There was a big flap in the State Capitol last week when the Chinese caught wind of the President's plans to meet with the Dalai Lama in honor of the Congressional Medal bestowed upon him by the U.S. Government.
I reported in my own posts last week that Chinese Officials demanded - no other word for it, folks - that the honor be "revoked".
Over the weekend, when I stumbled across Clyde Haberman's take on the issue in the New York Times, I just LOL.
That's internet-ese for: laughed out loud!
When Mr. Haberman noted that the Communist party boss in Tibet denounced the Dalai Lama's actions in recent years as "splittest", he quipped,
"Now, there's a word you don't here often these days. Sounds like someone who likes his champagne in small bottles."
To be honest with you, when I proof-read my own article (where I also referenced the term) spell check reared its ugly head.
The dictionary came up empty-handed, too; no references!
However, there was an alternative offered up: splitter.
Webster notes,
Main Entry: split·ter
Pronunciation: \ˈspli-tər\
Function: noun
Date: 1623
1 : one that splits
2 : one who classifies organisms into numerous named groups based on relatively minor variations or characters — compare lumper
3 : split-fingered fastball
Ah, so maybe something was lost in the translation.
Maybe, the party boss was really inferring that the Dalai Lama was throwing a fastball, putting the screws to them, that sort-of-thing.
On the other hand, what would be so wrong with classifying organisms into numerous named groups based on minor variations or characters?
In that case, maybe he was calling His Holiness a "lumper"?
Well, he has been known to teach that sentient beings are "equal".
In that scenario, he has sort-of lumped us all together, I guess!
Mr. Haberman then reported that the Chinese threatened that if their demands were not met, there would be a serious impact.
Now, it got sinister.
Yes, Mr. Haberman managed to go where no other journalist had boldly gone forth before; he lamented, somewhat astutely,
"They offered no specifics. Maybe they'll stop sending us any more lead-painted toys, defective tires, toxic toothpaste, and tainted pet food. Wouldn't that be awful?"
Ha!
Haberman is a laugh riot, to be sure.
He proceeded to confidently report that in New York - sophisticated city-dwellers in the Big Apple - barely noticed the Dalai Lama on his recent visit; in spite of the fact His Holiness swirled through the streets in billowing saffron-colored robes.
And, in spite of the fact it was not even Halloween eve or in the vicinity of the Village.
Finally, he concluded with the notion that the United Nations were so much in the thrall of China, that they cast a blind eye to His Holiness. In fact, he duly reported that Officials didn't even have the courtesy, or good taste, to invite Tibet's spiritual leader for a look-see at the building.
Heck, the Chrysler Building - or the Cloisters - offer up better sight-seeing ops!
But, I do thank Mr. Haberman for telling it like it is - fall out - or no!
When you live in the moment - a Buddhist tenet - there is a whole world of possibilities.
For starters, not having to worry about repercussions!
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