Tuesday, July 29, 2008

China goes back on its words

Like a commenter said, should anyone be surprised about this? China has decided to reverse its pledge to offer complete media freedom, and will censor the Internet used by foreign media during the Olympics.

Sorry, Sun Weide, your so-called "sufficient access to the Internet for reporters" is not sufficient. China had pledged to offer complete media freedom and China has an obligation to keep its words. China has gone back on its own words on an international stage. China has slapped itself in its own face.

China prohibits reporters from accessing sites regarding "Falungong spiritual movement". What is China so afraid of Falungong for? Falungong is just a type of exercise while promoting truth, compassion and tolerance. Like Tai Chi or Judo, Falungong has its philosophy that comes with the territory. It is beyond the free world why China has been convinced that Falungong will create a "movement" that will overturn the corrupted Chinese government. Is Falungong promoting everything that China government is not? Why the paranoia?

The spokesman said that there were other unspecified sites unavailable to journalists. Let me guess, those sites couldn't have anything to do with the themes of "Free Tibet" or 1989 Chinese government massacring students, could they?

China completely disgusts the free world. This Olympic Game has been way over China's head. While China is boasting this August 8, 2008 (8.8.8) Olympics as its demonstration of its powerfulness to the world, the world sees a 666 instead. You heard me. China is nothing but a nasty BEAST for its notorious human rights record. China government has blood on its hands from almost every family in China. It is a shame that China seems to be the only member in the international society that does not understand how horrific China's human rights record is. China will not get away if it's using this opportunity to crack down on Tibet. Free world, don't let it happen in front of our eyes again like in 1989!

This is the report:

China will censor the Internet used by foreign media during the Olympics, an organising committee official confirmed Wednesday, reversing a pledge to offer complete media freedom at the games.

"During the Olympic Games we will provide sufficient access to the Internet for reporters," said Sun Weide, spokesman for the organising committee.

He confirmed, however, that journalists would not be able to access information or websites connected to the Falungong spiritual movement which is banned in China.

Other sites were also unavailable to journalists, he said, without specifying which ones.

Copyright AFP 2008, AFP stories and photos shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

No Maoist Gov't. Next up: No Constituent Assembly

U-turn quitsville. Today the Maoists decided not to form their government.


The Maoists hit the brick wall that is called Nepali politics. Political mud slowed them to a crawl.

Pity. They had such high hopes. Prachanda, ever the ideologue, felt he could turn his coerced election victory to some sort of etherial mandate whereby Girija and his goons would simply welcome the Maoists into the government as conquering heroes and give them the keys of power.

Not a chance.

Ever wonder why, after years of steadfast refusal to hold elections, Girija finally relented and let elections be held? He was told by his leash-holders in India that the Maoists would never come to power, win or lose. Just deny them everything and hold out as long as you can, and eventually the old impatient communists would give up. And they did!

Today, Delhi officially recommeded Girija be appointed (not nominated or elected) Prime Minister once again. How neat and tidy.

So, where does that leave our beloved new Constituent Assembly? blogdai mentioned over a year ago that the mere election of a Constituent Assembly(CA) would be worthless in a country where politicians decide who has the power and what parts of the Constitution are convenient enough to be obeyed. There was never any provision for enforcement of CA power as a balancing body. Essentially, according to the rules that exist, the CA can meet and determine whatever they want and the Parliament is under no practical obligation to listen to a word they say. No wonder Girija was all in favor of electing this new and august body!

The CA will be marginalized just like the Maoists and business as ineffectively as always will rule the day once again.

Shoot Girija. We need a REAL revolution

-=blogdai