Evil Empire

Here's a thought experiment: Find an empty room and go sit in it for an hour. While doing so, try to imagine not coming out for the next 10 years -- while your children grow, your friends age, and the world moves on. Now imagine being locked up for 10 years for no greater crime than supporting democracy.

To Americans, the idea seems nearly inconceivable. But that is the fate of Guo Quan, a former professor and judge in China who has been sentenced to hard time because he founded a political party and challenged the authority of the Communist Party's regnant goons. Guo was convicted of "subversion of state power" simply because he advocated letting his fellow citizens have a say in who will rule them.

In mid-November President Obama will visit China. Given his recent refusal to meet with the Dalai Lama for fear of offending China's overlords, it's doubtful he will make many Reaganesque overtures to human rights. But it would be nice to think that while he is being feted, fed, and entertained, Obama will give at least a fleeting thought to the democracy activist who, somewhere in the laogai, will be sitting in a locked and barren room.