The Chinese Murder of Akhmal Shaik

The Chinese State called it a "death penalty" but it was actually a state-sponsored murder. Akmal Shaikh, a Briton, was executed in China on charges of drug smuggling. You have to wonder -- What right does a state have to take away the life of one of the denizens of the world for a crime, any crime? According to BBC:

• China executed 1,718 people in 2008, according to Amnesty International
• Last year 72% of the world's total executions took place in China, the charity estimates
• It applies to 60 offences, including non-violent crimes such as tax fraud and embezzlement
• Those sentenced to death are usually shot, but some provinces are introducing lethal injections.
  

That a country, like China, with such Draconian and barbaric laws, is allowed to sit on top of the world economic order, is lamentable. Almost every home in the world today is populated with products from China made by their citizens. Yet, the country has such little regard for the human life and the human condition. And our insatiable thirst for cheaper goods fuels this kind of state-sponsored murders that the Chinese government perpetrates with such impunity.

China is fending off criticism of its death penalties by warning the rest of the world not to interfere in its judicial system. But the world is paying attention to these abuses of human rights. We must impose economic sanctions on a nation with such appalling laws relating to human rights. Trade embargos might be another way to send a message to the tyrants that rule China with antiquated and inhuman laws.

If you are in the U.S., and you're at your local store where you have an option between a "Made in USA" and a "Made in China" product, maybe, you should consider spending a few extra bucks to buy American. This is not about American jingoism...it is about sending a strong message to one of our biggest trading partners to "shape up or ship out."

Are we forgetting Saudi Arabia -- a nation with an alarming degree of human-rights abuse? Well, maybe, the renewable-energy revolution will bankrupt the monarchy that rules Saudi Arabia and the people of that nation will finally overthrow those fat-cats and establish a democracy in the desert. It's simplistic and naive but it's worth imagining -- Ali Baba would have spring for it.