August 29, 2005
Homeland security officer on trial for beating of Chinese tourist
EastSouthWestNorth is following the story of a Chinese tourist that was beaten by customs officers while visiting Niagra Falls. Zhao Yan, the victim, is set to testify tomorrow (8/29) through an interpreter. This case has gotten little news in the American press, but has been full-blown coverage in China, escalating into talks between the Chinese foreign minister and former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.
Posted by darkmoon at 02:09 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 25, 2005
China developing "Anti-Japan War Online"
One of China's online gaming firms is developing an anti-Japanese war game, where you can help protect the motherland. You can only play as the Chinese.
This seriously bothers me. Many of my family of my grandparents' generation were killed or fled from the Japanese. The few that are alive today are still haunted by the memories of the Sino-Japanese war and the Communists.
While the Chinese (Communist) government was the eventual force that drove out the Japanese - it was another time, another place. If the game would allow play on both sides, similar to Return to Castle Wolfenstein, or other war games, it would be better. The whole one-sided deal makes it a political play that is hard to swallow.
Posted by darkmoon at 11:35 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 26, 2005
14 places to die in Shanghai
Go figure. Shanghai is becoming a hotbed of suicide areas for young adults. So much that now there is an Internet-driven suicide map guide with fourteen different alternatives to off yourself.
Get the GUIDE here.
- Huichunji pharmacy sells sleeping pills.
- Suzhou Creek is uncovered.
- The #57 bus goes directly to the zoo. You can jump into a tiger's mouth and die.
- The Kerry Center is 32 stories tall. Jumping off is 100% successful.
- A manhole cover has been stolen - jump into the sewer and drown.
- Cars under the Yan'an Road viaduct drive very fast. Accidents happen often.
- Changshu Road subway station - lie on the tracks.
- Fuxing Park — hanging yourself is simple among the tall, close trees.
- Barber stand at 1324 alley - steal a razor and cut your throat.
- High-voltage power lines - with 20,000 volts, electrocution is convenient.
- Wang’s Tofu Stand — crush yourself with a piece of tofu.
- Dafa Gardens construction site - there's always something falling.
- Filling station - death by self-immolation.
- Free and Easy Sauna - death by suffocation.
Posted by darkmoon at 04:00 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
More inaccuracies about Taiwan
Funny how people love to defend democracy without understanding the history behind Taiwan. So as I have iterated before:
- Taiwan withdrew on its own accord from the U.N. in 1979.
- Taiwan is a state, not a nation.
- While the US is all up and arms about defending democracy, there is no way they would drop an economy of billions of dollars for the rights of Taiwanese (not Chinese mind you).
Nostalgiphile points out some good points though on defending Taiwan's freedom. There are also good comments by Scrymarch and by Tragedy of the Kurons.
Disclaimer on language in the article, of which might offend some.
Via Kuro5hin
Posted by darkmoon at 09:35 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 19, 2005
Christmas in Tokyo
And this goes to show that no one actually understands Christianity in Japan. In some mannerism, it's kind of amusing, and it really isn't their fault. The advertisement was for the Christmas opening of Passion of the Christ back in 2004.
Posted by darkmoon at 04:24 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 15, 2005
China sends nuke warnings to US
Figures. China sends a warnings to the US that they would retaliate with nuclear weapons if we interfered with any action on Taiwan.
Found via Singapore's TodayOnline coverage while stateside, the coverage was by CNN.
And like I said before, there would not be any great worthy reason to help Taiwan by the US. The economic loss from losing China as an trade partner would far outweigh anything the island-state could put forth.
Let's all live in reality. We are all Chinese. Quit the bickering about independence and be glad that your governance is democratic. Be happy that Taiwan is more westernized, and has the education and wealth that others do not. Freedoms? You have plenty. And let us not forget that you pulled out from the United Nations back in 1971.
Posted by darkmoon at 12:19 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 14, 2005
Two Chinas: Part II
Disclosure: Yes, I am an ABC (American Born Chinese). On with the commentary. Part I is here.
I am forever reminded of people making decisions while being uneducated on the subject matters when it comes to Asian culture, politics and history.
The News and Record did a column by independent columnist Rosemary Roberts on how China is not a military threat on July 8th. In it, Ms. Roberts claimed that there was nothing to fear from China as a military power. What's to fear? They have already dominated economically.
This is easily looked upon as American greed gettin the best of us. For years, we have been acquiring product lines from China because it was cheaper to produce and import than to make in our own country. Now China holds pretty much the all the cards when it comes to manufacturing.... pretty much everything. Oh well, c'est la vie.
Ms. Roberts quotes a couple from the Midwest:
3) if China started firing missiles at Taiwan, the independent island-nation that China claims to be an integral part of China.
Sorry. Taiwan is an independent state, not a nation. One nation, two governments. Read your history books. Ms. Roberts' goes on:
But Item 3 (Taiwan) is the long shot. Despite China's angry noises about Taiwan, it has reason to pause. The Bush administration has said it would defend Taiwan from an unprovoked attack.
Defend Taiwan? Come on. American corporations would suffer billions if we did anything with Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack. The more likely story is that we need them since we're caught upon buying things so inexpensively. Philosophy class has always taught that Communism is the sibling of Capitalism. This is shown clearly here.
Ms. Roberts is a bit late on something that has been obvious to all American-Chinese.
Then in the N&R, the Letters to the Editor has one Mike Crouch that writes:
And, if we don't think the Chinese are a threat, their military leaders certainly consider us the most likely military adversary. And the Chinese are in a rush to lock in their oil supplies. Sort of reminds one of the Japanese "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere" of the 1930s and '40s. But, not to worry. Rosemary reassures us there is nothing to worry about. I will certainly sleep better tonight.
You have got to be joking. The Japanese were looking to get us by the seat of our pants. The Chinese already have it. Take a look at the textile and manufacturing industry around you. Again, capitalism plays well when it comes to cheap everything. Walmarts are everywhere. We have gone to a country of bulk-sizing everything from fast-food to laundry detergent.
I think the issue is pretty plain and clear. Americans have yet to understand who the Chinese are and where they have been going. Understand the people and you'll understand the plans. Unfortunately, by the time we realize what's going on and try to wave down the China bus, the bus has already left for the next station.
Posted by darkmoon at 10:57 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 06, 2005
Walking the fine line
It's amazing what sleep walkers can do. For instance, there is this fifteen year old girl in London that apparently was a sleepwalker and climbed onto a counterweight for a crane and was curled up asleep 130 feet in the air.
Crazy? Hey. That's why we're human.
Posted by darkmoon at 02:16 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 30, 2005
11 Nation Raid on Software Piracy
Department of Justice conducts an 11 Nation Raid on software piracy as of Wednesday.
Operation Site Down
Groups that were targeted:
RiSCISO, Myth, TDA, LND, Goodfellaz, Hoodlum, Vengeance, Centropy, Wasted Time, Paranoid, Corrupt, Gamerz, AdmitONE, Hellbound, KGS, BBX, KHG, NOX, NFR, CDZ, TUN and BHP.
One thing to mention. They claim $50 million in software damages. It's somewhat lesser. Software companies usually use each copy that is downloaded as "revenue lost". In actuality, there is only about one third or less that download, that would actually purchase the software.
Even so, at 25% of current "damages" $12.5 million is still a hefty sum to swallow. Also between this operation and the last one, they at least stopped RiSCiSO temporarily along with Fairlight, which is another old gaming group from the 90s.
Centropy was the Fairlight movie division and Myth (game rips group) was related to someone large also. Next generation warez groups such as TDA (applications), and LND (applications) were also decently sized being more matured operations.
Dual post on the CYBERGUARD forums here.
Posted by darkmoon at 05:58 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 29, 2005
Street Fighter II Salsa?
Those crazy Koreans are at it again. This time at the Korea Salsa Competition. These two are breaking out signature moves from Street Fighter II while dancing the salsa.
Posted by darkmoon at 11:10 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 14, 2005
On Chinese "free" speech
At first, I wasn't going to weigh in being that the big guns have already taken their place - with Rebecca MacKinnon against the government censorship and Robert Scoble for. Our own Ed Cone even covers this passionate dispute.
Both sides have their merits. But Rebecca puts it in the best terms when she says: "...I can tell you one more thing about the Chinese. They hear what you say, then they watch how you do business. From there, it's pretty easy to figure out what your real values are."
I've learned one thing while living in the South. We Chinese are very much like Southerners. Southern hospitality prevails on face value, but when you get down to how they think, they will never tell it to your face.
Chinese operate in the same fashion. They judge you by your words and then how you follow-up with your actions.
There are two different operators in China. The government, and then the people. If you operate a business that deals with the government, then Scoble is exactly correct. It's not your place to delve into matters that do not concern you. However, if you look at free speech from the people's point of view, it's a whole different matter. Rebecca covers that angle especially well.
In the end, it's who you talk to and where it comes from. In the end though, the values remain the same. It's not our place to force the Chinese government since it's not our place, but as self-proclaimed protectors of free speech and democracy, it's difficult to ignore the cries of the people.
Posted by darkmoon at 11:22 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 06, 2005
Revenge of the Sith Indonesian pirate DVD
Looks like they took some fan art, the workprint, and released a really bad pirated DVD. And this is what scares MPAA. *shiver* Next thing you know, the rest of the consumer base will cry in fear from the imitation products from the dollar store.
Via BoingBoing
Posted by darkmoon at 11:18 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
June 04, 2005
North Korea hackers rival CIA
North Korea has a division of five to six hundred in the Agency of Defense Development (ADD). Old news, since this was known about a year ago, but most of the government hacker turned-recruits that I know of in the US don't go to the CIA. They're usually NSA bound.
What's more is that the China's virus division (1997) and hacker division (1999) have been thriving for a while now.
Posted by darkmoon at 10:28 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 20, 2005
Eat healthy, get an Xbox
Those "poor" Scottish kids. The Glasgow City Council has implemented a plan where if the kids eat healthy, they gain points towards prizes.
"The most popular thing on the menu is a Vital Mix, which includes soup, a filled pitta, yoghurt and healthy drink like milk, so it's not a case of just lettuce leaves and water," the spokeswoman went on.
"The reward for the Vital Mix, which costs £1.15, is 40 points, so it would take just 100 of these to get an iPod.
I wish my city council would do that. I'll be the first to sign up for the:"health junkie motivated by cool gadgets" program.
Posted by darkmoon at 10:49 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 01, 2005
China's biggest bank rolling with Linux
China's biggest bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), is launching a 3 year rollout of Turbolinux 7 Dataserver to 20,000 branches. Currently, most of China's banks are running on SCO Unix base with custom in-house applications. The migration to linux would be more advantageous and cheaper than going with Microsoft.
Posted by darkmoon at 03:42 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 05, 2005
War of the Worlds... oh wait, false alarm
The release of Thai lanterns into the night sky caused concerned citizens to call in alien invasions. Got to give it to the Brits. Aliens are invading... uhh.. not.
Posted by darkmoon at 11:40 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 26, 2005
Two Chinas
Disclosure: Yes, I am an ABC (American Born Chinese). On with the commentary.
This topic REALLY annoys me. The whole thing about how it is Taiwan versus China, instead of the Republic of China versus the People's Republic of China. And there is a BIG difference.
I was taught at a very young age that the Chinese people are all Chinese. No matter, if you're from the province of Canton, Szhechuan, or from the island of Taiwan. We were are all one people. My mother was born in Taiwan, but she is Chinese. My father was born in Canton, but he is also Chinese. I am born in the United States, yet I am also Chinese.
HISTORY
During WWII, China was devastated by the Japanese. Massacred during the Sino-Japanese War, China turned to the Communist Party for help. The Communist Party agreed to provide weaponry in exchange for change. When the Community Party pushed out the Japanese, a civil war ensued. The Nationalist Party fled to what is now known as Taiwan. This is the way it is now, one country, two governments.
Analogy: It would be as if a war broke out between Democrats and Republicans and the Democrats got pushed into California, and the war ended. California would still be American, but ruled by a totally different governing body and structure.
WHERE WE ARE TODAY
Taiwan has been pushing or democracy for a long time, but Western media coverage is poor on the real facts. Taiwan has always been a part of China, just not the majority part. In this aspect, what China is doing is correct. This is also the reason why the United Nations has never taken Taiwan into the fold, even after nine bids for a seat. Note that the ROC did have a seat in the United Nations, but withdrew the seat in 1971.
Even the Government Information Office (ROC) states:
The Republic of China (Taiwan) is a free and peace-loving state, and its democratically elected government is the only one that represents the interests and wishes of the people of Taiwan.
More from Taiwan's GIO:
Taiwan is formally known as the Republic of China (ROC). Founded in 1912, the ROC is Asia's first constitutional republic. The ROC government, led by the Kuomintang (KMT), relocated to Taiwan in 1949 when the Chinese Communist Party established the People's Republic of China (PRC) on the mainland. It has since exercised jurisdiction over Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu, and numerous other islets. The two sides of the Taiwan Strait have since been governed as separate territories.
MEDIA INCONSISTENCIES
Where has the media gone wrong? Back when I was a child, material items were tagged with either PROC, or ROC. Nowadays, it just says "Made in China" or "Made in Taiwan". The true meaning is lost even more when media tries to designate the two sides as Taiwanese versus China. They are both China. One just happens to be the People's Republic, versus the Republic.
Analogy: This would similar to saying all Republicans are Texan. You're a Republican? no. You're a Texan. Doesn't quite ring true does it?
SOLUTION
When Germany was split down the middle with Russia and the US leading either side, it was one country with two opposing government bodies. Then the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, bringing together the nation that was divided. Until that happened, both governments were allowed a place in the world seat, even though they were two distinct governing bodies. Taiwan can also be placed in such standing. With regard, it has always been the ROC (Republic of China) versus PROC (People's Republic of China). In this sense, Taiwan (as ROC) should be allowed to be a democratic nation in the world community.
SUMMARY
Most people don't speak Taiwanese, they speak Mandarin. The actual number of people that descended from the islanders are very few, compared to the refugees from the Mainland. Mandarin is still the dialect that all Chinese abide by. Don't get me wrong, Taiwan should be free and a democratic state. But they need to be the democratic Chinese, not the Taiwanese.
In the end, I'm but an ABC who is proud to say that his heritage comes from China. While my family is divided by birthplace, they will always also be Chinese. And as I gaze past the Pacific with my dark Asian eyes, in the distance beyond my sight, there will always be two Chinas.
REFERENCES
Posted by darkmoon at 04:53 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
March 10, 2005
Saddam's capture a fictional story by the military?
Everyone that pays attention to national news knows that Saddam was hiding in a hole when he was captured... or was he? According to ex-Marine Nadim Abou Rabeh, Saddam was found in a house in a small village. Ex-Marine Rabeh says that he was in the 20 man squad that sought out the Iraqi dictator.
Some other facts that were controversial:
Rabeh claims that a military production team fabricated the story about the abandoned well afterwards and had that story leaked to the press.
Via WOKR13
Posted by darkmoon at 10:56 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 09, 2005
The beginning of I,Robot at World Expo - Japan
The information booth worker, Actroid, understands 40,000 phrases in Japanese, Chinese, Korean and English. The "bot" looks like a Japanese woman in her twenties, and can do facial expressions and even has a sense of irony.
Why hasn't all the geeks moved to Japan yet, is beyond me. Now if only the Japanese get teleportation working...
Posted by darkmoon at 02:49 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Shipping Container Lifesaver Clinics
Team Hybrid out of Seattle,WA has come up with some fantastic designs for cargo shipping containers. Using existing containers, third world countries and other areas that are in need of quick and cheap solutions for housing and buildings can benefit from these designs.
The latest creation is a shipping container that has been commissioned for Sri Lanka as long-term clinics. The cost is approximately $10,000 per a unit, and allows portability of the long-term clinics.
NearNearFuture > MetropolisMag
Posted by darkmoon at 01:45 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 07, 2005
US television networks refuse to broadcast United Nations ad
A very drastic and dark advertisement by the United Nations on landmines that hit home with a very true fact.
United Nations advertisment tagline:
"If there were landmines here, would you stand for them anywhere? Help the U.N. eradicate landmines everywhere."
Take it as you will.
Via BoingBoing
Posted by darkmoon at 04:52 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
February 24, 2005
Bogus libel charge filed against Finnish Blogger
Via BoingBoing:
Back in November I happened to hear about the scandalous events surrounding the elementary school of Korivaara; apparently, the children in the school were being terrorized by a deeply religious headmaster and his fellow teachers (summarized in English by ButtUgly).2 I was amazed by not only such events being possible in modern-day Finland, but by the fact that the whole issue seemed to cause nothing more than a few headlines and some shaking of heads in disbelief.
BoingBoing < ButtUgly < marginaali
Posted by darkmoon at 04:23 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 21, 2005
First paper ever now shows up in a blog
First paper ever printed has been scanned and shown in a blog.
That's right folks. MSM better shape up. Even the first known newspaper from 1749 has made its way into the digital medium and latched onto the blogosphere.
Posted by darkmoon at 02:05 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 16, 2005
Kyoto Treaty in full force
The Kyoto Treaty goes into effect today. This is the Treaty that requires the nations within the United Nations to abide by certain CO2 levels by 2010. International pressure mounted on the United States after the US refused to sign the treaty for ratification. Although some find that there could be an economic boost in ecological safety issues, the United States has been very much against this push.
Why? The United States produces close to a third of the world's CO2 emissions.
We spoke about the Kyoto Treaty before.
Via Slashdot
Posted by darkmoon at 05:38 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 28, 2005
Now that is ice-cold!
Geneva chillin'.
Via BoingBoing
Posted by darkmoon at 05:02 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 23, 2005
Are you on this list?
The World Economic Forum is meeting this coming week and they have come up with a List of Young Global Leaders 2005. Criteria of Young Global Leaders include:
-
- are under 40 years old
- have substantial leadership experience
- have already clearly demonstrated a commitment to serving society
- are willing to devote their energy and expertise for five years to tackle the most critical issues facing the world
Posted by darkmoon at 03:13 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 12, 2005
Guardian Angel handbags
Rotterdam, Holland must have some really scary people. Some designers have gone ahead and designed the Guardian Angel handbag that has an embossed handgun on the side to deter perpetrators that are thinking about mugging poor helpless women. While, there is no gun persay, and I have no clue why a bag like that would scare away perps, I would imagine that if the woman happened to be able to benchpress 250 and reinforce their Angel bag with some titanium, that this could definitely become a star hit.
Popgadget brings you this tidbit.
Posted by darkmoon at 10:50 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 03, 2005
Living like sardines
An amusing video clip of Japanese commuters being packed into a subway car like sardines by subway officials. And you thought the Boston subways were bad... brought to you by BoingBoing.
Posted by darkmoon at 11:53 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 01, 2005
Africa genocide but U.S. doesn't care
A peace deal has just been signed in one of the most brutal, longest rebellions that has not been well-publicized. NPR covers the peace deal on a December 30th airing of Morning Edition.
The Movement of Democratic Forces in the Casamance has been waging a bloody independence campaign against the Central Government in Dakar since 1982.
Personal note: Interestingly enough, the U.S. never REALLY cared about people. If they did, they would have stopped the "genocide" there. But why would the U.S. care about poor people? There's nothing to gain. That was from the interview itself and boy is it true.
Posted by darkmoon at 01:03 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 18, 2004
Global Voices Draft Manifesto
Joi puts out the locale of the The Global Voices Draft Manifesto. This is a document about free speech created by Global Voices. This document resides here for now on a Wiki, but will be moved shortly as Joi points out. Here is the current draft:
We believe in free speech, both in protecting the right to speak and in making access to the tools of speech universal. We define speech broadly to include many media that facilitate expression.The broadest right of free speech has always extended to those who owned technology for publishing and distribution, such as a printing press. It is now possible for anyone to own their own press. It is our ideal that everyone who wants to speak can do so.
We believe in the power of direct connection and the freedom to connect to and hear others. The bond between individuals from different worlds is personal, political and powerful.We seek to create bridges that cross gulfs that have traditionally divided people. By bridging these gulfs, we understand each other more fully, work together more effectively, and act more powerfully. These bridges let us do together what we could not dream of doing alone. It is our ideal that everyone who wants to hear what someone else is saying can do so.
Direct connection is its own reward. However, in a world full of challenges, it is also an important part of a future that is free, fair, prosperous and sustainable.
While committed to our work as individuals, we also recognize our common interest and goals. We each speak for ourselves, but in the end we are all in this together. We pledge to respect, assist, learn from, and listen to one other. We are Global Voices.
Posted by darkmoon at 09:40 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 02, 2004
Radical Islamists hate US foreign policy
Report of the US Defense Science Board Task Force on Strategic Communication September 2004 (PDF)
Joi Ito blogs - "The report also explains that it is not America's freedoms that they hate (as many Americans believe), but America's foreign policy."
Personal note: Americans have always thought that their "democratic" ways was the right way and that everyone should be similarly founded. Unfortunately, not every country can support a democratic way, and not have the capitalistic basis to drive for it. Look at how Russia fell, and even now, cannot be as powerful as they used to be. Germany however had the capitalistic basis to move into the democratic role. It just depends on how advanced the country is. Iraq isn't ready, which is why we're having so many issues there. Instead of forcing our way of life, try to help their way of life become better.
Posted by darkmoon at 12:21 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
November 19, 2004
Kyoto Treaty ratified
The Kyoto Treaty has been ratified and now the US and 55 other industrialized nations have until 2012 to cut up to 5.2% of the six major greenhouse gases. BBC has coverage here.
Amusingly enough, the Bush administration refused to sign this. Why? The U.S. produces about 30+% of the world's pollution. Where was the EPA on all of this?
Posted by darkmoon at 05:36 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack