Palmiter+compare+essay

=Compare and Contrast Opinion Piece=


 * Topic: Jailed Chinese dissident being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize

A recent article on USAToday.com criticizes the Chinese government's actions towards political dissent. Liu Xiabo is a Chinese citizen who has been jailed by the Chinese government for calling for [|government reforms in areas such as human rights, political freedom, and an independent judiciary.] Liu has been awarded the Nobel Peace prize for his dissent, but the Chinese government has reacted by preventing Liu's or his wife's presence, in addition to pressuring other governments not to attend the award ceremony. The intended audience for this article might include the American public, the international community, and the Chinese government. The author argues that the Chinese government is overreacting, and that this reaction serves to justify Liu's calls for reform. The author states, "China's response to the Nobel, while no surprise, is another opportunity wasted, another sign that it is not confident enough to allow dissent. Ironically, its overreaction only enhances the honor to Liu Xiaobo and spreads his fame."

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