Friday, February 17, 2006

Missing the Winter Olympics - Dreaming of Snow

I have been reading that the Winter Olympics have not been a dream watch, but I miss seeing them. Since moving to Taiwan I have given up on American Football (but Art Modell hurt that first), American Baseball and Basketball. Taiwan TV does not have alot of American sports besides what you see on ESPN and one other network here. So following a team is hard - just easier not to worry about sports - actually they don't seem so important.

I do however wish I could watch the winter olympics. I love the winter olympics. Plus not seeing snow for many years now I have more a inner feeling to see them. But no winter olympics to be found on any of my cable channels. Well, CNN gives you some hightlights once in awhile, but nothing like curling up with a drink and popcorn and watching all the great winter events.

The summer olympics will be in Beijing. Not much of a summer olympics fan, but I wonder if those will be shown here since Taiwan and China don't get along so well. ... . dreaming of snow.

Thursday, February 16, 2006

Tom Lantos and China

Tom Lantos are you nuts?

Heading:
Google, Yahoo Criticized by U.S. Lawmakers on China ``Your abhorrent activities in China are a disgrace,'' California Representative Tom Lantos, the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on International Relations, said today at a joint subcommittee hearing. ``I simply do not understand how your corporate leadership sleeps at night.''

I should include all US lawmakers that are going after these Internet companies. However, it seems that Tom Lantos is the outspoken one. I noticed Lantos has been after the China government for some time with no progress of his own (everything from Olympics to Tibet). So, he should know first hand how hard it is to work with and in China. Heck you left Taiwan issues (TRA) in 1999 after China pushed back. Plus Tom has grandeur that China has stadium built for public executions (where are you getting this info?).

In what way do these law makers see a company changing China's laws? Would these same law makers back a Chinese company and government pushing US Law to change?

My personal opinion is this. Chinese individuals that want to circumvent the laws governing the Internet can. It is more difficult and requires technical skill, but it can be done. China has their laws. USA has their laws. To me this is a government thing and should not have to be shouldered all by US companies and their money. And I don't believe these US companies should have to listen to such belittling from the very people that are not doing anything themselves against China. HEY Tom Lantos why not call China's premiers in and drill them on their laws and practices!!!! Or better yet start a campaign to have the Chinese citizens push back to the government.

The US government is getting a bit pushy. Nice to see a task force was set up, but I don't expect China to change their laws, because some people think the Internet should not be censored on particular subjects. (and on top of all this I see letters Tom Lantos has on his site saying the US should censor porn and other particular sites - so does he think some censoring is okay?)


Click here for more - Caucas
China's USERS take on the issue - USA's self-absorption
Tom Lantos - Hypocrisy