Self-Immolation in China over Housing

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**Easy E**

I heard this on the radio this morning. I thought it was interesting and could provoke some discussion....

http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2013/10/23/239270737/desperate-chinese-villagers-turn-to-self-immolation

A report last year by Amnesty International showed that at least 41 people had lit themselves on fire between January 2009 and January 2012 to protest home demolition. Corinna-Barbara Francis, Amnesty's China researcher, says they weren't driven by greed, but desperation.

Essentially this is about Property Rights.

**KingCracker**

Thats pretty damn crazy TBH. I think you auto lose the argument when you set yourself on fire though.

**Medium of Death**

I think that's the point.

They had nowhere else to turn.

**iproxtaco**

I can't help but be impressed by their titanium balls.

**Gitzbitah**

There is no rage like oppressed farmer rage.

http://www.badassoftheweek.com/index.cgi?id=32041122138

**Grey Templar**

Man, Ollonius Pius might have some serious competition in the "Admantium Balls" category of this year's Badass awards.

**Jihadin**

MLRS

In ten seconds it turned into Omaha Beach

Pure Viet Cong.

**Bromsy**

Call me crazy, but suicide as a means of social protest always seemed kind of self defeating. Unless you are admitting you could be of less use to the cause alive than dead. If that was the case, who wants you in their cause anyways?

**Grey Templar**

It might be ineffective in China. They probably don't give a gak about it.

**Easy E**

KingCracker wrote:
Thats pretty damn crazy TBH. I think you auto lose the argument when you set yourself on fire though.

I think you are basically saying; "This argument is pointless and I because I have no chance to change the decision. Instead of meta-physically banging my head agains the wall; I'll just light myself on fire instead!"

Sometimes, I feel the same way after reading Dakka OT.

**marv335**

Self-Immolation kicked off the Arab Spring in Tunisia.