Category Archives: News/Politics
Murder in the Hood
Murders in the news are as common as the weather report, and are rarely read with any greater attention. It is not often that they touch your life in some way, even if just remotely. Unfortunately, such is not the case with Suzhou’s most recent homicide, as it happened only a couple hundred metres from …
Reminder to turn stuff off: Earth Hour tonight
Just a quick reminder that Earth Hour is tonight from 8:30pm to 9:30pm (local time). One hour of lessened electrical usage might not suddenly spark a mass movement towards a cleaner greener world, but I hope you’ll all join me in turn your stuff off for 60 minutes to recognize that there is a cost …
America more communist than China?
Aside from the proliferation of Chinese food other than Cantonese world-wide, the coolest part of the People’s Republic’s grand opening 30 years ago was that the country started down the long road of disassembling State-run industries. If communism has proven anything, it’s that the government has no ability to properly run a business, any more …
Oh, you’re talking about the country of Africa
Even after defeat, Governor Sarah Palin continues to make news – and not in regards to a preemptive 2012 bid like some had assumed, but as (always) being a complete idiot. A number of unnamed McCain campaign aides have come out since the Republican defeat Tuesday anonymously criticizing that: She had $150,000 spent on her …
Using Skype in China?
Just a quick note that if you’re using Skype in China, or more importantly, using a TOM-Skype (from skype.tom.com) download of the software, you should check out my most recent post on Lost Laowai: Chinese Skype privacy breech. If you are, or have chatted to anyone using the Chinese-version of Skype, there’s a good chance …
George Carlin expires ‘like a magazine subscription’
George, you paved the way for some of my favourite socially and politically charged comedians. You showed me just how versatile a word can be. And, you gave substance to TheHumanaught.com’s #1 visited post. “Older” sounds a little better than “old,” doesn’t it? Sounds like it might even last a little longer … I’m getting …
Moment of Silence today
Just a quick notice to say to everyone that today officially starts a 3-day mourning period, and will include a 3-minute moment of silence across the nation at 2:28pm this afternoon. Whether you are a reader in or out of China, please join me in observing this moment of silence and taking the time to …
How us Suzhou Expats can help quake victims
My friend Rebecca just let me know that Suzhou Bookworm, which also has an affiliated location in Chengdu, is collecting donations to assist those affected by Monday’s horrible earthquake in Sichuan. If any fellow Suzhou expats have means to help, please read the following for details. The Bookworm’s sister branch in Chengdu has become a …
Am I the only one that didn’t feel it?
So, as everyone is now well aware, China was hit by a major (7.8) earthquake at 2:30 this afternoon. Current reports cite nearly 9,000 dead, and its effects were felt as far north as Beijing, in the south east in Taipei, and directly east of me in Shanghai. I had no idea. At the time …
