User talk:Jimbo Wales/Statements of support
This is the page of support concerning the death of Chinese blogger Wei Wenhua.
(Admins please keep this page free of vandalism, and semi-protect or protect if needed)
It is always sad to see a culture of repressing free expression taken to this extreme. Any civilization that wishes to survive should consider free expression and a free and open press an essential element, and anyone victim to oppression of these ideals should be considered martyrs to the future of humanity. Avruchtalk 00:32, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
From Dihydrogen Monoxide[edit]
I have little to say that hasn't been said by Jimbo or Avurch, but I'll state my support as that's the purpose of this page. Dihydrogen Monoxide 00:38, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
I never really understand why these things happen, but we must be aware. Never forget. M-ercury at 00:40, January 13, 2008
Slp1[edit]
As a long-time human rights activist, I wish to express my dismay and outrage at the beating death of Wei Wenhua by Chinese municipal officials, apparently because he refused to delete footage of demonstration about environmental issues he had recorded on his cell phone.[1] In this year of the Beijing Olympics I urge the Chinese government to show leadership in the field of human rights, conducting a full and impartial investigation into Wei Wenhua's death with a view of bringing those responsible to justice. I also urge the government to allow Chinese citizens to freely and peacefully express their opinions, without fear of harassment or the violence to which Wei Wenhua has been subjected..--Slp1 (talk) 00:55, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
The vicious murder of Wei Wenhua for filming interactions of citizens and government officials is horrible and disgraceful. Bravo Wei for your brave actions. I hope the Chinese government fully prosecutes those who attacked you. Aleta (Sing) 01:41, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
Absolutely horrifying. Shocking and sad. Bstone (talk) 01:48, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
From Compwhizii[edit]
Shocking. I feel horrible for him. Compwhiz II(Talk)(Contribs) 02:18, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
Lets hope this inspires some profound changes in the way China deals with issues of freedom of speech and that as a result we start to see not merely people in China but also people in Myanmar, Saudi Arabia et al edit wikipedia and engage in other web activities (blogging, YouTube etc) as commonly as we currently see people in South Africa, Central America and a large etc do so now. China is such a shining example to the world in so many ways and its firewall, were it dismantled, would inspire in the same way as the collapsing of the Berlin Wall inspired. A death that causes great change is not a life wasted, especially when that person desired and worked for change. Thanks, SqueakBox 02:27, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
Stop censoring the internet, you guys! Every day, people are getting jumped or liable because of these. People should be able to say whatever they want, whenever they want, and that includes Wikipedia, because we are Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia! —BoL 02:40, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
From Antonio Lopez[edit]
That was horrible. I can't believe they killed him on site. I also forgot that China has a Firewall on the Internet. --Antonio Lopez (talk) 02:43, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
From Seraphim Whipp[edit]
How awful. How dreadfully sad. Seraphim Whipp 02:51, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
From Kakofonous[edit]
Given the privilege we have to make free knowledge available here on Wikipedia, I think the only thing we can do now is work as hard as we possibly can to improve the information we have on Wei—to show our support for him in doing what he could not. Kakofonous (talk) 02:57, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
A person should never lose his or her life or liberty just because (s)he witnessed an abuse by or spoke out against the government. Those that regrettably do turn out to be unwilling martyrs for a cause greater the the government: the cause of true freedom, where the right to complain about abuses is protected and politically-sensitive topics are free to access to all. -Jéské (Blah v^_^v) 03:47, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
May this man never be forgotten. Useight (talk) 04:18, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
From Riffsyphon1024[edit]
How can there still be people like this on this planet that would beat a man to death? Thoughts to his family and friends. -- Riffsyphon1024 (talk) 04:29, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
Support Jimbo and remind Jimbo[edit]
I support Jimbo and applaude his statement against the murder of the blogger. Wikipeace2008 (talk) 04:50, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
This is why I hate collectivism and support individualism. This man here was an individual, murdered by Big Brother. In this note I have collected excerpts from essays that I have written which are very revalent to this atrocious act.
Big Brother is watching us. Big Brother wants you to be the gullible man, easy to control. He wants everyone to be the same so he can quell thoughtcrime. To protect the iron blanket that covers the world, he must murder freedom, autonomy, your thoughts and you. He must make an empire of clones to make ruling this empire easy on him. Big Brother is a coward and a weak leader, for he has taken the easy way out. He is obsessed with the power that he has and will do anything to protect it. Who is Big Brother? Big Brother isn’t a he, it is a them.
This country was founded on the premise of freedom and liberty, which are some of the most difficult words to define in the English language. Many dictionaries have struggled trying to define them while clarity came to them. I will join them in the struggle. I will try to define that mysterious word because I love my life and my freedom. Freedom is composed of three elements: individual freedom, the absence of a tolitarian “Big Brother” and autonomy. Clearly, the one concept of freedom is actually these three concepts mixed together. As we advance further into the controversial future, the definition of freedom becomes more relevant.
The persons who have been privileged with freedom hold individual freedom. Thinking rationally, they must choose to live thinking what they think, speaking what they speak or to be crushed by the collective. As an essential part of humanity, individual freedom is earned just by existing because those who have this kind of freedom are individuals who govern their fate. Individual freedom is the core freedom, the freedom that our country was founded upon. Individual freedom makes life enjoyable. When one has individual freedom, one cannot be oppressed for his existence. Thus individual freedom entails economic, thought and speech freedoms. Others can freely voice their disagreements and dislike of that person, but they are not free to destroy him and his thoughts because that will be unethical.
Liberty is closely related to freedom and is taken away by “Big Brother”. This “Big Brother” can either be one person or a group of people. Usually the “Big Brother” is a powerful figure in the government. As Thomas Paine said in his pamphlet Common Sense: Society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness; the former promotes our happiness positively by uniting our affections, the latter negatively by restraining our vices. The one encourages intercourse, the other creates distinctions. The first is a patron, the last a punisher. Indeed, “Big Brother” is a punisher. “Big Brother” takes away our individual freedom and autonomy to make ruling easier on him. Since if all people were feeble, voiceless and the same, he could rule easily because none oppose him. Preaching his doctrine, “Big Brother” says his restriction of freedom is justified because he is trying to please everyone, keep us safe and work for the greater good. However, common sense and rationality tell us that shouting “TERRORIST!” in a plane is irrational and should not be done. Clearly, if we all had rationality, we would not need “Big Brother” to watch over us and cause the erosion of autonomy. “Big Brother” is unnecessary. The government exists only to protect our rights, and that is exactly what it should carry out, nothing else.
Autonomy is self-governance. When someone has autonomy, he can decide how he will live his life and what will happen to him. To be free, one must have autonomy because, without it, we will be subject to unreasonable restrictions. When one has this treasure, any kind of freedom is his. Be it freedom of assembly (one can associate himself with other individuals who share the same interests as him) or due process (ethical treatment of the accused). When one claims to be autonomous, he says that no one governs or controls him. Freely he controls himself and will be the final arbiter of his fate. Autonomy is necessary for a free person because a free man needs to independently govern himself to not be controlled by others. Henceforth, we can see that autonomy constitutes much of ethics and morality and also happens to be an inalienable right.
These three components build freedom. Regardless of experience, all humans want freedom, even “Big Brother”. They want freedom because they want to live happily. Freedom is that which allows us to make any joy, grandeur and goodness of the earth ours. Strangely there are people who oppose freedom, people like “Big Brother”. There are those who believe that we are “playing God” by choosing our fate. There are those who fear that a savage anarchy will rise if we govern ourselves. There are those who believe that all of the human race’s actions are insignificant and we should collapse, withdraw into a corner and die. Although there indeed is a grain of truth in their arguments, they fail to notice a few things. Should those without common sense and rationality govern themselves poorly, they will let loose the savagery within them. However, these arguments fail to notice one thing. They were exercising their freedom when they argued that. Underneath their belief that freedom is evil, they seem to love their freedom. Thus, these people are hypocrites because they fail to notice this blatant fact.
All of us enjoy and want freedom because it allows us to make from our actions everything that defines who we are and what the human race can do. Without freedom our world will be gray without any genius minds to color it. Although free minds created mighty skyscrapers and castles, these minds were once thought crazy when they dreamed of these edifices. The free men are the mighty Atlases who hold the world on their backs and carry it forward. Free men are unbound by others and are free to make our world great (Since it is not the similarities in us that make the world great, but the differences). Beneath the shadow of fear, the unfree man always has always dreamed of the day when he encounters freedom. Because that will be the day when he escapes bondage and that is where thinking is not a crime. Obtaining freedom and happiness requires a struggle, leaping from ledge to ledge in an ascent to the peak. That unfree man will have his first victory when he chooses to ignore the limitations on his thought. He will have another victory when he finally chooses to fight “Big Brother” to make all good his. The ultimate goal of all his struggles, his hardships which are investments in his future, is the moment when he wins his right to freedom from “Big Brother”. That is what we all sought. When he wins his freedom, he benefits all mankind by being able give his proud contributions to the world. Obviously, when one is unfree his rational mind is destroyed; a society without mind is a world where people work toward their own destruction since the anti-mind is the anti-life.
Marlith T/C 05:00, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
From MelicansMatkin[edit]
It's appalling that in this day and age, somebody could be beaten to death for videotaping. What the Chengguen did was completely unnecessary, and seems absolutely unthinkable in 2008. The demonstrating villagers were concerned for the health of everyone in the village. Does the human race really value dumping garbage over people's lives? Wei Wenhua, take solace in the knowledge that the globe has learned how your federal government treats it's citizens. China has been condemned before for their take on human rights, and this will only cause more awareness throughout the globe. Though it will be of little condolence to you, I hope that, wherever you are, you know of our appreciation for your acts.
| “ | Sleep, sleep tonight / And may your dreams be realized | ” |
| — U2, MLK | ||
MelicansMatkin (talk) 06:05, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
I thank the government of China for treating the death of Wei Wenhua as a murder case. It is more than the death of one man: crimes such as this kill the voices of thousands of people who afterward remain silent for fear they would be next, and that damages China's culture and place in the world. Please continue to handle this case with all the seriousness it deserves.
My proudest day as a Wikipedian was when I discovered that an article I had raised to featured had been translated into Chinese as 聖女貞德. I wish your people were free to read it, and I wish a better biography of 李白 were available in English. I've always admired his work in translation and wanted to know more about him. Respectfully, DurovaCharge! 06:08, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
thoughts by Gnangarra[edit]
With the eyes of the world firmly upon China this year one can only hope that the death of Wei Wenhua is the final installment for the freedoms in China that many of us Wikipedians already enjoy.
The Chinese government and its people still have many steps ahead, economically, environmentally, socially and politically. What they can say here and now is that its no longer acceptable taking those steps with blood on their feet.
My deepest sympathy to the family of Wei Wenhua, may you treasure your memories with pride in his actions. Gnangarra 06:51, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
The world will be watching China this year more closely than ever with the coming Olympics. Freedom of speech is a basic human right and China needs to uphold the fundamental rights of its people. The West isn't perfect by a long way but at least I can write this without fear. Sophia 07:48, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
It is a shame really; the Government of the PRC should be doing their all to try and make the PRC a better place, especially for the Olympics they are hosting in Beijing this summer. Senseless deaths like Wei Wenhua 's still shows the PRC needs to do a lot more to not only open themselves to more freedoms, but also to prosecute these crimes. Just asking officials to step down, only to hire back months later, isn't the way to go at all. My condolences to Wei Wenhua's family and friends. User:Zscout370 (Return Fire) 08:04, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
Never forget. Everyone on Earth should have the freedom of speech. I just can't understand why they did that. 
Jonathan § 16:24, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
Statement by User:Suriel1981[edit]
This makes me realise how much we take our freedom of speech for granted. A totally shocking event. ŞůṜīΣĻ¹98¹Speak 16:59, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
It is sad that an innocent bystander had to die in such a way, for such a stupid reason. I find it a disgrace that such a senseless act could happen anywhere in the world. I hope that this will finally be the call to open the eyes of the Chinese Government and see how far this oppression of free speech has gone. This is not tolerable; things have to change! --wL<speak·check> 17:59, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
Statement by Fairchoice: Remember Wei Wenhua and do not act the same way as the mob did[edit]
It is outrageous that this man is killed for free speech issues.
We should learn and not unknowingly do the same thing as in [2] where we are about to ban a user simply because he encouraged people to improve Wikipedia. He did not say to vandalize or make biased comments. Block him for a different reason but let's not act like the mob that killed Wei by blocking and banning him. Learn from the mistakes of the Wei mob and apply it to your own life. In this way, Wei's murder is not in vain. He would have taught us to behave. It's easy to say "They are the bad guys". Let's not do the same.
Remember Wei Wenhua. Fairchoice (talk) 19:10, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
Remember DP James, too[edit]
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7186063.stm Sent to prison for 50 years without a trial. Fairchoice (talk) 19:23, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
The truth shall set you free. A government that is afraid of those that speak truth, those that report truth, those that share truth... is a government without the mandate of those it governs. ++Lar: t/c 19:04, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
I think it's totally disgusting that government officials could do this. They should know better. I know i'm only 13, but I know whats right and what's wrong. The government should be stopping fights and beating-up, not doing it themselves. This is another example of people against freedom of speech. ACBestDog and Bone 19:23, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
I really can't think of anything to say that doesn't sound trite. I can't imagine what it's going to take, or how many more people like Wei are going to have to give up their lives, for the people of China to get out from under their leaders' heels. -- Vary | Talk 20:44, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
From Rgoodermote[edit]
It is a sad thing to hear of a murder, but it is worse to hear a person was murdered because s/he stood up and did the right thing by exercising his/her natural right to free speech. I wish the family of Mr.Wenhua well during this ordeal. Rgoodermote 22:14, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
Comment by TheSongGarden[edit]
I trust that the people of China are more wise than is often reported by people in the "west." Their country has existed for 5000 years and is still growing and still vulnerable to the same insanity that exists everywhere. I prefer to not throw stones, but to simply state that freedom is a gift and should be the goal of any nation on earth. Bless the people of all nations that speak the truth and seek goodness over evil. Like a Rainbow (talk) 22:52, 13 January 2008 (UTC)
User:Dorftrottel[edit]
A man being brutally murdered for vouching for freedom by documenting wrong-doing. Such a trivial sentence and yet too much information to process. How best to contribute? User:Dorftrottel 23:26, January 13, 2008
From Keilana[edit]
I dearly hope and pray that both China and the family of Wei Wenhua will find peace. I hope that dissenting in China and countries such as Myanmar will never be silenced.
| “ | Don't walk away/in silence/see the danger/always danger/don't walk away | ” |
| — Joy Division, Atmosphere | ||
Keilanatalk 00:06, 14 January 2008 (UTC)
This is a sad reminder that the freedoms so many of us take for granted are neither free nor available to all. The eyes of the world are on China and I join the calls for their government to change for the better as soon as possible. Ruhrfisch ><>°° 01:53, 14 January 2008 (UTC)
It's a disgrace, and very sad. Sirkadtalk 18:05, 14 January 2008 (UTC)
From Alexfusco5[edit]
Why can't the Chinese government give these people more rights. At least his suffering is over and maybe the Chinese government will do more for the rights of free speech and the murderers will hopefully be brought to justice Alexfusco5 22:38, 14 January 2008 (UTC)
From Chriswaterguy[edit]
Appalling, horrifying, tragic. Against the good of China. Nothing more to add. --Chriswaterguy talk 23:41, 15 January 2008 (UTC)
From Zenwhat[edit]
If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind. Were an opinion a personal possession of no value except to the owner; if to be obstructed in the enjoyment of it were simply a private injury, it would make some difference whether the injury was inflicted only on a few persons or on many. But the peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is, that it is robbing the human race; posterity as well as the existing generation; those who dissent from the opinion, still more than those who hold it. If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth: if wrong, they lose, what is almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of truth, produced by its collision with error.
— John Stuart Mill, On Liberty
If there is a God, then he shall surely smile upon Wei Wenhua when he meets him in heaven.
Chinese tradition says the authority of government comes from the Mandate of Heaven. It is hard for them to justify this when the CPC must resort to such brutality. According to Confucius, courageous men should lead government, not unethical, corrupt bureaucrats. According to his philosophical opponent, Laozi, the people shouldn't be governed at all. By all accounts, whether you are Chinese or American, we can agree that those who carried out this heinous act only seek to cause their own undoing for the sake of ignorance, ego, and selfishness. ☯ Zenwhat (talk) 06:05, 16 January 2008 (UTC)
Per Lar. The truth shall set you free - and that is where it lies. And, although not relevant, I have a short poem on life of Child Soldiers:
Exhausted dreams lie consoling the sand
Their wounds a testimony to the besmirchment of a nation
Swooping down like a tide of good luck
Would a dying bird fly with damaged wings?
The existence of man being advanced in hope
The love of convenience and exposition
Youth weaping for support
Violence entwined with passion and hate
Long gone are the days of freedom
The new and twisting path to my future
Should we stop?
And listen to the cry for help?
Rudget. 15:54, 16 January 2008 (UTC)
Comment by Gp75motorsports REV LIMITER[edit]
I hope every one of the government officials that had a hand in his murder goes straight to hell. Not only did they murder a blogger, they murdered a Wikipedian. --Gp75motorsports REV LIMITER 23:36, 26 January 2008 (UTC)
- No, he wasn't murdered by the government nor was he a Wikipedian. Marlith T/C 23:43, 26 January 2008 (UTC)
What I meant was, even though he probably never heard of us, he was still a friend. --Gp75motorsports REV LIMITER 01:50, 27 January 2008 (UTC)
I can only say that I am appalled and deeply saddened by this event. ChetblongT C 21:13, 3 February 2008 (UTC)
From Kerotan[edit]
Wei Wenhua is a hero.
To quote Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg:
we cannot dedicate - we cannot consecrate - we cannot hallow this ground. the brave men, living and dead, who have struggled here have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract.
Wei Wenhua is a hero for freedom of speech, and let no one ever forget it.--KerotanLeave Me a Message Have a nice day :) 02:46, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
comment[edit]
deepest sympathy .. but it should be noted that it wasn't actually the government that did it --Capitana (talk) 13:47, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
Outrage and sympathy. And gratitude and thanks that I dont live there. I am reaffirmed to not live my life in silence or fear of a regime or its actions by the people. rkmlai (talk) 23:03, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
I think it's sad that our world still has places and regimes that do this type of thing. It makes me all the more grateful for the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. I hope that the Chinese people will soon be protected by a similar statute. J.delanoygabsadds 03:09, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
Support for China by SilkTork[edit]
I applaud the Chinese authorities for fully investigating the death of Wei Wenhua, and I welcome the statement from the Urban Management Bureau that the hardline element in their ranks will be diminished. China is growing as a nation and is discovering the benefits that come from free trade with the rest of the world. Free trade also includes ideas and information as well as goods and money - and from this exchange of ideas and cultures will blossom a great country. There will be pain along the way as adjustments are made, but the enrichment of all of us, Chinese and the rest of the world, will be worth it. SilkTork *What's YOUR point? 18:01, 19 February 2008 (UTC)