In addition to the computer generated fireworks inserted into the opening ceremonies of the Olympics, the little girl chosen to sing the Chinese national anthem actually lip-synched the song. Not only didn’t she sing it live, it wasn’t even her voice on the tape. Chinese officials decided that the little girl seen on [...]
Continue reading...Monday, August 11, 2008
Everyone has been buzzing about the amazing opening ceremony of the Olympic games on Friday night. The Chinese spared absolutely no expense and created some pretty amazing fireworks, light effects, and other unique spectacles. But at least one, and perhaps more than one, of the fireworks tricks was actually computer generated and not [...]
Continue reading...Thursday, August 7, 2008
Olympic speedskater Joey Cheek, who formerly won a gold medal competing for the United States in 2006, has been denied a visa by the ever-paranoid Chinese government. In addition to his sports activities, Cheek is also an activist with regard to the genocide in Darfur, and was traveling to support fellow atheletes. The Chinese Embassy insists [...]
Continue reading...Wednesday, July 30, 2008
I was pretty optimistic when I first heard that Beijing was going to host the 2008 Olympics - in spite of China’s poor human rights record, maybe it would give them an excuse to open up a little. Unfortunately, that probably won’t be the case at all. It’s becoming readily evident that spectators, particularly Westerners, [...]
Continue reading...Thursday, July 24, 2008
Republican Senator John McCain will meet with the Dalai Lama tomorrow , the leader of Tibet despised by the Chinese government, but loved by nearly everyone else in the world. The issue of Tibetan autonomy has attracted increased attention this year with China hosting the summer Olympics. The Dalai Lama was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal [...]
Continue reading...Wednesday, July 23, 2008
The Chinese government keeps a long list of people that they don’t want to see in their country. Now mind you, these aren’t terrorists or criminals - they’re mostly dissidents and political opponents, and mostly from China itself. Two of the most high-profile names on this list are the Dalai Lama and Ma Ying-jeou, President of [...]
Continue reading...Tuesday, July 8, 2008
You know you live in an oppressive nation when the government decides when it will rain or not. And that’s exactly what is going on right now in China, believe it or not. In advance of the opening of the Olympics next month, the Chinese are now blasting the clouds with thousands of artillery shells [...]
Continue reading...Tuesday, April 8, 2008
The recent protests along the route of the Olympic flame have involved Tibetans, citizens of the respective countries, local and national officials, and even the torch-bearers themselves. In London, Konnie Huq both carried the flame and voiced her opposition to Chinese policy; San Francisco is scheduled to receive the torch on April 9, but in [...]
Continue reading...Monday, March 17, 2008
The Chinese government has apparently decided that all climbing on Mount Everest must stop from May 1 to the 10th - so that they can send some climbers up for an Olympics-themed promotion. Enlisting the cooperation of neighboring Nepal, China intends to televise the entire event, and doesn’t want any nosy Tibetans getting in the [...]
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Tuesday, August 12, 2008
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