Dear Sir,
In reference to the Global Times editorial of September 22, “Locke’s lifestyle and new mission,” it’s obvious that US Ambassador Gary Locke’s “simple” behavior is part of a calculated public relations (PR, or in common language, propaganda) offensive by the US.
The entire political establishment in the US serves the economic and financial elite. The US Congress and US president design legislation to promote big business interests and when legislators and members of the executive branch and other officials leave office they take up posts in private business – often in areas closely related to the sectors that previously they were “regulating.”
This revolving door phenomenon highlights the close interconnection between the government and business elites in the US. This interconnection and interpenetration are not legally defined as corruption and yet, if corruption means that policies are skewed by financial gain, then the entire US system is corrupt to the core because its raison d’etre is to serve business rather than the citizens as a whole.
US officials generally don’t take bribes and they publicly disclose their incomes and so on, but the government itself exists to serve business interests and in turn the members of the government are well served by those business interests.
So while individual officials might appear very down to earth and simple, the overall reality is much more complex.
E Mueller
Dear Sir,
I am an overseas Chinese living in Washington. I once met Locke at Dulles International Airport, and he was waiting in security check line just like the rest of us “ordinary” citizens, carrying his own luggage.
It’s good to know he carries himself the same way whether or not in the presence of the media.
I can see why this op-ed argues its point of view, and everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion.
But seriously, why treat the ambassador with such mistrust, skepticism, and hostility? Has anyone wondering maybe the reason why the ambassador is like this, is because this truly is the way he lives.
It appears the Chinese public has taken a liking to the ambassador, but that the Chinese media will continue to criticize and attempt to tarnish his reputation.
We have to be careful, because Newton’s Third Law may apply here: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
D. Chang