Hu Heckler is Guilty only of Standing up to Evil

Wenyi Wang committed no crime when she heckled Chinese "President" Hu. As a credentialed member of the press she had every right to say the things she did. She made no threats. The only thing she is guilty of is having spoiled Mr.Hu and Bush's farcical ceremony. Ms. Wang dared to ask the questions no other members of the press are willing to ask. Instead, the press took the Chinese Communist Party line and described the outburst as somehow being a terrible breech of protocol that threatened world peace. They described how a embarassed President Bush apologized to Hu for someone exercising a basic right that has been stamped out in China. In fact, no reporter was allowed to ask the Chinese dictator any questions of any kind. Bush apparently promised Mr. Hu a perfect visit with a few minor exceptions. The only thing that kept this charade from complying completely was Ms. Wang. One woman dared to speak out. One woman dared to insist that America stand for its fundamental principles. While the political, economic, and press establishment kow-tows to China, Wenyi Wang spoke the truth. In the process, she put to shame an entire nation.

We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home. - Edward R. Murrow