Google Could Leave China over Censorship, E-mail Attacks

Google's decision to take steps that may result in its having to leave China is an act of real courage and patriotism.

It also has the possibility of changing how some U.S. companies do business with China, perhaps in unexpected ways.

While China's capitalistic leanings are likely to result in long-term democratic reform, the country today remains a dictatorship and flagrant violator of basic human rights.

Dressing up an authoritarian regime in cheap consumer electronics exports does not change its basic nature.