Forum Post: At Least 34 Tibetan Protesters Have Set Themselves On Fire Since March 2011
Posted 12 years ago on May 29, 2012, 4:21 a.m. EST by gwirionedd
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This content is user submitted and not an official statement
Two Tibetans self-immolate in Lhasa: is protest spreading?
Two Tibetans set themselves on fire Sunday in the first such protests against Chinese rule in Lhasa, the tightly controlled Tibetan capital. At least 34 Tibetans have self-immolated since March 2011.
Shanghai, China
Two Tibetans set themselves on fire outside a Buddhist temple in Lhasa, the first of a series of self-immolation protests against Chinese rule over Tibet to take place in the regional capital, Radio Free Asia reported on Monday.
The broadcaster said the two Tibetans were taken away by security forces who quickly cleared the area where the immolations took place on Sunday in front of the Jokhang Temple, a key pilgrimage site and tourist destination in the heart of Lhasa.
The city was "filled with police and paramilitary forces and the situation is very tense" in the wake of the self-immolations, the US government-sponsored broadcaster quoted an unidentified source in Lhasa as saying.
At least 34 Tibetans have set themselves on fire since March 2011 in protest against China's six-decade rule over Tibet, according to Tibetan rights groups. At least 24 have died.
Beijing has branded the self-immolators "terrorists" and criminals and has blamed exiled Tibetans and the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, for inciting them.
China brands the Dalai Lama, who fled into exile in India in 1959 after an abortive uprising against Chinese rule, as a separatist. The Dalai Lama says he is merely seeking more autonomy for his Himalayan homeland.
Telephone calls to the Tibet Autonomous Region and Lhasa municipal governments were not answered.
Robbie Barnett, a Tibet expert at Columbia University in New York, said he had heard reports of the self-immolations from people in Lhasa, with a person describing the city as "boiling".
"For the Chinese authorities, it has very serious implications and suggests that the movement is spreading among Tibetans," Mr. Barnett told Reuters. "It could lead to an increased severity of restrictions and controls."
Voice of America, another US-backed radio station, reported online that the two Tibetans who set themselves on fire were restaurant workers, not monks.
Only one other self-immolation had been reported in the Tibet Autonomous Region, a province-level administrative area under the central government. The rest occurred in Tibetan-populated areas of other provinces in southwestern China.
The Chinese term for the Jokhang Temple was blocked on Monday on the popular microblogging site Sina Weibo.
Isn't self-immolation something the Dalai Lama should denounce? Or does he believe in human sacrifice?
[Deleted]
Good for him.
If what you say is true - and you provide no proof it is - would you call this a change of heart?
http://zenpeacemakers.org/2012/05/dalai-lama-passes-on-self-immolation-question-citing-retirement-from-politics/
[Deleted]
Sorry. No cigar...
Here is your answer:
http://zenpeacemakers.org/2012/05/dalai-lama-passes-on-self-immolation-question-citing-retirement-from-politics/
Strange that he should be so indifferent to the deaths of his own people.
That's not indifference, friend. It's devotion coupled with discipline.
But who is he devoted to? The Dalai Lama used to be at the top of the social classes in Tibet, and mostly represents the other high lamas and nobles, people who once owned thousands of Tibetan slaves.
The old Tibetan laws said that the lives of serfs were worth a piece of rope, while a high lama's was worth his weight in gold. This is concerning reparations to be made if someone was killed. Perhaps he still believes like this?
It's time for China to let the people of Tibet be it's rulers.
What does that mean? Should the Chinese leave and take the hundreds of millions of yuan they invest in Tibet each year, as well as their technological know how?
It should be up to the Tibetans to decide who invests in their country. Investing in a country does not give the right to also control it.
I don't think the Tibetans would vote for the Chinese to leave.
It should be their choice alone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXC5RxhZUYw
And what about here in the US? Should the Mexicans or native Americans be able to vote us out of California?
The subject is whether the Tibetans should have the right to rule themselves. What do you say?
I don't think it should be up to me. China is a sovereign state, just like the US. I wouldn't want the Chinese insisting that we let the native Americans vote to divide off part of the US, so I don't want to interfere in their internal affairs either.
Oh well as long YOU think that the native Americans are happier now. I guess that should be the measure. And of course they should certainly understand that our level of strength most be the deciding factor. LMFAO.
Well, you asked me what I think, not what someone else thinks.
They should understand because its their strength as well, which they gain from their union with us. We are all meant to provide a lot for each other, as a multi-cultured yet unified country.
Don't you agree that the native Americans should have their own country? Didn't we lie, cheat, steal and slaughter to take it?
I think most native Americans prefer to live the way we do now, compared to the way they did back then. Dividing our country would make it weaker, that's why we fought the civil war, to maintain the union. England was using the South to divide and reconquer America.
Its just the same kind of imperialism which seeks to divide China now. The Chinese and Tibetans are much stronger together. The Tibetans have a lot of land, few people and little capital to develop it. The Chinese have lots of people and the capital to develop Tibet.
Isn't Tibet also a sovereign state?
I don't believe it is officially a sovereign state. But also, the orientation of the original Americans, our constitution, etc., is to keep our noses out of other people's business. We didn't want to be involved in foreign wars and intrigues.
I suppose you could justify political intervention, but how would we feel if the Chinese said that the native Americans were a sovereign state and should have their own country?
So? What am I supposed to do about it?
In answering questions like that we define ourselves...
"self-immolation"
Instead of camping out why not organize a mass " self-immolation" in Zoococky park?
That would show all those 1%'ers that OWS is really serious about whatever you're really serious about.
This would show the world that OWS doesn't fuck around,no more camp outs,no more getting sprayed and roughed up by the Police just one big "FLAME ON" and it would garner so much press for the movement.
Real protesters would have the balls to do this,....does OWS have the balls to pull it off?..............I rather doubt it.
DKAtoday,VQkag,bensdad,factsrfun,shooz,Jesse,GirlFriday,GypsyKing,.......are you listening?
Why don't you show us how it's done. I'LL bring marshmallows. I mean Hot Dogs......no no no....that's not right ...I promise I would pee on you to put you out. I'm sure that there are many that would be happy to pee on you - Hell forget about setting your self on fire - just announce yourself lay down and I'm sure you can be drenched in no time no time at all !
Translation: You don't have the courage of your convictions,armchair protesting is so much more safer and comfy?
What's your story worm tongue?
GeriTroll! You've got one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel. So rather than spraying pretend venom in virtual forums - why not die making a difference other than relieving the rest of us of your annoyance?
We all die, DKAtoday. Die standing up...
mae'r haul yn gwenu heddi.
You callin us chicken? have you devolved to middle school? The OWS protesters working hard, Sacrificing for you are heroes. You aren't worthy to lick their shoes. They put up with ignorant insults, police brutality, the cold, rain all for you and the rest of the 99%. Meanwhile you advocate for the 1% criminals who crashed the economy and stole our govt. You speak for the 1% who have armies of lawyers, lobbyists, accountants working for them. Still they have convinced half of the 99% to speak and vote for them. Vote your interests. support OWS. Vote out pro citizens united politicians.
"Vote out citizen's united politicians," vote out everyone who has put corporate interests ahead of people's interests, or better yet, get out in the streets, and/or directly support those that are out there. This is where this revolution will be won.
agreed.!
And vote out ALL Democrats and Republicans - challengers and incumbents - as they are all corporate-owned just like NASCAR drivers.
You don't have the courage of your convictions either.
you don't know what your talkin about. Support OWS! Vote out pro norquist politicians
I suppose it's easier to be dismissive than to set your self on fire for your cause. You are not a true OWS believer just a mouthpiece for the re-elect Oblama 2012 campaign.
You are not an authority on what I am. Iam the 99%. You appear to be tool of the 1% trying to silence me.
You are a pro-regime plant, VQkag, and mentally unstable at that. Of course, you might just be a pro-regime plant acting mentally unstable. Same same.
VQkag does not need courage or convictions. Like several other sock puppets here, he posts pro-regime propaganda for a paycheck.
I quite agree,there are many re-elect Oblamea 2012 campaign Drones here. Their sole concern and subject is to promote Oblamea.
Martyrdom doesn't create winners. Winning is having more of your enemy die for his cause then your group dying for your cause.
Patton was wrong. Winning is having your enemy become your brother.
Thats nice in theory, but Patton was correct. Nothing was going to make the Nazi's our brothers. They were conducting genocide on a mass scale, saying nice words to them wasn't going to make them stop.
The Afghan's and Iraqi's have lost hundreds of thousands of civilians to U.S. and Nato forces. Who is conducting genocide on a mass scale now?
We kill just as many civilians as the Taliban. Which one of us is winning?
I was against the Iraq and Afghani invasions, from the beginning. That doesn't make Patton wrong when describing our actions against the Nazi's. I was also against our involvement in Vietnam.
So are we now the nazi's?
I wouldn't say that. Have we become the leader in imperialism? Yes.
In many ways, YES:
http://amerikanreich.com/sar-list/
Those are the rules for war,....are you making a comparison?
Absolutely..... since you believe that suicide is the only true measure of commitment, you must want to see us dead for a reason. If I ever decide on the path to suicide to it will be in a kamikaze style attack.
I would not want to see OWS dead,that was not my point. Merely to find out if OWS had the courage of their convictions and how far would they go to demonstrate it to the world. Besides many of the protesters would only be somewhat disfigured with 3rd to 5th degree burns over 99% percent of their bodies,see how it all ties in?
No... like I said I don't believe in Martydom. The courage of ones convictions is not demonstrated by self annihilation without a demonstrable result.
For example: Jumping on a grenade to save your friends is self annihilation with an expected demonstrable result, the safety of the ones you care for. It is the epitome of courage.
Jumping on a grenade because you are unhappy with the system is ... well plain stupid. There are no results other than you disappearing from the world. It serves no purpose.
I certainly appreciate your intelligent and thoughtful responses.
While I agree with your analogies and think they are very illustrative,I however believe that there are OWS people that would actually perform this flame on because they don't possess your common sense reasoning abilities and to them I certainly would not discourage them from full filling their destiny.
Mohamed Bouazizi (29 March 1984 – 4 January 2011)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohamed_Bouazizi
The Self-Immolation Protests in Arab Spring: Why and Why Now?
http://sunnysinghonline.blogspot.com/2012/01/self-immolation-protests-in-arab-spring.html
Factsrfun spends half his time here bumping his own pro-regime propaganda. I thought I'd bump this story to show you slacktivists what serious protest is all about.
"slacktivists"? I guess you don't support OWS? Insulting the hard working, courageous, people marching for your rights is more than you are doing. You spend all you time putting us down, schoolyard bully tactics like your candidate Romney, and trying to get us to throw our votes away to help your republican puppet masters.
I give you two choices, VQkag: Either post a link to anything proving "my candidate" is Romney, or otherwise admit - even by your silence - that you are a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.
I am independent. I believe the Dems can be made to serve the 99%. The repubs are too far gone. Your posts minimize the crimes of the right wing by pushing the fallacy that both parties are the same. That is what shows you to be a republican plant! Your tactics are right wing, you always attack pro dem posts, and support republicans by claiming the parties are the same. They ain't! You are the party plant.! You support the 1% and you are against the 99%. Even though you aren't in the 1% you are advocating for them. Vote YOUR interests. Support OWS. Vote out pro citizens united politicians. <------ You against that?
You failed to post a link to anything proving "my candidate" is Romney. You are, therefore, a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.
I contend you are a romney supporter based the conversations we've had. based on the posts I've seen. Your schoolyard bullying tactics are exactly how the right wing (and Romney) get their way. I'm no plant. No one tells me what to say. To suggest you of being a republican and Romney supporter is my opinion. Can't be a lie. You don't get to judge me. Only give your partisan anti 99% opinion. That ain't new.
You have again failed to post a link to anything proving "my candidate" is Romney, VQkag. You are, therefore, a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.
I do not submit to your demands that I post a link. I don't need no stinkin links to express my opinion. The choices you gave me are rejected. I choose to suggest that you are anti 99%! That you are trying to destroy OWS! That you are supporting republicans when you suggest the fallacy that the parties are the same! Support OWS Vote out anti greentech politicians
Yet again have you failed to post a link to anything proving "my candidate" is Romney, VQkag. You are, therefore, a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.
You are anti 99%, Your trying to destroy OWS! You support the republican party when you push the fallacy that the parties are the same. Support OWS! Vote out anti healthcare reform politicians.
You are an annoying broken record:
You failed to post a link to anything proving "my candidate" is Romney, VQkag. You are, therefore, a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.
You are the broken record! What makes you think you can demand that I choose from your ridiculous options? I reject your choices, and I find your arguments in general wanting! I instead submit IMHO. You are anti 99%!, you are trying to destroy OWS! You give support to the republcan party when you push the fallacy that the parties are the same. Support OWS! Vote out anti immigration politicians.
There are no big words here:
You failed to post a link to anything proving "my candidate" is Romney, VQkag. You are, therefore, a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.
Big words small words. Doesn't matter. I reject your ploy, I reject your republicanism! I instead submit IMHO. You are anti 99%!, you are trying to destroy OWS! You give support to the republcan party when you push the fallacy that the parties are the same. Support OWS! Vote out anti fin reform politicians.
Take your meds and clean your glasses:
You failed to post a link to anything proving "my candidate" is Romney, VQkag. You are, therefore, a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.
That's serious stuff indeed. Do you suggest that OWS should adopt a self-immolation policy. That sounds a tad drastic no?
Those so inclined should read the last statement of Tom Ball first:
http://freekeene.com/2011/06/16/thomas-james-ball-self-immolated-in-protest-of-the-justice-system/
I'm no plant. No one tells me what to say. I seek out anti OWS posts and you consistently come up. My democratic party leanings are tempered by the acknowledgement that they have moved right for 30 years and have lost their backbone. This creates the "parties are the same accusations" but the party that supports the 99% is still there and we will bring it out with constant protest/pressure.
I gave you two choices earlier, VQkag: Either post a link to anything proving "my candidate" is Romney as you claimed, or otherwise admit that you are a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.
You failed to post any such link, so you are therefore a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.
Your logic is flawed. You don't support the 99%. You are trying to destroy OWS. You ain't kiddin me or anyone else!. You are a republican! (my opinion of course)
AGAIN... I gave you two choices earlier, VQkag: Either post a link to anything proving "my candidate" is Romney as you claimed, or otherwise admit that you are a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.
You have failed to post any such link, so you are therefore a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.
I reject your choices. I instead submit IMHO. You are anti 99%!, you are trying to destroy OWS! You give support to the republcan party when you push the fallacy that the parties are the same. Support OWS! Vote out anti buffett rule politicians.
YOU MUST BE THICK... Once more, I gave you two choices earlier, VQkag: Either post a link to anything proving "my candidate" is Romney as you claimed, or otherwise admit that you are a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.
You have failed to post any such link, so you are therefore a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.
I reject your choices! You're not the boss of me. I do what I please.! I instead submit IMHO. You are anti 99%!, you are trying to destroy OWS! You give support to the republcan party when you push the fallacy that the parties are the same. Support OWS! Vote out anti womens rights politicians.
ONE MORE TIME... I gave you two choices, VQkag: Either post a link to anything proving "my candidate" is Romney as you claimed, or otherwise admit that you are a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.
You have failed to post any such link, so you are therefore a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.
I will not submit.! You cannot make me! I instead submit IMHO. You are anti 99%!, you are trying to destroy OWS! You give support to the republcan party when you push the fallacy that the parties are the same. Support OWS! Vote out anti 99% politicians.
Get your nurse to explain this to you... I gave you two choices, VQkag: Either post a link to anything proving "my candidate" is Romney as you claimed, or otherwise admit that you are a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.
You have failed to post any such link, so you are therefore a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.
Nothing wrong with psychiatry. I never needed it myself. Couldn't afford it anyway without good health insurance. I reject your choices! You're not the boss of me. I do what I please.! I instead submit IMHO. You are anti 99%!, you are trying to destroy OWS! You give support to the republcan party when you push the fallacy that the parties are the same. Support OWS! Vote out anti immigrant rights politicians.
Like I said, you really need help... I gave you two choices, VQkag: Either post a link to anything proving "my candidate" is Romney as you claimed, or otherwise admit that you are a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.
You have failed to post any such link, so you are therefore a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.
Blah Blah Blah!!! I reject your choices! You're not the boss of me. I do what I please.! I instead submit IMHO. You are anti 99%!, you are trying to destroy OWS! You give support to the republcan party when you push the fallacy that the parties are the same. Support OWS! Vote out anti alternative energy politicians.
I suggest you consult a psychiatrist... I gave you two choices, VQkag: Either post a link to anything proving "my candidate" is Romney as you claimed, or otherwise admit that you are a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.
You have failed to post any such link, so you are therefore a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.
I reject your choices! You're not the boss of me. I do what I please.! I instead submit IMHO. You are anti 99%!, you are trying to destroy OWS! You give support to the republcan party when you push the fallacy that the parties are the same. Support OWS! Vote out anti gay rights politicians.
You really, really need help... I gave you two choices, VQkag: Either post a link to anything proving "my candidate" is Romney as you claimed, or otherwise admit that you are a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.
You have failed to post any such link, so you are therefore a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.
I reject your choices! You're not the boss of me. I do what I please.! I instead submit IMHO. You are anti 99%!, you are trying to destroy OWS! You give support to the republcan party when you push the fallacy that the parties are the same. Support OWS! Vote out anti womens rights politicians.
Once more for the record... I gave you two choices, VQkag: Either post a link to anything proving "my candidate" is Romney as you claimed, or otherwise admit that you are a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.
You have failed to post any such link, so you are therefore a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.
Thanks for the link. Good stuff. I was thinking of being catapulted with water balloons instead of lighting myself on fire. I would be naked and the water would be almost freezing cold. Thoughts?
Wow! You read his entire last statement in under 7 minutes?
I read the article and some of the comments, I'm not finished the "manisfesto". I have to say the guy seems like he was psychologically unstable.
P.S. I'm known as a speed reader.
Psychologically unstable? Maybe. One last great act of defiance, like the Tibetan protesters and the Tunisian street vendor whose sacrifice triggered the Arab Spring? Certainly.
Like many divorced American fathers, I have walked a mile in Tom Ball's shoes. I understand why he did what he did. There but for the grace of God...
I thought you said you were from canada! IMHO. You are anti 99%!, you are trying to destroy OWS! You give support to the republcan party when you push the fallacy that the parties are the same. Support OWS! Vote out anti womens rights politicians.
I think this is an IronButtBruce PR sock puppet. Not Trashy this one .
Hard to tell the difference I know.
Ahh!. ok. No prob. Thanks. They're interchangeable in any event. and equally annoying.
Yes - they both support corruption greed and crime.
That's all that really matters.
They want do prevent unity of the people in common cause.
Sorry it took so long to reply I lost my internet connection again.
No prob D. I gotta take a break. Be back later. V
Take it easy.
Ah, you DID catch that his username was Welsh. I was going to comment on that fact last night. Good catch DK. The truth is different indeed! (no reply button, below)
GeriTroll! Running a pro-regime tag team with your mentally ill friend VQkag, eh?
Mae'r gwirionedd yn wahanol
GeriTroll! More lies from the pro-regime propaganda plant, eh? Making false accusations against people you can't even identify, but just lettin'em fly like only an old forum troll can, eh?
There was a time when I thought you and your pro-regime team were dangerous. I now agree with all the PM's I've been getting: You're just an annoying but otherwise impotent distraction.
Fel arall y mae mewn gwirionedd
GeriTroll! Yes, the pro-regime agenda of these sock puppets are virtually identical:
GypsyKing, DKAtoday, Factsrfun, JIFFYSQUID92, shooz, bensdad, VQkag, beautifulworld
Fel arall y mae mewn gwirionedd
First you call me a Republican, now you say I'm from Canada?!?
You poor, sick little man... I gave you two choices, VQkag: Either post a link to anything proving "my candidate" is Romney as you claimed, or otherwise admit that you are a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.
You have failed to post any such link, so you are therefore a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.
I thought you said that. No? When you pretended to be a socialist. Remember? I reject your choices! IMHO. You are anti 99%!, you are trying to destroy OWS! You give support to the republcan party when you push the fallacy that the parties are the same. Support OWS! Vote out anti womens rights politicians.
First you call me Republican, then Canadian, now Socialist?!?
You sick and clueless little man... I gave you two choices, VQkag: Either post a link to anything proving "my candidate" is Romney as you claimed, or otherwise admit that you are a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.
You have failed to post any such link, so you are therefore a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.
No? Which is it.? What are you? If you don't define yourself others will define you. I reject your choices! You're not the boss of me. I do what I please.! I instead submit IMHO. You are anti 99%!, you are trying to destroy OWS! You give support to the republcan party when you push the fallacy that the parties are the same. Support OWS! Vote out anti military budget cut politicians.
You were given two choices, VQkag: Either post a link to anything proving "my candidate" is Romney as you claimed, or otherwise admit that you are a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.
You have failed to post any such link, so you are therefore a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.
I guess I win!. You have given up since you won't take a stand on all these critical (non wedge) issues. And you haven't disputed my opinion that you are anti 99%, and want to destroy OWS. Your repetitive response reflects your empty arguments. And so I have defeated yet another plant. You are dismissed.
Clueless... You were given 2 choices, VQkag: Either post a link to anything proving "my candidate" is Romney as you claimed, or otherwise admit that you are a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.
You have failed to post any such link, so you are therefore a pro-regime plant and a LIAR.