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AnonymousTOday I looked up China and the Olympics to check on the progress and discoveded a dark evnet currently taking place. China is under protest by many human rights groups. With the mob mentality taking place could the Olympics be in the least bit in jeopardy?
All the following took place today 3-24-08!!!
Even before the Olympic flame was lit Monday, a protester of China's human rights policies disrupted the solemn ceremony, foreshadowing the prospect of demonstrations throughout the 85,000-mile torch-relay route right up to the Beijing Games themselves.
Forecasts of clouds and rain had been considered the main threat to the pomp-filled torch-lighting. But in the end, while the sun sparked the flame to life, it was the protesters who turned the joyful bow to the Olympics' roots into a political embarrassment for China over its crackdown in Tibet and other rights issues.
Three men advocating press freedom evaded massive security and ran onto the field at the ceremony in Ancient Olympia before they were seized by police. Minutes later, a Tibetan woman covered in fake blood briefly blocked the path of the torch relay.
The incidents came after International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge told The Associated Press in an interview that he was engaged in "silent diplomacy" with the Chinese but wouldn't intervene in politics to try to change their policies.
AnonymousI was just watching the local news yesterday and read about how the Chinese volleyball team is coming to hermosa beach to practice. I especially found an interview with the united states coach very interesting. He was saying he thought it was a nice gesture to help out other countries and teach them what we have learned that makes us so good. Then the interviewer asked him "Are you sure you want to help the competition?" and he said that even if they get a lot better, he never has to worry about them beating us because they're a long way away.
AnonymousI read a very interesting article in Vanity Fair that was very different from most. Instead of arguing that this is China's century, etc. it argued that China will never become the great superpower we are predicting it will become because its lacks ingenuity. The article argued that while China has strength in numbers, money, etc. it lacked originality and too often copies what other countries do. The article suggested the country in not full of free-thinkers and this is a requirement for a country that is going to take a prominent position in the world. It was just interesting to read a different opinion from the norm.
AnonymousI found it interesting that last month Steven Spielberg quit as the Beging Games' artistic adviser. According to him, he is protesting China's support of Sudan's genocidal regime.
The Chinese government called this "unreasonable, irresponsible and unfair" and is apparently furious. They are mad about his walk-out and the fact that this has exposed something they are probably pretty embarrassed about.
China, to secure Sudan's oil for its own rise, sold the country's regime the guns and planes it was using to slaughter civilians in Darfur.
AnonymousI watched “Hero” because it is a very big accomplishment for Chinese cinema. With their 20 million dollar budget it is by far their biggest project to date.
My favorite part is the incredibly complex and interesting ending. There are actually four different acts which contain separate accounts between Nameless and Qin. Each of these accounts has its own color scheme. This was done in “Traffic” as well. I could see using this part in a language arts classroom where we would talk about different tones, moods, etc.
In a comparative film class or unit I could see using this film in contrast to “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” The main differences are that “Hero” is more emotional and introspective. There is much artful imagery (billowing of hair, sunny vistas). There are many more lyrical compositions. Also, the dialogue in “Hero” is more traditional Chinese (terse, stoic) whereas the dialogue in “Crouching Tiger…” is more western. Also the main intrigue in “Crouching Tiger…” was the complex characters; in “Hero” it is the banter between Nameless and Qin.
AnonymousA "JAPAN in the News" article:
Scientists Aim for Origami Space Flight
The title of this article caught my eye. This is an interesting article about Japanese scientists who have been creating origami shuttle airplanes that they envision writing messages of peace on and then launching them from the International Space Station. The scientists want to see how they hold up upon re-entry (they are made from sugar cane fibers which are heat, water and wind resistant) and if they do well, then this may lead to the development of lightweight space probes that would study the upper atmosphere. The scientists have no idea where the origami shuttles would land, so people who find them would notify the scientists.
This idea seems silly at first, but is actually really clever and reminds me of the "message in a bottle" idea.
I could see reading this article with a science class during a unit on Space and then having students create their own origami airplanes with a message on them.
AnonymousWhat a disaster! I encourage all to read this article...
China's Three Gorges Dam: An Environmental Catastrophe?
"For over three decades, the Chinese government has dismissed warnings from scientists and environmentalists that its Three Gorges Dam—the world's largest—had the potential of becoming one of China's biggest environmental nightmares. But last fall, denial suddenly gave way to reluctant acceptance that the naysayers were right. Chinese officials staged a sudden about-face, acknowledging for the first time that the massive hydroelectric dam, sandwiched between breathtaking cliffs on the Yangtze River in central China, may be triggering landslides, altering entire ecosystems and causing other serious environmental problems—and, by extension, endangering the millions who live in its shadow."
This article is alarming and discusses the various severe negative impacts the dam is having on the people and the environment. My oh my.
AnonymousToday, an article was in the Daily Breeze acknowledging the growing force of globalization and that the Los Angeles Unified School District will be offering Mandarin Chinese and culture courses at all its middle and high schools. I am really proud of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified Schoo District. Thanks to Rosemary Claire and Barbara Hardesty, our district is way ahead of others so that our students are able to compete in the global marketplace. I feel fortunate that I am a part of this movement and that I have the opportunity to take the Modern East Asia seminars. It has been a tremendous experience.
Jewell Lee Toombs
AnonymousChinese Americans protested outside CNN offices on Saturday, 4/19, calling for the dismissal of CNN commentator Jack Cafferty. Cafferty made the comments during an interview on "The Situation Room" that aired April 9th. Speaking about the U.S. trade deficit with China, Cafferty commented: "we continue to import their junk with lead paint on them and the poisoned pet food and export, you know, jobs to places where you can pay workers a dollar a month to turn out the stuff we're buying from Wal-Mart. So I think our relationship with China has certainly changed. he continued - "I think they are basically the same bunch of goons and thugs they've been for the last 50 years."
The protesters lined Sunset Blvd. chanting "Fire Cafferty" and "CNN Liar" and singing the Chinese National Anthem and other patriotic songs. They condemned the comments as being unacceptable as a malicious attack against all Chinese.
CNN responded by saying that Cafferty's attack was directed at the Chinese Beijing Government. The network defended his strongly held opinion of the government, stated the comments were not directed at the Chinese people. China snubbed this apology, responding that it lacked sincerity and was an attempt by CNN to try to sow a division between the government and the people.
The controversy added fuel to a growing resentment toward the West. Many Chinese feel the West is unfairly ganging up on the country at a time when the world should be celebrating the Olympics. Some of the protesters said Cafferty's words reflected a growing unease among Americans over China's growing global profile.
This incident leads me to ask the questions - Are Western Journalists biased in the reporting of economic and human rights issues in China? Is there something that can be gained in the Western world by portraying China as a threat to our freedoms and economic prosperity? Do journalists have a right to air their strongly held opinions that are loosely based on fact?
I'm not sure that the journalist deserves to be fired; but certainly sanctions should be put in place against him to insure his reporting of the news is based on fact rather than opinion.
Anonymous"Flight of the Red Balloon"
Directed by Hou Hsiao Hsien
Currently Playing: The Royal, West Los Angeles
This film, by the accomplished Taiwan Film Director is an homage to the nearly silent 1956 film about a little boy who is followed around Paris by a giant red balloon. Hou's version, which is neither a remake or a sequel is the story of a little boy, his mother, and his nanny, a Taiwanese film student studying in Paris. Hou is well-regarded for his work in his native Taiwan - (A City of Sadness, The Puppetmaster, Flowers of Shanghai). In this film, he is more interested in the everyday details than emotional fireworks. The camera is so unobtrusive and the acting so natural that it takes a while for the narrative to emerge. When it does, you're surprised to find you're deeply invested in the characters. In French, with English subtitles.
(Posting compiled with information provided through entertainment section - L.A. Times and Daily Breeze)
AnonymousForbidden Kingdom
Starring: Jackie Chan and Jet Li
Directed by Rob Minkoff
Playing: Area-Wide
A martial arts movie with a slick Hollywood style - filmed mostly in China.
The film is a fantasy about a Boston chop socky fan who gets in trouble with some local toughs, is knocked unconscious and wakes up in a misty, mythical Middle Kingdom holding a magic staff. He's supposed to get that to the Monkey King, who's been trapped as a stone statue in the court of the evil Jade Warlord for 500 years. The film offers large scale mass melees, special effects shots and gorgeous cinematography by "Crouching Tiger's" Peter Pau. It's not art by any stretch, but it is a sincere and accomplished effort to make popular Chinese entertainment not only accessible to Western sensibilities, but as professionally enjoyable as it can be done. (As stated by L.A. Times film critic Bob Strauss)
An inteview with Jackie Chan stated that he didn't particularly like the film - for no real reason. He indicated "maybe too much Chinese." However, he readily agreed to enjoying the making of the film - particulary with the pairing of Jet Li.
(Information compiled from the Entertainment Sections of the Los Angeles Times and the Daily Breeze).
AnonymousJAPAN in the News:
Japanese Royal Tomb Opened to Scholars for the First Time
This is an interesting article on archaeologists having access to the 5th Century imperial tomb of Emperor Nintoku in Japan. They were allowed inside the tomb of Empress Jingu. The article mentions rumors of bloodline links between the "pure" royal family and Korea. It is a really pretty "keyhole" shaped tomb. It will be interesting to see if they are allowed access to other tombs in the future.
AnonymousTo Save Rivers, She Helps Farmers
This is a hopeful article about a Chinese environmental activist. It was mentioned in one of our meetings that there seemed to be a growing number of people focused on environmental concerns...
Organic farming is as good a place as any to begin to make a difference!
Kudos to Tian Jun and her environmental group for helping to launch these programs!
There is a short audio clip of the author at the end of the article.
AnonymousVery cool. Where did you find the article? I am very interested in Chinese (and any) archaeology. What an amazing discover. I read in the latest National Geographic how, when digging for the Olympics, they found thousands of artifacts and graves. Sadly, looting is a big problem. They are hoping to open a museum to display what they found.
AnonymousVery cool. Where did you find the article? I am very interested in Chinese (and any) archaeology. What an amazing thing to be able to see. I read in the latest National Geographic how, when digging for the Olympics, they found thousands of artifacts and graves. Sadly, looting is a big problem. They are hoping to open a museum to display what they found.