Friday, May 30, 2008

News of the Day (May 30)

U.S. investigating possibility of stolen laptop in Communist China: Apparently, the cadres "snagged a laptop left unattended by a top U.S. official there, copied the data and then used it to try to hack into U.S. government computers" (CNET News). Communist hackers have been so relentless that at one point the entire Commerce Department had to go off the internet for its own protection.

The Long Arm of Lawlessness in Canada and the United States: Chen Yonglin and Julie Liu rip the Communists for instigating a violent mob in New York City (Sound of Hope via Epoch Times). Meanwhile, the regime leaned on Vancouver City Councilman to stop them from recognizing Falun Gong (Epoch Times).

As quake donations top $5 billion, reports of corruption pour in: The massive amount of aid has already led to "several instances of misuse of funds" (Channel News Asia), including "government officials (who) were found hiding cases of milk, biscuits and drinks in a store run by their relatives."

The Olympic propaganda is back, and the repression continues: The Washington Post reports on the former; Inspire Magazine (via Uyghur American Association), Human Rights Watch (via Boycott 2008), and the Globe and Mail (Cdn., also via Boycott 2008) note the latter.

Communist group on Tibet reshuffled: Among the new members is Armed Police Commander Wu Shuangzhan (Central News Agency, Taiwan via Epoch Times).

Secretary Rice on North Korea policy, "It's not just my fault": OK, those weren't her exact words, but after this Washington Post piece, you'll get what I mean. Whomever is responsible for this debacle (the Stalinists are still boasting about being a nuclear power - Washington Post), Hery Sokolski takes rhetorical aim at them (National Review Online).

More news from "another Chinese province": One Free Korea reminds us of Barack Obama's contradictions on North Korea; OFK also reviews Secret Victims.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

News of the Day (May 29)

Another Communist spy pleads guilty: Yu Sin Kang, a legal alien from Communist China, "pleaded guilty Wednesday to helping a spy provide the Chinese government with U.S. military secrets about arms sales to Taiwan" (CNN). Kang worked with "Chinese spy Tai Shen Kuo, who obtained classified information from a former US defence analyst" (BBC), in the Gregg Bergersen espionage affair (also reporting: Epoch Times).

The latest from the Battle of Flushing: A heavy police presence kept anti-Communist New Yorkers safe from the Beijing-led mob (Epoch Times). Meanwhile, the Communist propaganda units are hiding the truth (Epoch Times).

More on Communist China and the United States: The Communist call the US-South Korea alliance a "historical relic;" One Free Korea had a lot of fun with that one.

Forum on Canadian foreign policy held: The University of Toronto hosted a debate between principle and "engagement" (Toronto Star via Uyghur Human Rights Project).

Talks between Communist China and Taiwan to resume: Communist leader Hu Jintao called for the resumption of official talks (CNN). Meanwhile, the editors of the Washington Times notes the new tone out of Taipei, and calls for the U.S. "to ensure the continued attention and goodwill of Taiwan" and keep it out of "China's orbit."

Families of quake victims take aim corrupt cadres: The people are now demanding accountability for those who allowed the substandard buildings that killed so many (Int'l Herald Tribune).

Is North Korea about to free more Japanese abductees? After refusing to admit any Japanese citizens kidnapped by the regime had survived (except the five released in 2002), the Stalinists are starting to change their tune (One Free Korea).

More News on "another Chinese province": OFK examines the latest American food aid effort, and finds it wanting (i.e., unlikely to feed anyone but the Stalinists themselves).

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

News of the Day (May 28)

Communist military simulates nuclear war: The cadres - successors to the only man on earth who though he could win a nuclear war (Mao) - conducts its first ever "simulation of nuclear war" as a military exercise (Epoch Times).

The latest from the Battle of Flushing: An elderly woman is accosted by a pro-Communist mob before being rescued (Epoch Times); and that was just one incident (Epoch Times).

"Engagement" supporter made interim Canadian Foreign Minister, and it could be permanent: If David Emerson becomes Foreign Minister full-time (CTV), yours truly's support for Stephen Harper will dissolve.

Enlightened Comment of the Day: Bharat Verma, editor of the Indian Defence Review, laments his nation's complacence in the face of the Communist Chinese threat, or more specifically, "two authoritarian streams of threats . . . Foremost is the Communist threat that originates from Beijing and the second is the Islamic fundamentalist threat from its proxies" (Rediff via UHRP, emphasis added).

Bush Administration restarts human rights talks with Communist China: The first round of talks has already been labelled "constructive" (Agence France Presse, via Uyghur Human Rights Project, and the Washington Post).

Amnesty International rips Communist China: The human rights group presented their criticisms in detail via their newest report (via UHRP - CNN also reporting).

East Turkestani Christian trial halts: The court sent the case "back to the original PSB prosecuters (sic)due to insufficient evidence against the accused" (China Aid via UHRP).

Kuomintang chief meets Hu Jintao: His talks with the cadre-in-chief were blessed by current Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou, a troubling sign (BBC).

News on "another Chinese province": Dan Bielefield guest posts on One Free Korea, and reveals the dramatic sea change in Korean politics - human-rights campaigner Dr. Norbert Vollertsen is treated like a VIP instead of a criminal. OFK also features "Escape from North Korea."

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

News of the Weekend (May 24-27)

Quick recommendation on the arrogant assumption Canadians will listen to me: I join Steve Janke in support of Jason Kenney for Foreign Minister.

The latest news on the Battle of Flushing: NYPD arrests pro-Communist instigators (Epoch Times); Communist consul admits to his role (Epoch Times); the mob kept it up yesterday (Epoch Times); and Genevieve Long tells of what she witnessed (Epoch Times).

Other news on Communist China and the rest of the world: Russia joins Communist China in opposing an American missile defense (BBC and Washington Post); New Zealanders are getting more worried about a free trade deal with Communist China (Epoch Times).

Kuomintang leader in Communist China: Wu Poh-hsiung will be meeting leading cadres for six days (BBC and Washington Times); whether or not this is window dressing (as Richard Halloran opines in the Washington Times) or something more ominous remains to be seen. Meanwhile, former Senator George Allen provides some Taiwan policy recommendations (Washington Times).

Communist China blasts British PM for meeting Dalai Lama: The cadres' harsh words (BBC) reveals a regime unwilling to follow the advice of the folks at Yale Global (via Uyghur Human Rights Project).

Post-quake Communist China reverting to form: The cadres are cracking down (Voice of America via Epoch Times and The Age via Boycott 2008), covering up (Washington Post), and stealing money (NTDTV via Epoch Times).

Olympic news and commentary: The regime takes aim - at the disabled (Epoch Times) and New Zealanders (Boycott 2008); Edward Cody examines the Communist view of "sports" (Washington Post); and Joey Cheek reminds the world about Communist China's role in Darfur (Washington Post).

News from "another Chinese province": Glenn Kessler (Washington Post) profiles the man author of the Singapore Surrender; One Free Korea has the latest famine news; and Barack Obama goers weak on the Stalinist regime and terrorism (OFK).

Friday, May 23, 2008

News of the Day (May 23)

Ignorant Comment of the Day: Usually an official from the Clinton Administration has a leg up on anyone else for this dubious honor (most former employees of the current Administration are just as bad, but not all), and true to form, Jamie Metzl (Business Standard) wins with a piece so bad it even gets the facts about the Zimbabwe arms shipment wrong.

ICOD Runner-up: Nicholas Kristof takes second place with this ridiculous ode to "grass-roots politics" in the aftermath of the Sichuan earthquake (Int'l Herald Tribune via Uyghur Human Rights Project). The Washington Times has a more reasonable assessment of the post-quake aftermath.

Taiwan announces restart of talks with Communist China: The cadres themselves have not confirmed this, but they have dropped broad hints about it (BBC).

Witnesses in New York say Communist consulate officials incited anti-Falun Gong riot: The particulars of the "Battle of Flushing" - and the Communists' role in same - are becoming more clear (Epoch Times).

Huseyin Celil letter makes it out of Canada: The Uyghur exile who became a Canadian citizen has been jailed for over two years laments his fate (Globe and Mail, Cdn.).

News from "another Chinese province": The latest man-made famine continues. One Free Korea has the heartbreaking dispatches.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

News of the Day (May 22)

Former Professor charged with spying for Communist China: J. Reece Roth, a retired professor from the University of Tennessee, was charged with "conspiring between January 2004 to May 2006 to convey information about an Air Force contract to foreign nationals, including a citizen of China who was attending the University of Tennessee as a graduate research assistant" (Fox News).

Cisco criticized by human rights group: The Global Internet Freedom Consortium appeared before the Senate committee that was examining Cisco's behavior in Communist China. The chairman of the committee, Illinois Democrat Dick Durbin, is putting together a bill to make it harder for American companies to help the Communists crack down on dissent. Durbin is planning to "work with Sens. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) " (Newsfactor via Between Heaven and Earth).

The Long Arm of Lawlessness continues to wreak havoc in New York (Epoch Times). An intelligence analyst explains how this works - "the Chinese student groups are not only controlled, they are specifically formed to be used by the Chinese intelligence services" (Epoch Times).

India tests ICBM: The Agni-III "can carry a nuclear warhead as far as Beijing" (Washington Times), and is part of policies driven by "Indian defense officials (who) are beginning to see China as a more serious long-term threat."

Communist China preparing for Taiwan talks: The cadres are "working to resume dialogue" with the island democracy (BBC). One interest comment from Communist mouthpiece Chen Yunlin was a recognition of "desire of Taiwan compatriots to be masters of their own destiny." How many mainlanders heard that?

Dalai Lama expresses hope for Tibet: In an interview with the BBC, Tibet's spiritual leaders sees a "more transparent" Communist regime in the offing, and as such, called on his fellow countrymen not to "disturb" (BBC) the Olympic torch relay when it goes through the occupied nation.

Donors to quake relief are wondering where the money is going: Communist China has raised over $1 billion in donations and aid pledges for victims of the massive earthquake, but native donors are already starting to wonder if that money is going to victims or to cadres (Epoch Times).

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

News of the Day (May 21)

More news (and an explanation) on the Long Arm of Lawlessness: The Epoch Times has more on Communist China's effort to quash opposition to their regime - in Japan, Wisconsin, and New York City. Meanwhile, Gong Ping (Epoch Times) explains the need for the cadres to cause mischief abroad - the numerous embarrassments and scandals stemming from the massive earthquake earlier this month.

Speaking of the earthquake aftermath, relief efforts are started to be thwarted by (surprise!) corruption (BBC and Epoch Times). Meanwhile, reports are coming out that the death toll is actually far higher than reported and that the cadres ignored pre-quake warnings (Epoch Times). One thing the quake has done to benefit the Communists is to silence many human rights critics (Wall Street Journal via Uyghur American Association).

"Engagement" pundit drifts off the reservation: James Dorn has come to the cadres' defense numerous times, but even he now sees the cadres' "financial repression" and the economic damage it has caused (Washington Times).

More on the economy in Communist China: Professor Shang Dewen talks about inflation, and how the cadres have tried to hide it (Epoch Times). Meanwhile, the one thing that has drawn outside investors to Communist China (its ridiculously low labor costs) is starting to fade (Radio Free Asia via Epoch Times).

On Communist China and the rest of the world: Chin Jin (Sydney Morning Herald, Australia, via Uyghur Human Rights Project) calls for the West to reverse its "strategic error" and stand up to the Communist regime. The editors of the Indian Express (via UAA) call for their home country to do the same. Ezra Levant blasts the Communists for refusing to let Taiwan into the World Health Organization (National Post, Cdn., via Boycott 2008).

News from "another Chinese province": One Free Korea has more dispatches from the North Korea famine.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

News of the Day (May 20)

Ma Ying-jeou takes the helm in Taiwan: The former Mayor of Taipei and leader of the Kuomintang (Nationalist) Party pledged to work toward "a new chapter of peace" (BBC) between the island democracy and Communist China. However, he also "promised that there will be no negotiations on unification with Beijing during his presidency." His predecessor, Chen Shui-bian, was indicted almost immediately after he left office (BBC).

Cisco on the hot seat for anti-Falun Gong memo: The tech giant will be facing questions from the Senate Judiciary Committee about "an internal marketing presentation in which it appeared to be willing to assist the Chinese Ministry of Public Security in its goal of 'combating Falun Gong evil cult and other hostile elements'" (Washington Post; h/t Between Heaven and Earth). Ironically but tellingly, the grilling comes less than two weeks after it was revealed that Cisco was the victim of counterfeiting by Communist tech exporters who sold fake Cisco products to the Pentagon and several other military agencies.

The Long Arm of Lawlessness reaches New York City: An anti-Communist rally was attacked in Chinatown (Epoch Times).

"Is Chinese Regime Preparing for Nuclear War?" That's not my headline, but after reading this G2 Bulletin story (via Epoch Times), it certainly was my question.

Dalai Lama in London: Tibet's spiritual leader "will address Parliament and give evidence on human rights to a parliamentary committee during his trip" (BBC). It is the first stop in his 10-day visit to Britain.

The truth seeps out about the earthquake in Communist China: No, I'm not saying the cadres caused the quake, but the mass corruption that led to substandard buildings crushing and killing thousands (Weekly Standard) and the incompetence of cadres in getting help to those who need it (Epoch Times) is finally entering the view from the outside world.

News from "another Chinese province": One Free Korea details how the Stalinist elite in North Korea keep themselves fed - by stealing from everyone else.

Monday, May 19, 2008

News of the Weekend (May 17-19)

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State forced to admit Communist Chinese arms in terrorists' hands: The opening statement of John Negroponte to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (Uyghur Human Rights Project) is chock-full of the usual "engagement" nonsense, but after questioning from Senators not named by the Taipei Times, Negroponte had to acknowledge "concern about Chinese weapons or Chinese-designed weapons showing up in some of these battle areas, be it Iraq or Afghanistan" (emphasis added). He also said he raised the issue with the cadres last week. Is the Administration prepared to do more if this continues?

Another day, another ally thrown under the bus: If the Administration policy toward "another Chinese province" (a.k.a. North Korea) is any indication, the cadres are free and clear on arming terrorists. Just as South Korea is finally beginning to focus on the Stalinist regime's horrendous treatment of the people of northern Korea, the United States has resumed food aid (BBC, Washington Post, and the Washington Times), due in part to the Singapore Surrender. Of course, Japan is quite used to this sort of thing (Washington Post).

Zimbabwe got its Communist arms after all, thanks in part to the South African navy (which secretly refueled the Communist Chinese vessel - Sunday-Herald, Scotland), Angola, and the Congo Republic (a.k.a. Congo-Brazzaville).

How the rest of the world views the Communist Olympiad: Canadian human rights groups, joined by two-time Olympic figure skating silver medalist Elvis Stojko, call for the Communists to stop abusing their own people - and for the rest of us to avoid the Games if they don't (Epoch Times). Meanwhile, Patrick Sherwen (Citywire via UHRP) discusses the effect of the bad publicity on foreign investment in Communist China (sadly, its' not much).

News from the occupied nations (Tibet and East Turkestan): The Tibetan government-in-exile responds to the latest Communist propaganda (TibetNet via Uyghur American Association); Mansoor Ijaz laments the plight of East Turkestan, although his assertion that Tibet has done "comparatively well under Communism" is not shared here (UHRP).

One-country, one-and-a-half systems rolls on: Hong Kong now has a "blacklist" of individuals who will not be allowed into the city at the Communist regime's behest (Radio Free Asia via Epoch Times).

Enlightened Comment of the Day: Gordon Chang takes the prize for his explanation of the Communists' openness on the massive earthquake ("the country's leaders had little to lose" - New York Sun via UHRP) and how it will likely disappear as it becomes clear that "(p)eople died and others were injured because they were in, on, or near substandard structures that were bound to fall down." Making Chang's point for him were CNN and Britain's Guardian (h/t Boycott 2008). If any of this extended to the numerous nuclear plants in the vicinity of the quake (Times of London), this could be a tremendous backlash against the Communists.

Runner-up on ECOD: The fellow who wrote this detailed analysis of Communist China's "holistic censorship regime" (for obvious reasons, (s)he chose not to reveal his/her name - UHRP).

Friday, May 16, 2008

Some pleasant surprises from Taiwan's President-elect (and other News of the Day)

Due to the late posting of yesterday, there wasn't a whole lot of news to cover today. So I thought I'd delve into the comments of Taiwan's President-elect on the possibility of reunification with Communist China. The other news from today is at the end of this post.

For anti-Communists, Ma Ying-jeou has always been something of an enigma. For years, both as Mayor of Taipei and as presidential candidate for the Kuomintang Party, he has a strong rhetorical history of support for mainland dissidents and democracy. Domestically, his stubborn refusal to join the rest of the KMT's over-the-top attack on President Chen Shui-bian's successful re-election was also noteworthy. As the KMT has shifted from its anti-Communist past to its cozy-with-the-Communists present, Ma has been noticeable for not quite following along.

However, Ma has been very bad in recognizing the economic part of the battle between Taiwan and Beijing. Like the rest of the KMT, he supports further economic ties with the Communists, and has even talked about a "peace treaty" with the cadres. Moreover, his victory in the presidential election this past March was also a victory for the KMT, leading many to wonder just how many of Ma's supporters will try to push his administration - or even him - to an even more "accommodating" (I prefer "appeasing") position.

Thus, Ma's interview with the Associated Press (via Washington Times) was worth reading, and in part, it gave cause for hope.

Ma's comments on unification with the mainland - for obvious reasons - was the big story, and he did the right thing; he threw cold water all over it:
"It is very difficult for us to see any unification talks even in our lifetimes," Mr. Ma said. "Taiwanese people would like to have economic interactions with the mainland, but obviously, they don't believe their political system is suitable for Taiwan."

This makes ma the first KMT official in a long time to even mention Communist China's "political system," let alone criticize it. Once again, Ma is making clear he does not consider the Communist dictatorship "suitable." It is good to hear those words from him.

However, I think the more important piece of news came later in the piece:
In an unexpected move, he nominated Lai Hsing-yuan, a legislator who once favored Taiwanese independence, to head the Mainland Affairs Council, the Cabinet agency that coordinates cross-Strait relations.

For those who follow the personnel-is-policy maxim, Lai's appointment is a very big deal. Lai was plucked from the Taiwan Solidarity Union, the party of former Taiwanese President (and former Kuomintang leader) Lee Teng-hui. It is arguably the most anti-Communist political party in Taiwan. Lai herself served as an aide to Lee during his administration (Dateline Taipei, which also signalled the rest of the KMT apprehension over this pick). The Communists have also noticed, and are not happy (Oxford Business Group) - which is easily the best de facto endorsement a Taiwanese official can have.

We should remember that Ma has yet to spend one day in the Presidential office (his term starts on Tuesday), and a few lines and an appointment do not make a robust anti-Communist policy. They can, however, be the beginning of one, and by taking these steps, Ma has already opened the door to the possibility that anti-Communists will be much happier with him then they expected.

And in other news today . . .

Relatives of earthquake victims in Communist China are getting angrier at the cadres, whom they blame for much of the death and destruction from the massive earthquake earlier this week. As the Guardian (UK) put it (h/t Boycott 2008), "They blamed everyone: soldiers for coming too late, the builders for cutting corners, officials for – they claimed - siphoning off cash."

Korean Church Coalition focuses attention on refugees in Communist China: The KCC "launched a modest ad campaign in Korean-language media" (One Free Korea) emphasizing the plight of Korean refugees forced to live as non-persons in Communist China to avoid being sent back and shot.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

News of the Day (May 15)

Enlightened Comment of the Day: Mr. Helprin, of the Claremont Institute, runs away with the prize with his concise, convincing, and thorough examination of the Communist threat and what we must do to combat it (Wall Street Journal).

Did Communist China ignore earthquake warnings? That's what Li Shihui, visiting fellow at the Key Laboratory of Geo-mechanical Engineering at the Chinese Academy of Sciences is claiming (Epoch Times). That could be an even more painful outrage to the families who have lost the only child they were allowed to have (Independent).

Persecuted Christian in occupied East Turkestan to be tried on May 27: Of course, the cadres have already decided Alimujiang Yimiti's fate - "A rumor originating from government officials of Kashi Region, is that a six year sentence has already been decided internally by the court" (China Aid via Uyghur American Association).

Tales from another land seizure, this time in Hangzhou, come to the Epoch Times.

News on "another Chinese province": One Free Korea has a hilarious off-angle view of President Bush's latest comments in Israel. OFK is far less charitable towards the Administration on the North Korean documents it is parading around Washington. Meanwhile, the doves in South Korea are going after President Lee Myung-bak again (United Press Int'l via Washington Times).

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

News of the Day (May 14)

Spy for Communist China pleads guilty: Tai Shen Kuo pled guilty in federal court for his role in the Gregg Bergersen espionage affair (Washington Post), which enabled Communist China to get valuable information on American arms sales to the island democracy of Taiwan.

Communist cyberattacks hit Belgium: The tiny European nation just happens to house the headquarters of NATO and the EU (PC World).

More on Communist China and the rest of the world: Germany's Foreign Ministry has harsh words for the Communists' human rights abuses (Der Spiegel via Uyghur American Association). European Union Vice President Edward McMillan-Scott repeats his call for an Olympic boycott (Boycott 2008). Organizers of the Ottawa Tulip Festival apologize to banned Falun Gong music group (Epoch Times). The editors of the Washington Post examine Communist China's support for the military dictatorship in Burma.

Persecution news and commentary: Another writer is arrested (Boycott 2008); the Falun Gong War continues (Between Heaven and Earth); and the brutal crackdown in Tibet marches on (Epoch Times). Meanwhile, Ma Jian discusses the CCP's propaganda efforts against its citizenry (Epoch Times).

News on "another Chinese province": The documents Stalinist North Korea handed over to the United States apparently includes "full details of its plutonium production programme" (BBC), but nothing about the regime's uranium efforts. Moreover, as the Washington Times put it, "It was not clear . . . what access the United States will have to sites in North Korea related to plutonium activities."

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

News of the Day (May 13)

Communist China's military buildup against Taiwan continues: As the gigantic Hainan naval base gets more attention (Newsweek), the Communists are increasing their military presence in the Taiwanese straits (Taipei Times). Fighter planes in particular have been up to four times as active as ten years ago, and the number of Communist missiles pointed at the island democracy stands at roughly 1,300.

Russia sues Communist China for piracy: Russia is set to sue the cadres for stealing the plans for the Russian Su-27SK fighter aircraft and using it to make the J-11B, which Russia calls "an absolute copy" (Weekly Standard). This could - stress could - finally separate Communist China from its biggest arms supplier (Russia), which has now become the regime's biggest piracy victim.

On the Long Arm of Lawlessness in Canada: Patrick Donnelly (Calgary Herald) details how Communist Embassy officials seized and tortured a Canadian citizen in Alberta and the regime's financial machinations to take over PetroKazakhstan.

Dental work from Communist China has lead in it: The stunning revelation came from ABC, whose Washington affiliate conducted an investigation. One representative for a Communist exporter put it this way - "We follow this military 'don't ask, don't tell' policy."

Will the Dalai Lama be invited to the Beijing Games? The cadres, desperate to avoid an August repeat of the torch relay fiasco, are considering the idea (Weekly Standard Blog).

More on Communist China and the rest of the world: The Bush legacy on Communist China is not good, according to Joshua Kurlantzick at The New Republic (via the Uyghur American Association). Meanwhile, Peter Worthington laments the "misguided political correctness" (Toronto Sun) of the folks who banned a Falun Gong music group from the Canadian Tulip Festival. Finally, Romeo Dallaire calls on his fellow Canadians to "use the Olympics to pressure China and enlighten its people about what is happening in Darfur, and why the international community is outraged" (Globe and Mail via Boycott 2008).

Another land seizure, another set of peasants attacked by hired thugs: This time the victims are thousands of farmers in Yingkou, Liaoning (Epoch Times - the pictures include victims of graphic violence).

Ignorant Comment of the Day: Siegfried S. Hecker and William J. Perry acknowledge the pitfalls of negotiating with Stalinist North Korea, then propose more of the same in the Washington Post.

News on "another Chinese province": The United States is about to ensure that the Stalinist regime is well-fed (One Free Korea), whether the people of northern Korea get relief is another matter.

Monday, May 12, 2008

News of the Weekend (May 10-12)

Counterfeit computer parts from Communist China installed in government computers: According to ABC News, the fake Communist exports "were sold to the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center, U.S. Naval Undersea Warfare Center, the General Services Administration, the U.S. air base in Spangdahlem, Germany -- which is home to the Air Force's 52nd Fighter Wing -- and defense contractor Raytheon." These agencies (and Raytheon) "thought they were getting top-notch products from Cisco" (Also reporting: IDG News via Yahoo).

Faulty electrical system from Communist China kills American soldiers in Iraq: Because of improper grounding, Communist Chinese systems such as those that have electrocuted Americans in Iraq "did not comply with U.S. electrical safety standards" (Pittsburgh Tribune Review), and thus are not allowed to be used here.

Communist China provided key parts for North Korea-built nuclear facility in Syria: Unnamed firms from Communist China sold parts to Namchongang Trading (a.k.a. NCG), a firm "owned" by a lackey of Kim Jong-il that "provided the critical link between Pyongyang and Damascus" (Washington Post) for the latter's nuclear weapons program.

More news from "another Chinese province": The boxes of documents that the Stalinist regime handed to the United States is now out of North Korea (BBC), while several "analysts" continue to be in denial about the regime (One Free Korea). Meanwhile, a more detailed account of the Communist Chinese colony's ties to terrorism comes to light (OFK).

More 0n Communist China and the rest of the world: Japanese Prime Minister is friendly with Communist China (Washington Post), but the parliament is about to repeal domestic restrictions against space weaponry (BBC). Hugo Chavez and his Communist allies plan a joint oil venture in Venezuela (Bloomberg). Peter Coates warns his fellow Australians about getting to cozy with Communist China (Epoch Times).

Olympic news and commentary: As the torch entered and left Xiamen (BBC), uneasiness about the Communist Olympiad continues. The Washington Post editors rip the Int'l Olympic Committee's attempt to silence participating athletes. The Epoch Times has several pieces: Pam McLennan on human rights as the Games approach, Feng Changle on the militarism surrounding them, and Thomas Kleiber comparing 2008 to 1936. Meanwhile, Sushil Seth (Taipei Times via Boycott 2008) notes how the Communists are the authors of their own pre-Olympic problems, and David Matas writes about using the Games to shame the regime into ending organ harvesting (Boycott 2008).

More on the future of Commmunist China: The Independent (UK) lists the failures the cadres must face; the Times of India (via Boycott 2008) focuses on the impoverished interior and how it could lead to the downfall of the regime; and David Frum (National Review Online) laments the destruction of Old Beijing.

Friday, May 09, 2008

News of the Day (May 9)

Communist persecution of Falun Gong continues: Xin Fei (Epoch Times) discusses how Communist China perverts its legal system to send Falun Gong practitioners to jail. The United Nations' top human rights official has more question for the cadres about organ harvesting (Between Heaven and Earth).

Enterovirus-71 death toll hits 32, number infected passes 24,000: How many could have been spared this had the cadres been honest about the outbreak from the beginning may never be known (CNN).

On "nationalism" in Communist China: Vaclav Havel once explained the mass participation of Czechs in Communist marches and propaganda events as their way of doing whatever they had to do to keep the Commissar off their backs. It should come as no surprise that the people trapped inside Communist China must resort to the same tactics (Epoch Times).

News from the occupied nations (East Turkestan and Tibet): Uyghur Christian Alimujiang Yimiti is to be tried for his faith (China Aid via Uyghur American Association). Meanwhile, CSRwire (via UAA) notes one very important Tibetan resource Communist China is intent on stealing - water.

The Long Arm of Lawlessness gets the color orange banned in Greece: Its most well-known success prior to this was making yellow illegal in France (Adrift in a Sea of Phlegm).

India dealing with cyber-attacks from Communist China: Among the victimized websites over the last year and a half was the Ministry of External Affairs (Epoch Times).

More opposition to the Singapore Surrender: The editors of the Washington Times speak out again, and Congressional Republicans are getting louder (One Free Korea - which also has other news from "another Chinese province").

Thursday, May 08, 2008

News of the Day (May 8)

Tibetan sides reveals details of talks as Olympic torch reaches Mount Everest: Lodi Gyari, lead spokesman for Tibetan's government-in-exile, called his talk with Communist Chinese officials "Open and frank" (BBC). During those talks, Gyari asked for an end to the imprisoning and "patriotic education" of Tibetan monks (Washington Post). Meanwhile, a high-altitude version of the Olympic torch reached Mt. Everest overnight (BBC).

More on Communist Chinese persecution: This time, the victim is in China proper - Falun Gong practitioner Xu Na (Secret China via the Epoch Times).

Communist China's efforts to keep the world away from Taiwan continues both in Costa Rica, where they have already succeeded (Epoch Times), and at the Vatican (BBC).

More on Communist China and the rest of the world: The Long Arm of Lawlessness continues to stretch into Canada (Between Heaven and Earth). Yang Jianli begins a walk for human rights from Boston to Washington (Epoch Times).

News on "another Chinese province": The perfect example of the difference between actual news and the flimsy MSM version was on display, with One Free Korea providing the former and CNN, the latter

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

News of the Day (May 7)

Is the Communist regime "a mature fascist state"? That's the question Michael Ledeen ponders in the Far Eastern Economic Review. Ledeen (one of yours truly's favorite writers) makes a compelling case (although I would quibble with his clean division of Communism and fascism), both in his analysis and his recommendations for American reaction (h/t Uyghur American Association). Columnist Kin-ming Liu sees similar parallels, and concludes: "I can only pray that the West will find another Churchill and Roosevelt" (Post Global via Boycott 2008).

Speaking of the Long Arm of Lawlessness, Wang Dan becomes a victim in New York (Epoch Times) as Makina (Between Heaven and Earth) laments its effects in Canada.

Ignorant Comment of the Day: I hate to do this to Joshua Kurlantzick, who usually is well-versed on the subject of Communist China. However, his discussion on the "young nationalists" (Los Angeles Times via UAA) makes no mention of the Long Arm of Lawlessness that represses overseas Chinese very day, and even falls for the foolish Enlightened Dictator nonsense that has polluted our policies on East and West Asia for decades.

Communists justify crackdown against Tibetans: The Communist regime insisted the brutal repression that began last spring was "completely correct" (Epoch Times), even as talks with the Dalai Lama's aides were being held. The regime threw in a few more lies about the Tibetan leader's "separatist activities" (Agence France Presse via UAA).

More Christians arrested in occupied East Turkestan: Nearly four dozen worshippers were arrested for refusing to put the Chinese Communist Party between themselves and God (One News Now via UAA).

Enterovirus-71 has now sickened over 15,000, of whom 28 have died (CNN). The virus deaths are now being reported in places far from the initial outbreak in Fuyang, Anhui. The cadres suppressed news of the virus for weeks.

Google Earth running afoul of the Communists: The cadres are apparently unhappy with the Google feature due to what they "could reveal . . . about aspects of Chinese life, from labour camps to military installations" (London Telegraph). While Google self-censors its China-specific site, "much of its operations are hosted on Google servers elsewhere, over which the Chinese authorities have no authority, though they can order them to be blocked by the so-called 'Great Firewall' of China."

South Koreans expressing more anger at Communist China's treatment of northern Koreans: In film and on the streets (One Free Korea), more and more Koreans from the democratic South are venting their fury at the Beijing regime that props up Kim Jong-il - in part by sending back any escapee it finds.

More news on "another Chinese province": The Singapore Surrender earns one more critic (Washington Post), while One Free Korea hears that military food supplies are being rerouted "to other members of the elite."

Hu Jintao warmly greeted by Japanese PM: The Koizumi era is definitely over (BBC and Washington Times).

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

News of the Day (May 6)

Now the Communists want both side of the occupied nations debate to shut up: The repression against Tibetan and East Turkestani voices is nothing new (Agence France Presse via Australian Broadcasting Corp. - h/t Uyghur Association of America, and Washington Post), and frankly, neither is the repression against nationalism (Epoch Times) - which is only acceptable if it's under strict Communist control.

Virus toll approaches 12,000: Enterovirus-71 has now killed 26 children and infected over 11,900 people in Communist China (CNN); news of this virus had been suppressed by the Communists for weeks.

Taiwanese Vice Premier and Foreign Minister resign over dollar diplomacy scandal: Taiwanese Vice Premier Chiou I-jen has now resigned his post to take political responsibility for $30 million that has gone missing from Taiwan's fund used to counter Communist China on diplomatic recognition from other nations (BBC). The Foreign Minister has also resigned.

Hu Jintao visits Japan; protesters greet him: The Communist leader will spend five days in Japan, including meetings with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda (BBC). Meanwhile, hundreds of anti-Communist protesters came out to speak their minds (CNN).

More on Communist China and the rest of the world: The long arm of lawlessness reaches into Canada (Epoch Times), while the "engagement" crowd continues to try to force Prime Minister Stephen Harper to drink the Kool-Aid (Vancouver Sun). Meanwhile, Jennifer Chou (Weekly Standard Blog) examines the ties between Nepal's Maoists and Communist China.

News on "another Chinese province": One Free Korea hears from analysts at the American Enterprise Institute - none of whom are happy with the Singapore Surrender. OFK also has a new feature on his blog.

Monday, May 05, 2008

News of the Weekend (May 3-5)

South Koreans liken pro-Communist Olympic violence to "Nazism": Repercussions form the Olympic torch violence in Seoul continue to reverberate, with South Koreans finding their own parallels between 2008 and 1936 (Epoch Times). One very perceptive Central University noted the following:
We can extrapolate how horrible the situation in mainland China is right now when we see how people who have been exposed to freedom overseas are still doing things like this.

Meanwhile, the bloggers from within Communist China revealed completely how much the party controls them by refusing to even acknowledge that the violence happened (One Free Korea).

Ignorant Comment of the Day: Dexter Roberts of Business Week takes the prize for this ChiCom propaganda piece masquerading as analysis.

More on "nationalism" and Communist China: Exiled dissident Yang Jianli breaks down the various forms on nationalism in Communist China (Washington Post). Meanwhile, the cadres are considering an end to the latest outburst to prevent it turning against them (Epoch Times).

Olympic chief organizer tortured Falun Gong practitioners: Liu Qi, the fellow who has organized the Communist Olympiad, "was responsible for the illegal detention and torture of two Chinese nationals and a sexual assault against a French woman in China," according to a U.S. Circuit Court cited by Shahien Nasiripour (via Boycott 2008). The senior American on the International Olympic Committee was indifferent to the news.

More Olympic news: The torch is now in Communist China, meaning the cadres will make sure no one is complaining (BBC and the Washington Post). Another Uighur exile calls for a boycott of the Games (Agence France Presse via Yahoo, h/t Uyghur American Association). Senator Sam Brownback exposes a scheme to spy on athletes in Beijing (Voice of America via Epoch Times). Canada's Rob Anders - one of the loudest critics of the regime and the Olympics - gets another defender (Calgary Herald).

State Department ripped for softness on Communist China: The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedoms noted Communist China's continuing persecutions against faith, and laments the "unfortunate signal" (CNN via UAA) sent by Foggy Bottom through its silence.

State Department finds Communist claims of terrorism in East Turkestan wanting: In a lengthy and detailed report on genuine terrorist threats around the world, State found "no concrete evidence " (CNN via UAA) to back up the cadres' already debunked claims of terrorist activities in the nation they have brutally occupied since 1949.

Communist China holds talks with Dalai Lama's aides, and agreed to hold more talks in the future (CNN and the Washington Post).

Taiwan Vice Premier faces flak over missing millions: Chiou I-jen trusted two friends with $30 million to combat Communist China's use of cash to win over Papua New Guinea in the battle over diplomatic recognition. Those friends stole the money instead. Chiou has left the Democratic Progressive Party (which will soon be out of power), but refuses to leave his government post despite demand from the DPP and Kuomintang that he quit (AFP via Yahoo).

Enterovirus 71 victims number more than 8,500: The disease Communist China didn't want to reveal has now spread beyond Anhui and has killed 26 people so far (BBC).

Did cadres in the northeast (previously known as Manchuria) steal $128 million in grain? That's the question being asked as the Communists admit that "stock valued at 900 million yuan have been lost" (Epoch Times). There are about six or seven cadres under arrest, including the director of the pilfered silo.

The Singapore Surrender takes in more criticism: The Washington Times reports on this phenomenon and adds to it on its editorial page.

Friday, May 02, 2008

News of the Day (May 2)

Underground submarine base on Hainan Island exposed: The London Telegraph has the story (and pictures) on "a substantial harbour . . . which could house a score of nuclear ballistic missile submarines and a host of aircraft carriers." The Hainan base could pose a major threat to several southeast Asian nations, and is a sign on Communist China's increasing ambitions to be the hegemon in Asia and beyond, although I'm not sure if CIA Director Michael Hayden got the memo (Economic Times, India).

Jewish leaders call for Olympic Boycott, cite Communist support for terrorism: Nearly 200 leading American Jews are "urging Jews worldwide to boycott the Summer Olympics in Beijing" (UAA). Among the many reasons for this were "China's support for the genocidal government of Sudan; its mistreatment of the people of Tibet; its denial of basic rights to its own citizens; and its provision of missiles to Iran and Syria, and friendship for Hamas" (emphasis added).

Has the world had enough of "the ugly Chinese?" That's the question John Pomfret asks in light of the Olympic torch violence in Seoul (h/t Uyghur American Association).

More on the Long Arm of Lawlessness: In Canada, where the Communists appealed to the values of free speech to get their networks on the air, the regime is using its embassies to silence the anti-Communist New Tang Dynasty Television (broadcast sister group to the Epoch Times).

More Olympic news: The torch goes through Hong Kong (BBC and CNN). Amnesty Int'l highlights the Communist abuses of human rights as the Games approach (Guardian, UK, via Boycott 2008); Samuel Spencer (Epoch Times) and Shao Jiang (Independent, UK, via UAA) also note the dichotomy. The Society for Threatened Peoples (via UAA) takes Interpol to task for falling for debunked Communist propaganda on the Games and "terrorism." Finally, Greg Pollowitz (National Review Online - Media Blog) marvels at the stupidity of the Los Angeles Times.

Congressional leaders ask Communist China to stop sending back refugees from North Korea: The request will come in a letter to be released today (New York Sun), and is especially pertinent given that a new famine has begun (One Free Korea).

Tibet news: As the Dalai Lama's envoys head for Beijing (BBC), the government-in-exile laments the cadres' treatment of Tibetans (Epoch Times).

Organ harvesting confirmed: A former prison inmate gives the details on the Communist organ harvesting methods to the Epoch Times, while MountEverest.net provides the entire story on this grisly enterprise (h/t Boycott 2008).

Intestinal virus covered up by the Communists for weeks: Call it SARS redux; the Enterovirus 71 (EV71) intestinal virus "emerged in Fuyang city in Anhui province in early March" (BBC), but the cadres kept a lid on the news until this week, by which point the "highly contagious" disease had killed 21 and sickened nearly 3,000.

Stalinist North Korea will pretend not to want nukes if we pretend their not terrorists: In yet another example of American diplomacy laid low, Kim Jong-il's regime "has agreed to blow up the cooling tower attached to its Yongbyon nuclear facility within 24 hours of being removed from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism" (Washington Post). This is being touted as a major concession in Washington, even though "its destruction would be mostly symbolic." No wonder Frank Gaffney is so upset (NRO).