No, Iagree they wouldn't do it over human rights, but they're certainly happy to use human rights as an excuse.

The Cheney neo-clowns have certainly been wanting to start something with China for their own reasons for ages. One only has to remember that in the early months of 2001 Mary Cheney was talking about some form of "inevitable" conflict with China.

So this issue and the Olympics provides an opportunity.

As for the Dalai Lama, I'm not the least surprised by his dubious friendships. I think we accepted sometime ago that our political elites have far more in common with each other than they do with the likes of us, their supposed grass roots. In such circles alleged ideological differences melt away as they find more pressing communities of interest. At the very least the Dalai Lam will see the "enemy of my enemy as my friend".

keep to the Fen Causeway