Frankly, KJ, I'm rather stunned by your comments... Just because someone confides something to you privately, that does not constitute "speaking out," as I was discussing. There is a great differnce between offering opinion to someone, on a one-to-one basis, and SPEAKING OUT -- publicly. These are two very types of actions, and I of course, was referring to the latter in my previous post. I feel fairly certain that you understood the distinction I was making.

On that subject, a very excellent article can be found in today's New York Times (weblink below) regarding the lack of consumer advocacy groups in China. With the latest flurry and focus surrounding tainted/contaminated products from China, this deficiency in the public sector is now seen.

I urge everyone to read this excellent article entitled "As Chinas Economy Roars, Consumers Lack Defenders":

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/08/world/asia/08china.html?ref=asia