CAL THOMAS COMMENTARY OCTOBER 14, 2019
YOU HAVE PROBABLY HEARD ABOUT THE NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION CAVING TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT. IT IS ABOUT BEIJING’S CRITICISM OF A TEAM OWNER WHO TWEETED HIS SUPPORT FOR HONG KONG FREEDOM PROTESTORS. FUNNY THAT THE NBA ATTACKED THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA FOR ENACTING LEGISLATION THAT REQUIRED TRANSGENDER PEOPLE USE THE BATHROOMS REFLECTING THEIR GENDER ASSIGNED AT BIRTH.
WHEN THE NBA PULLED AN ALL-STAR GAME FROM CHARLOTTE IN PROTEST, THE STATE QUICKLY REVERSED ITSELF.
NOW WHEN THE NBA IS THREATENED BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND ITS 1.2 BILLION POTTENTIAL CONSUMERS BECAUSE OF A STATEMENT BY A SINGLE OWNER, IT QUICKLY CAVED AND APOLOGIZED. BEIJING ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYING BASICALLY “LET THIS BE A LESSON TO OTHERS.”
THE NBA ISN’T THE ONLY ORGANIZTION TO CAVE TO THE WISHES OF CHINA. UNIVERSITIES HAVE, TOO. SO HAVE MANY CORPORATIONS. WHEN MONEY AND FREEDOM CONFLICT, GUESS WHICH WINS?
THE HONG KONG DEMONSTRATORS HAVE ACHIEVED AS MUCH AS THEY CAN AND SHOULD WORK INCREMENTALLY. CAPITALISM IS ALREADY MAKING INROADS. CAN FREEDOM BE THAT FAR BEHIND? I’M CAL THOMAS.
