Comments on: Unexpected attractions

By: Food shortage

Food shortage — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 03:36:03 +0000

Steve Almasy in his story "Crunchy time in Beijing" explained to the the world what actually happened in Beijing: The barking vendor said to him “Try the penis, Try the penis, Try the penis, Try the penis, Try the penis, ….”

By: Eugene

Eugene — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:51:32 +0000

Chinese Disrespect...and Bush just smiled!

When Michael Phelps was being awarded his Gold Medal for the 400m, the Chinese Olympic Committee showed the utmost disrespect for the U.S. National Anthem. Not only did the pre-recorded music cut out the first 4 notes, they repeated the first stanza a third time, rather than the normal repeat of the music, showing great ignorance of our most important symbol of musical respect. To top it all off, the Chinese rendition usurped traditional harmonies, opting instead for a cheesy, Hollywood movie soundtrack sound with inappropriate jazz harmonies AND to add insult to injury, cutting out completely the Anthem before it's thrilling final climax, "o'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave." And our own President just laughed, smiled and waved at the cameras!

By: Chinamade

Chinamade — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 19:47:36 +0000

Right on Larry.

By: Pete

Pete — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 06:53:22 +0000

I have witnessed similar events when I was traveling in Hong Kong. Not from Hong Kong People who see westerners all the time but from main land people. I was sort of shocked to find my self in senarioes where I was the most interesting thing to look at. I ran into a group of mainlanders who knew more about the Minnesota Timberwolves than I did which suprised me.

And to remark on the conversation bellow. The real difference between American and Chinese rights is simply that the CCP feels it has a responsibility to protect the rights of "the many". While American rights are all about the rights of the individual. There is such a contrast in mindsets, It would be very ethnocentric to judge this mindset as a westerner. But to criticize China's misshandling of problems should be fair game.

By: G.Tan

G.Tan — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 20:56:43 +0000

I was once in an Italian restaurant and the other patrons gawked and stared at me. Though it didn't exactly make me feel comfortable but I understood. Probably, I said to myself, they haven't seen too many Chinese. Am I to conclude that Italians are living in a cocoon? People are naturally curious. Stop being such a backwood provincial Larry.

By: Nutrition

Nutrition — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 13:20:37 +0000

Food shortage, sometimes it's really hard to say who are isolated. Yes, there is some sensorship in China. But in the era of internet, it's definitely impossible. There are tens of millions of Chinese living or working abroad, millions of Chinese student abroad back to China each year. Chinese kids study English even in kindergardens. And American and European History and Geography are required curriculums and exams for university entry. In some places the textbook are published by the US gov. By the way, hollywood movies and TV series are very popular in China. If you go to romote rural villages in western China, you will find there are always products of Cocacola and P&G sold in the small local shops. The problem is how many Americans are isolated and misunderstand China.

By: heyu

heyu — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 12:55:16 +0000

if 4 billions of ppl watched the opening ceremony, who cares if u wanna boycutt it...

By: Adam

Adam — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 05:18:11 +0000

Well, the poor guy was just trying to make a statement. We bloggers always like to pick on each other's perceptions and counter with something that is equally or more perceptive than the last.

All else aside, it is hard to argue with Larry about this year being the most political Olympics in more than two decades. For example, I am 31 years old, and this is the first time I will choose not to take part in viewing the Olympics for the sake of making a solid stance on human rights. No problem, that's my right. Right?

Sure, some will say I am no fun, or that our human rights record is lousy in America, also. No need to point fingers. I don't defend anyone's poor actions, no matter which country they represent. What's the point? The truth is the truth–and no matter how hard we try to change it, it simply doesn't work.

So right now the world's eyes are on China. No problem, let them take a good look and see what there is to see.

By: bypass

bypass — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 05:14:49 +0000

I like food shortage's comments " why would yo uboycutt a people are already so isolated".
why? worry china go out from that isolated place?

As China using this game as a stage to go out, China really want a recoginzation from rest of world, for it's culture and the transform.

By: SY

SY — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 00:38:48 +0000

Larry, seems to me that your interesting experience duirng the Olympic game held in China is somthing that could possiblely happen a dacade aga. i gotta say that China has become a very civilized country since the goverment allowed the rest of the world to have access to the industril field of this biggest developing country in the world. It's also a fact that a lot of foreigners come to China for jobs, bussiness and visiting. They are just everywhere. Don't make it as a big deal. Btw, China is not isolated to world at all. The Chinese people know a lot about the rest of the world.