Tibet II

Interesting how China, the world's growing superpower, seems equally as intent as the USA has been on murdering language.

Yu Heping, spokesperson for the Chinese office of public security says: “In Tibet and surrounding regions, armed groups are preparing themselves to battle for independence. These, at the instigation of the Dalai Lama, intend to use suicide bombers to carry out their attacks and destroy our nation’s social harmony”.

So now the Dalai Lama, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, is instigating suicide bombing attacks. Note in the above short statement: 'armed', 'battle', 'instigation', 'attacks', 'destroy', 'suicide bombers'. Make no mistake, this is the slow churning of language against reality - like water against rock. Already the world will begin to see the rock as something that it isn't. Suddenly the Dalai Lama is a terrorist. But worse, far worse, is when the rock begins to believe itself to be something it isn't - that's when it changes shape. That's when a peaceful, pacifist people strap explosives to their bodies and walk into crowds.

John Berger: 'it takes about six half-truths to make a lie.' That's on our side of the wall, I guess. What happens on the other side of the wall (the side of Superpower) is inversion: 'it takes about six half-lies to make a truth'.

I have heard the Dalai Lama speak. Every word sounded like a clear bell in troubling times. I have no doubt he knows the way - he will wait, or act, or speak, with his customary wisdom and compassion. Superpowers believe in the politics of profit and power - they will attempt to divide, in order to rule. They set the limits of power and room to move. But in the politics of truth, there is no need for division between religious doctrine and political will. To resist Superpower, we must become water, not rock.

Today, when you're feeling stressed, remember the Dalai Lama's pragmatic advice: "Try to slow down, breathe in happiness, and breathe out suffering".

Does that sound like someone who instigates suicide bombers to you?