The government's greater openness and transparency in the face of this awful disaster has prompted alot of thoughtful comment and reflection from Chinese intellectuals. China Digital Times translated messages that ran in Southern Metropolis News from several dozen Chinese commentators, academics and social workers.

      Here's a sampling of the greatest hits, just in case some of you can't click to the site and read "Chinese Intellectuals Contemplate the Earthquake: Lessons We are Learning" due to you-know-what:

   a) sociologist Zheng Yefu: "besides enormous grief and sorrow, we saw something new from any past disasters in China -- that the general public is well-informed about it. And when the people are informed their hearts can be brought together."

   b) Historian He Zhaowu: "It was ridiculous for China not to accept foreign aid during the Tangshan earthquake 30 years ago. We shouldn't repeat that."

    c) Qiu Liben, editor of Asia Weekly: "When China stands up from the rubble of the Sichuan earthquake and embraces freedom of information, it will be respected by people all over the world."

    d) Writer He Bin [criticising punishments often meted out to those accused of "rumor-mongering" during natural disasters, which sometimes simply means they repeated information that hasn't been cleared]: "Disasters should not only unite a nation, but also lead it to reflect on itself. Rumors are not terrifying to a nation that is good at self-reflection. Rumors could kill people. But it could be more dangerous for a nation to eliminate rumors. after all, rumors will die out when there is free flow of information."

    e) Cui Weiping, literary and film critic and scholar: "To the kids who closed your eyes in the rubble, we are sorry. We failed to provide you solid [educational] buildings."

    f) Social worker Chen Si: "We also need more professional disaster relief groups. it might be a good idea to involve non-governmental organizations and other civil groups to establish professional relief teams."

   g) Historian Qin Hui: "When so many lives are at stake, the government, the Chinese society, and the world should try their best to provide relief to those struck by the earthquake. Nothing is more important than that, including the Olympic Games."

    h) artist and writer Zhang Yihe: "Is this just a moment for the government and the people to fight the disaster and provide relief to those who are suffering? No. The disaster and its victims are also providing redemption to the government and the people: those in power are learning to be humane, and the Chinese people are learning to be compassionate."