China Goes back on critical issue regarding the Games. Blocks internet access

[Bodzilla]

Foreign reporters will not have complete access to the Internet during the Beijing Olympics, Games organisers said Wednesday, reversing a pledge to bring down the Chinese firewall of censorship.
Sites linked to the banned Falungong spiritual movement and other unspecified ones would remain blocked for the thousands of foreign reporters covering the Games, organising committee spokesman Sun Weide told AFP.
"During the Olympic Games we will provide sufficient access to the Internet for reporters," said Sun.
However "sufficient" access falls short of the complete Internet freedoms for foreign reporters that China's communist authorities had promised in the run-up to the Games, which begin on August 8.
The head of the International Olympic Committee's press commission, Kevan Gosper, told AFP that he would take the matter up with Chinese officials.
"I will speak with the Chinese authorities to advise them of the restraints and to see what their reaction is," he said.
Australian Olympic team chief John Coates, who is also an IOC member, expressed frustration with the decision to continue to censor the Internet, pointing out that China had gone back on one of its "key" Olympic promises.
"It certainly is disappointing... I think it's a matter that the IOC will take seriously," Coates told reporters at the main press centre for the Games here where sensitive Internet sites remained blocked.
In an exclusive interview with AFP two weeks ago, Rogge insisted that there would be no censorship of the Internet.
"For the first time, foreign media will be able to report freely and publish their work freely in China," he said.
"There will be no censorship on the Internet."
However Sun said China's pledge was only to allow foreign reporters enough information to carry out their duties to cover the Games, not to have unfettered Internet access.
"Our promise was that journalists would be able to use the Internet for their work during the Olympic Games," he said. "So we have given them sufficient access to do that."
Falungong is a particularly sensitive issue for China's communist authorities, who outlawed the group in 1999, describing it as an evil cult.
Sun would not say which other sites would remain censored for foreign reporters.
But journalists working at the main press centre for the Olympics could not access a wide range of sites on Wednesday.
When AFP accessed the Internet through the wireless system at the centre, a wide range of sites considered sensitive by the Chinese government were blocked.
These included sites for Amnesty International, the Tibet government-in-exile, dissidents, and ones giving information about the 1989 Tiananmen massacre in which the Chinese military crushed democracy protests.
Chinese authorities operate strict Internet censorship with a so-called "Great Firewall of China" that blocks information the Communist Party views as improper, unhealthy or a threat to its rule.
Amnesty describes China as one of the world's "enemies of the Internet".
Last year China introduced new regulations relaxing general media curbs for foreign journalists in the run-up to the Games.
However, domestic journalists, who work under strict censorship, were not included in the measures to relax reporting restrictions, nor were they promised any greater Internet freedoms during the Games.You know what i have to say to this?


Fuck china, pull the games and let the fucks squirm in the multi-billion dollar expense for running the games.


This kind of Censorship was a key element in China's bid to win over the olympic commitee, as well as air-pollution and human rights. And if they ignore these pledges and talk to us with 2 mouths, we should show them no ears.

http://au.sports.yahoo.com/olympics/news/article/-/4837476/olympics-china-censor-internet-games-organisers

[n00b1n8R]

Yeah, like that's going to happen (I wish).

Little thing called money. Some people take it seriously.

[odseraphim]

I won't be watching the Olympics (haven't since like 3 times ago), and I know a bunch of other friends/relatives that won't either.

Anyways, their "Great Firewall of China" won't be able to stop the media, they'll get their message through somehow.

You can't stop the signal.

[legionaire45]

China seems to have been doing a fairly good job of that for a while.....

The US has boycotted Olympics in the past and the only reason that I think they won't this time is because we are sort of trying to "buddy up" with China to some extent. Still, I think a good old fashion boycott would be quite the egg-on-face for China.

Sort of related, Iraq recently got banned from participating as well.

[Guzzie]

You have to be nice when you borrow millions of dollars each day (from china) to fund the "war" in the middle east.

[klange]

Anyways, their "Great Firewall of China" won't be able to stop the media, they'll get their message through somehow.

You can't stop the signal.

If all else fails, they can go with RFC1149.


Crazy Chinese...

[The_Wraith]

Protesting the Olympics is childish. The games are a WORLD EVENT and that is the only thing that should matter. The fact that they are taking place in China is trivial at best and people are just using it as an excuse to fuel their agendas against communism. Pretty sad I must say.

[Zeph]

It's their country. They can do as they want with it.

[n00b1n8R]

ITT: people think the Olympics is important for reasons other than politics and money.

[PenGuin1362]

It's their country. They can do as they want with it.

However, this whole world is run by uneducated morons.

[Zeph]

Even uneducated, how can you not understand that China's not going to let you break their laws just because you're a visiting reporter? Seriously, what Olympic reporter needs to go to web sites that China deems seditious, illegal, and/or taboo?

[Bodzilla]

it was one of china's bids for the game.
Unrestricted internet access and to improve human rights.

so you think things that where crucial to them winning the games are completely irrelevant? and should be ignored?
My, my, my, how about that anzus treaty, seems pretty unimportant if you ask me.

[The_Wraith]

Because people are using the fact that the games are in China to try and leverage influence and do human rights protesting through it. It's bullshit and you should see it. Protest all you want when the Olympics are over but don't try and abuse the location of a World Event to bully China into agreeing with your views on their government.

If you've ever taken a look into what sites are banned, they are pretty damn obscure and I doubt any of the reporters need them or use them even when outside of China. It's just another excuse.


I'm all for human rights but there are ethical and unethical ways of getting whats done, done.

Here's a list. Note the sites that are now unblocked. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_notable_websites_blocked_in_the_People%27s _Republic_of_China)

Now tell me which of those sites are absolutely needed for reporters to the point where is imperative that China change what they deem to be public security hazards for the duration of the Olympic games?

[Bodzilla]

If you've ever taken a look into what sites are banned, they are pretty damn obscure and I doubt any of the reporters need them or use them even when outside of China. It's just another Failed commitment.
Ftfy

[The_Wraith]

Ftfy So you are basically going to undo everything I just said and say "WELL THEY SAID THEY WOULD!"? :eyesroll:

[Bodzilla]

pretty much.

what happens if i pay you to clean my house, and you sweep the floors, clean the kitchen but dont touch the bathroom?
I'm going to be pissed.

[NullZero]

This Olympics is going to fail hard. People in China need more Ultrasurf.

[Stormwing]

a somewhat related article that i'm just gonna drop over here...
http://www.smh.com.au/news/off-the-field/netizens-push-against-chinas-great-firewall/2008/08/01/1217097494319.html

also, I think the Olympics is gonna 'fail hard'. Only literally.

[Bastinka]

If this does happen, I'm going back to playing Starcraft on B.Net. Seeing as I won't get insta-rushed every game.

[n00b1n8R]

Even uneducated, how can you not understand that China's not going to let you break their laws just because you're a visiting reporter? Seriously, what Olympic reporter needs to go to web sites that China deems seditious, illegal, and/or taboo?I don't know.. perhaps any western news service which may have reported on Tibette or the Tiananmen Square massacre (which never happend :tinfoil:)?


So you are basically going to undo everything I just said and say "WELL THEY SAID THEY WOULD!"? :eyesroll:
To not say that would be to say "oh it's OK that they lied" and thus condone their actions. If this were a small country of little power, don't you think this would be happening? They need to be called out on this. IIRC, wasn't the games boycotted when they took place in russia? Why can't the same happen now (asides from the obvious issue of most of the worlds governments trying to get into china's pants).

[The_Wraith]

I don't know.. perhaps any western news service which may have reported on Tibette or the Tiananmen Square massacre (which never happend :tinfoil:)?


To not say that would be to say "oh it's OK that they lied" and thus condone their actions. If this were a small country of little power, don't you think this would be happening? They need to be called out on this. IIRC, wasn't the games boycotted when they took place in russia? Why can't the same happen now (asides from the obvious issue of most of the worlds governments trying to get into china's pants). Politics is lying. I suggest you get used to it. Like I said before, people are just using this as a platform to boost their anti-communism/free Tibet/human rights campaigns.

[n00b1n8R]

To accept it as unchangeable fact is to make it so.

E: and are you saying that being pro-Tibet independence and pro-human rights is bad? China is a shit country and it just so happens that 1/6 of the global population is in there with no idea of how much better other parts of the world are because the government controls everything.

[The_Wraith]

To accept it as unchangeable fact is to make it so.

E: and are you saying that being pro-Tibet independence and pro-human rights is bad? China is a shit country and it just so happens that 1/6 of the global population is in there with no idea of how much better other parts of the world are because the government controls everything. I see you really are completely failing to read any of my posts and instead read one or two lines from a couple and start screaming. Know where did I say China is a great country. All I'm saying is that there are right and wrong ways to protest and exploiting the Olympics to further your goals is just silly and wrong.

The Olympics are about the countries of the World setting aside their differences and playing some games together. Get it?

Oh and LOL @ Someone who thinks that lying and politics will ever go their separate ways.

[Apoc4lypse]

However, this whole world is run by uneducated morons.

Believe it or not, that same reasoning might be why the whole internet becomes censored in the future... I could see it happening very easily, especially with the shit our Governments been doing lately.

Think about it... uneducated morons who are free to say or do what they want on the internet, thats what we currently have now, and it is half the reason people become so misinformed about many things.

I'm in no way saying Internet censorship is in anyway the right thing to do. Not to mention it sort of controlling for the gov to do. How ever it could have positive effects. It could also be abused... it really depends what gets censored... XD.

I mean.. I love how people argue that its an invasion of peoples freedom or what ever, and we should be aloud to do what ever we want on the internet (it's almost like saying we shouldn't have a Police force, then again, who knows how corrupt they can be.), but theres some things on the internet, that no one should ever be aloud to see or do, not to mention how some of those said things can corrupt people...

Not only that I wouldn't be surprised at all if the US started or already is doing something similar to this, but just not publicly... I mean, hackers can hack into shit, can't the government hack websites and just sabotage what ever they don't want.

Idk... its a controversial subject, the internet can either be utilized or it can be abused...

I guess thats why they call this the Information Age.

E: On a side note, and I'm in no way trying to join in any arguments(I didn't read page 2 and I don't want to), Politics isn't just lying... although nowadays its hard to find a Politician that won't lie...

[Bodzilla]

Because people are using the fact that the games are in China to try and leverage influence and do human rights protesting through it. It's bullshit and you should see it. Protest all you want when the Olympics are over but don't try and abuse the location of a World Event to bully China into agreeing with your views on their government.

I'm all for human rights but there are ethical and unethical ways of getting whats done, done.
Thought i might want to take the time to respond to this a little more thoroughly. Wasnt going to, because i think the Irony just about Leaps off the screen and dances infront of you before picking up your keyboard and smashing it to pieces over your head.

You do Understand the point of protesting dont you? and why and how it's done right?
Protesting is about Raising awareness about a specific issue, and due to that awareness and pressure you force the politicians to do What they should have already done.
What better chance to protest the problems in Tibet then now.

These People have been Controlled and restricted by China for fucking 50 years (since tibet was last independent, and they've done it many times before) and have had there way of life, there cultures, and there Political and spiritual leaders Exiled from there own Country.
A part of what makes them, them has been raped, servered and Burnt.
China has imprisoned tibet and turned the entire populous into slaves. with no voice and Tortured, killed or exilied anyone who has the Sheer ordacity to want to be free.

And you preach to the Poor broken peasents about Ethic's?
I'm Sorry that these broken, dirt poor peasents have taken a few minutes of your life away from you hearing about how great China is to think about something a little more important.
What a bunch of rude bastards ey?

Not to mention the China Hosting the olympics in it's current state goes against the entire fucking history of the ethics, mentality and spirit of the games since it's inception.

E:

To accept it as unchangeable fact is to make it so.

E: and are you saying that being pro-Tibet independence and pro-human rights is bad? China is a shit country and it just so happens that 1/6 of the global population is in there with no idea of how much better other parts of the world are because the government controls everything.
<333333

[The_Wraith]

Thought i might want to take the time to respond to this a little more thoroughly. Wasnt going to, because i think the Irony just about Leaps off the screen and dances infront of you before picking up your keyboard and smashing it to pieces over your head.

You do Understand the point of protesting dont you? and why and how it's done right?
Protesting is about Raising awareness about a specific issue, and due to that awareness and pressure you force the politicians to do What they should have already done.
What better chance to protest the problems in Tibet then now.

These People have been Controlled and restricted by China for fucking 50 years (since tibet was last independent, and they've done it many times before) and have had there way of life, there cultures, and there Political and spiritual leaders Exiled from there own Country.
A part of what makes them, them has been raped, servered and Burnt.
China has imprisoned tibet and turned the entire populous into slaves. with no voice and Tortured, killed or exilied anyone who has the Sheer ordacity to want to be free.

And you preach to the Poor broken peasents about Ethic's?
I'm Sorry that these broken, dirt poor peasents have taken a few minutes of your life away from you hearing about how great China is to think about something a little more important.
What a bunch of rude bastards ey?

Not to mention the China Hosting the olympics in it's current state goes against the entire fucking history of the ethics, mentality and spirit of the games since it's inception.

E:

<333333Wow. You pretty much missed every point you could. I don't like China and I don't agree with what the PRC does. I, however, disagree that the correct way to protest is by boycotting the Olympics simply because it is being hosted there. :rolleyes:

You're pretty much preaching to the choir about all the bad things PRC has done. I know already, protesting using the Olympics is a different matter entirely.

[Bodzilla]

Wow. You pretty much missed every point you could. I don't like China and I don't agree with what the PRC does. I, however, disagree that the correct way to protest is by boycotting the Olympics simply because it is being hosted there. :rolleyes:

You're pretty much preaching to the choir about all the bad things PRC has done. I know already, protesting using the Olympics is a different matter entirely.
and clearly you have no idea what i originally stated.
a broken contract will always be a Fucking broken contract. So why the Fuck should we just put up with it. And China Does this with a fucking lot of crucial agreements and im fuckign sick of it.

Close enough is never good enough, especially when people's rights are at stake.

[Mr Buckshot]

damn you westerners, I don't see this as a violation of rights. It's not like the blocking of sites does any harm to people. Kudos to The Wraith and others who said sensible things.

[blind]

Not to mention the China Hosting the olympics in it's current state goes against the entire fucking history of the ethics, mentality and spirit of the games since it's inception.

Typing sucks so I'll just respond to this one point.
Do you honestly believe that when the Olympics were first beginning that there was equality and ethics involved? In Ancient Greece?

are you serious?
is he serious.

[n00b1n8R]

damn you westerners, I don't see this as a violation of rights. It's not like the blocking of sites does any harm to people. Kudos to The Wraith and others who said sensible things.

Your right. How dare they want freedom of information and speech? Then they may actually make informed decisions and opinions that don't got along with the party's position. D:

The right to freedom of information is one of the most important rights in the world. without it we're as well equipped to make decisions as machines.

Though in relation to the blocking of media at the olympics, it just goes back to them saying they were going to do it then going "LOL WE WAZ TELLING FIBS SUX TO BE YOU".

Typing sucks so I'll just respond to this one point.
Do you honestly believe that when the Olympics were first beginning that there was equality and ethics involved? In Ancient Greece?

are you serious?
is he serious.
He was referring to the modern Olympics.

[The_Wraith]

He was referring to the modern Olympics."the entire fucking history of the ethics, mentality and spirit of the games since it's inception."

I fail to see the distinction. :XD:

[Bodzilla]

look harder, they where 2 completely different types of competition.

also Counter some of n00bs points please.

[The_Wraith]

look harder, they where 2 completely different types of competition.

also Counter some of n00bs points please. Why? They're irrelevant to my argument. As to your reply to what I said, nice save.

[n00b1n8R]

I wasn't aware he had to be explicit as to which Olympics he was referring to. Seeing as the thread was about an issue regarding the up coming Olympics (part of the modern Olympics), it seemed pretty obvious to me.

Acting confused as to which Olympics he was referring to seems like your just nit picking for the sake of an argument.

[Phopojijo]

Believe it or not, that same reasoning might be why the whole internet becomes censored in the future... I could see it happening very easily, especially with the shit our Governments been doing lately.

Think about it... uneducated morons who are free to say or do what they want on the internet, thats what we currently have now, and it is half the reason people become so misinformed about many things.

I'm in no way saying Internet censorship is in anyway the right thing to do. Not to mention it sort of controlling for the gov to do. How ever it could have positive effects. It could also be abused... it really depends what gets censored... XD.

I mean.. I love how people argue that its an invasion of peoples freedom or what ever, and we should be aloud to do what ever we want on the internet (it's almost like saying we shouldn't have a Police force, then again, who knows how corrupt they can be.), but theres some things on the internet, that no one should ever be aloud to see or do, not to mention how some of those said things can corrupt people...

Not only that I wouldn't be surprised at all if the US started or already is doing something similar to this, but just not publicly... I mean, hackers can hack into shit, can't the government hack websites and just sabotage what ever they don't want.

Idk... its a controversial subject, the internet can either be utilized or it can be abused...

I guess thats why they call this the Information Age.

E: On a side note, and I'm in no way trying to join in any arguments(I didn't read page 2 and I don't want to), Politics isn't just lying... although nowadays its hard to find a Politician that won't lie...I know you said you didn't want to get into an argument over this but there's little way around it.

Censorship of the internet is horrible. I realize it's a personal ideology, however I tend to not understand why anyone would like to live in a society where the rich can determine what message gets delivered and everyone else is forced to hear it.

By cutting off communication, a "basic need of life", you're controlling how much access one has to advancement. Communication is one of the keys to success. Do you think that it's a coincidence that with advanced communication you can all-of-a-sudden see billionaires pop out of nowhere on a single idea?

Censorship of communication itself leads to a very class-based ideology. Sure you'll always get a douchebag on XboxLive whining over chocolate milk... but is that honestly better than being forced to live your life blue collar because it is the only thing you have to look forward to?

The neutral internet allows everyone to be equal, if just for that small slice of reality. A no-body can promote his or her idea instantly and on a budget most anyone can afford... and jump the social class if it takes off.

The less open communication we have, the harder it is to change socioeconomic classes. The harder it is to change socioeconomic classes... the more power those on the upper crust have... and the longer they can keep it.

And yes... the upper crust hates "New Money", just look at all the attacks against Google for no reason other than "They're new money..."

(sidebar) There even was an investment firm who invested billions into Google, then sold all their shares, and reported at how unstable their stock was. Of course your stock will be unstable if you suddenly get 3 billion dollars out of nowhere... then have it pulled out from under you. (/sidebar)

So long story short... neutral, fair, and cheap access to communication is what I consider to be the only sane system. Any time censorship happens, it's always to motivate the censor's goals... and that usually involves keeping them in the upper crust, and everyone else as far away as possible.

[Phopojijo]

And mind the doublepost but I wanted the above post to be self-contained:

What banned sites could foreign journalists possibly want to visit while in China?

Perhaps their site they were supposed to upload their stories to (assuming Blogger or similar)?

[The_Wraith]

And mind the doublepost but I wanted the above post to be self-contained:

What banned sites could foreign journalists possibly want to visit while in China?

Perhaps their site they were supposed to upload their stories to (assuming Blogger or similar)?I have yet to find (the list is long so still looking) a single site that would warrant this protesting. Like I said this is just a way to exploit the games and further the agendas of human rights activists and anti-censorship against the PRC.

READ THIS: (Many seem to skip this disclaimer in every one of my posts) I'm all for protesting and I am all for change in the way the PRC runs, HOWEVER, I am against people using the fact that the Olympics are being held in China to wage a political war.


I wasn't aware he had to be explicit as to which Olympics he was referring to. Seeing as the thread was about an issue regarding the up coming Olympics (part of the modern Olympics), it seemed pretty obvious to me.

Acting confused as to which Olympics he was referring to seems like your just nit picking for the sake of an argument.
He said the entire history. If we were talking about modern computers would I assume that 1950's computers were not part of that history because they weren't modern? Sounds pretty stupid now doesn't it...history is history. I'd have to say that the modern Olympics are more similar rather than more different compared to ancient Olympics.

Many people here seem to hate United States policies. I hope you guys boycott the Olympics next time it's hosted here.

[Bodzilla]

why? scared we'd kick your ass in the pool again?
:raise:

[n00b1n8R]

He said the entire history. If we were talking about modern computers would I assume that 1950's computers were not part of that history because they weren't modern? Sounds pretty stupid now doesn't it...history is history. I'd have to say that the modern Olympics are more similar rather than more different compared to ancient Olympics.

Many people here seem to hate United States policies. I hope you guys boycott the Olympics next time it's hosted here.
In what way would the history of the Greek Olympics have anything to do with what's going on with the modern ones. Their two completely different events. The only thing they have in common is that their both focused on athletic endeavours. The old Olympics are simply irrelivent today (much like computers from the 50's are when your talking about the modern computing world).

In related news, America > China.

[Mr Buckshot]

Sure, just return that money you borrowed to fund the massacre in Iraq. And don't set up all those branch plants. Lose all your low-wage labor and spend 5x as much employing less efficient labour in North America. Pull your automobile companies out of the world's most promising market.

I have lived in both China and America (3 years in California, to be precise) and both places are great to live in. This isn't the fucking Cultural Revolution. I know, I hate Mao Zedong's period too - it was part of the reason why my grandparents chose to remain in Singapore rather than return to China. But now, it's different. "z0mg I can't blog about hating on da government I'm so violated, z0mg I can't download pr0n I want my rights, z0mg I can't visit a news website that doesn't really affect me anyway, I'm gonna die." IMO, this so-called "loss of freedom of info/speech" doesn't remotely do any harm.

Go and join the other Westerners who are anti-China and falsely use the "we support Tibet" reason for their cause.

Besides, didn't you Americans massively violate the human rights of Aboriginals and African-Americans years ago, the same way Chinese people lost many rights under Mao? And you seem to be massively violating the rights of Iraqis. So don't blab about how the Chinese government is violating human rights when your own government is doing far worse to people who have done nothing to them (Iraqis). I have a feeling the war was partly motivated by racism towards Arabs (whom I respect).

[Pooky]

:words:

n00b is Australian you dolt.

[n00b1n8R]

^:lmao:

:words:

But now, it's different. "z0mg I can't blog about hating on da government I'm so violated, z0mg I can't download pr0n I want my rights, z0mg I can't visit a news website that doesn't really affect me anyway, I'm gonna die." IMO, this so-called "loss of freedom of info/speech" doesn't remotely do any harm.

Go and join the other Westerners who are anti-China and falsely use the "we support Tibet" reason for their cause.

Besides, didn't you Americans massively violate the human rights of Aboriginals and African-Americans years ago, the same way Chinese people lost many rights under Mao? And you seem to be massively violating the rights of Iraqis. So don't blab about how the Chinese government is violating human rights when your own government is doing far worse to people who have done nothing to them (Iraqis). I have a feeling the war was partly motivated by racism towards Arabs (whom I respect).

It's not a matter of physical harm, it's a matter of mental disadvantage. Though restriction of information doesn't really do any harm, it does much less good than freedome of info.

Are you saying the "free tibet" campaign is wrong? Tibet doesn't deserve it's freedom? :fail:

On the topic of the iraq war, have you noticed how popular that is? Noticed any protests (oh no, not protests!)? People in America (and Australia) are protesting the war and have been since it started back in 03. The difference between that and China is that the chinese people will be shot if they dare oppose the government, and that is just another reason why China is a hole.

I know this has nothing to do with the topic, but BS's post really pissed me off.

[The_Wraith]

^:lmao:


It's not a matter of physical harm, it's a matter of mental disadvantage. Though restriction of information doesn't really do any harm, it does much less good than freedome of info.

Are you saying the "free tibet" campaign is wrong? Tibet doesn't deserve it's freedom? :fail:

On the topic of the iraq war, have you noticed how popular that is? Noticed any protests (oh no, not protests!)? People in America (and Australia) are protesting the war and have been since it started back in 03. The difference between that and China is that the chinese people will be shot if they dare oppose the government, and that is just another reason why China is a hole.

I know this has nothing to do with the topic, but BS's post really pissed me off. Yeah I don't agree with any of that. China sucks.

[blind]

He was referring to the modern Olympics.
Do you honestly believe that there were was equality involved? I mean even NOW people aren't treated equally. Do you think they paid the people who built the modern Olympic stadiums fair wages?
Are you an idiot?

Seriously, I'm siding with Wraith on this one.

"Our promise was that journalists would be able to use the Internet for their work during the Olympic Games," he said. "So we have given them sufficient access to do that."I mean, that seems reasonable to me.

[Bodzilla]

Sure, just return that money you borrowed to fund the massacre in Iraq. And don't set up all those branch plants. Lose all your low-wage labor and spend 5x as much employing less efficient labour in North America. Pull your automobile companies out of the world's most promising market.

I have lived in both China and America (3 years in California, to be precise) and both places are great to live in. This isn't the fucking Cultural Revolution. I know, I hate Mao Zedong's period too - it was part of the reason why my grandparents chose to remain in Singapore rather than return to China. But now, it's different. "z0mg I can't blog about hating on da government I'm so violated, z0mg I can't download pr0n I want my rights, z0mg I can't visit a news website that doesn't really affect me anyway, I'm gonna die." IMO, this so-called "loss of freedom of info/speech" doesn't remotely do any harm.

Go and join the other Westerners who are anti-China and falsely use the "we support Tibet" reason for their cause.

Besides, didn't you Americans massively violate the human rights of Aboriginals and African-Americans years ago, the same way Chinese people lost many rights under Mao? And you seem to be massively violating the rights of Iraqis. So don't blab about how the Chinese government is violating human rights when your own government is doing far worse to people who have done nothing to them (Iraqis). I have a feeling the war was partly motivated by racism towards Arabs (whom I respect).
N - O

for gods sake Buckshot read phopo's post.
Elevate the rich and turn the lower class into an expendable workforce with no other options.
Which is the very thing your praising >_____<

People are not a FUCKING RESOURCE

[Phopojijo]

READ THIS: (Many seem to skip this disclaimer in every one of my posts) I'm all for protesting and I am all for change in the way the PRC runs, HOWEVER, I am against people using the fact that the Olympics are being held in China to wage a political war.
You mean like China's reason for hosting the Olympics?

The difference is, China is censoring because they want to play on their own rules.