Bill Gates gave a new definition to "mealymouthed" in his inscrutable remarks to Chinese president Hu Jintao yesterday:

 

It is my belief that industry and government around the world should work even more closely to protect the privacy and security of Internet users, and promote the exchange of ideas, while respecting legitimate government considerations.

 

What is that supposed to mean?  What are "legitimate government considerations"?

 

I'd have to agree with Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao that the issue of human rights did not come up during Hu's two-day visit to Washington State.  Seems like Gates' remark was meant to mollify non-Chinese voices while saying absolutely nothing to the Chinese.