Oregonian editor and Republican apologist Bob Rheinhardt seems genuinely confused about the issue of persecution of christians abroad by criminal governments. Initially he tries to blame human rights activists like myself for not speaking out against this misconduct - accusing them of having a "double standard" with regards to christians. Of course, like most of his commentary, this is sheer nonsense! I have frequently reached out to christian groups for support against human rights abuses and urged an organization of consumer boycotts against thug controlled regimes such as China. Rheinhardt does suggest that christians here should speak out against such crimes and commends Jews and moderate Muslims for taking the lead in standing up against such atrocities abroad. He does strongly recommend that christians stand up for their brethren abroad and seek alliance with human rights groups on this specific issue and he does admit that business interests are the major force opposing action against their business clients abroad. However, unlike Bill Safire, he does stop short of suggesting the obvious solution of a christian led consumer boycott of goods manufactured in countries with such rampant human rights abuses.
A consumer boycott is the strongest statement that can be made against human rights violators. It says to the congressional sponsors that there is a monetary price for silent complicity with the thugs who benefit from terrorizing their citizenry. Of course, any effort by leaders of the Christian Coalition to organize such a consumer boycott will threaten their source of [tax exempt] money from business interests who are only happy to finance a "grass roots" constituency to further their political agenda. It seems very curious that the religious right has very carefully avoided conflict with the economic interests of their sponsors. Even when it comes to atrocities such as the persecution of brother christians and the forced abortions of millions of innocent babies. When will more christian conservatives recognize their leadership for the political whores that they really are?
2/12/97
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