Saving the Humans

For John, BLUF:  For the Progressives in the United States there seems to be a sense that the Uyghurs are small potatos and their fate is not worth upsetting the climate apple card over.  How utilitarian of them.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Biden’s new Cold War with China will result in climate collapse, progressives warn

Here is the sub-headline:

A political fight is brewing among wings of the Democratic Party over Beijing’s help in curbing climate change versus curbing its human rights abuses.

From Politico, by Mr Alexander Ward, 7 July 2021, 05:05 PM EDT.

Here is the lede plus three:

As a new Cold War takes shape between the U.S. and China, progressives fear the result will be a dramatically warming planet.

Over 40 progressive groups sent a letter to President Joe Biden and lawmakers on Wednesday urging them to prioritize cooperation with China on climate change and curb its confrontational approach over issues like Beijing’s crackdown on Hong Kong and forced detention of Uyghur Muslims.

It's the latest salvo in the months-long drama between progressive Democrats who say cooperation on climate change should take precedence over competition with China, and moderates who think the administration can do both things at once.  As the Biden administration solidifies its China strategy, and as anti-China legislation moves through Congress, this intra-Democratic tussle could define the U.S.-China relationship for years to come.

The progressive organizations, including the Sunrise Movement and the Union of Concerned Scientists, “call on the Biden administration and all members of Congress to eschew the dominant antagonistic approach to U.S.-China relations and instead prioritize multilateralism, diplomacy, and cooperation with China to address the existential threat that is the climate crisis,” their letter reads.  “Nothing less than the future of our planet depends on ending the new Cold War between the United States and China.”

Frankly, there is not much we can o to save the Uygurs from their fate.  We can't effectively intervene to protect them.  If they leave China we can offer them refuge, but what are the odds that they can escape?  Unlike Cubans trying to escape to Florida, the Uygurs are landlocked, in the Western part of China.

On the other hand, should we just roll over on the issue of human rights?  Which leads to a deeper question.  Are human rights universal, as the Declaration of Independence states, or are they a construct given us by the state?  There are implications with the second option, including that our effort to provide equal rights to all is unique to us and some other nations who trace their governmental system back to 1215 AD an the meeting of the Barons with King John.♠ 

I think the Progressives petitioning the Biden Administration, and protesting at the White House, blocking entrances, have this stick by the wrong end.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  The implication is that if you think your freedom is limited here, it could be much worse in other places, even places your ancestors left hundreds of years ago.