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

The PLA, the Army of the People's Republic of China is due to perform at this year's Edinbugh Festival. The so-called "People's Liberation Army" is the main instrument of China's invasion, occupation and exploitation of Tibet.

The PLA is the main builder and developer of new Chinese infrastructure in Lhasa, and other Tibetan cities. The new Glomud - Lhasa railway has as a prime objective the speedy moving of China's nuclear missile armoury from Xining ( in the northeast of Tibet ) down to the Indian border regions south of Lhasa.

The PLA is also responsible for keeping the lid on Uighur-Muslim resistance in Xinjiang ( which was the Republic of East Turkestan until China took it over ).

The PLA is also responsible for maintaining the military threat against any moves towards formal independence in Taiwan.

All in all, not the sort of organisation that should be receiving the honour of performing at the Edinbugh Festival.

Here's a link to the SFT protest action. Please use it and circulate it to your friends:

http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/PLA/wdig6d22jwb3wj

Something a little curious here. The PLA may well be "one of the most brutal armies in the world" but isn't that the job description of an army? "Protests highlighting the PLA's bloody history are planned" . . . isn't this targeting the messenger?

What I mean is, what right has *any* army to sing songs and dance merry twirls? An army is an aggressive force, and much as we would prefer not to need them, it's hard to plan a world without one.

I protest against the government that gives inhuman tasks to the army. I shrink from the prospect of being put in an army myself, or any of my relations. But what army in the world is justified in going on stage to entertain the Edinburgh revellers? One that never had a dirty job? Name one.

Chai,

I have written to my MP, Lembit Opik of the Lib's. As his family had to flee communist oppression in Lithuania he is fairly responsive to this sort of thing.

The 'good' burghers of Edinburgh basically don't give a sh*t as it will bring in the punters.

Blessings,
Matholwch /|\.