This tune was popular during the early years of Deng’s reforms.

SAMSON, Ala. – A gunman who left nine bodies scattered across two counties burned down his mother’s home with her still inside, killed four relatives on a porch and then targeted strangers before killing himself, authorities said.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNnAvTTaJjM&feature=channel

March 12, 2009 @ 7:40 pm | Comment

Good news!

http://tinyurl.com/aaprxa

Though I must admit it doesn’t matter that much as I’m buying it on DVD anyway. 😉

March 13, 2009 @ 5:12 am | Comment

Raj, I never heard of it before. Is it that great a show?

Thang, what are you mumbling about?

March 13, 2009 @ 8:59 am | Comment

The Talking Heads’ tune was especially popular in the latter half of 1989 and before the US started to move a large part of its civil economy to China.

March 13, 2009 @ 10:31 am | Comment

I’ve got a question:

Why are Chinese tv-plays all dubbed into Chinese? (And no, I’m not talking about the ones in Cantonese or Taiwanese dubbed into Putonghua for the Mainland, I’m talking about the ones that are obviously written, acted, recorded in Putonghua but then re-dubbed into Putonghua again). Please explain.

March 13, 2009 @ 4:38 pm | Comment

Andy, a friend of mine is involved with a French documentary now being made on a very famous Chinese incident, and all the interviews are in Putonghua. But instead of writing subtitles, they are dubbing it into French — i.e., they are going to show the Chinese mothers speaking French, though their mouths and the words you hear won’t be in synch. My sole point being, the French do this as a matter of course, even for documentaries, and I’m not that surprised China does it, too. Germany does it too. Probably many others also.

March 13, 2009 @ 5:22 pm | Comment

@AndyR

Many TV shows don’t bother recording sound on set. Fewer takes are required (no need to worry about background noise), crew is smaller, less equipment is needed so reducing cost.

Or so I have been told…

March 13, 2009 @ 6:46 pm | Comment

Hmmmm…so they are speaking in Putonghua, but then it is getting dubbed into French for the documentary, right?

This makes sense, but is not my question…if you have a sec tune into a Chinese tv-play, the actors are obviously speaking their dialogue in Putonghua, but it is ALSO obviously dubbed into Putonghua…so its dubbing Putonghua for Putonghua, why? My guess is when they film these things in China it is impossible to get a good clean sound from the mic with all the honking/screaming/bus brakes screeching that constantly goes on here, so they have to do a dub for all the sound.

I think they do the same thing in the states, but it seems to be matched better, i.e. not kung-fu movie effect. Anyway, I was reluctantly watching a soap opera with my wife today, and just noticed that the Putonghua on their lips was a bit off beat with the Putonghua sound…

What Chinese “incident” do you refer? Anything to do with bronzes? or are we talking more recent “incidents”?

March 13, 2009 @ 8:08 pm | Comment

Hmmmm…so they are speaking in Putonghua, but then it is getting dubbed into French for the documentary, right?

Yes! I was told the French wouldn’t do it any other way. About the incident…mothers….recent incident…use your imagination. This is, after all, an anniversary year.

March 13, 2009 @ 8:30 pm | Comment

I was wondering if any of you Dudes have any contacts with any Chinese or foreign private equity investors who might be interested in making “Big Money” in China?

I’m working on a business plan to establish a jingoistic, nationalistic Chinese entertainment theme park in China. I’ve got this great idea for a thrilling new ride called “The Golden Shower”.

Thanks.

Thang

March 14, 2009 @ 11:57 am | Comment

AndyR, they don’t do it routinely in the States because the on-set recording technology is good enough so that they can generally use the “live” recording. They definitely do overdubs sometimes though. I imagine you’re right, either the mikes aren’t good enough or there is so much background noise that they have to routinely overdub.

March 14, 2009 @ 1:50 pm | Comment

Just want to spread the word that we will remember the anniversary:

http://www.remember64.org

Yu’er

March 14, 2009 @ 2:40 pm | Comment

I’ve always wondered about the dubbing! It is pretty disconcerting to watch actors speaking dubbed words in their OWN language.

Do other countries do this as well?

March 16, 2009 @ 11:04 pm | Comment

Whatever happened to Deng’s cowboy hat?

http://content.usatoday.com/topics/photo/Deng+Xiaoping/0d6LcAQbp81QF/22

March 16, 2009 @ 11:14 pm | Comment

Tic Tic Tic…

Don’t get caught by surprise, your life is worth much more than the GDP scam from the land of the lies.

I’m serious. Don’t play fool with this, you’ll regret is sourly once the shit hits tha fan.

March 17, 2009 @ 2:17 am | Comment

And they don’t give a shit, they think they can control it quietly, to save face but mostly to not precipitate their country down the drain of this this economic crisis.

I’m telling you again, and I’ll tell you again, they are hiding a crisis now, because it would be to costly to make it public. Perfect storm again, unlucky China, land of the catastrophes… They are trading your security and LIFE for the sake the economy stability. Everybody has a price we say…

How do you like that ? Life goes on ? Let’s go to Star Buck and pretend nothing is happening. Poor poor China…. No hope.

Good luck…

I guess the gods have a serious grudge against the CCP, and they are right.

March 17, 2009 @ 2:23 am | Comment

And they don’t give a shit, they think they can control it quietly, to save the CEO’s, but mostly to maintain the obscene hold of Wall Street on the lives of the American people.

I am telling you again, I am telling you again, they are hiding a crisis now, because it would reveal the US is heading to a 3rd world status. Perfect storm looming. Unlucky USA, land of unbridled greed. They are trading your security, borrowing like mad for the futile hope of not sliding into oblivion. Everybody has a price to pay, we say…..

Poor old US of A. No hope.

The gods have abandoned the US.

No luck in sight.

March 17, 2009 @ 7:21 am | Comment

Back to AndyR’s dubbing question.
When I was in Taiwan, sometimes they dubbed an actor because
1). the actor’s own voice was not very good,(that was in the old time when perfect voice was a must)
2). the actor had a strong Taiwanese accent,(but it was the other way around if the show was in Taiwanese)
3). the actor was from Hong Kong and could not speak Mandarin properly.
There might be some other reasons, but the above are the obvious ones that I know of.
Wait, now I remember an old scandal involving a network airing the show with the raw voice tape instead of the “cleaned” one by accident. You could hear the actors from different places actually conversed in different languages (Mandarin and Cantonese) and then the director was giving actors directions about when to speak and how to walk, something like “now slowly walk over here, yes, that’s right…”. Then the next day, they had to issue an apology for the fiasco.

March 17, 2009 @ 8:01 am | Comment

Does anyone know of any Chinese factories that make the new “Spousal Abuse Barbie”? She’s got a black eye and a split lip. I think that she will be quite popular in Korea. Thank you.

March 17, 2009 @ 12:48 pm | Comment

If I had a blog I’d post the following in the “Fuck The World” category…

Hopeless we are as a race…

President Dmitry Medvedev on Tuesday announced a “large-scale” rearmament and renewal of Russia’s nuclear arsenal, accusing NATO of pushing ahead with expansion near Russian borders

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20090317/twl-russia-s-medvedev-orders-large-scale-4bdc673.html

“Analysis of the military-political situation in the world shows that a serious conflict potential remains in some regions,”

He spoke of what he called an “unhealthy moral and psychological atmosphere in certain military formations.”

I agree, the world is very sick right now… And it’s just starting. Buckle your seat belt.

March 17, 2009 @ 10:35 pm | Comment

Oh, and by the way, we are just about to enter phase 2 of the economical war scenario: The dollar deflation

I think some people are quite worried now…

“Of course we are concerned about the safety of our assets. To be honest, I’m a little bit worried,”

I believe China should be much more than just “concerned” at this point.

Tic Tic Tic…

As usual, I’m just saying…

March 17, 2009 @ 11:01 pm | Comment

Bao and godless, what are you both waiting for? The collapse of the world? Why don’t you do the world a favor and leave now? Just think of all of the pain you can avoid. An eternity of peace, harmony and tranquility awaits if you take that one small step. Go on. Do it. You know you want to. You will not be missed.

March 18, 2009 @ 12:08 am | Comment

Last post before I get banned for spamming…

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iXawI1ksZcDY6zFBubXjeKayJfQA

Pentagon mocks Russian moves in Latin America

The US Defense Department on Monday made light of Russia’s possible use of air bases in Venezuela or Cuba for its strategic bombers.

“That would be quite a long way for those old planes to fly,” Geoff Morrell, Pentagon press secretary, told AFP.

Another defense official said Russia’s efforts to promote military ties with Venezuela and Cuba were not cause for serious concern.”

March 18, 2009 @ 12:09 am | Comment

@Not_a_Sinophile

Ever thought about trying to do something to change this fucked up world you live in, you spineless whining jellyfish ?

Go buy a new TV, get a new Credit card and shut the fuck up.

Move along citizen.

March 18, 2009 @ 12:15 am | Comment

“Bao and godless, what are you both waiting for?.”

The real question is: What are YOU waiting for?

March 18, 2009 @ 12:22 am | Comment

As a side note, as usual, make some researches about the World Economic Forum. And download their reports, a very clear an concise blueprint about what is envisioned about our world. And guess who’s not happy about this future ? Yep, Russia, China and Brazil + satellite non meaningless countries (AKA Venezuela).

http://www.weforum.org/pdf/globalrisk/2009.pdf

http://www.weforum.org/en/initiatives/gcp/Global%20Competitiveness%20Report/index.htm

Enjoy and please read about what the corporations shaping your very own world, coming soon, tomorrow.

Chas Freeman ? People that are educated will make the link easily, not a single iota linked to the Jewish conspiracy. Not a iota. Much bigger than that.

Fucked up isn’t it ? Disturbing you say ? Flame me, hate me, but I am right, and this is why I am disturbing you all.

Comfort zone… GONE in 2009. Pulverized.

Prepare yourself for what is coming uppon us. It’s really a personal choice, I’m not here to convince anyone, I’m here to pass the warning. That’s it. Make up your own mind about all this. It’s in your own hands.

March 18, 2009 @ 2:47 am | Comment

Typical Judeo-Christian wishful thinking for the coming apocalypse that just never seems to arrive. Of course we should buckle in for the troubles ahead, maybe even on the scale of the Great Depression of the 30’s. But really, must you be so gleeful about it? In the end, you are only going to be disappointed.

March 18, 2009 @ 8:56 am | Comment

I take that back, Judaism has never been so morbid. Christian end gamers, into your bunkers! And don’t forget to shut the vault behind you.

March 18, 2009 @ 9:00 am | Comment

A center-right commentary on Freeman in American Diplomacy

March 18, 2009 @ 12:43 pm | Comment

A center-right commentary on Freeman

March 18, 2009 @ 12:44 pm | Comment

Michael, most of those quotes, heavily tri-dotted and taken brazenly out of context, were addressed in my two posts on Freeman. This is your typical Marty Peretz-style hackery, pseudo-Journalism.

March 18, 2009 @ 2:15 pm | Comment

Bao, do you really want to be the guy on the corner mumbling to himself while he pushes his shopping cart full of empty plastic bottles and aluminum cans?

March 18, 2009 @ 2:18 pm | Comment

“…do you really want to be the guy on the corner mumbling to himself while he pushes his shopping cart full of empty plastic bottles and aluminum cans?”

The other day, I went to the local convenience store to withdraw some money from the cash money. There was a more-crazy-than-usual Chinese woman in the store reprimanding the microwave oven and generally being crazy in Chinese (i.e., more crazy than most people). When she saw me she started being crazy in English.

It was a kind of weird situation.

March 18, 2009 @ 4:26 pm | Comment

Michael, most of those quotes, heavily tri-dotted and taken brazenly out of context, were addressed in my two posts on Freeman. This is your typical Marty Peretz-style hackery, pseudo-Journalism.

Right. I’m still waiting to see if anyone, anyone who commented publicly in this debate, was actually familiar with anything Freeman has ever written besides that.

March 18, 2009 @ 4:38 pm | Comment

Yo Bao!

This is an economist’s explanation of the current financial crisis. You’ll love it.

http://www.kpfa.org/archive/id/49073

March 18, 2009 @ 6:34 pm | Comment

The end is near!!!

😉

March 18, 2009 @ 10:37 pm | Comment

I’ve read about this already. I actually do not believe anything that is being said and foretold about the collapse of America.

A very hard hit on developing economies, emerging and third world counties, this is where the tsunami is heading, full speed.

Don’t worry, we’ll have our share of “China will emerge stronger out of this crisis” and “Russia predicts the end of the Evil Empire in 2010” headlines, it already started 2 months ago.

Remember that dramatic scene in the Titanic movie? Well, these headlines are the equivalent of the orchestra playing classical music while the ship sinks and the rich passengers escape, leaving the poor to drown in their cabins.

Tough luck as we say…

March 18, 2009 @ 11:00 pm | Comment

Mr. Wen’s Debt Bomb

Funny how this language was not present 6 months ago…. Economic war, bombs, New cold war, etc.

There is a huge difference between being a religious fanatic doomster and forecasting trends based on geopolitical events and information.

Huge difference. If people are dumb enough to mix both, I don’t give a shit. As you often say Richard, I know I’m right, just accept it and move on.

Remember these words?

WWII is behind us, this can only mean that from now on, the world will be a rosy and nice place to live in, never will we repeat the same mistakes and horrors. From now on, we live in a magical and pure utopia, gone are the days of darkness for humankind. Free food and abundant and infinite resources for everyone, FOREVER!

Yeah, right, we wish. Welcome back to reality, all of you…

As a race, we are developing on the back of the future generations, borrowing what we can’t afford to pay back. We are living in an absolute unsustainable economical model. And some of you really still believe it will have an happy ending?

Don’ take for granted our last 40 years of comfort, the internet, the consumption society, it’s just hot air.

Whoever believe that we live in a world of infinite resources and endless capitalist expansion, is living in wonderland.

UNSUSTAINABLE

It’s not that hard to understand, is it?

I say: Fuck the naive optimists and their stubborn and egocentric bubble.

March 19, 2009 @ 12:33 am | Comment

And includes you schtickyrice

March 19, 2009 @ 1:02 am | Comment

It was tale for things to come, you and me Thang, are somehow complementary linked, in a weird way I must admit…

No idea where you are coming from, but I feel you understand what I’m speaking about. Hell, you even remember me of my not so old “jack out of the box days” on this site.. I’m sure Richard will agree, I’ve seen the same warnings coming your way.

You are a bit more cryptic than I am, I did not thought that was possible. Funny to witness I must say.

March 19, 2009 @ 1:34 am | Comment

bao,
your posts remind of the story about the man from Qi who feared the sky would fall. i can’t write chinese characters here now, but it is the chengyu Qi Ren You Tian. surely you must be from Qi Guo?

March 19, 2009 @ 6:11 am | Comment

Lindel wrote: “bao, your posts remind of the story about the man from Qi who feared the sky would fall.”

But the US fiscal sky IS falling.

Fiscal Collapse:

All of the US government revenues (US$2.3 trillion) = US defense budget + bank bailout. No money for education, infrastructure, healthcare, etc.

All of US state revenue is eaten up by US defense and Wallstreet.

March 19, 2009 @ 10:43 am | Comment

China tests Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo for unsafe chemicals!

http://www.sfexaminer.com/ap/?c=y&id=1853572

Hey, at least it’s in shampoo and not MILK. Talk about absurd and retaliatory….Are there actually labs in China that do that kind of work? Or do they have to outsource the real science to India?

March 19, 2009 @ 7:01 pm | Comment

Please file this under the Fuck the CCP category Richard.

Thank you.

March 19, 2009 @ 11:03 pm | Comment

Bao, couldn’t agree more. CCP is full of ignorant hacks and the entire Chinese “legal” is a sham!

March 20, 2009 @ 12:34 am | Comment

So what else is new, Bao? I think it’s wrong, but I hate to tell you, people here have other things on their minds right now. I suspect if you asked 9 out of 10 people here what they thought about it they’d basically laugh at the question, it will seem so irrelevant to them. And read what I say carefully: I am not saying this is right. It is, however, the way it is.

Not A S., it’s not entirely that simple. Much of it is a sham and there are a lot of hacks, But that’s not the entire picture.

March 20, 2009 @ 12:53 am | Comment

OK, overstated slightly about the “entire” legal system…..but it’s so much play acting that it’s hard to take it seriously.

I suspect if you asked 9 out of 10 people here what they thought about it they’d basically laugh at the question, it will seem so irrelevant to them. And read what I say carefully: I am not saying this is right. It is, however, the way it is.

Isn’t that the point, Richard? Whether it’s Americans choosing to ignore the Constitution or the Bill of Rights because of some perceived threat, real or otherwise, or the Chinese having “other things on their minds.” In the case of the latter there don’t actually seem to be any defining principles. Is honesty, loyalty valued at all? Or is life just seen as a journey of pure self interest and actions based on expediency? I’m not saying the Chinese have an exclusive on this sort of behavior…..we suffer from it, too. What I am asking is what is the Chinese standard, the moral compass with which to judge that behavior?

March 20, 2009 @ 1:22 am | Comment

“So what else is new, Bao? I think it’s wrong, but I hate to tell you, people here have other things on their minds right now. I suspect if you asked 9 out of 10 people here what they thought about it they’d basically laugh at the question, it will seem so irrelevant to them. And read what I say carefully: I am not saying this is right. It is, however, the way it is.”

And this is exactly why I am posting this stuff, because I know pertinently that it’s not on their mind. We need platforms and way to express these news for the “sleeping” people to write to them and engage them in new discussions. The “what else is new” comment is responsible” at best. It does not reflect your sensitivity about the subject and it’ a cheap reply. Are you part of the “see no evil hear no evil group Richard? I’m not.

Here at least I can get some visibility and spread some non mainstream messages to the sheep.

Richard, please do not fall into this trap, and start trivializing such blatant affront to freedom and human rights. You’ve been in China for too long to not realize that. I think. I just got out from this land, and it hit me even stronger. I thought being far away from this dystopia would free my mind and let me forget about it, the inverse is actually happening. Ever thought about doing something to change this, instead of just writing opinions and being sad about it? I guess not.

Do not become contemplative, you’ll lose your essence and your objectivity. I almost lost mine a month ago, such is the perversity of the system there. It “grows” on you, in a creepy way, until you say like all the Chinese, well, that’s the way things are, my life is good, let’s just move on and stop thinking about it.

Believe me, after only a week in a “normal” and free society, I can’t believe I’ve endured this for such long time.

I love China and Chinese people, but I hate their government and what they represent for the world and our future. Down to the guts (that should clear up thing for you” youfriend”).

Ah Bao, you know shit happens, let’s move on. NOT! I refuse this kind of language about such important issues. And I hope you do as well.

I Seriously believe that something matters beyond your paycheck and your career. If not, then it’s very sad.

March 20, 2009 @ 3:37 am | Comment

Baozi, get off your high horse for a moment. Unlike yourself, not every Chinese citizen has the luxury of leaving the country every time they’ve had enough and can’t take it anymore. They can’t afford to whip themselves into a frenzy and go wacko at every social injustice. It is easy to pass judgment when you don’t have to face the consequences. You can burn yourself out with rage and move on to whatever new political flavor of the month issue that happens to catch your fancy, but it is long term sustained passive resistance within China that will lead to real social and political change. For every fenqing that you encounter in cyberspace there are countless others who are contributing in their own way to incremental change in Chinese society. The grass-mud horse (Caonima) spoofs on YouTube are more revealing of societal attitudes than any mindless fenqing diatribes on the net.

March 20, 2009 @ 9:55 am | Comment

“…passive resistance…lead to real social and political change.”

Passive: [adj] lacking in energy or will;

Change: [v] undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one’s or its original nature;

Passive Change = Decay, or change without purpose or direction.

March 20, 2009 @ 10:05 am | Comment

What schticky said. Bao, I always post stories critical of my governments. But to just say, “Fuck the CCP” doesn’t further your cause or help enlighten anybody. It’s asinine and boring, The CCP is a many-headed beast, and some of the heads are trying hard to fix things while others fight for the same corrupt system. To throw temper tantrums and curse, while it may give you momentary pleasure, makes you look like a hysteric and further increases the likelihood you’ll be either ignored or laughed at. Your choice. I don’t consider it brave and daring and strategic to simply shout out “Fuck this or that!” It’s infantile.

March 20, 2009 @ 10:20 am | Comment

@schtickyrice
Wholeheartedly agree with you.

Sorry to say many CH people not only have to put own with the shortcomings of their political/social system, but also been reminded each time of it when they participate in foreign blogs.

There is more about CH than just CCP, censorship, corruption, pollution, repression, etc.

They, CH people know it too well. Although these are interesting issues there is no need to remind them about it constantly, nor hit them in the head with them all the time, they are aware of then and may even have already enough in their daily life.

…though some fenqing seem not to be aware of it or think it its for the sake of king and country.

And yes, not a few try to do something about it. And some even put themselves on a risky position, more than many angry poster complaining about China’s shortcomings.

Maybe there is a psycological similarity with the fenqin phenomena here…
The angry self-righteous?

An example of a Chinese person in a risky business
http://tinyurl.com/aaov4d

And others who were unlucky in that business.
http://tinyurl.com/amtpyr

No need to remind then constantly of anything…

March 20, 2009 @ 1:10 pm | Comment

“I don’t consider it brave and daring and strategic to simply shout out “Fuck this or that!” It’s infantile.”

George Carlin On Voting: “How ’bout this for a campaign slogan? The public sucks! FxxCK Hope! FxxCK Hope!”

March 20, 2009 @ 6:24 pm | Comment

Sorry for the outburst, I’ll watch my language.

@schtickyrice

Do you really believe that anything will change because of these online spoofs?

The Chinese Netizen reactions to censorship is similar to what children do when they try to push the limits of parental rules. Once the parents notice what’s going on, slap slap on the wrist and go to bed and shut up. The rules are set in stone (i.e. China will NEVER have western style democracy). Just this example, if I was Chinese, would depress me for my entire life. Not the fact that Chinese could not get western style democracy, but the fact that some people are proclaiming such things without any hope of appeal. The divine beings have spoken the ultimate truth once again.

There’s no escape from such a system. The main strategy is quite simple: Wait and do nothing. Maintain the status quo as long as you can and suppress anything that could endanger this equilibrium.

One generation at a time, the past gets lost and disappear, loses its colors, becomes unreal and just distant faded and meaningless memories. A very simple and highly effective stratagem, and you are the living proof of it, singing the mantra of the government, the “official” line. You don’t even realize it.

If you are naive enough to believe that these cat and mouse games will change anything fundamentally in the Chinese society, then you are really living in wonderland. These cute “games” are just fueling the western news, insatiable they are to link any possible event happening in China to the Chinese People VS The Gov scenario.

Your comment make it sounds like I’m another Richard Gere or Mia Farrow. I do genuinely care for the future of China. And I also care about the inevitable ideological clash that will occur once China starts playing a more serious role on the international stage. These Chinese “issues” (censorship, repression, free speech, etc), could potentially spread and become “our” problems in the near future.

Chinese people love to think about China like an Island, detached from the rest of the planet, but as you already probably know, it’s not the case.

What’s happening in China today, will influence what will happen in the US and the rest of the world, tomorrow.

March 20, 2009 @ 9:03 pm | Comment

“…some of the heads…”

If 2 heads are better than one, then multiple heads are what?

Remember the 1950s horror flick called “The Blob”?

Remember the scene in “The Blob” where the bloke was hump’n that 1950s chick with the pointed, conical bra in the back seat of the ’57 Chevy when The Blog comes and eats ’em?

March 20, 2009 @ 9:40 pm | Comment

I think you are indeed well connected Richard.

I love prescience, what a funny game it is…

March 20, 2009 @ 11:03 pm | Comment

Sorry for the outburst, no more foul language.

@schtickyrice

Do you really believe that anything will change because of these online spoofs?

The Chinese Netizen reactions to censorship is similar to what children do when they try to push the limits of parental rules.
Once the parents notice what’s going on, slap slap on the wrist and go to bed and shut up. The rules are set in stone
(i.e. China will NEVER have western style democracy). Just this example, if I was Chinese, would depress me for my entire
life. Not the fact that Chinese could not get western style democracy, but the fact that some people are proclaiming such
things without any hope of appeal. The divine beings have spoken the ultimate truth once again.

There’s no escape from such a system. The main strategy is quite simple: Wait and do nothing. Maintain the status quo as
long as you can and suppress anything that could endanger this equilibrium.

One generation at a time, the past gets lost and disappear, loses its colors, becomes unreal and just distant faded and
meaningless memories. A very simple and highly effective stratagem, and you are the living proof of it, singing the mantra of the
government, the “official” line. You don’t even realize it.

If you are naive enough to believe that these cat and mouse games will change anything fundamentally in the Chinese society,
then you are really living in wonderland. These cute “games” are just fueling the western news, insatiable they are to link
any possible event happening in China to the Chinese People VS The Gov scenario.

Your comment make it sounds like I’m another Richard Gere or Mia Farrow. I do genuinely care for the future of China.
And I also care about the inevitable ideological clash that will occur once China starts playing a more serious role on the
international stage. These Chinese “issues” (censorship, repression, free speech, etc), could potentially spread and become “our” problems
in the near future.

Chinese people love to think about China like an Island, detached from the rest of the planet, but as you already probably know, it’s not the case.

What’s happening in China today, will influence what will happen in the US and the rest of the world, tomorrow.

March 20, 2009 @ 11:06 pm | Comment

I was not joking when I said months ago “I’ll let the news catch on”. Extremely simple and predictable scenario.

March 20, 2009 @ 11:43 pm | Comment

democracy is a process of fools electing fool, democrapcy is a more accurate word for it. just like “market economy”, “rule of laws” and just about anything advocated in western countries, deeply flawed. i doubted china would ever want to be any part of it.

March 21, 2009 @ 12:52 am | Comment

zhao, unfortunately at this moment I think you are right. That’s China’s loss. Rule of law is a good thing, the only thing that make governments accountable to the people they supposedly represent.

March 21, 2009 @ 12:57 am | Comment

Zhao, you may be right about the composition of democratic government, but at least we fools get to choose our own fools. The Chinese are enslaved by a government that seized power and hasn’t one iota of legitimacy. So, by all means continue to live as slaves of a self righteous, self important ignorant bunch of criminals call the Communist Party of China. I’m sure that as a full fledged puckered up cadre you get all your perks!

March 21, 2009 @ 2:13 am | Comment

@zhao

“10. It is a tiring effort to maintain vested interests. However, our society has put so much energy and resources into this effort. To safeguard vested interests, (the government) has to suppress freedom of expression. Just think about it, how much energy and resources have we used to suppress freedom of expression? To safeguard vested interests, the government has to take all means to try to avoid democracy. Please consider this, how much effort have we devoted in order to avoid democracy? How many excuses and theories have we devised for this purpose? To safeguard vested interests, we have to suppress the righteous expression of opinions from the public, which has caused numerous mass incidents. How much energy have we devoted to deal with the problems of mass incidents? To safeguard vested interests, we are afraid to take the anti-corruption measures which have been proven effective in other countries. Instead, we have to use these cumbersome and useless means characterized in the mass mobilization era. How many resources and energy have been wasted? Take in mind that it is difficult to achieve the double goals of maximizing vested interests and keeping the society operating steadily. Thus, we have a system that’s tiring. Many government administrators are exhausted. They carry a heavy psychological burden. More importantly, we will pay a high price in the long-term for the purpose of safeguarding vested interests. For instance, why are we criticizing universal values so fiercely? Which elements in universal values make us so indignant? Well, it’s nothing but democracy and freedom, because the two things threaten vested interests. Since it doesn’t sound good to criticize democracy and freedom directly, the government targeted the term “universal values.” In an era of a spiritual and moral vacuum, when even universal values have become the object of political attack, one can only imagine the impact [to the public morality]. But in order to maintain their vested interests, the government has to do so.”

Full text here.

http://tinyurl.com/ce2a84

Of course, only if you outside of the Great China Firewall(TM) or have good VPN.

Should I recommend relakks?
https://www.relakks.com/register.php?cid=gb

March 21, 2009 @ 3:04 am | Comment

@zhao

If you prefer Chinese..

“10、维护既得利益是一件很累的事情，而我们社会把精力和资源过多地用到了这个地方。为了维护既得利益，不得不压制言论自由。可以想想，为了压制那些言论，我们用了多少的精力和资源？为了维护既得利益，就不得不千方百计想绕过民主这个坎儿。可以想想，为了不民主我们费了多大的劲儿，编造了多少理由和理论。为了维护既得利益，我们就不得不压制民众正当的利益表达，于是酿出了多少群体性事件，为了解决群体性事件就花费了多大的精力？为了维护既得利益，很多在其他国家行之有效的反腐败措施我们都不敢采用，为此我们不得不使用那些笨拙而无效的运动型办法，为此又浪费了多少的资源和精力？须知，要同时实现既得利益最大化和维护社会的正常运行这两个目标，是一件相当困难和费力的事情。因此，我们这个体制是很累的，管理者也是很累的，从体制到管理者的心理负担都很重。更重要的是，为了维护既得利益，我们这个社会要付出更深远的代价。比如，为什么要如此大张旗鼓批普适价值？是普适价值中的什么让我们大动肝火？说穿了无非是民主自由，因为民主自由威胁既得利益。但直接批民主自由又不好听，只能拿普适价值说事了。但在信仰尽失、道德沦落的今天，连普适的价值也成了批判的对象，结果是可想而知的。但为了既得利益，又不得不如此”

March 21, 2009 @ 3:06 am | Comment

“rule of laws” implies everything not disallowed by “laws” is allowed. here is the flaw. this is how 5 years of Sarbanes-Oxley led us to this point today. before the act, you only had a handful of crooks and companies cooking books, now you have a whole industry of crooks, why? it’s because everything not disallowed by S-Ox act is allowed. our ancestor told us many thousand years ago, “dao-gao-yi-chi, mo-gao-yi-zhang”, basically bad guys are always ten times better than good guys. this is why for that many thousand years, china is always ruled by man – “ren zhi”, instead of “fa-zhi”. this keeps bad guys think again before commiting crimes because they don’t know what they will get since there is no menu-for-crime (or “rule of laws”) to follow.

March 21, 2009 @ 3:39 am | Comment

surprisingly, everything you described chinese communist government fits so well for so called “democratically elected governments”. unfortunately, these are bankrupted governments. talking about legitimacy.

March 21, 2009 @ 3:44 am | Comment

is he your professor? sorry, he ain’t mine.

March 21, 2009 @ 3:57 am | Comment

@zhao

“surprisingly, everything you described chinese communist government fits so well for so called “democratically elected governments””

The old trick. German has a good word for it, “relativieren”, and are also good at it.

By us there is a saying “The thief thinks everybody is like him”

Why does he thinks so? To justify his actions of course.

March 21, 2009 @ 3:58 am | Comment

@zhao
You also used a known logical fallacy in your arguments.”Tu quoque”

Together with “ad hominen”, one of the most used logical fallacies used by those that presents similar arguments like yours

The aim is not to rebate the logic of your opponent, but attack him on moral grounds. It is curious. Some Chinese cannot separate that logical consistency from morality. For my both things are separate.

And by the way, my wrongdoings, real or figured out, do not justify your wrongdoings, nor invalidate my argumentation in the least.

March 21, 2009 @ 4:25 am | Comment

@zhao
“…sorry, he ain’t mine.”
So it seems to be. And who is yours, may I ask?

March 21, 2009 @ 4:25 am | Comment

“us”, i guess means “decendants of thieves”, fits well.

March 21, 2009 @ 4:43 am | Comment

you may not.

you might after another two thousand years, depends.

March 21, 2009 @ 4:47 am | Comment

Wow, Obama keeps getting knocked back by Iran. He is determined to try to mean a breakthrough, but perhaps he needs to accept it might not happen until after the election. Certainly he doesn’t want to strengthen Armadeninananananajad’s hand.

March 21, 2009 @ 7:17 am | Comment

Class Struggle is Back!

Keith Olbermann:

http://www.truthout.org/video/032009S

Meanwhile, the bankers have sold out Israel to a nuclear armed Iran.

March 21, 2009 @ 11:47 am | Comment

CLASS STRUGGLE:

Nobel economists Paul Krugman and Joseph Stiglitz slammed Obama’s economic policy this week.

Krugman said:

At every stage, Geithner et al have made it clear that they still have faith in the people who created the financial crisis — that they believe that all we have is a liquidity crisis that can be undone with a bit of financial engineering, that “governments do a bad job of running banks” (as opposed, presumably, to the wonderful job the private bankers have done), that financial bailouts and guarantees should come with no strings attached.

This was bad analysis, bad policy, and terrible politics. This administration, elected on the promise of change, has already managed, in an astonishingly short time, to create the impression that it’s owned by the wheeler-dealers.

Stiglitz said the Obama administration has failed to address the structural and regulatory flaws at the heart of the financial crisis that stand in the way of economic recovery and that Obama has confused saving the bankers and saving the banks. He also said:

We got cheated, to put it bluntly. What we don’t know is that—whether we will continue to get cheated. And that’s really at the core of much of what we’re talking about. Are we going to continue to get cheated?…
Do American taxpayers want to be bailing out institutions abroad? That’s a question we ought to be debating….

The fact that there was so much campaign contributions from the financial sector at least raises the concern [that the Obama administration is throwing money at the bankers because of their campaign contributions].

March 22, 2009 @ 7:19 am | Comment

Richard, sorry I missed your post enquiring about the Wire. Didn’t mean to ignore you – I’m hopeless at following open threads. 🙂

Yes, the Wire is excellent. I’m not even a fan of cop shows usually because of the boring format of one case per episode. The Wire is a cop show (set in Baltimore) with a difference – each case takes up an entire season of 10, 12 or 13 episodes. It’s very addictive watching. I thought the acting was good, but you may recognise few (if any) of the actors/actresses as apparently they weren’t well-known at the time.

I don’t want to spoil it by telling you about what you can expect, but a lot of it involves a drug gang led by the Barksdale family. If you can borrow or buy the first season I doubt you’ll be disappointed, though supposedly it gets even better in later seasons. So far I have yet to come across anyone who didn’t enjoy it.

March 22, 2009 @ 5:10 pm | Comment