Cisco, Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, and China  

I tried to catch the Cspan viewing of the Hearing on China and IT but unfortunately couldn't watch it all.

Here's CNET's take on it.

I haven't found a transcript of the entire hearing but it seems to boil down to the same argument that the US government used to allow Most Favored Trade partner status to China. If we engage them then they'll be better off and freedom will emerge. The big question is though, does actively aiding a repressive government in repression the same as giving them goods?

The amusing part that I saw was the only Rep who wasn't critical of the companies was the Rep from Tacoma, WA.

And who is close to Tacoma? Yes, it's Microsoft.