Gun-Toting Lama

I've been very disturbed by these reports of violence in Tibet, as Chinese forces clash with monks and surround monasteries. But I've been more disturbed by the Chinese government's rationale for the violence, that the Dalai Lama is some sort of Bolivarian revolutionary who is trying to violently overthrow the government.

Premier Wen Jiabao accused the Dalai Lama and his supporters of orchestrating violent clashes to taint the Beijing Olympics, saying Tuesday that they were provoking violence to promote Tibetan independence.

The Dalai Lama urged his followers to remain peaceful, saying he would resign as head of Tibet's government-in-exile if the situation spun out of control. But he also suggested the Chinese may have fomented the protests in Tibet and neighboring provinces in order to discredit him.

In China's highest-level response to the unrest, Wen underscored the Communist leadership's determination to regain control of Tibet and nearby parts of China and reassure the world it is fit to host the Games.

Yes, the Dalai Lama is calling on his supporters to have arms taken up against them. That's the ticket. And it's amusing that Wen's entire concern is to make sure the Olympics are safe. Matt Browner Hamlin has a lot more at his site.

UPDATE: Tibet Will Be Free is a good source of information, too. Apparently the opening ceremony of the Olympics in Beijing will feature "happy Tibetan dancers." Nothing like putting 50 years of repression on full display.