Why this Blog?

A place where I can lament the changing times; for eccentric comments on current affairs and for unfashionable views, expressed I hope, in cogent style; also occasional cris de coeur largely concerned, I regret to say, with myself.



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I welcome your comments, so do please write. Please note however that all comments are moderated prior to publication. Whilst I fully appreciate that life can be frustrating, nevertheless, abuse, SMS language and illiteracy will not be tolerated!

Monday 17 March 2008

Olympic Rumblings

You might have seen my piece recently about the disgraceful treatment of cats in China - they are being brutally slaughtered apparently on the grounds of "cleaning up" prior to the Olympic Games in Peking. No doubt many animal lovers are incensed by this.

However it seems that it is not only animal lovers who are likely to be angry with the régime's policies. First we have South African World "butterfly" swimming champion Roland Schoeman who is calling for a statement on Human Rights abuses in China from the International Olympic Committee. Also from this article the following quote:

"He [Schoeman] said Dutch swimming star Pieter van den Hoogenband "made a valid point" when he called on the IOC to make a statement to China about human rights on behalf of all athletes."

Meanwhile another "human rights" issue: freedom of expression and access to information. Techcrunch reports that the Chinese authorities (already well known for interfering with Internet access) have blocked access to YouTube videos of the protests in Tibet. The Tibetans have received beastly treatment from the Chinese Government since 1951 when Tibet was annexed by China. The article includes two videos: I am happy to include them here in the hope that someone might see them.








Until the next time.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey man - do your research properly before you post blogs - Roland Schoeman isn't Dutch!! He's from South Africa.

I agree with Roland - they should move the Olympics elsewhere - all China is doing is proving, day in and day out, their continued cruelty to animals and human rights abuses!! The world should show them they don't support their views and boycott. Unfortunately, we know that will never hapeen as people are too scared to take a stand - Look at Rwanda, Darfur, Somalia.

Paul said...

Apologies for the error - now corrected and thanks for yor comment