-
-
Obama: Iraq Surge Success Beyond "Wildest Dreams"
Barack Obama said the surge of American forces in Iraq has ``succeeded beyond our wildest dreams,'' though Iraqis still haven't done enough to take responsibility for their country.
`The surge has succeeded in ways that nobody anticipated,'' Obama, the Democratic presidential nominee, said in a recorded interview broadcast tonight on Fox News's ``The O'Reilly Factor'' program.
Obama has come under repeated criticism from Republican rival John McCain for opposing President George W. Bush's decision last year to send 20,000 extra combat troops to Iraq. While Obama said before that the additional forces have damped insurgent violence, his comments on the program were some of the strongest he's made on the issue.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, enjoy your bogus election, America. I'm not voting in November. Whatever happens will be on the hands of those who decide to continue to play the game. For Obama to say this and on FOX news with Bill O'Reilly of all people while Biden praises Palin who would do nothing but continue this war with McCain, thinks it's from "God" and do all in her power to trash this planet even more clinches it for me. They are all players who don't care for anything regarding this country or its people... only having the chance to say "I won" is what drives them and their egos.
I truly wish there was a strong third party that I thought could beat them both and truly stood up for the principles of what America should be, because I would vote for that person in a heartbeat. It is in a way a shame that Al Gore did not see fit to take what he wrote in The Assault on Reason and actually use it to show us that what he wrote he meant wholeheartedly, instead of endorsing one of them who epitomizes what he wrote about. I would have gone the distance for you Mr. Gore, whether I agreed with this system or not. Now, I'm out of it. Either way we will have war. Either way, because of that war we will not get universal healthcare or a plan to truly deal with the urgent planetary crisis we face.This is all just a dog and pony show, and I refuse to be a part of the illusion any longer.
Trash that if you wish, those who do nothing but complain of the status quo and yet continue to support it lock stock and barrel and suck at the tit of the corporate masters who run these parties. Obama, shame on you for your detestable pandering to Fascist enabling traitors. I will work from the outside for change if that is even possible here and hold whoever "wins" by corporate decree to the same standard I held Bush. But voting? Please, don't even try to make me believe it matters anymore. Barack Obama said the surge of American forces in Iraq has ``succeeded beyond our wildest dreams,'' though Iraqis still have... more -
396 RNC arrests on Thursday
Antiwar March Ends In Tense Standoff, 396 Arrests
The final night of the convention led to confrontations between police and protesters. At least 396 people were arrested, an official said this morning.
Police arrested scores more people Thursday night after another series of tense showdowns with protesters on the final night of the Republican National Convention in St. Paul.
Sweeping into the State Capitol grounds in riot gear, police used snowplows, horses and dump trucks to seal off downtown from antiwar demonstrators attempting a march to the Xcel Energy Center.
"They chose not to leave when told to do so and now everyone's paying the price," said one officer on the scene.
This morning, the Joint Information Center said 396 people were arrested during Thursday's demonstrations, and a total of 818 people were arrested during the four-day convention. The numbers are preliminary; an official count will be released later today, said a spokeswoman for the center, which has been providing information about arrests and security during the convention.
by Curt Brown, Terry Collins, Randy Furst and Heron Marquez Estrada Antiwar March Ends In Tense Standoff, 396 Arrests ... more -
How the RNC bought the Police
ST. PAUL, Minn. - Taxpayers should be off the hook for any damages stemming from claims of police misconduct related to the Republican National Convention under a first-of-its-kind agreement.
The deal required the Republican Party's host committee to buy insurance covering up to $10 million in damages and unlimited legal costs for law enforcement officials accused of brutality, violating civil rights and other misconduct.
Other cities who hosted conventions in recent years - including Denver, Boston, New York and Philadelphia - either covered those costs from their general budgets or used tax money to buy insurance policies. ST. PAUL, Minn. - Taxpayers should be off the hook for any damages stemming from claims of police misconduct related to the Republican... more -
Why we were falsely arrested, by Amy Goodman
ST. PAUL, Minn. - Government crackdowns on journalists are a true threat to democracy. As the Republican National Convention meets in St. Paul, Minn., this week, police are systematically targeting journalists. I was arrested with my two colleagues, "Democracy Now!" producers Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar, while reporting on the first day of the RNC. I have been wrongly charged with a misdemeanor. My co-workers, who were simply reporting, may be charged with felony riot.
[continued at link] ST. PAUL, Minn. - Government crackdowns on journalists are a true threat to democracy. As the Republican National Convention meets in ... more -
17 Year old RNC protester assaulted by police
The practicing Buddhist was assuaulted by five police officers while he particpated in a protest of the RNC. Video at the link shows the young man acting peacefully. Another photo at the link shows an impression of a boot mark in the young man's back. The practicing Buddhist was assuaulted by five police officers while he particpated in a protest of the RNC. Video at the link shows ... more
-
Sarah Palin and the Wasilla Library
John McCain's surprise choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate on the Republican ticket has led journalists and bloggers to the clip and web files, and a library connection--suggesting but hardly proving dubious behavior by Palin as mayor of Wasilla--has emerged.
Some commentators, like Atlantic blogger Andrew Sullivan, have made a big deal of Palin's 1997 move to fire Wasilla Public Library director Mary Ellen Emmons, who supported Palin's rival during the mayoral campaign. (We don't know exactly what "support" means--a small contribution, or active campaigning?) As the Anchorage Daily News reported 2/1/97, Palin gave letters of dismissal to both Emmons and the police chief, but relented when Emmons assured her she supported efforts to merge library and museum operations. (They apparently did not merge, as the city web site shows them as separate institutions.)
Is it legitimate for a mayor to fire a library director who supported her opponent? Well, libraries, in the ideal world, should not be partisan institutions and library directors should be judged on the way they run the library. Also, librarians do not take a vow of political neutrality as individuals. But we do know that small-town politics can get ugly. I'd steer clear from passing judgment until we know more about what exactly happened.
Then there's another report, from the local Frontiersman, as cited on Politico and then by Sullivan: "According to the Frontiersman newspaper, Wasilla’s library director Mary Ellen Emmons said that 'Palin asked her outright if she could live with censorship of library books.' Palin later dismissed the conversation as a 'rhetorical' exercise."
That drew a response from American Library Association critic Dan Kleinman, who asserted on his SafeLibraries blog that "it didn't take long for Mary Ellen Emmons, Past President of the Alaska Library Association, and Wasilla Public Library director to strike the first blow."
However, that quote from Emmons is several years old, she's no longer the director, and she hasn't been quoted since. It's not illegitimate for the press to dig up old quotes, but we'd be much better served if Emmons and others in Alaska elaborate on situations that, from my perspective, remain murky. John McCain's surprise choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate on the Republican ticket has led journalists and blo... more -
It can't happen here? It already has/DNC & RNC suppression of liberty
As I write this, the precise authority under which members of the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department participated in raids of houses and private buildings in St. Paul and Minneapolis this weekend is unclear to me. I have heard from a very harried friend at the National Lawyers Guild that the break-ins and arrests of RNC protestors took place under the auspices of the Secret Service and Justice Department apparently FBI members participated in the raids.
But under whatever authority and in the name of whatever statutes at this point, the cause for detentions in Minneapolis has been given as conspiracy to commit riot, as flimsy and ad hoc a rationale as the infinitely elastic Homeland Security Offense listed on a police report to justify the detention in Minneapolis of independent journalists earlier last week which resulted in the seizure of their equipment and personal belongings it should be obvious that concerns about this country turning into a police state, a corporation-friendly fascist nation like Singapore or the People's Republic of China, are greatly misplaced. There's no need to worry about this happening in the United States.
It already has.
It should also be clear that both the wish list of expanded powers to spy on, arrest, and detain suspects without charge that got dropped into the Patriot Act and the whole War on Terror have as their ultimate objective not to make life difficult for terrorists. No. Like the equally bogus War on Drugs, they are designed to make it easier for law enforcement personnel at every level as always the chief line-of-defense of the propertied classes to terrorize American citizens. Citizens who should perhaps henceforth more properly be referred to as American subjects.
The erosion of civil liberties and constitutionally guaranteed rights in this country an erosion that, it cannot be emphasized enough, did not begin with George W. Bush but has proceeded apace under a succession of Administrations, both Democratic and Republican makes all the eloquent calls we heard from Denver for unity and restoring the American Dream little more than hollow rhetoric. At the national level, both major parties are knee deep in creating and nurturing the military-industrial-congressional complex the genesis of the national security state that Eisenhower warned more than 50 years ago posed the gravest threat of all against democracy and the rule of law.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
What we see unfolding in Minneapolis now is courtesy of both parties in our Congress. Those who voted for the Patriot Act and its reauthorization along with the Military Commissions Act, and those who recently voted to allow more spying on American citizens and immunity to those doing it. After eight years of protesting this regime, trying to hold Democrats to a higher standard, and spending countless hours standing up to the murdering traitors that subverted our White House, I feel empty looking at all of this. I feel as if my country is no more. What Democrats will now come out and decry the constitutional abuses going on during this RNC convention? Kudos to the American ctiizens standing up for our freedoms. They are the reason the coward Bush won't show up at the convention, but is speaking via satellite. He is afraid to come close to the American people because he knows he is a criminal who should be arrested, tried, and convicted for crimes and misdemeanors against the constitution and crimes against humanity. So, Nancy Pelosi, how do you like what you and your party have enabled?
cont. As I write this, the precise authority under which members of the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department participated in raids of hou... more -
Democracy Now's Amy Goodman Arrested at RNC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
www.democracynow.org
September 1, 2008
Contact:
Denis Moynihan 917-549-5000
Mike Burke 646-552-5107, mike@democracynow.org
ST. PAUL, MN-Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman was unlawfully arrested in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota at approximately 5 p.m. local time. Police violently manhandled Goodman, yanking her arm, as they arrested her. Video of her arrest can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYjyvkR0bGQ
Goodman was arrested while attempting to free two Democracy Now! producers who were being unlawfully detained. They are Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar. Kouddous and Salazar were arrested while they carried out their journalistic duties in covering street demonstrations at the Republican National Convention. Goodman's crime appears to have been defending her colleagues and the freedom of the press.
Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher told Democracy Now! that Kouddous and Salazar were being arrested on suspicion of rioting. They are currently being held at the Ramsey County jail in St. Paul.
Democracy Now! is calling on all journalists and concerned citizens to call the office of Mayor Chris Coleman and the Ramsey County Jail and demand the immediate release of Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar. These calls can be directed to: Chris Rider from Mayor Coleman's office at 651-266-8535 and the Ramsey County Jail at 651-266-9350 (press extension 0).
Democracy Now! stands by Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar and condemns this action by Twin Cities law enforcement as a clear violation of the freedom of the press and the First Amendment rights of these journalists.
During the demonstration in which they were arrested law enforcement officers used pepper spray, rubber bullets, concussion grenades and excessive force. Several dozen others were also arrested during this action.
Amy Goodman is one of the most well-known and well-respected journalists in the United States. She has received journalism's top honors for her reporting and has a distinguished reputation of bravery and courage. The arrest of Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar is a transparent attempt to intimidate journalists from the nation's leading independent news outlet.
Democracy Now! is a nationally syndicated public TV and radio program that airs on over 700 radio and TV stations across the US and the globe.
Video of Amy Goodman's Arrest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYjyvkR0bGQ
##
= = = = = = = = =
ABOUT DEMOCRACY NOW!
Democracy Now! airs on over 650 radio and TV stations, including
Pacifica, NPR, community, and college radio stations; on public
access, PBS, satellite TV stations (DISH network: Free Speech TV
ch. 9415 and Link TV ch. 9410; DIRECTV: Link TV ch. 375); on the World
Radio Network's European Service and on the Community Broacasting
Association of Australia service; as a "podcast", automatically
downloaded to your computer or portable audio player; and streams live
M-F at 8am EST at www.democracynow.org
= = = = = = = = =
Now real-time CLOSED CAPTIONED on TV!
You can also view/listen/read all Democracy Now! shows online:
http://www.democracynow.org
To bring Democracy Now! to your community, go to:
http://www.democracynow.org/get_involved/bring_to_stati...
= = = = = = = = =
--~----------------------------------------------------------------
You are subscribed as llindsay@whidbey.com
EasyUnsubscribe or manage your settings at:
http://list.democracynow.org/do/unsub/digest/178987768/...
or by email to digest-unsub-178987768@list.democracynow.org
--~-- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE www.democracynow.org September 1, 2008 Contact: Denis Moynihan 917-549-5000 ... more -
Profanity and Poetry
BMLTV visits a Java Poetry open mic and asks some poets what they think about profanity and its place as a tool of their craft.
-
'Imagine No Religion'
"Putting up a billboard saying "Imagine No Religion" at the base of Capitol Hill, in the heart of not-too-churchgoing Seattle, is a bit like preaching to the choir. So to speak.
Mike Christensen knows this. But he's OK with it.
When he paid for the sign about a month ago in support of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, his goal never was to change people's minds. It was to get people thinking and talking. And maybe, just maybe, get a few more members for the foundation, which fights for the separation of church and state.
"I like the phrase 'Imagine No Religion' because it doesn't make a judgment," said Christensen, 28, a software engineer from Redmond. "It provokes thought."
Christensen, an atheist, joined the Freedom From Religion Foundation several years ago because he thought the Bush administration was getting too involved in religion.
The 30-year-old foundation started its billboard campaign last year.
So far, it's put up about a dozen signs in seven or so cities, including Atlanta and Columbus, Ohio. The group has a billboard reading "Keep Religion Out of Politics" about six blocks from the Democratic National Convention in Denver, and plans to have a similar mobile billboard at next week's Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.
The billboards are "to remind people that we're here too," said Annie Laurie Gaylor, the foundation's co-president and co-founder. "If we don't make our presence known, as the nonreligious, then religion just wins by default."
Really ...imagine no religion. What do you think the world would be like? "Putting up a billboard saying "Imagine No Religion" at the base of Capitol Hill, in the heart of not-too-churchgoing S... more -
Gay Activists Target Businesses
When William Bolthouse, a California philanthropist, donated $100,000 in March to support a proposition to ban gay marriage in California, calls and emails poured in -- not to Mr. Bolthouse, but to the corporate offices of a company that bears his name -- even though he sold it three years earlier.
[Chart]
"It wasn't us, it's not our fault," says Jeffrey Dunn, now the chief executive of Bolthouse Farms, whose juice bottles are sold at upscale markets such as Whole Foods.
Bolthouse Farms is the latest target in what has become an increasingly bitter political fight in California. As gay-rights activists attempt to defeat the upcoming ballot initiative, called Proposition 8, they are going after not just individuals, but also companies to which they are connected, however tenuously.
"Mr. Bolthouse has said, 'I'm not connected to Bolthouse Farms at all.' But we don't accept that," says Fred Karger, who runs Californians Against Hate, a new gay-rights group that is leading the charge to identify and publicize corporate connections to significant donors. He notes that Mr. Bolthouse's son-in-law is chairman of the company and that Bolthouse Farms markets itself as a fourth-generation company.
Next week, Californians Against Hate is planning to push its tactic further by publishing a "Dishonor Roll," a list of individual and corporate donors who give $5,000 or more to groups campaigning on behalf of Proposition 8. The list will include the donor's name, employer and the corporate logo of that employer -- even if the company itself didn't donate to the Proposition 8 fight.
Mr. Karger said the tactic isn't intended to keep individuals or companies from donating, but is meant to educate the public so consumers can make informed choices. He said including corporate logos of businesses whose employees donate is fair game, since that information is publicly available on government Web sites that track donors. "Our larger message is to other business people," Mr. Karger says. "It's a free country, you can give as much money to this campaign, but we are going to publicize that and people can make a decision on whether or not they want to support those businesses."
Some Proposition 8 supporters see the effort as crossing a line. "To tell a business owner that they can't express their beliefs on an issue is a really stupid thing," said Terry Caster, the owner of A-1 Storage, a self-storage company based in San Diego.Californians Against Hate says Mr. Caster and his family gave about $300,000 to support Proposition 8, prompting the group to make him the focus of a call-in campaign. Mr. Caster said he received a few phone calls a day that petered out after several weeks, and his business wasn't affected.
Mr. Dunn said Bolthouse Farms's bottom line wasn't affected by the publicity and that his company has made an effort to correct wrong information on blogs that said Mr. Bolthouse still owned a large portion of the company.
Same-sex marriage was legalized in California in June after the State Supreme Court ruled a ban was unconstitutional. That set the stage for a ballot proposal to outlaw gay marriage. Both sides see California as the crucial battleground state that could determine how far same-sex marriage rights can be extended. Fund raising has poured in from across the country." When William Bolthouse, a California philanthropist, donated $100,000 in March to support a proposition to ban gay marriage in Califor... more -
U.S. protesters describe Beijing detention
Busted in Beijing
The Chinese government was ruthlessly effective in quashing dissent during the Summer Olympics, but few noticed until a group of scruffy American activists were arrested, jailed, and deported for flying the Tibetan flag outside the Bird’s Nest stadium. In an exclusive interview, John Watterberg and Jeremy Wells describe their ordeal at the hands of a repressive regime. Busted in Beijing ... more -
DNC Protestors Hate Freedom of Speech (or Fox News)
A reporter from Fox News tries to get an interview with protesters at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, walking through a march like a fair and balanced salmon fighting its way upstream. But the refusal of these leftist protesters to stop and give an interview with Fox News shows how they clearly hate both freedom of speech and the press.
According to the anchor, these protesters' motto "'68 in '08" means that they are hoping to recreate the riots that occurred during the DNC in 1968. I'm not sure if that is right, but it sure feels right.
Gotta love live television. A reporter from Fox News tries to get an interview with protesters at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, walking through a ... more -
Police detain more foreign activists in Beijing
Swarms of plainclothes police took away four foreign activists who tried to unfurl a Tibetan flag outside the main Olympics venue on Thursday, squelching the latest attempt to demonstrate during the Beijing Games. Swarms of plainclothes police took away four foreign activists who tried to unfurl a Tibetan flag outside the main Olympics venue on T... more
-
Anti-War Website Operator Threatened By Armed Thugs
Information Clearing House editor victim of home invasions, warnings to “stop what he is doing on the Internet, NOW!”
The operator of a leading alternative news and strongly anti-war website has become the target of nefarious thugs apparently in the employ of the U.S. government who have continually harassed him and ordered him to shut down his website.
Tom Feeley, owner and editor of InformationClearingHouse.info, has endured public harassment, home invasions, death threats and threats to his family simply for running a website.
Counterpunch writer Mike Whitney has circulated an e mail describing what happened to Feeley in an attempt to draw attention to the matter.
Whitney writes that earlier this week Feeley’s wife was startled to suddenly discover three well dressed men standing in her kitchen who told her that Tom must “Stop what he is doing on the Internet, NOW!”
To emphasize the point, the thug pulled back his jacket to reveal a gun while barking out the warning.
Tom’s wife was hysterical and refuses to go back to the house. She contacted the FBI but was told there was nothing they could do.
According to Whitney, “The well-dressed man told Tom’s wife that he knew where her son lived, what line of work he was in, and how many children he had.”
Subsequently, two men in a parked car a block from Tom’s mother’s house were spotted using laptops and sped off when they were approached by Tom’s son.
A similar incident had happened four years previously, when Feeley was approached by a stranger in the parking lot of Long’s Drug store in Southern California, after being forced to remain in his car by an accomplice who blocked him from opening the car door. The man told him, “You need to stop what you are doing on the web”.
Tom said the man was overweight and had his shirt untucked. Tom was taken aback, but (after collecting himself said) “What the fuck? Who do you think you are telling me what I can do?”
The man answered, “Tom, I’m just giving you some good advice. You should take my advice, Tom.”
Alex Jones has experienced similar intimidation tactics on several occasions in the past, particularly the scenario that happened to Tom in the parking lot as well as thinly veiled threats against his family.
In every single instance, the best response is to stand up and be vocal in the face of such harassment. Mafia-like thugs only continue to feed on those who put up with such treatment. The most dangerous thing to do is cower and acquiesce to the will of tyrants.
These kind of tactics will only succeed if the thugs think their actions can have any kind of effect. Every time someone in our movement is intimidated or harassed, we should respond only by re-doubling and intensifying our efforts.
I’ll tell you this about Tom Feeley; he is no bullshitter,” writes Whitney, “He is the “real deal” and completely committed to exposing the mob that is presently running our country. He does not understand why, (as he says) “They are reaching down SO far to get someone who just runs web site”. But, the truth is, they are. Someone wants him to “shut up” and they apparently have the muscle to do it. He knows he is in danger.”
Feeley is ditching his cellphone and maintaining a low profile but to his credit, refuses to cave in to the threats and will continue to publish his website.
Drawing attention to Feeley’s situation is of paramount importance to ensure his protection and also to combat head on attempts to create a chilling atmosphere and intimidate journalists and website publishers.
via http://www.prisonplanet.com Information Clearing House editor victim of home invasions, warnings to “stop what he is doing on the Internet, NOW!” ... more -
Mistrial declared in student's Confederate flag lawsuit
A teenager's free-speech lawsuit against a school dress code that banned Confederate flag clothing ended in a mistrial Friday when a jury in federal court failed to reach a verdict.
The panel of five women and three men deliberated about 13 hours over three days before telling U.S. District Judge Tom Varlan they couldn't reach a unanimous decision in the case of Tommy DeFoe, 18.
DeFoe's lawsuit, the latest in a string of similar claims from Texas to South Carolina since the 1990s, argued the teen's rights to free speech, due process and equal protection were violated by a dress code in Anderson County, near Knoxville, that bars the Confederate symbol from student clothing.
The flag is considered a symbol of racism and intolerance by some, while others, like DeFoe, consider it an emblem of their Southern heritage.
School officials said they worried that displaying the banner would lead to racial tensions and violence at Anderson County High, which has had problems before, and at nearby Clinton High School, which was bombed two years after becoming the first public school desegregated by court order in the Old South in 1956.
DeFoe's lawyers countered there was no evidence that racial problems resulted directly from the apparel. They also criticized the dress code for being a blanket policy that left no discretion to school principals.
DeFoe attended the high school at a time when just one out of 1,160 students was black and then went to an all-white county vocational school. By the time he finished vocational school last fall, he had been suspended more than 40 times for wearing Confederate flag apparel. He sued the school system in 2006.
"I am up for a new trial. I am ready. This ain't over yet," DeFoe, who wore a belt buckle with a Confederate battle flag every day of the five-day trial, said outside the courthouse. A teenager's free-speech lawsuit against a school dress code that banned Confederate flag clothing ended in a mistrial Friday whe... more -
Freedom of speech except at a peace march or the DNC
Colorado “Fusion Center” to step up intelligence gathering during DNC; US Northern Command to play role . Civil rights advocates fear the fusion center could enable unwarranted spying on protesters exercising their First Amendment rights at the convention. Colorado “Fusion Center” to step up intelligence gathering during DNC; US Northern Command to play role . Civil rights advocates fear ... more
-
Toby Keith's Pro-Lynching Publicity Tour Hits Colbert, CBS and More
I don't know what to think about this just yet. Some of the lyrics in his song "Beer for my Horses" play out as this:
Grandpappy told my pappy back in my day, son
A man had to answer for the wicked that he'd done
Take all the rope in Texas
Find a tall oak tree, round up all of them bad boys
Hang them high in the street
For all the people to see
It doesn't necessarily talk about race but it is terrible to bring up a form of punishment that was used against Blacks and of course, with the Leo Frank incident, against a Jew. What do you think? A non-issue? No meaning in the song? Or is there something hateful in all this? I don't know what to think about this just yet. Some of the lyrics in his song "Beer for my Horses" play out as this: ... more -
Beijing tells spectators to leave banners at home
Beijing has advised spectators coming to next month's Olympics to leave their banners at home, even if they do not contravene rules forbidding the airing of political or religious views at venues.
Beijing authorities have long been concerned that its citizens will take some of the gloss off the August 8-24 Games through bad manners and on Monday released its "Spectators House Rules" along with a "Good Habit for a Good Games" campaign.
The rules, which Beijing organisers said were "virtually the same as for the Athens and Sydney Olympics", ban banners and flags larger than two metres by one metre although officials said they would prefer that even smaller signs were not displayed. Beijing has advised spectators coming to next month's Olympics to leave their banners at home, even if they do not contravene rul... more -
No repeat of Beijing banner ban at 2010 Games
Organizers of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Canada are not likely to follow the lead of China, which banned spectators from bringing banners to the Summer Games in Beijing, officials said on Wednesday.
Beijing unveiled "house rules" this week for spectators coming to next month's Games, prohibiting all banners, even if they do not contravene rules forbidding the airing of political or religious views at Olympic venues.
Vancouver does not expect to do that for the Winter Games in Canada, said John Furlong, chief executive of the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC).
"Clearly, what we will be trying to do is to live up to the promise that we gave many years ago that the Games of Vancouver 2010 will be about sport and celebration," he told reporters following VANOC's regular board meeting. Organizers of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Canada are not likely to follow the lead of China, which banned spectators from bringing ban... more
-
related topics
Freedom of Speech
Contributors (524)
Freedom of Speech
