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July 25, 2007 09:30 PM UTC

Mister Romanoff, Tear Down the Great Wall

  • 12 Comments
  • by: Colorado Pols

Of all the papers covering Colorado Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff’s upcoming visit to China, the Durango Herald wins the prize for most attention-grabbing drama queen headline, “House speaker to risk arrest.”

Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff is going to Beijing with two dozen elected officials from around the country. Even though the trip’s purpose is not a protest against Chinese involvement in Sudan, Romanoff plans to raise the issue with Chinese diplomats.

Sudan’s government backs militias that are accused of genocide in its western region of Darfur. Fighting has spread across the border.

“The genocide that originated in Darfur is, in my view, the central moral crisis of our time,” Romanoff said at a news conference Tuesday at the state Capitol.

The Colorado Legislature passed a law this year that ended state investments with any companies that do business with Sudan. China, however, remains heavily involved with Sudan, providing investment cash and weapons in return for oil.

Romanoff is going to China on a study trip sponsored by the nonpartisan Aspen Institute. His planned protest, he said, is his own idea and not part of the Aspen Institute’s agenda.

He didn’t go into details about his plans, fearing his visa might be revoked. But he said the trip to Beijing presents an opportunity to speak up “even if it costs you a trip to a Chinese jail.”

It’s true, he probably couldn’t get away with this if he were governor. Unassailably good PR, though, hopefully it will be remembered by voters if and when the brass ring swings his way again.

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12 thoughts on “Mister Romanoff, Tear Down the Great Wall”

  1. Rare for a politian to take on an issue that doesn’t directly help them get to the next office.

    This is a massive moral challenge right now, and I for one applaud Romanoff for doing whatever he can to end the genocide in Darfur. 

    1. Lets hope the national media pick up on this very smart effort to take advantage of China’s desire for a smooth Olympics in order to make it worth their while to use their enormous influence to do something about the genocide. 

  3. If he somehow does get put in jail in one of the most polluted cities where people have to use their headlights during the day he might want to take a gas mask (and you thought the U.S. was bad). Also, is there any word on if the Chinese govt. is planning to disperse the rain clouds during the visit with their anti-rain rockets developed for the olympics?

    China is more concerned about economic growth than we realize, and they are willing to do anything to achieve it. The US is so dependent upon China we aren’t in the driver’s seat here.

  4. Is genocide a moral issue that needs to be addressed?
    Yes.
    Is China complicit?
    Yes.
    Is Romanoff the best choice for foreign diplomacy?
    Meh. Not so much.
    Situational Ethics 101
    Amendment 41 good for everyone but Romanoff

    “Romanoff is going to China on a study trip sponsored by the nonpartisan Aspen Institute”.

    Hmmmm….isn’t a “sponsored trip” a gift under the spirit and intent of Amendment 41?
    Let’s also not forget that he posted this to his blog:

    “In the event that the gift ban of Amendment 41 is invalidated, we will introduce legislation to fulfill the will of the voters and to clarify the language that has caused so much confusion,” Speaker Romanoff said. “We want the strongest ethics law in America; a law that public servants can understand, the state can enforce, and citizens can trust. We all want a government that makes the citizens proud.”

    Romanoff is working with both sides of the 41 debate to craft legislation that would enforce the key goal of Amendment 41: the gift ban. The gift ban takes aim at public officials and public employees who – as the Amendment calls it – “breach the public trust for private gain.” The proposed legislation defines that term in an attempt to avoid unintended consequences such as students losing scholarships.

    I guess ethics applies only until it doesn’t.
    Anything for a photo op Romanoff.
    Once a press whore, always a press whore.

    1. Article XXIX, Section 3, (3)  THE PROHIBITIONS IN SUBSECTIONS (1) AND (2) OF THIS SECTION DO NOT APPLY IF THE GIFT OR THING OF VALUE IS:

      (f)  REASONABLE EXPENSES PAID BY A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION OR OTHER STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOR ATTENDANCE AT A CONVENTION, FACT-FINDING MISSION OR TRIP, OR OTHER MEETING IF THE PERSON IS SCHEDULED TO DELIVER A SPEECH, MAKE A PRESENTATION, PARTICIPATE ON A PANEL, OR REPRESENT THE STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT, PROVIDED THAT THE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION RECEIVES LESS THAN FIVE PERCENT (5%) OF ITS FUNDING FROM FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS OR ENTITIES;

      (http://www.state.co….)

  6. Call it wishful thinking, but it would be AWESOME if he was using this as a way of getting something done WHILE getting ready to unseat DeGette (or how ever you spell her name) in the Dem primary.

    1. that our countries current position in the world, and the mess we created the past few years, gives us a leg to stand on in order to dictate to China about their investments in Sudan.  Conceptually it is a good idea and good for PR but don’t expect anyone in China to really pay any attention.

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