More Chinese Oppression

The crushing of dissent continues:

BEIJING (Reuters) - A Chinese Internet writer was jailed for 12 years on Tuesday for "subversion of state power" after backing a movement by exiled dissidents to hold free elections, his lawyer said.

Yang Tianshui, 45, who has been in custody since last December, did not plan to appeal, a protest against a trial he felt was illegal, his lawyer, Li Jianqiang, said.

"We expected the result, but we are still dissatisfied because he is innocent," Li told Reuters.

It was one of the heaviest prison terms meted out in recent years to an Internet writer. Writer Shi Tao was sentenced last April to 10 years in prison for leaking state secrets abroad.

When you hear the next inane comment about the evil Bushitler invading your privacy or eroding our rights, perhaps you could direct the misguided soul to this piece and explain to him or her in not-too-subtle terms that this is what happens in communist utopias.

More at Mein Blogovault and Avi.