News of the Day (May 30)

Communist China outlines people not welcome at 2008 Olympics: The cadres have imposed "43 categories, subdivided further into 11 different subcategories" (Clearwisdom, h/t Uyghur American Association) of groups of people who "must be excluded from the Olympics Games and competitions." Of course, even as the regime is trying to prevent whole classes of its own people out of Beijing during the Games, it is determined to keep up appearances: "It is vital to keep this order and all associated activities secrets and not to assign it to others. It is of utmost importance to give the look of an easygoing environment to the outside, but in fact keep a firm handle on all activities."

More on repression in Communist China: Michael Kanellos (CNET, h/t Between Heaven and Earth) reveals the thoroughness of the Communists' internet crackdown: "Type (Falun Gong) in and the computer goes dead. You don't even get links -- the server times out right after you hit enter." Meanwhile, Ju Pan and Zhen Li (Epoch Times) has the latest example of one country, one-and-a-half systems.

Poison scandal just as bad inside Communist China: James Reynolds (BBC) goes to Harbin, and finds that the cadres' horrific lack of concern for peoples' health is not limited to consumers in Panama and the U.S.

Is the Washington Post edging toward support for an Olympic Boycott? The editors singe Communist China for its behavior vis a vis Sudan, and add this very interesting ending to today's lead editorial - "(Communist ambassador Liu Guijin) was obliged to respond to the growing campaign to connect China's support for Sudan to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. 'Linking China's approach to the Darfur issue and the Olympic Games is totally untenable,' he protested. And if China uses its veto to stop a new U.N. resolution? Its leaders should be made to wonder what will be 'untenable' then" (emphasis added).

More on Communist China and the rest of the world: Charles R. Smith (Newsmax) examines the Pentagon report on Communist China's military buildup. The indomitable William Hawkins (Washington Times) takes on the "engagement" crowd on their own turf - and crushes them. Jay Nordlinger highlights Taiwan's strengths (National Review Online).