On Gao Zhisheng's arrest

This news [of star attorney / dissident Gao Zhisheng's arrest] out of China is especially bad. Gao Zhisheng is a non-Falun Gong practitioner--in fact a Christian--attorney who went to bat for Falun Gong. He has strived mightily to prompt China towards the rule of law. We may recall that China has a constitution that assures freedom of religion and the right to criticize the government. Gao was trained because Deng Xiaoping insisted that China must run by the rule of law. His arrest threatens both Christians and Falun Gong practitioners, and is a distressing turn in the weather -- a downturn for human rights. Many feel this indicates that Jiang Zemin is running the show, rather than Hu Jintao.

That is an ominous sign for Taiwan, as well. Jiang is basically a mad man who wants to grab Taiwan, and doesn't mind stepping on dissidents, Falun Gong practitioners, and Christians. For the good of China's future, the present state of affairs won't serve. We are a long way from Deng Xiaoping's rule of law. What we should say is, 'Jiang Zemin, you're no Deng Xiaoping! Release Gao. Release Wang Bingzhang. Release Yang Jianli. And, release all Falun Gong practitioners.'