Two news stories this morning captured my interest. The first was in regards to the winner of the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize, Liu Xiaobo, a 54-year-old Chinese writer and democracy activist. Liu is currently serving an 11-year jail sentence for penning and spreading a political document, Charter 08 that called for democratic reforms and an end to China’s one-party rule. Charter 08 garnered much support via the internet and attained thousands of signatures from university students to professors, to even those within the Communist Party.
The 11-year sentence which started in December 2009 is the stiffest and longest that he has received. Previously, he had been jailed for 21 months for taking part in the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989. He also served another three years in a “re-education” camp between 1996 and 1999, for seeking the release of his cohorts in the Tiananmen Square demonstrations.
Apparently, the Chinese News networks were live streaming the award announcement but programming was immediately cut off upon the announcement of Liu’s name. Chinese government ministers were quick to express their anger over the award being handed over to “a criminal” and even suggested that this will have negative consequences for China-Norway relations.
The second story was about the Edmonton civic election and how election administrators have installed hands-free voting devices at advance polling stations. Because of this technology, for the first time, people who don’t have the use of their hands or fingers will be able to cast their votes anonymously, without requiring assistance from others in marking their ballots. The City representative sounded almost apologetic in explaining that due to financial constraints, the devices will only be available at advance polling locations rather than at all of the voting stations on October 18th.
What stark contrast between the two news stories?
In one culture, the political voice of each individual is so highly valued that its authorities are willing to make unique and expensive accommodations for even a small proportion of society, so that their ability to choose their civic leaders will not be hindered – even if the hindrance is as slight, yet valid, as the experience of perceived judgment or the awkwardness of having another person physically mark the ballot.
In another culture, the honor of a paternalistic government, and the peace and order of its entire society (at least the perception of it) are of such utmost importance that there may be no room for even a single voice of dissent.
On October 18th, I am going to vote. If not for any other reason, then simply as a sign of respect to all those that have sacrificed so much for the sake of bringing freedoms to their society that we already enjoy in ours.
The 11-year sentence which started in December 2009 is the stiffest and longest that he has received. Previously, he had been jailed for 21 months for taking part in the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989. He also served another three years in a “re-education” camp between 1996 and 1999, for seeking the release of his cohorts in the Tiananmen Square demonstrations.
Apparently, the Chinese News networks were live streaming the award announcement but programming was immediately cut off upon the announcement of Liu’s name. Chinese government ministers were quick to express their anger over the award being handed over to “a criminal” and even suggested that this will have negative consequences for China-Norway relations.
The second story was about the Edmonton civic election and how election administrators have installed hands-free voting devices at advance polling stations. Because of this technology, for the first time, people who don’t have the use of their hands or fingers will be able to cast their votes anonymously, without requiring assistance from others in marking their ballots. The City representative sounded almost apologetic in explaining that due to financial constraints, the devices will only be available at advance polling locations rather than at all of the voting stations on October 18th.
What stark contrast between the two news stories?
In one culture, the political voice of each individual is so highly valued that its authorities are willing to make unique and expensive accommodations for even a small proportion of society, so that their ability to choose their civic leaders will not be hindered – even if the hindrance is as slight, yet valid, as the experience of perceived judgment or the awkwardness of having another person physically mark the ballot.
In another culture, the honor of a paternalistic government, and the peace and order of its entire society (at least the perception of it) are of such utmost importance that there may be no room for even a single voice of dissent.
On October 18th, I am going to vote. If not for any other reason, then simply as a sign of respect to all those that have sacrificed so much for the sake of bringing freedoms to their society that we already enjoy in ours.
