<i>[Google] must follow Chinese law and international custom, and responsibly handle the aftermath</i><p>Momma always told me, "Pick your battles." I am not sure this is the right battle to be picking. The Chinese don't play around. They recently executed a British national for drug crimes: <a href="http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,669573,00.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,669573,00....</a> They sentenced a corrupt business woman to death: <a href="http://www.mainjustice.com/2009/12/18/china-to-execute-woman-for-corruption/" rel="nofollow">http://www.mainjustice.com/2009/12/18/china-to-execute-woman...</a> According to that same article they also execute for tax evasion. Also, the food safety guy for taking bribes: <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6286698.stm" rel="nofollow">http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6286698.stm</a><p>I'm no fan of Google and I hope my bias isn't clouding my rationale here, but I'm not really sure this is the right battle to pick. China isn't Microsoft. They aren't Apple. China is a sovereign nation with <i>laws</i> that should be respected. If you don't respect their laws, don't do business there. Can it be any simpler than that? Is there a moral justification for Google's behavior that I'm missing?<p>I can't help but think our government's wishy-washy attitude toward the enforcement of law has convinced our business leaders that they are <i>above</i> it. In many ways, they <i>are</i> above the law in the U.S., but not in China.<p>Google has unfairly threatened the lives and freedom of their employees in China. There's no bluffing in a game like this. Even rationally speaking, I think it's quite irresponsible of Google to do this.<p>If Google thinks they are going to change Chinese society or Chinese law or get away with behavior like this, they're <i>delusional</i>.<p>I'd like to suggest a book for Google executives, it's called <i>Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands</i> <a href="http://www.kissboworshakehands.com/2004GTC/index.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.kissboworshakehands.com/2004GTC/index.html</a>