“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.” ~Dalai Lama
Liu Xiaobo
Today’s a great day to help a writer in trouble. No, I’m not asking for donations so I can write at my leisure. Yeah, that would be great. But you know what else is great? Not being in jail. Not being in jail for signing petitions my gov’ment doesn’t like. That’s super. You know who would also think that’s super. Liu Xiaobo.
Liu Xiaobo is a human rights activist who wants free speech and free elections in China. He’s been detained since Dec. 8, 2008 and hasn’t been able to speak with a lawyer. A bunch of writers including Salman Rushdie and Margaret Atwood sent a letter to the Chinese government calling for his release, but they didn’t do anything. Can you imagine? Getting a letter from Salman and just ignoring it? These people don’t know who they’re dealing with. Salman will write a novel about you that will bring you to your knees, you suckers.
Ok, so I know what you’re thinking. If Margaret and Salman can’t help, who can? In the words of Dave Kovic, “You don’t really know how much you can do until you stand up and decide to try…” or something like that. I’m bad at quoting.
So, go to the PEN American Center site, copy the excellent letter they wrote, and send it to the address they’ve listed for your convenience. It’s something. Now, don’t you feel good?
jjt said,
March 18, 2009 at 7:46 am
I bet Chev Chelios can get that dude out of jail.
julieluongo said,
March 18, 2009 at 9:27 am
Crank 3: The Hunt for Dissident Writers.
Tagline: He was dead…he got better…and then he kicked some ass!
(Steven Seagal is not affiliated with this movie.)
messiestobjects said,
March 19, 2009 at 5:51 am
Poor Liu. Nothing like that would ever happen in America.