Showing posts with label Obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Obama. Show all posts
Thursday, January 29, 2009
YouTube Obama "Single Ladies" spoof
So I saw this on E! news and found it hilarious so "I thought I would share it with everyone. What I thought was interesting was that this got 2 million views compared to Beyonce's official Sony video that had 450,000. Yet, there are several videos of the "Single Ladies" song, so adding it up it came to more views...so far.
The 26-year-old Iman Crosson said that he wanted to support Obama by impersonating him in a respectful manner. Which, after watching his videos, you can see.
His interview can be found on the post above.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Chinese TV censors Obama
This was in the New York Times.
Obama's 18 minute inaugural speech was censored by Chinese TV on Tuesday. China Central TV was televising the speech live until Obama made a comment about communism. After the translator said, "communism," Obama's lips were still moving, but there was no sound. The TV station then changed the scene to an anchor asking an analyst about the economic challenges that President Obama faces. It was clear that they were caught off guard.
The offending lines of the speech were: “Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions,” and, "to those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."
Although the statement related to communism was omitted from translation, the English text version was allowed to be published. Don't most people in China speak a second language, including English? So what is the big difference of saying it in Chinese and reading it in English?
Not so surprisingly, this is not the first time American speeches have been censored. In 2004, then Vice President Dick Cheney visited Beijing and was told he could speak, live and uncensored, to the Chinese people over. After his speech, his answers to questions, "that struck out references to political freedom, Taiwan, North Korea and other issues that propaganda officials considered politically delicate." The broadcast never received a promotion, a listing in the Chinese media and it was played only once-when it was being given!
This is related to my other article about the novelist writing about the Monarchy in Thailand. International censorship and it's punishments. What's OK to say to other countries. Granted, this speech was directed primarily at America, even if the world tuned in. I think that it should not have been censored, because the Chinese people should have the right to hear what was said, without "beating around the bush." It's silly because it probably brought more attention to the speech than it was originally intended. The fact that the speech was published in English text for the Chinese to read seems as if they didn't think it through or underestimated the knowledge of their people.
Obama's 18 minute inaugural speech was censored by Chinese TV on Tuesday. China Central TV was televising the speech live until Obama made a comment about communism. After the translator said, "communism," Obama's lips were still moving, but there was no sound. The TV station then changed the scene to an anchor asking an analyst about the economic challenges that President Obama faces. It was clear that they were caught off guard.
The offending lines of the speech were: “Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions,” and, "to those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."
Although the statement related to communism was omitted from translation, the English text version was allowed to be published. Don't most people in China speak a second language, including English? So what is the big difference of saying it in Chinese and reading it in English?
Not so surprisingly, this is not the first time American speeches have been censored. In 2004, then Vice President Dick Cheney visited Beijing and was told he could speak, live and uncensored, to the Chinese people over. After his speech, his answers to questions, "that struck out references to political freedom, Taiwan, North Korea and other issues that propaganda officials considered politically delicate." The broadcast never received a promotion, a listing in the Chinese media and it was played only once-when it was being given!
This is related to my other article about the novelist writing about the Monarchy in Thailand. International censorship and it's punishments. What's OK to say to other countries. Granted, this speech was directed primarily at America, even if the world tuned in. I think that it should not have been censored, because the Chinese people should have the right to hear what was said, without "beating around the bush." It's silly because it probably brought more attention to the speech than it was originally intended. The fact that the speech was published in English text for the Chinese to read seems as if they didn't think it through or underestimated the knowledge of their people.
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