hand dabble in social/political/economic and environmental commentary. The reason that Catholics are often singled out by the Chinese is because they respect the potency of the Catholic faith, the Papacy and the power of its message and mission. The Chinese, therefore, realize that Catholics who so strong through the ages can be a potent destabilizing force in areas outside of their faith, such as pushing changes on the Communists faster than either they or, in their opinion the populace at large, can absorb. It is one of those examples of the degree of persecution being something of a compliment. Recognizing that reality, I urge Chinese religious and laity to emphasize the establishment of trust by focusing on the cultivation of their faith, and leaving social and political advocacy to other groups. Remind yourself that the United States was very fragile in 1834, the same age as the People’s Republic of China, and the United States had no where near the scale of challenge that China has with a population that has gone through a revolution with great suppression and suffering, and is now making remarkable progress, as impatient as we may be. I believe that as the Chinese government increasingly perceives Catholics to be very worshipful people first and foremost and not chomping at the bit to be social and political activists, that suppression will decrease and progress will accelerate. One never goes wrong when one’s primary focus is on God, and one can only set a good example and build confidence even among those who do not share the faith in fullness, or even at all.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Inspiring story of disabled Catholic in Mongolia
Read this and see how the Holy Spirit is also the comforter. Bless this lady and her family, especially in the very harsh conditions of their land.
http://www.ucanews.com/2008/08/13/i-could-not-live-without-my-faith/
http://www.ucanews.com/2008/08/13/i-could-not-live-without-my-faith/
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Spiritual direction: being "of the world" or not
I'm going to reduce a "faith and reasoning" question that is worthy of books of material to examine into a few sentences! Many have pondered the question of how Christians, in particular, can be in the world but not of the world. The answer is actually pretty easy but it requires clarity of thought and context. Let me share that from two bases of discussion, starting with the example of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ was fully of human body. God could have sent the Messiah in any form, such as God himself appeared to Moses, for example, in the burning bush or the glowing cloud that descended to the tent. However God chose to send Jesus within the womb of Mary, formed entirely as a human, with a human upbringing and with a family lineage (recorded in the Gospel through his stepfather Joseph's side). Thus Jesus was both of the flesh and of the human family (he had a normal human body and he could identify his ancestors, both biologically and through the marriage of Mary and Joseph making Joseph's lineage his own). Therefore God validated the "goodness" of the human body and of the geneological family. If human bodies and family lineage were not "good," then God would have sent Jesus as a burning bush or an angel in glorified body.
Further, in the Old Testament it is prophesied that the Messiah will have milk and honey so that he will know them. Now, a lot of people don't understand forms of speech from Biblical times. When the Bible talks about a married couple "knowing" each other, that means they are intimate in sexual relationship. So the Bible expression to "know" means to take part in the activity. It does not mean that this was a previously unknown activity, as in the modern usage to "know what it is like." So many people misunderstand that Jesus somehow didn't know what the good stuff is in life (being all poor and that) and so he'd have some milk and honey in order to "find out" what the goodness of life is (milk and honey representing abundance of sweet and rich food and therefore lifestyle). The promised land "flows with milk and honey," for example. But the modern slang approach of understanding is wrong. What this meant is that the Messiah will engage in the activities that validate the goodness of a rich and prosperous life, ie. he will have milk and honey. The reason it is said like it is is so that no one will think that the Messiah will live as a rich person, but likewise they will know that he did not come to tell people to reject "milk and honey." Thus the Messiah will "know" milk and honey and again, validate the goodness in principle of life.
So Jesus in both the reality of his birth and lineage (human) and in the prophecy is clearly sent by God in a form that validates, not repudiates, being within the world, which is, to live in the world with meaningfulness, fullness and appreciation for its goodness. So Christians are definitely able to point to Jesus as God's validation that the human body, its ancestral lineage, and the ability to experience material goodness and abundance are all correct and normal.
The second example I give is of the teachings of Jesus. I need only point to one example here, which are The Beatitudes. Each beatitude is a pairing, expressing the current state of a person, and the poorness or suffering they may be experiencing, and the reward and comfort that God will give them. If God meant Jesus to teach some sort of great "detachment" from the "suffering wheel" of the world, the beatitudes would not have been taught in the form that they were at all. The beatitudes recognize the meaningfullness of even painful real life experience, and their reward when one is in God's hands, even if that only happens at the end of life. Compare the real beatitude with hypothetical "total detachment" ones:
Real beatitude:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Example of "extreme detachment" "beatitude":
If you feel poor in spirit that is because you care too much about the material world and those around you, and you should detach from them.
Real beatitude:
Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the earth.
Example of "extreme detachment" "beatitude":
Everyone should feel meek instead of proud because there is nothing to be proud about, and nothing to possess, including feeling like God's heirs, on earth.
You see what I mean? I don't want to do any more examples because the fake ones make me want to puke, but I know that an example is the best teaching tool.
Therefore you can see that Christians are taught through both the words and the living example of Jesus, that one can be and should be part of the world and its goodness. The difference is that one should not allow one's self to be ruled or dominated by earthly (human made) measures and standards. That's totally different from being detached from either human or God's measures!
Humans are especially challenged in understanding this today because they have a quantity control problem. Abundance has created an inability to enjoy the simple and good things in life. Likewise, some in abundant countries have a totally negative and inappropriate backlash to that, now wanting people to feel guilty about enjoying "milk and honey." You see that with the carbon counting craze. It is wrong to have abundance skew your thinking in EITHER of those directions, to be unappreciative or to be its opposite, which is to become a guilt ridden spoil sport nag of others.
I often think about a young Chinese man who was trapped by the earthquake face down, so he could talk and receive help, but he could not be freed for eight days, and then he perished. He told people that all he wanted out of life was to be with his wife and future to be born baby, a simple life, the happy family with a simple job. That was the dream he held onto until he died. I grieve every day for him, even though I know his goodness has merited him heaven, for he gave quite an example for the world to see even as he died a slow death. I shed tears for him every time I think of him, including now. He, a poor young Chinese man, but with hope for a normal life of marriage, parenthood, and a paying job, set a better example for everyone than anyone I can think of in the laity in the past year. To him, he wanted the milk and honey of his wife, their baby, and being a provider. That is being in this world and wanting what is good. Abundance had not clouded his mind of what is the most important in life, which is family and the ability to support them and to thrive. That is not "detachment" and that is not being ruled by the world. That is being of the world and understanding that life and committed love with children are the most important thing. If he had lived, and he'd worked his way up from worker to manager, that would have been fine too. That is being real and being in the world, but not being a manmade entity of the world.
Jesus Christ was fully of human body. God could have sent the Messiah in any form, such as God himself appeared to Moses, for example, in the burning bush or the glowing cloud that descended to the tent. However God chose to send Jesus within the womb of Mary, formed entirely as a human, with a human upbringing and with a family lineage (recorded in the Gospel through his stepfather Joseph's side). Thus Jesus was both of the flesh and of the human family (he had a normal human body and he could identify his ancestors, both biologically and through the marriage of Mary and Joseph making Joseph's lineage his own). Therefore God validated the "goodness" of the human body and of the geneological family. If human bodies and family lineage were not "good," then God would have sent Jesus as a burning bush or an angel in glorified body.
Further, in the Old Testament it is prophesied that the Messiah will have milk and honey so that he will know them. Now, a lot of people don't understand forms of speech from Biblical times. When the Bible talks about a married couple "knowing" each other, that means they are intimate in sexual relationship. So the Bible expression to "know" means to take part in the activity. It does not mean that this was a previously unknown activity, as in the modern usage to "know what it is like." So many people misunderstand that Jesus somehow didn't know what the good stuff is in life (being all poor and that) and so he'd have some milk and honey in order to "find out" what the goodness of life is (milk and honey representing abundance of sweet and rich food and therefore lifestyle). The promised land "flows with milk and honey," for example. But the modern slang approach of understanding is wrong. What this meant is that the Messiah will engage in the activities that validate the goodness of a rich and prosperous life, ie. he will have milk and honey. The reason it is said like it is is so that no one will think that the Messiah will live as a rich person, but likewise they will know that he did not come to tell people to reject "milk and honey." Thus the Messiah will "know" milk and honey and again, validate the goodness in principle of life.
So Jesus in both the reality of his birth and lineage (human) and in the prophecy is clearly sent by God in a form that validates, not repudiates, being within the world, which is, to live in the world with meaningfulness, fullness and appreciation for its goodness. So Christians are definitely able to point to Jesus as God's validation that the human body, its ancestral lineage, and the ability to experience material goodness and abundance are all correct and normal.
The second example I give is of the teachings of Jesus. I need only point to one example here, which are The Beatitudes. Each beatitude is a pairing, expressing the current state of a person, and the poorness or suffering they may be experiencing, and the reward and comfort that God will give them. If God meant Jesus to teach some sort of great "detachment" from the "suffering wheel" of the world, the beatitudes would not have been taught in the form that they were at all. The beatitudes recognize the meaningfullness of even painful real life experience, and their reward when one is in God's hands, even if that only happens at the end of life. Compare the real beatitude with hypothetical "total detachment" ones:
Real beatitude:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Example of "extreme detachment" "beatitude":
If you feel poor in spirit that is because you care too much about the material world and those around you, and you should detach from them.
Real beatitude:
Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the earth.
Example of "extreme detachment" "beatitude":
Everyone should feel meek instead of proud because there is nothing to be proud about, and nothing to possess, including feeling like God's heirs, on earth.
You see what I mean? I don't want to do any more examples because the fake ones make me want to puke, but I know that an example is the best teaching tool.
Therefore you can see that Christians are taught through both the words and the living example of Jesus, that one can be and should be part of the world and its goodness. The difference is that one should not allow one's self to be ruled or dominated by earthly (human made) measures and standards. That's totally different from being detached from either human or God's measures!
Humans are especially challenged in understanding this today because they have a quantity control problem. Abundance has created an inability to enjoy the simple and good things in life. Likewise, some in abundant countries have a totally negative and inappropriate backlash to that, now wanting people to feel guilty about enjoying "milk and honey." You see that with the carbon counting craze. It is wrong to have abundance skew your thinking in EITHER of those directions, to be unappreciative or to be its opposite, which is to become a guilt ridden spoil sport nag of others.
I often think about a young Chinese man who was trapped by the earthquake face down, so he could talk and receive help, but he could not be freed for eight days, and then he perished. He told people that all he wanted out of life was to be with his wife and future to be born baby, a simple life, the happy family with a simple job. That was the dream he held onto until he died. I grieve every day for him, even though I know his goodness has merited him heaven, for he gave quite an example for the world to see even as he died a slow death. I shed tears for him every time I think of him, including now. He, a poor young Chinese man, but with hope for a normal life of marriage, parenthood, and a paying job, set a better example for everyone than anyone I can think of in the laity in the past year. To him, he wanted the milk and honey of his wife, their baby, and being a provider. That is being in this world and wanting what is good. Abundance had not clouded his mind of what is the most important in life, which is family and the ability to support them and to thrive. That is not "detachment" and that is not being ruled by the world. That is being of the world and understanding that life and committed love with children are the most important thing. If he had lived, and he'd worked his way up from worker to manager, that would have been fine too. That is being real and being in the world, but not being a manmade entity of the world.
I hope this is helpful. Much could be (and has been) written, but I needed to help people set the record straight about Jesus. It is obvious that Jesus validated, not denied, the goodness of life and everything he said and did was exhorting people to appreciate life within the context of God's design and purpose. Buddhist type thoughts are not Christianity, they never have been and they never will be. Christians don't "detach" from either the goodness and reality of life in God's creation or the reality of eternal life within God's presence, after a clear and final judgment of their life, no squishy spiritual "recycling." People are sometimes confused by the vows of poverty, including that of Jesus. Where did he impose that on others? He did not and in fact visited with equal affection the rich and the poor. Poverty is a special grace that some do for their own and the world's behalf, and it is very powerful (you see that whenever Jesus speaks of or performs fasting, because fasting is a quick "poverty of the body" if you think about it). But that does not mean that Jesus came in human body with human lineage and prophesied to know the goodness of life just to tell people that life is mean and bad and everyone should feel negative and morose and nagging and guilty about it and ruin it for everyone. What thanks THAT would be to God's generosity and goodness of creation! But that's exactly the mindset of many living today. As a result they glom onto manmade and man defined pleasures and then turn around and have a crisis because they no longer can enjoy the simple pleasures of real life. What a mess.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Relearning Mandarin Chinese
I used to know a fair number of words and characters, but have forgotten them without having an outlet for using them day to day. But since I love the language and find it an absorbing activity, I'm relearning and hopefully will add much vocabulary. I'm using A Chinese Crosswords puzzle book as my main text, ha ha, since it's really a matter of relearning what a former employee taught me back in the 1980's.
Monday, June 2, 2008
When one door closes, open a window
http://new.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=12341
Even in persecution we pray to Our Lady of Sheshanby Wang ZhichengA Chinese Catholic from the underground Church sends AsiaNews a message for World Day of Prayer for the Church in China in which he highlights how the faithful pray in communion with the Pope despite hardships and repression, hopeful that he might soon bear witness to a true unity of the Church with the Pontiff.
And:
http://new.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=12396
Pope's prayer for Church in China banned in some diocesesby Zhang YimingPriests forced to "take a trip", to prevent them from going to the shrine of the Virgin of Sheshan; priests prohibited from praying "with the pope"; a shrine in Taiyuan closed and monitored by thousands of police. The war of the Patriotic Association a few months ahead of the Olympics.
***
Here are my suggestions. A pilgrimage is wonderful but the faithful are united even if each of them must sit alone. I would suggest adding praying for relief of the anxieties of the authorities to your prayer intentions list. It is anxiety that motivates them, not evil. I would accept the disappointment of many not being able to visit the shrine this year, and use it as an opportunity for many thousands of people to pray for relief of the anxiety of the authorities on this matter. Who knows, next year might find some relief, for prayer and non threatening acceptance of a door being closed is powerful in a gentle and persistent way.
My second suggestion is that a holy card be created of the Lady of Sheshan with a picture of its appearance on the front, a photograph image or a drawing by someone inspired to do so and donate his or her time. You could put the Holy Father's prayer on the reverse or go with a traditional alternative such as the Hail Mary. Make many copies and distribute it in the parishes and especially to those who could not go. If the authorities allow you could have them printed, taken to the shrine, and blessed by a priest there before being distributed. It strengthens faith and is heart warming to have a prayer card that is from the very place one wishes to pilgrimage, but it is not necessary of course. It just would be a nice touch if the cards were able to go to the place the people could not go this year. If not, then a priest's blessing of the cards wherever they are produced and distributed is just fine too.
Even in disappointment one's faith can be strengthened instead of diminished, and feelings of charity can replace the feelings of hurt. I think that many people would love to have a Lady of Sheshan prayer card and that way they are on spiritual pilgrimage to it all the time, they only need to gaze at the card and think of her.
Even in persecution we pray to Our Lady of Sheshanby Wang ZhichengA Chinese Catholic from the underground Church sends AsiaNews a message for World Day of Prayer for the Church in China in which he highlights how the faithful pray in communion with the Pope despite hardships and repression, hopeful that he might soon bear witness to a true unity of the Church with the Pontiff.
And:
http://new.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=12396
Pope's prayer for Church in China banned in some diocesesby Zhang YimingPriests forced to "take a trip", to prevent them from going to the shrine of the Virgin of Sheshan; priests prohibited from praying "with the pope"; a shrine in Taiyuan closed and monitored by thousands of police. The war of the Patriotic Association a few months ahead of the Olympics.
***
Here are my suggestions. A pilgrimage is wonderful but the faithful are united even if each of them must sit alone. I would suggest adding praying for relief of the anxieties of the authorities to your prayer intentions list. It is anxiety that motivates them, not evil. I would accept the disappointment of many not being able to visit the shrine this year, and use it as an opportunity for many thousands of people to pray for relief of the anxiety of the authorities on this matter. Who knows, next year might find some relief, for prayer and non threatening acceptance of a door being closed is powerful in a gentle and persistent way.
My second suggestion is that a holy card be created of the Lady of Sheshan with a picture of its appearance on the front, a photograph image or a drawing by someone inspired to do so and donate his or her time. You could put the Holy Father's prayer on the reverse or go with a traditional alternative such as the Hail Mary. Make many copies and distribute it in the parishes and especially to those who could not go. If the authorities allow you could have them printed, taken to the shrine, and blessed by a priest there before being distributed. It strengthens faith and is heart warming to have a prayer card that is from the very place one wishes to pilgrimage, but it is not necessary of course. It just would be a nice touch if the cards were able to go to the place the people could not go this year. If not, then a priest's blessing of the cards wherever they are produced and distributed is just fine too.
Even in disappointment one's faith can be strengthened instead of diminished, and feelings of charity can replace the feelings of hurt. I think that many people would love to have a Lady of Sheshan prayer card and that way they are on spiritual pilgrimage to it all the time, they only need to gaze at the card and think of her.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Urgent message to Chinese government
I continue to think you are doing a fine and brave job with the recovery from the earthquake. There is something else that is related to the earthquake that you must urgently attend to and follow my advice.
You must appoint a Party member, one whose trustworthiness, academic intelligence, and lack of false sentimentality is unquestionable to oversee and do an audit of your entire panda program.
Over years of observation I have reason to believe that your entire panda program, both the overseas loan of pandas and their breeding, and your domestic program is infested with control by astrologers and others who use occult methods for profit and self aggrandizing. TRUST ME on this, I have been studying this for years and know them well. They use profane astrology and other cult beliefs to control the amount of donations that you get, the timing of reproduction of the pandas, their marketing and how donations are used. They are not doing this for bleeding heart or Chinese patriotic reasons, though many of them genuinely love the animals themselves. But they have contributed toward the ruining of your species survival program because they view the entire panda program as their personal playground.
These are not the kind type of astrologers that your grandparents might have known, who celebrate each year just for its natural meaning, and also do feng shui type of planning. These are people who if they they could find a market for it would now sell panda plush toys that come with play bricks to simulate the earthquake boulders falling on them. If they thought there was "money" involved or "karma" they would market those types of toys (bash the pandas) in a New York minute. These people are also strongly associated with the Tibetan politician the Dali Lama.
It is not a coincidence that the earthquake not only occurred so close to Woolong panda research, but also that they (despite personal bravery) were so poorly prepared for the disaster. Real scientists in charge of protecting the last stronghold of your patriotic and loved panda species would have planned for such a tragedy and had better facilities. But the donations and the priorities are set behind the scenes by new age puppeteers who have their own sentimental and money making and self glorification agenda. They are not protecting the pandas for the Chinese people; trust me. The pandas are just fuzzy cannon fodder in their crazy view of the world that is based on "karma" and "past lives" and other total crap.
So you need a Party member who you can be SURE is NOT infected by this type of belief to audit and oversee all decisions made by your panda units throughout your country and in your overseas loans. Good luck, because there are more of them in more places than you realize.
You must appoint a Party member, one whose trustworthiness, academic intelligence, and lack of false sentimentality is unquestionable to oversee and do an audit of your entire panda program.
Over years of observation I have reason to believe that your entire panda program, both the overseas loan of pandas and their breeding, and your domestic program is infested with control by astrologers and others who use occult methods for profit and self aggrandizing. TRUST ME on this, I have been studying this for years and know them well. They use profane astrology and other cult beliefs to control the amount of donations that you get, the timing of reproduction of the pandas, their marketing and how donations are used. They are not doing this for bleeding heart or Chinese patriotic reasons, though many of them genuinely love the animals themselves. But they have contributed toward the ruining of your species survival program because they view the entire panda program as their personal playground.
These are not the kind type of astrologers that your grandparents might have known, who celebrate each year just for its natural meaning, and also do feng shui type of planning. These are people who if they they could find a market for it would now sell panda plush toys that come with play bricks to simulate the earthquake boulders falling on them. If they thought there was "money" involved or "karma" they would market those types of toys (bash the pandas) in a New York minute. These people are also strongly associated with the Tibetan politician the Dali Lama.
It is not a coincidence that the earthquake not only occurred so close to Woolong panda research, but also that they (despite personal bravery) were so poorly prepared for the disaster. Real scientists in charge of protecting the last stronghold of your patriotic and loved panda species would have planned for such a tragedy and had better facilities. But the donations and the priorities are set behind the scenes by new age puppeteers who have their own sentimental and money making and self glorification agenda. They are not protecting the pandas for the Chinese people; trust me. The pandas are just fuzzy cannon fodder in their crazy view of the world that is based on "karma" and "past lives" and other total crap.
So you need a Party member who you can be SURE is NOT infected by this type of belief to audit and oversee all decisions made by your panda units throughout your country and in your overseas loans. Good luck, because there are more of them in more places than you realize.
Friday, May 30, 2008
In the field report from China by priest
This is also a very good report, giving details about Catholic survivors and those who perished, but most importantly how recovery efforts are proceeding. Notice the great contribution by nuns. Reading between the lines you can see how the Chinese government is doing a great job at getting food, water and medical care to survivors, and that nursing of their spiritual and emotional wounds are the priorities of the Catholics. You can also read how the tent donations that Catholics received were given by the Catholics to mostly non-Catholics. I'm really proud of them all.
http://www.ucanews.com/html/ucan/f_dishpatch.asp?title=%20%20Parish%20Assesses%20Human%20Cost%20From%20Quake%20As%20Catholics%20Continue%20To%20Serve%20Suvivors&ucalang=English_../news_report/english/2008/05/w5/fri/CH05086Rg.txt
http://www.ucanews.com/html/ucan/f_dishpatch.asp?title=%20%20Parish%20Assesses%20Human%20Cost%20From%20Quake%20As%20Catholics%20Continue%20To%20Serve%20Suvivors&ucalang=English_../news_report/english/2008/05/w5/fri/CH05086Rg.txt
Monday, May 26, 2008
Continue to be so pleased with China officials
I continue to be so impressed and pleased with the collective and individual responses and participation of the Chinese government officials. They are reacting with leadership, sincerity and warm heartedness to the earthquake victims and community during the disaster and recovery, and are thus showing much honor.
Here is an up to date example of what I am speaking about, the visit, with pictures, of China's top legislator Wu Bangguo:
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/26/content_8257780.htm
I am also so very pleased that the government has moved swiftly to announce relaxing of the one child rule for those parents who have suffered the loss or injury of their child. They have shown much compassion at quickly making this announcement to ease the pain as best they could of loving parents who are suffering so very much.
As I read of the brave men who are each one marching with over twenty pounds of explosive to try to break dangerous quake lake debris jams and clogs I continue to marvel at the courage and strength all of the rescuers demonstrate with hardly any rest.
I know that everyone is going through a terrible time, especially with continuing aftershocks. The area is very unstable and will continue so for a while. I know that the government and volunteers will do all that they can to soothe those who have survived such terrible trauma and are physically and emotionally scarred. I have always had a very warm place in my heart for the Chinese people and I continue to pray for your safety and recovery, and for continuing wisdom by officials as they make crucial decisions for the next few years of recovery and rebuilding.
Here is an up to date example of what I am speaking about, the visit, with pictures, of China's top legislator Wu Bangguo:
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/26/content_8257780.htm
I am also so very pleased that the government has moved swiftly to announce relaxing of the one child rule for those parents who have suffered the loss or injury of their child. They have shown much compassion at quickly making this announcement to ease the pain as best they could of loving parents who are suffering so very much.
As I read of the brave men who are each one marching with over twenty pounds of explosive to try to break dangerous quake lake debris jams and clogs I continue to marvel at the courage and strength all of the rescuers demonstrate with hardly any rest.
I know that everyone is going through a terrible time, especially with continuing aftershocks. The area is very unstable and will continue so for a while. I know that the government and volunteers will do all that they can to soothe those who have survived such terrible trauma and are physically and emotionally scarred. I have always had a very warm place in my heart for the Chinese people and I continue to pray for your safety and recovery, and for continuing wisdom by officials as they make crucial decisions for the next few years of recovery and rebuilding.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
One example of sad but justifiable abortion
Because people are so polarized on the subject, many cannot understand how I can believe that abortion should be considered a "legal" medical procedure, but how it is morally wrong and virtually no one should have an abortion. Here is an example, to help you to understand, of where I feel that it is a rare but justifiable case where the couple has no choice but to have an abortion.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-hospital25-2008may25,0,1940964.story
snip
Wang Xiaohong's leg was crushed when her house collapsed. The 23-year-old is two months pregnant and the fetus is injured. Her husband touches her leg lovingly. "We'll accept the doctor's advice and have an abortion," says Jiang Donghai, a 24-year-old factory worker, sitting on his wife's bed. "It's devastating to have the earthquake take our baby."
The couple got married just two days before the earthquake. She had quit her job, their house was destroyed, and now they've lost their baby. "But there's a nice open window there with sunshine and fresh air," he says. "And we feel lucky to be alive."
***
This is a personal tragedy of epic proportion, but this couple is blessed because they are not "rationalizing" that "it's not a life, it's just a fetus." They have a baby who has been injured by the earthquake and is thus a victim of the earthquake. They live in a country that allows only one child per couple. The mother is severely injured and the baby that she is carrying is injured. They are not Americans with access to surgeons who may be able to operate on a fetus, and they certainly have no resources to care for a severely crippled child should the baby even survive the remainder of the pregnancy and the treatment that the mother must have (her crushed leg) if she herself is to survive. So they really have no choice and should be viewed with loving compassion in this most difficult choice, and prayers that the mother will recover and that she will be healthy enough to bear a child in the future that this couple so clearly desperately want and would love. In this case the doctor is using ethics and understanding in his or her recommendation to give the mother the best chance for recovery and to be pragmatic about the odds of the child's survival in the context where a couple has only one opportunity to be parents.
I hope you find this example of my logic and feelings on this subject helpful and join me in prayers for this couple and all others who face painful loss of their children due to the earthquake and its aftermath of medical injuries and complications.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-hospital25-2008may25,0,1940964.story
snip
Wang Xiaohong's leg was crushed when her house collapsed. The 23-year-old is two months pregnant and the fetus is injured. Her husband touches her leg lovingly. "We'll accept the doctor's advice and have an abortion," says Jiang Donghai, a 24-year-old factory worker, sitting on his wife's bed. "It's devastating to have the earthquake take our baby."
The couple got married just two days before the earthquake. She had quit her job, their house was destroyed, and now they've lost their baby. "But there's a nice open window there with sunshine and fresh air," he says. "And we feel lucky to be alive."
***
This is a personal tragedy of epic proportion, but this couple is blessed because they are not "rationalizing" that "it's not a life, it's just a fetus." They have a baby who has been injured by the earthquake and is thus a victim of the earthquake. They live in a country that allows only one child per couple. The mother is severely injured and the baby that she is carrying is injured. They are not Americans with access to surgeons who may be able to operate on a fetus, and they certainly have no resources to care for a severely crippled child should the baby even survive the remainder of the pregnancy and the treatment that the mother must have (her crushed leg) if she herself is to survive. So they really have no choice and should be viewed with loving compassion in this most difficult choice, and prayers that the mother will recover and that she will be healthy enough to bear a child in the future that this couple so clearly desperately want and would love. In this case the doctor is using ethics and understanding in his or her recommendation to give the mother the best chance for recovery and to be pragmatic about the odds of the child's survival in the context where a couple has only one opportunity to be parents.
I hope you find this example of my logic and feelings on this subject helpful and join me in prayers for this couple and all others who face painful loss of their children due to the earthquake and its aftermath of medical injuries and complications.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Meanwhile, I wish I was in China to help
Although I am there with the greatest spiritual attentiveness, I feel a great frustration and urge to be there in physical person to help with the earthquake recovery. People who are very child oriented and deeply love their families have gone through a terrible, terrible thing, something I, of course, deeply understand.
I also pray that those in China who have grown up in atheistic surroundings and who now experience this terrible loss can derive comfort from the knowledge that the tragic death of even one child surely does not end in nothingness. There is a heaven, there is a loving God, and all children there are treasured. Those who died to protect and save children are heroes in heaven, for Jesus said that no greater love is there than one who lays down his life for another.
Anyway, I continue to read the fine news coverage, praise the Chinese government leaders for their hands-on management and condolences in this tragedy, and pray for the best that can be achieved in rescue and recovery.
I also pray that those in China who have grown up in atheistic surroundings and who now experience this terrible loss can derive comfort from the knowledge that the tragic death of even one child surely does not end in nothingness. There is a heaven, there is a loving God, and all children there are treasured. Those who died to protect and save children are heroes in heaven, for Jesus said that no greater love is there than one who lays down his life for another.
Anyway, I continue to read the fine news coverage, praise the Chinese government leaders for their hands-on management and condolences in this tragedy, and pray for the best that can be achieved in rescue and recovery.
Monday, May 19, 2008
3,669 villages impacted by quakes
It is mindboggling that Chinese rescuers within the seven days after the quake have reached all 3,669 villages that were hit by the earthquake. The scope of people who had to be reached is mindboggling. Over one quarter of a million people have been injured.
Folks, you might want to have second thoughts back here in the USA about being anti-military or National Guard. While we here in the USA are involved in a painful conflict, the military and National Guard are essential in peacetime too. Who was it who eventually did reach those cut off in New Orleans by the waters of the broken levee system? The Army. Think about how China was able to mobilize 100,000 soldiers and 16,000 police in order to accomplish their rescue efforts that was demanded of them in the most difficult and dangerous circumstances.
Folks, you might want to have second thoughts back here in the USA about being anti-military or National Guard. While we here in the USA are involved in a painful conflict, the military and National Guard are essential in peacetime too. Who was it who eventually did reach those cut off in New Orleans by the waters of the broken levee system? The Army. Think about how China was able to mobilize 100,000 soldiers and 16,000 police in order to accomplish their rescue efforts that was demanded of them in the most difficult and dangerous circumstances.
Amazing teachers sacrifice in quake
Here are the stories of teachers, some of whom died, some who survived, saving children during the China earthquake. One male teacher died shielding four children, who survived, with his body. The heroism of the teachers described in this article is truly humbling, inspiring, and such a sad loss for their families.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/20/content_8211550.htm
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/20/content_8211550.htm
Saturday, May 17, 2008
President Hu, Russian team rescue, Rebuild ideas
Here is a very useful article about progress as of Saturday in the quake rescue and recovery efforts. It mentions that there are still some people holding on alive in the ruins being rescued even though it has been six days and one of them, a 61 year old woman, was found and rescued by the Russian rescue team.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/18/content_8196898.htm
The article also covers President Hu's activities and comments since he too is on the scene along with Premier Wen. I agree with President Hu that everyone has conducted themselves with extraordinary bravery and dedication to save lives.
snip
In the meeting, Hu urged local governments at all levels and relevant central government departments to take quake relief as the most important and pressing issue in their work.
He called for unremitting efforts to search for and rescue the trapped people though more than five days had passed after the disaster.
"We should put people first and saving people's lives is still the top priority of the relief work," he said.
Troops, armed police, and public security personnel should reach villages and search every collapsed buildings to save the people, he said.
Hu also called for all-out efforts to save and cure injured survivors, urging to transfer them to hospitals with better conditions.
Hygiene measures in the quake-hit areas should be beefed up to prevent the spread of diseases, and more medical experts should be sent to these areas to help prevent and control possible epidemics, Hu said.
During the meeting, Hu expressed his concern for the people in the quake-devastated areas, calling for arrangements of supplies of daily necessities to meet people's demands.
Food, clothes, drinking water and temporary shelters must be ensured, he emphasized.
Hu also underscored social stability in quake hit areas, ordering officials to give considerate comfort and condolence to people to ensure a peaceful social environment.
"We must keep highly alert" against aftershocks and avoid further losses, he warned.
Hu also called for tightened monitoring and prevention measures on geological disasters such as landslides and mud-rock flows.
He said early planning is important for reconstruction as the country now faces a challenging task in this regard.
He also ordered early preparations and arrangements to deal with the issues of orphans, seniors and disabled.
***
I agree with him and think there is some real opportunity for positive urban and rural planning and public policy to rebuilt and provide solace and meaning to the survivors. Dangerous areas need to be identified as no build zones and be left as natural zones and buffers. Industries located in the safest areas must be encouraged to rebuild, expand and employ survivors. When they have identified where these centers of commerce and agriculture will be encouraged they can plan the housing that is needed for so many. I suggest that students and other professionals be employed to test different designs for traditional and modern earthquake resistant homes for both villagers and city residents. There will also be places where new and safe hospitals and schools can be built for those who have been relocated. Social workers should be compassionate with families who have lost their child to explore whether the family can have another child or adopt an orphan. These are just a few of my thoughts.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/18/content_8196898.htm
The article also covers President Hu's activities and comments since he too is on the scene along with Premier Wen. I agree with President Hu that everyone has conducted themselves with extraordinary bravery and dedication to save lives.
snip
In the meeting, Hu urged local governments at all levels and relevant central government departments to take quake relief as the most important and pressing issue in their work.
He called for unremitting efforts to search for and rescue the trapped people though more than five days had passed after the disaster.
"We should put people first and saving people's lives is still the top priority of the relief work," he said.
Troops, armed police, and public security personnel should reach villages and search every collapsed buildings to save the people, he said.
Hu also called for all-out efforts to save and cure injured survivors, urging to transfer them to hospitals with better conditions.
Hygiene measures in the quake-hit areas should be beefed up to prevent the spread of diseases, and more medical experts should be sent to these areas to help prevent and control possible epidemics, Hu said.
During the meeting, Hu expressed his concern for the people in the quake-devastated areas, calling for arrangements of supplies of daily necessities to meet people's demands.
Food, clothes, drinking water and temporary shelters must be ensured, he emphasized.
Hu also underscored social stability in quake hit areas, ordering officials to give considerate comfort and condolence to people to ensure a peaceful social environment.
"We must keep highly alert" against aftershocks and avoid further losses, he warned.
Hu also called for tightened monitoring and prevention measures on geological disasters such as landslides and mud-rock flows.
He said early planning is important for reconstruction as the country now faces a challenging task in this regard.
He also ordered early preparations and arrangements to deal with the issues of orphans, seniors and disabled.
***
I agree with him and think there is some real opportunity for positive urban and rural planning and public policy to rebuilt and provide solace and meaning to the survivors. Dangerous areas need to be identified as no build zones and be left as natural zones and buffers. Industries located in the safest areas must be encouraged to rebuild, expand and employ survivors. When they have identified where these centers of commerce and agriculture will be encouraged they can plan the housing that is needed for so many. I suggest that students and other professionals be employed to test different designs for traditional and modern earthquake resistant homes for both villagers and city residents. There will also be places where new and safe hospitals and schools can be built for those who have been relocated. Social workers should be compassionate with families who have lost their child to explore whether the family can have another child or adopt an orphan. These are just a few of my thoughts.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Pope announces Novena for Church in China
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=12643
snip
Hong Kong, May 14, 2008 / 05:20 pm (CNA).- Pope Benedict XVI has decreed an indulgence for Catholics in Hong Kong who join a novena to Our Lady, Help of Christians asking for special prayers for the Church in China.
The novena is a response to the Pope’s call for May 24 to become a World Day for Prayer for the Church in China. He announced the day of prayer in his June 2007 letter to mainland Catholics and asked that it be dedicated to “the liturgical memorial of Our Lady, Help of Christians, who is venerated with great devotion at the Marian Shrine of Sheshan in Shanghai.”
According to UCA News, the Pope offered the indulgence at the request of Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, the Archbishop of Hong Kong. The indulgence is available to those who join in the diocese’s May 15-23 novena. Those joining in activities marking the feast of Our Lady, Help of Christians on May 24 and the feast of Corpus Christi on May 25 are also eligible for the indulgence.
Cardinal Zen, writing in a message on the novena, said local Catholics are able to actively respond to the call for prayer “as part of the motherland,” asking God to bless their motherland and asking the Blessed Virgin to protect the Church.
***
Timely. I add my spiritual support to their prayers and efforts.
snip
Hong Kong, May 14, 2008 / 05:20 pm (CNA).- Pope Benedict XVI has decreed an indulgence for Catholics in Hong Kong who join a novena to Our Lady, Help of Christians asking for special prayers for the Church in China.
The novena is a response to the Pope’s call for May 24 to become a World Day for Prayer for the Church in China. He announced the day of prayer in his June 2007 letter to mainland Catholics and asked that it be dedicated to “the liturgical memorial of Our Lady, Help of Christians, who is venerated with great devotion at the Marian Shrine of Sheshan in Shanghai.”
According to UCA News, the Pope offered the indulgence at the request of Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, the Archbishop of Hong Kong. The indulgence is available to those who join in the diocese’s May 15-23 novena. Those joining in activities marking the feast of Our Lady, Help of Christians on May 24 and the feast of Corpus Christi on May 25 are also eligible for the indulgence.
Cardinal Zen, writing in a message on the novena, said local Catholics are able to actively respond to the call for prayer “as part of the motherland,” asking God to bless their motherland and asking the Blessed Virgin to protect the Church.
***
Timely. I add my spiritual support to their prayers and efforts.
China: 100,000 soldiers 16,000 police rescuers
The enormous rescue efforts in the most incredibly difficult conditions continue. Soldiers have had to march on foot carrying packs of supplies up quake destroyed roads into mountainous areas. Elite troops parachuted in bad weather into mountain areas with no landmarks or ground support crew. I think they are doing an incredible job saving victims and recovering the lost under such harsh conditions and tragedy.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-05/15/content_6685857.htm
***
I'm not ignoring the situation in Myanmar (aka Burma) but like everyone else all I can really do is wring my hands over how poorly and wickedly the cyclone disaster has been handled. I blame the military junta in control, of course, but I also have disapproved of the political role of the monks. People, you must understand that when the religious become involved in political rebellion there is no faith between parties and so when disaster falls a vital channel for aid is broken. So there is no way that fresh after the marching monks rebellion that paranoid junta members would utilize such channels for aid. This is why I wish religious would stay out of activism against governments no matter what the circumstances because ministering to the flock and a life of prayer, especially within oppressive circumstances, must be the first priority. If religious refuse to be political then they have integrity that might be useful in reaching the hearts of even the most oppressive regime.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-05/15/content_6685857.htm
***
I'm not ignoring the situation in Myanmar (aka Burma) but like everyone else all I can really do is wring my hands over how poorly and wickedly the cyclone disaster has been handled. I blame the military junta in control, of course, but I also have disapproved of the political role of the monks. People, you must understand that when the religious become involved in political rebellion there is no faith between parties and so when disaster falls a vital channel for aid is broken. So there is no way that fresh after the marching monks rebellion that paranoid junta members would utilize such channels for aid. This is why I wish religious would stay out of activism against governments no matter what the circumstances because ministering to the flock and a life of prayer, especially within oppressive circumstances, must be the first priority. If religious refuse to be political then they have integrity that might be useful in reaching the hearts of even the most oppressive regime.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Chinese army working with their bare hands
I'm following the progress of the earthquake rescue and recovery effort. Prayers of support for the army personnel who are having to march by foot into these destroyed and remote areas, where roads and bridges are out, only to arrive and have to work often by hand only on the tons of concrete that has buried thousands. I think everyone should pause in their thoughts and prayers and give them some real credit. They are demonstrating great honor.
I don't know if the Chinese People's army has service badges but I think each serviceman should receive a special one issued by the government for this earthquake rescue mission.
I don't know if the Chinese People's army has service badges but I think each serviceman should receive a special one issued by the government for this earthquake rescue mission.
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