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mistersandmanA drunken coal worker in northern China killed a customer and then went on a rampage killing 10 other people and injuring a dozen more, officials and state media said on Monday.
( Read more... )Source
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Is this immediately political? Not really. But I think this is a fascinating story to look at through a political lens.
The Chinese Communist Party tends not to let stories like this get out to prevent copycat attacks or more broadly, to give the illusion of a "harmonious society." Is this a victory for free speech? What makes this story different from the estimated 200 similar stories of violence that go unreported every year?
My personal theory is that this story illustrates the "evils of drink." I can't find a source right now, but I believe I have heard that the CCP is disatisfied with the amount of alcoholism in China. This may be a good place for the Chinese government to introduce new legislation that restricts the number of vendors who can sell alcohol or similar reforms.
Obviously, over-drinking isn't the only issue at hand. People don't go on killing sprees just because they've had too much to drink. When violent tragedies occur, too many people say 'I didn't see this coming,' but there are always warning signs. I have a feeling that conditions at Shenxing mine were not optimal for either the physical or mental health of its workers. What was the nature of the relationship between Mr. Li and the 'customer' that spurred this murderous rampage? What channels exist (if any) that could have settled this dispute peacefully?
Alas, we may never know.
( Read more... )Source
----
Is this immediately political? Not really. But I think this is a fascinating story to look at through a political lens.
The Chinese Communist Party tends not to let stories like this get out to prevent copycat attacks or more broadly, to give the illusion of a "harmonious society." Is this a victory for free speech? What makes this story different from the estimated 200 similar stories of violence that go unreported every year?
My personal theory is that this story illustrates the "evils of drink." I can't find a source right now, but I believe I have heard that the CCP is disatisfied with the amount of alcoholism in China. This may be a good place for the Chinese government to introduce new legislation that restricts the number of vendors who can sell alcohol or similar reforms.
Obviously, over-drinking isn't the only issue at hand. People don't go on killing sprees just because they've had too much to drink. When violent tragedies occur, too many people say 'I didn't see this coming,' but there are always warning signs. I have a feeling that conditions at Shenxing mine were not optimal for either the physical or mental health of its workers. What was the nature of the relationship between Mr. Li and the 'customer' that spurred this murderous rampage? What channels exist (if any) that could have settled this dispute peacefully?
Alas, we may never know.
