One World One Dream (BOCOG)

Authorities order bars not to serve black people (SCMP today)

Are they that stupid that they dont realise that most athletes are black and enjoy a pint in Sanlitun like the rest of us? And why ban all Mongolians as prostitutes? Talk to the CEO of Khan Bank about that one! Racist cnuts. Its great that the news is starting to come out as more journalists arrive.

What the Chinese regime is really trying to say is:

"Happy birthday, Nelson Mandela!"

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"Non calor sed umor est qui nobis incommodat!"

Olympic evictions.

This is what can happen when local officials outside Beijing don't have to worry about Olympic attention (warning -this footage shows violence.)

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"Non calor sed umor est qui nobis incommodat!"

I quite agree with you pit. It's not just forced evictions but many other issues and it is a disgrace. I think that the central governments lack of control over provinces is the biggest problem they will face in the future.

What's different now, even from two years ago, is that I saw that story reported on BBC, (I think. May have been CNN), from within China without it being blocked. That is a sign of the change. Some even suggest that the CCP is encouraging some such reporting to pressure local corrupt officials.

The changes are dramatic but have a long way to go.

Actually, the story is a very good example of how I feel about China.

Similar stories will happen for years to come. Do we really imagine that China can flick a magic switch and all problems will stop? Or do we look at improvements?

I feel the pace of change is the issue. I don't think any country in the world went through the development faze without injustice. We don't need to look far back in American history to see that. Just as America didn't stop injustice immediately, nor can China. I sincerely hope that changes continue in China as the fastest possible change. Isn't that just realistic? The amount of self criticism and open reporting I see in China is a vast improvement on even a few years ago.

Just because I say that doesn't mean I'm not as horrified by injustice, no matter where in the world it may happen. Even if you or I were in charge of China, we could not stop injustice overnight. It will take time.

SCMP: Police manhandle HK journalists

"The Hong Kong Journalists Association said it was shocked by the violent interference with Hong Kong journalists' reporting activities.

It was concerned that as the Olympics approached, Beijing had taken more frequent and serious steps to restrict the freedom to report.

It called on the central government to give clear instructions to the Ministry of Public Security not to interfere unduly with the work of journalists.

The Hong Kong News Executives' Association "strongly condemned" the violent police action.

"Our association is very angry about the incident, which will seriously undermine the country's image. It has obstructed press freedom, broken the promise China made when applying to host the Olympics and tainted our country's image," it said."

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"Non calor sed umor est qui nobis incommodat!"

Yes, it was reported in China.
The government has said it will be taking steps to ensure that it is not repeated.
Let's hope they do.

An interesting report regarding alleged pre-Olympic police crackdown against demonstrators protesting the theft of their land and homes by C.P. officials.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_WeIVP2ET0

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Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
----- Margaret Mead

Elderly women to be 're-educated' for Olympic protest: son

AFP[Wednesday, August 20, 2008 14:06]
Two elderly Chinese women who applied to demonstrate at official Olympic protest zones have been ordered to serve one year each of reeducation through labour, a close relative said Wednesday.

In the latest signal that China's leaders will tolerate no dissent during the Games, Wu Dianyuan, 79, and Wang Xiuying, 77, were interrogated for 10 hours and sentenced to one year of "Reeducaton Through Labour," said Wu's son Li Xuehui.

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"Non calor sed umor est qui nobis incommodat!"

iTunes blocked in China after protest stunt

Access to Apple's online iTunes Store has been blocked in China after it emerged that Olympic athletes have been downloading and possibly listening to a pro-Tibetan music album in a subtle act of protest against China's rule over the "province".

The album, called Songs for Tibet, was produced by an a group called The Art of Peace Foundation, and features 20 tracks from well-known singers and songwriters including Sting, Moby, Suzanne Vega and Alanis Morissette.
...

According to a report published in the semi-official Chinese news portal, china.org.cn, "angry netizens [internet users] are rallying together to denounce Apple in offering Songs for Tibet for purchase. They have also expressed a wish to ban the album's singers and producers, most notably Sting, John Mayer and Dave Matthews, from entering China."

The report, published in English, goes on to say that some netizens are even calling for a boycott of Apple products, including the iPhone when it is eventually released in China.

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"Non calor sed umor est qui nobis incommodat!"

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"Non calor sed umor est qui nobis incommodat!"