Most here agree with your point of view Martin. The differences are all in the way we choose to handle it, that's all.
You've got some admirable stuff going on with respect to trying to make a difference to the lives of a few people there. That's probably the most that we as individuals could hope to achieve: the fact that you're achieving that is the most important point in my book. Disclaimer to the Off Topic Po lease: This has been off topic I know - but we're discussing this because it's a part of the discussion about artistic freedom and how political regimes can have an impact on that. Ken -----Original Message----- From: Martin Dust [mailto:mar...@dustscience.com] Sent: Wednesday, September 09, 2009 9:51 AM To: list 313 Subject: Re: (313) Playing In China On 8 Sep 2009, at 16:20, David Powers wrote: > I would argue that the USA and UK have regimes that are just as bad > as China. By your logic DJ's shouldn't play at all! > > ~David You could but I have even greater difficulty with the Chinese Government: 1. The lack of free speech and free thinking: http://www.hrichina.org/public/index 2. It's active use of apartheid systems. 3. It's treatment of Tibet. 4. It's human rights record. For myself, I just could not bring myself to support any of that in any way, shape or form. And where I can't avoid it (iPod/Laptop/TV) I give money to http://www.plan-uk.org/ and have done for 10yrs, we support a couple of people in China with a plan for people to work their way out of poverty - I even had problems with that at one stage because I was worried that it was patronising. I find their letters heart breaking and the fact that I have to watch what I'm saying or sending in my letters makes he even more angry. It's very difficult/complex and I don't think I explained myself well enough yesterday but I really and honestly don't want a cheap holiday in other peoples misery nor do I want to play only to the expats and elite who can afford it, in my heart of hearts I know that it's not right. m
