What's the Deal With China?

Apparently, the Chinese government is really pissed because America is giving the Dalai Lama the Congressional Gold Medal. Tibet's Communist Party Secretary said, "If the Dalai Lama can receive such an award, there must be no justice or good people in the world." Huh? The Dalai Lama is one of the greatest people alive. Since Mother Theresa died, I can't think of another spiritual leader who has been more influential (besides the Pope, I suppose). And on top of that, he's totally cool! Name another monk who hangs out with famous people and wears sunglasses. The Dalai Lama is awesome.

I realize the China/Tibet thing is a huge issue (I saw Seven Years in Tibet), and I am firmly on the Free Tibet side. Not to get too political, but how is it okay for a huge country to invade a smaller one in Asia, but not okay in the Middle East? Obviously, America relies heavily on China for imports. Recently, a woman in Louisiana wrote a book called A Year Without "Made in China" where she and her family stopped buying anything made in China for a year (hence the clever title). Turned out to be pretty difficult, from what I've read, but it was possible. And, if the past few months have shown us anything, it's maybe China isn't the best place to get your goods. Between poisoned food and toothpaste and lead on our Barbies, it's obvious China has very little regard for heath and safety and thinks only of making crap as cheap as possible. So maybe the "justice" and "good people in the world" are simply no longer a part of the Chinese government. I'm glad we are giving the Dalai Lama the medal. The Chinese government can kiss it.