h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

New today:

Tibet News - A2170982#4

There is now a link to a pdf version of H. Res 157 and a link to the complete text of Democratic House Leader Nancy Pelosi's statement in support of the Resolution.

New Today:

While there is no membership list, as such, for h2g2 Friends of Tibet, a handy way for potential friends to contact each other did seem to be in order. And so, a very modern-looking Friends List has just been added.

To include your name in the list simply post something friendly at,

F1714369?thread=381651

New:

Links to the Tibeten flag and the Tibetan national anthem:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/classic/A2170982?s_fromedit=1#6

Hi JtG,

Thanks for your Tibetan New Year card. You sent it to the address of my colleague Neil Steedman. He was slightly perplexed, not knowing me as Chaiwallah. Tashi delek to you too, and may it be a good one for Tibet.

I'm writing reams of stuff at the moment for our politicos, what with the EU-China HR dialogue happening here in a couple of weeks.

Cheers,

Thanks,

Chai

Hi, Chai. You're welcome. I'm glad it found you.

Good luck with the EU-China dialogue. The time is ripe for some positive action.

JTG

Hi JtG,

Losar greetings for February 21st. ( I will be in London again)
Meanwhile, I have just completed a shaming survey on Ireland's official, invidious position vis-a-vis Tibet. It does not make very edifying reading.

Cheers,

Chai

None of us have much to feel proud of vis-a-vis Tibet. The people in the Palace of Westminster have a good deal more to reproach themselves for, I think.

As for the Canadian parliament, a line from a film I watched recently comes to mind, ahem:

"Doing nothing isn't being neutral. It is, in fact, taking sides"

... or something like that.

JTG

Hi JTG
I am subscribed to Amnesty International and I have seen the campaign to free the Budhist Leader Tenzin Delek in its magazine.
I still have not had any replies from the Irish Leader or from the Chinese embassy.
I wonder if anyone else has had any replies.
Love from
Katrine

Hi Kat.

I got a form letter from the Irish PM's office to say that they had received my letter. Don't be disheartened by the lack of response, especially from the Chinese embassy. It would be exceptional, I think, for them to write back on any Tibet-related topic. The cumulative weight of all these letters will, sooner or later, bring the walls down.

Please join AI Urgent Action regarding poor Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, who could face execution as early as April. Therefore, it's crucial that we continue to speak up on his behalf. His associate, Lobsang Dhondup, was executed right after being sentenced; so we mustn't let the Chinese government (or our own) believe that we have forgotten about him.

Keep up the good work, Kat!

JTG

Hi Kat,

Thanks for making the effort. If it's any consolation to you, I sent 33 letters last week to various of our Irish Ministers, the members of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee ( who had requested the information I sent them ) and the Parliamentary All-Party Tibet Group ( who had also specifically requested the info). So far I have had 2 acknowledgements. And I'm sending off another 33 letters to the same people tomorrow!

That's politicians for you.

Cheers

Chai

I recently had an email acknowledging receipt of one I sent to Foreign Affairs more than a year ago. In fact I had the same email twice on the same day, apparently from two different people.

The most satisfying feedback I've had was after I phoned the Foreign Minister's constituency office coincidentally (ahem) a day or two after some dental surgery. Within an hour a fairly senior flunky called me back; and we debated for the better part of half an hour. It didn't occur to me until later on that he probably mistook my toothless babbling for senility; he probably thought he was explaining policy to a WWI veteran.

JTG

New:

Read a report from Human Rights Watch concerning Tenzin Delek Rinpoche:

http://hrw.org/english/docs/2004/02/06/china7278_txt.htm

New and Better Button Contest - The quest for new and better buttons never ends at h2g2FoT. If you have a secret talent for design, and think you can create a button that is better in all respects than our old fashioned wooden one, why not enter the h2g2FoT New and Better Button Contest?

We have a winner!!!

opti strong hands (U231227) has answered the h2g2FoT Challenge and produced a fine Entry about Prayer Wheels - A2335097.

Well done, opti strong hands!

Hot News.

We had a very good meeting in Dublin yesterday between the Irish Dept. of Foreign Affairs ( Minister Tom Kitt and senior Asia Dept officials ) and representatives from the EU TSG Group 5.
At the moment, the EU-China Human Rights dialogue is happening in Dublin ( while Ireland has the EU Presidency ) so it was very well-timed.

This morning we had an early demonstration outside the Department of Foreign Affairs ( in the snow!). We were greeted by Minister Tom Kitt, but some Chinese delegates had to walk past us to enter the building. They did not talk to us, but smiled when greeted in Chinese!

Here are some pictures:

http://public.fotki.com/Chaiwallah/eu_tsg_group_5_demo/

Of course, in my capacity as Chaiwallah, a thermos of hot chai was provided.

Cheers,

Chaiwallah

Hi, Chai. Thanks for the update. That is encouraging news!

The dreary weather doesn't seem to have dampened your spirits or the proudly defiant Tibetan flag, judging by the photos.

Keep up the good work... and keep the chai hot.

Best wishes to all at Tibet support Group - Ireland.

JTG

I've posted a request to the Community Artists for a badge, which can be used as a link to h2g2FoT.

I've suggested using a stylized lotus, incorporating the h2g2 logo and the caption, 'h2g2 Friends of Tibet'.

Hi guys -- just stumbled on this convo -- bookmarking and saying good work!

Hi there! Welcome to the Barkhor. This is where the new stuff is announced and where the guest book dumps its cargo. It's also a place that is only just waking up to its possibilities as a good place to chat about Tibet and the goings on of h2g2FoT.

So jump right in, Recumbentman. The possibilities are endless (or nearly so); and we certainly welcome anything and everything you have to say.

JTG

A thought to file away for possible future use: an entry on "Countries that have historically legal claim to another's territory".

As I mentioned in a thread recently, France belongs to England and England belongs to France. Simialrly China could be claimed by Tibet. (F19585?thread=383224&skip=54)