They may just have a point!

The Americans are forever lecturing [and some would say hectoring] the world on how they ought to conduct themselves - you know, freedom, fair and open elections, justice for all, humane treatment of people, etc. etc.

So, the reponse of the Chinese to the US labelling the Chinese as having an authoritarian regime is "interesting". CHINAdaily.com reports:

"China issued on Thursday the Human Rights Record of the United States in 2007 in response to the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2007 issued by the US Department of State on Tuesday.

Released by the Information Office of China's State Council, the Chinese report listed a multitude of cases to show the human rights situation in the United States and its violation of human rights in other countries.

The report says the United States reigns over other countries and make arrogant and malicious attacks on their human rights issues, but mentions nothing about its own human rights problems.

By publishing the Human Rights Record of the United States in 2007, the report says it aims to "help the people have a better understanding of the real situation in the United States and as a reminder for the United States to reflect upon its own issues".

The report reviewed the human rights record of the United States in 2007 from seven perspectives: on life and personal security, on human rights violations by law enforcement and judicial departments, on civil and political rights, on economic, social and cultural rights, on racial discrimination, on rights of women and children and on the United States' violation of human rights in other countries."

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Mahler's Prodigal Son

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