PECKFORD -- Authoritarian governments in our own time, from the Nazi period to the USSR, have crippled democracy and freedom and yet we have not learned

Just come right out and say it ... it’s China ... and it’s communist.

So there ... I said it!

And its a virus, the corona virus, that came from China — the China Virus. Oh, yah it has a fancy name —but this keeps it simple and identifies its origin. Imagine that!!!

Of course, now that Trump has said it, he, being a virus to most China sensitive people (and that’ s just about everyone) none will say it now —-

And the political correctness and hypocrisy of it all.

The World Health Organization changed all that a few years ago and like sheep we all followed along. No more geographic naming —that’s an order —-George Orwell is turning over in his grave.

Of course, this WHO is part of the UN that has a Human Rights Council full of human rights violators whose sole purpose in life is to bring resolutions against the only democracy in the Middle East. Nice civilized crowd don’t you think?? We all put up with this charade every day and continue to support the UN, without any change.

Now, can you find Taiwan anywhere on the WHO’s website listing the countries and the number of infected with the China Virus?

No, no, no. See that would upset China, would it not?

And the UN has rejected Taiwan as a member 15 times. They do that as they call for self determination for peoples and pass an Aboriginal Rights Declaration.

Now, China is without doubt a communist state. No one argues that point—well most sensible people. Hence, it is not democratic. 

It is a one-party state. The Government controls everything; has party people inserted in all the major organizations of the country, imprisons people who oppose the regime and actually is ‘controlling‘, suppressing a large minority right now, the Uyghurs.

But, with this modern wave of globalization, democracy and liberty was sacrificed on this fake altar.

Cheaper labor, poor working and environmental conditions were ignored, and western industrialized nations rushed headlong inside the Communist borders —China. This was supported by some of the most prestigious organization on the planet — economists dripping in academic credentials.

And China grew, expanded, prospered, as they stole technology from the west, broke all the trade rules, continued to deny democratic rights manifested in Tiananmen Square and Hong Kong -- yet we stupidly bought their inferior products and became economic dependencies all the way to necessary medical devices.

So they gained power and influence and started throwing their weight around from the South China Sea by taking over islands illegally (according to international law) ... having their state owned Corporations span out all over the world buying up other companies ... buying real estate ... and recently the great Silk Road project; helping vulnerable weak nations build infrastructure on every livable continent (on their - China’s – terms) ... and most crucially, they have infiltrated education in Canada and the USA.

And this last incursion now sees many professors and students denigrating our own system -- on which has brought historic prosperity and a standard of living never before seen on the planet -- and elevating a socialist / communist system that has failed every time, everywhere it has been tried.

In the province of British Columbia, China is involved in the most expensive resource project in Canada’s history, the $40 billion LNG Project at Kitimat. And recently a Chinese company bought seniors homes that were operated so badly that the Vancouver Island Health Authority had to step in and operate them.

George Santanya wrote: ‘Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it ...’

That is what is happening now.

Authoritarian governments in our own time, from the Nazi period to the USSR, have crippled democracy and freedom and yet we have not learned.

We appease China, a communist state that seeks to replace our system for theirs.

This moment few reference China concerning the corona virus. They are afraid because they will be called racist or worse. Oh, and all those supply chains!!!

None will speak of the high Chinese population in BC and question whether this may contribute to the highest incidence of corona virus infections in the nation.

When appeasement occurs on this scale and fear to confront the facts persists what hope is there that we will learn from this crisis.

What will have changed a year from now???

In 1972, Brian Peckford was first elected, as a Progressive Conservative, to the Newfoundland Labrador House of Assembly -- he became Premier at the age of 36, holding the leadership of his party and government from 1979 to 1989.

Since leaving politics, early in 1989, Peckford has conducted public inquires for the governments of British Columbia and Canada, has served on numerous Boards including the CBC, and has been active in public affairs. 

Since 1993, he and his wife Carol have made British Columbia their home; they now live in Parksville, on Vancouver Island. He blogs at Peckford 42.