Feinstein Blocks Cruz Attempt to Honor Chinese Political Prisoner as Undiplomatic
Xi Jinping, the boss of the Chinese Communist Party, is now in the United States. And Senator Cruz has introduced a measure to rename the plaza in front of the Chinese embassy after Liu Xiaobo, the democracy leader who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010 and has been a political prisoner since 2008.
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Cruz notes that Congress renamed the plaza in front of the Soviet embassy after another Nobel peace laurate, Andrei Sakharov. We should do the same for Liu — and for the Chinese people, and for the cause of democracy everywhere.
Nothing doing, says DiFi:
Liu Xiaobo’s courage “poses a challenge to the Free World,” said Ted. “Will we be silent, eager to enjoy the economic benefits of cooperation with the PRC? Or will we put President Xi on notice that, for America, human rights are no longer ‘off the table,’ and that we are listening to the truth about Communist China?” He further said, “I believe that we have a moral responsibility not to marginalize Dr. Liu and his brave fellow dissidents, but to make their plight central to all our dealings with the PRC.”
Amen. Ted asked for unanimous consent. It was blocked by Senator Feinstein, who said, in effect, that the measure was undiplomatic.
Here’s how the AP reported Feinstein’s objection:
His attempt was thwarted by Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, who objected to the move and said it had political implications because of the timing. She said Cruz had sent out notice that he was bringing the resolution to the floor less than an hour before he tried to pass it.
Feinstein said Obama would have a chance to talk to the Chinese president about human rights issues.
“Maybe people don’t believe that diplomacy makes a difference, but I do,” she said.
I suppose it’s “undiplomatic” to throw someone in prison for 12 years for advocating the end of communism. I guess DiFi’s concern for diplomacy has its limits.
Political implications? In Washington? Well, I never!
It would be a delightful scene if Cruz waited until Xi Jinping left, then resubmitted the measure. I wonder what DiFi et al would come up with then?
CayleyGraph (dfcefe) — 9/28/2015 @ 8:57 pmit’s not like the Magnitsky Act, that had consequences, but we know how tied she is to China, don’t we, the odd thing don’t we have the Senate, rhetorical,
narciso (ee1f88) — 9/28/2015 @ 8:59 pmFineswine
’nuff said.
redc1c4 (e52d59) — 9/28/2015 @ 9:33 pmI suppose she cleared this with McConnell prior to calling the press.
I’m just starting Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s Heretic, and it is a reminder of how far we’ve fallen. But it is clear that we haven’t hit bottom yet. As long as McConnell seeks peace and fellowship with the enemies of America, there will always be another sub-basement to go. And when that ditch hits bottom, there’s probably a tunnel to nowhere being dug with gasoline tax money another 30 feet down.
Mark Steyn made a terrific speech in Copenhagen. The link is here.
BobStewartathome (a52abe) — 9/28/2015 @ 9:35 pmWhat narciso said.
nk (dbc370) — 9/28/2015 @ 9:42 pmDianne – You ignorant sl-t.
mg (31009b) — 9/28/2015 @ 9:42 pmThere’s $1T of U. S. Treasuries controlling the strings on the DiFi dummy. Money talks.
BobStewartathome (a52abe) — 9/28/2015 @ 9:42 pmMagnitsky, triggered a series of sanctions, like Scoop/Jackson, then again we weren’t as much in hock to the Soviets back then,
narciso (ee1f88) — 9/28/2015 @ 9:47 pmHow anyone could vote for a republican other than Cruz is beyond comprehension.
mg (31009b) — 9/28/2015 @ 9:54 pmhttp://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/09/28/ted-cruz-republican-leadership-leads-the-onslaught-attacking-conservatives/
Way to teach the Chinese to behave like the North Koreans Feinstein.
Dejectedhead (ba8561) — 9/28/2015 @ 10:24 pmOnly Mike Lee was at his side. I will never vote for any republican that is in the senate with Mr. Cruz. His fellow republicans HATE HIS GUTS. Rubio sucks just as much as mcconnell. With b.s. such as this taking place, my only hope is Ted or Trump. Trump may suck, but not near as much as republicans. At this point eff off republicans and I hope you continue to lose. With democrats in power I know what to expect. I hate these people, by the way Rubio sucks.
mg (31009b) — 9/29/2015 @ 2:18 amhttp://www.politico.com/story/2015/09/ted-cruz-senate-rebuke-planned-parenthood-214183?ref=yfp
mg (31009b) — 9/29/2015 @ 2:19 amthis was supposed to be with 11. So pissed I can’t think.
Greetings:
I haven’t had a chance to see much of the videos of President Xi (He’s President, too, right???) visit so I was just wondering if he wore one of those Mao suits that he looked so resplendent in during that recent military parade he put on in Sunday downtown Beijing. Or was he more diplomatic than that ???
11B40 (0f96be) — 9/29/2015 @ 8:48 amAnd it will be only five short years until Liu Xiaobo completes his sentence. Short, that is, as long as it’s not you in a Chinese prison. I have no doubt that this San Fran disgrace will keep talking about letting diplomacy work until 2020 then declare victory.
The fact that she refuses to consider Cruz’s proposal means she has just as feckless a notion of what diplomacy is as President Freshman Dorm. Diplomacy isn’t synonymous with capitulation. Diplomacy also includes playing hard ball. Being confrontational.
Maybe we could tear a page from Mohammad Javad Zarif’s playbook. He belittled and yelled at Kerry and the Iranian’s got everything they wanted.
Steve57 (ca1277) — 9/29/2015 @ 10:19 am