OLYMPIC NOTEBOOK: VISA DENIED! TIBETAN ACTIVIST ARRESTED AND DANGEROUS AIR POLLUTION

Gold and silver Olympic speed skater Joey Cheek, better known for being co-founder and president of Team Darfur, an international coalition of athletes committed to raising awareness and ending the crisis in Darfur, Sudan, had his visa revoked by Chinese authorities.



As you can see it is by a beautiful day with a bright non-polluted bright blue sky that a banner which reads "One world! One dream! Free Tibet" was hanged by 4 people who are being detained by Chinese police right now.

"At this very moment, Tibetans are facing the most severe and violent repression they have seen in decades at the hands of the Chinese government, and we have taken non-violent action at this critical time to draw the world's attention to the crisis gripping Tibet." Iain Thom, 24 from Edinburgh and Lucy Marion, 23 from London! Source

Beijing has vowed the Olympic Games! And as always the Chinese government knows how to keep promises ... the olympics will take place in a polluted atmosphere, above the World Health Organization's recommended maximum!



Pollution over Beijing? Don't worry, it's only mist, say officials...

US athletes were spotted wearing black respiratory masks (I am sure those must have had an extra welcome basket in their bedroom) The IOC has said there was no reason for alarm. Oh! If the IOC says so, then there are absolutely NO reasons to be worried ...

At the same time the Chinese government has decided to celebrate the "week of fresh air". They sure don't lack sense of humor!

Comments

[huh]

China sucks. What is really pathetic is that their desperate attempt to look as modern and "Western" as possible is based on what, exactly? Saving face? Joey Cheek is awesome and hot...

[huuuuuuuh]

Do you have some problems with china? why do you always see dark side of a country? you problem or china's?

[Chris]

^^I've been to China, and I have problem's with China. The communist country is a mirage. It wants to depict an image of happiness and order, but only by restricting freedom of expression and speech.

[Kat]

I find it funny that we are becoming so focused on the air pollution there and L.A is maybe not as bad but bad enough and I don't see anyone walking around in masks.

[;o]

It's a good thing you don't report on China too much, cause then I would have to stop reading your blog :)

Your view is extremely one sided. Im a chinese american from New York, and I must say in five visits i've never noticed a drastic difference between NY air and Beijing air.

and Tibetans and their non violence movement? How about in February when a Tibetan arson killed 5 chinese female accountants working in a building? Or you know.. several documented street riots.

I like the US and I like China. I don't understand why so many blogs, sites, and news outlets make this to be a 'Either You're With Us or Against US" kind of situation.

Oh and 'huh', maybe they're trying to look western because the west wants them to? Most Americans (read: AOL commenters. My god) are so completely ignorant and think they should adhere to western standards. How would Americans feel if the chinese came to the US for olympics, and brought their own culture and food?

[marty]

Hi ;o
I so agree with your comment, the view on China is very one sided.

BTW I have been to LA and Beijing, you are absolutely right , the air pollution in Beijing is no worse than LA.

Bringing your own food so you dont have to eat the food there is just plain rude and arrogant. I really dislike those american athletes , so F##### rude wearing a mask like that.

[trudster]

Can't believe anyone would compare Beijing air to New York's! One sided view? Hardly! I have been to Beijing on several occasions and the air was revolting! You couldn't open the windows of the hotel room or it would smell like smoke....the city was constantly shrouded in smog that hid any chance of a view. As for China's human rights record....there is no need for comment. It sucks. The Chinese people, however, are lovely.

[trudster]

Can't believe anyone would compare Beijing air to New York's! One sided view? Hardly! I have been to Beijing on several occasions and the air was revolting! You couldn't open the windows of the hotel room or it would smell like smoke....the city was constantly shrouded in smog that hid any chance of a view. As for China's human rights record....there is no need for comment. It sucks. The Chinese people, however, are lovely.

[huh]

Why should China care if the west wants them to look Western? China should look like China--that is my point. The olympics are a perfect example--morons go on and on about how they are a global event but they are really about Western values and about entering the white boy network. China does not need to prove itself by staging the olympics--and yet it seems to feel it does. Sad.

[fred]

typical French. Still think they are the best in the world. look down Americans of course now Chinese. go back clean your full-of-dog-shit paris first. and remember using deodorants.