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<p>Sarcasm does not work well here. I should have added :rolleyes:</p>
<p>As far as the freedom to speak out goes, don’t take it too seriously. If you are standing with the majority, it is easy to do. If you happen to hold an unpopular position, you better keep it to yourself. The American military police, who got “run out of town” for exposing tortures in the Iraqi prison even though he was only doing his job, should be an example to us all. </p>
<p>Self-censureship by the press is disturbing for some but expected here. Which paper had the nerve to challenge the President’s WMD, or question the Fed’s fabrication of economic numbers? As citizens, what we know is what we are told.</p>
<p>On a different note, I see the Chinese Olympians are in Hong Kong for a “visit”. This is purely a political move to buy the hearts and minds of the locals. Every gold medalist is there, imagine that.</p>
<p>Here you have Cantonese-speaking Ma Lin, Olympic and 3(or 4) times World Cup Champion, showing a local boy how to play table tennis.</p>
<p><a href=“http://sports.sina.com.cn/o/p/2008-08-30/15243911969.shtml[/url]”>http://sports.sina.com.cn/o/p/2008-08-30/15243911969.shtml</a></p>
<p>If you are still not convinced, try this picture:</p>
<p><a href=“http://sports.sina.com.cn/o/p/2008-08-30/16063912006.shtml[/url]”>http://sports.sina.com.cn/o/p/2008-08-30/16063912006.shtml</a></p>
<p>Chen Yibing, gold medalist on the rings, demonstrating to the Hong Kong audience with his top off. Can not miss the reaction of the females fans in the background. LOL</p>
<p>Must be getting cynical in my old age.</p>