Simple Poll: Who here stands with Hong Kong AND the Houston Rockets

How about I'm a Rockets die hard fan, who wants freedom and Democracy for all countries in the world... especially the Hong Kong region... and wish that the United States would STOP giving more power and influence to Xi and his dictatorship which continues to flex it's power and influence with the vacuum left by Trump's new America of partisan nationalism.

 

A vote for a self-proclaimed Nationalist who isolates America is a vote to give more power to Xi, and is a vote to allow Xi to strip more freedoms from Hong Kong. Never forget our role as a country in Hong Kong and other areas of the world who rely on our influence to push back on aggressive regimes.

A call for "Standing with Hong Kong" while supporting a nationalist regime here domestically currently pushing for autocratic powers and a disregard for the rule of law is the height of hypocrisy.

 

Yes but it's important that people practice what they preach in regards to their urge to jump into the "stand with Hong Kong". It's like judging someone else's parenting when your kids are neanderthals.

On the Rockets, I think Chinese state media saw an opportunity with the government knowing that the Rockets are a special case because of the large viewership of Chinese citizens. The Rockets have something around the combined fanbase of the Lakers and the Knicks here in the US. Their response to Morey's tweet was opportunistic to do a few things, but here is the biggest one:

- China and the Trump admin was and still sort of is in ongoing negotiations regarding trade. Given the timing, China was in the position to look for ANYTHING they could to create more leverage for that negotiation. Hanging the NBA, and the larger media infrastructure as something that is in jeopardy was a way to create more leverage in my strong opinion.

Targeting Morey in particular was a better entry point for China to create this firestorm because its a figure that they don't have the branding issue with like they do with a Lebron or even Harden who China still would have a vested interest in them being marketable for their sports entertainment industry revolving around the NBA. He also works directly in the business side of the NBA whereas going after someone like SAS or Cowherd would only put pressure on Disney or Fox that could be relieved very easily with a statement from the host apologizing or Disney asking them to go on an extended vacation, etc.

I think on the Rockets/NBA/Morey situation it's important to keep in mind... we were in the middle of trade negotiations, and China saw an opportunity there to create leverage with a major and culturally significant US business that would grab news headlines, and put a ton of pressure on everyone from Silver to Trump.

 

DELETE.

 

Paying attention to political issues, especially ones that seem to harm human rights and independence, shouldn't be overlooked, no matter in what time.

It's a well-known political strategy to introduce highly opposed bills and new laws when people are not paying attention due to events like Corona, other disasters, holidays etc, so right now is the time to raise your voice in order to not let them pull off this shady move.

 

Trump had the perfect opportunity to put the squeeze on China's power and caved to them like a baby. Art of the Deal more like art of being conned to give daddy's little girl a patent.