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What will the Chinese do to retaliate ó send us more toxic products?

The exiled spiritual leader of Tibetís Buddhists met privately on Oct. 16 with Bush at the presidentís residence, provoking furious reactions from Chinaís leadership. The next day, the Dalai Lama was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, Congressí highest civilian honor, during a ceremony at which Bush was in attendance.

While the Daily Planet has been a frequent critic of the president throughout our three-year history, perhaps for the first time we feel moved to praise Bush in what likely ranks as the finest hour ó to date ó of an otherwise less-than-stellar presidency.

At their meeting, the Dalai Lama told reporters, he explained to the president what was happening in Tibet. He also was quoted as saying he thanked Bush for ìshowing his concern about Tibet.î

Regarding Chinaís outrage over the warm welcome he has been extended in the U.S., the Dalai Lama, with a laugh, told reporters outside his downtown Washington hotel, ìThat always happens.î

The Chinese warned our government that the talks and awarding of the medal to a man ó denounced by them almost daily as a ìsplittistî who supports ìevil cultsî ó would damage relations between the U.S. and China. The Chinese claim to believe the Dalai Lama seeks to destroy Chinaís sovereignty by pushing for independence for Tibet, where he is considered a god-king.

(The Chinese attititude is ironic, indeed, considering that its occupying forces have run roughshod over Tibet since the 1949 invasion, destroying much of Tibetís culture. Now, there are more Han Chinese in Tibet than indigenous Tibetans.)

In much of the world, the Dalai Lama ó the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize laureate ó is regarded as a moral authority.

In stark contrast to Bushís stance, the United Nations ó much to its everlasting discredit ó did not invite the Dalai Lama to visit while he was in New York. Since China is a veto-wielding member of the Security Council, the U.N. would likely never court Chinaís wrath by welcoming this rare paragon of human virtue.