China has slammed a US congressional report on human rights as interference in its internal affairs and urged Washington lawmakers to end their “irresponsible remarks.”
The report issued in Washington, “ignores the facts and makes preposterous accusations on human rights, religion, Tibet, Hong Kong and other issues,” foreign ministry spokesman Kong Quan said in a statement released late Wednesday.
“It grossly interferes in China’s internal affairs. We express our resolute opposition,” he said in the statement on the ministry’s website.
It’s important to note that they didn’t actually deny anything, the best they could come up with was the claim that Chinese people enjoy “full human rights and basic freedoms.” Chinese people enjoy some rights and freedoms because there are too many bloody people in China, and the government can’t control everyone (not to say this isn’t the pie in the sky wish of all governments). And all China can say is, Keep your nose out of our business.
For some reason, the sock dolls I’m making tend to resemble increasingly sinister aliens bent on taking over the world, and not at all like the photographs in the book. Y’know, the kind where you go “ooh” and “aah” — with mine, you go “eek” and “yeeeurgh”.
Terry’s alerted me to a new service in the UK, the Good Pub Guide, which will text you the location of your nearest pub when you request it. Terry says, “GPS coordinates for Xiamen pubs?” Terry, most of us can find the nearest pub (and eventually, home) even when we’re so drunk we can’t see. I don’t think I need to encourage them any further.
A memo sent to Saddam dated in May last year from his intelligence corps said they met with a “French parliamentarian” who “assured Iraq that France would use its veto in the UN Security Council against any American decision to attack Iraq.”
Emphasis mine. Correct me if I, and the rest of the world is wrong, but didn’t the invasion of Iraq begin in March 2003? They must mean May 2002. Right? Otherwise it’s all kinda fishy.
Now, mixing prints can sometimes be seen as the height of fashion, but that, the lion’s hair, and the Colonel Sanders goatee beard are plunging the depths. However, I’d pay money to see him in more of these get-ups, so perhaps his strategy has merit.
Meanwhile, he’s in a little trouble with the British public for saying that Kenneth Bigley’s captors, who have already beheaded two others, should just get on with it.
“Perhaps I shouldn’t be saying this … aren’t you the same as me, don’t you wish they would just get on with it ?”
What he said is insensitive and crude, but when has Billy Connolly ever been politically correct, or rather, not completely out of his fucking tree when it comes to his life’s work? I remember reading somewhere that comedy allows people to bring up topics that would normally not be considered acceptable in most settings. I doubt many people, other than Ken Bigley’s family, friends, and the government officials involved, think much about the man, except for what they read or see in the news, if they do at all. Even fewer really care about him personally. Billy Connolly has just made sure that at least his audience has had a stark reminder of his possible fate.
If it was my family in that state, no, I wouldn’t want anyone making a joke about it. But other people need to be jolted now and again, so they don’t forget that these captives are real people, not just names in the news. Not that I think Billy Connolly had high-minded intentions when he made the joke, but sometimes the resulting outrage is the best way to make people passionate about something.
This was created before and after I made Dave. I wonder if the similarities in colour are a mere coincidence. That and the fact that the US vice presidential debates were held just minutes ago leaves no doubt in my mind that a conspiracy is afoot.
Dear Baby Buddy #1 And First Sock Doll Ever (‘Dave’),
Welcome to the world! You’ve arrived at a great time, it’s Autumn in Xiamen, and the weather has finally changed, so your jumper and beanie will come in handy.
Your jumper, hat and tights are in what I call harmonised Fall colours, Dave, I hope you like them. By happy coincidence, the design detail of the sock works as though you’ve got yourself a patterned knit jumper.
Unfortunately, Dave, your head’s been put on the wrong way, and I’ve made it disproportionately large and oval. I’ve compensated by making your eyes really, really small. You’re even pigeon-toed, just like me.
I’m sorry you look like an alien that’s been crucified in the freezer, but I’m sure you’re as happy as I am now that you’re here.
Love,
Mum
P.S. I now know what not to do when the instructions call for gather and ladder stitches. And I don’t need a thimble, I need a carbon fibre glove for my entire hand. Ouch.
Michael Bérubé reminds us that blogging will never die, because there are a huge number of words out there that will ‘benefit’ by prefacing them with ‘blog-’.
I could say their Irish accents were too bloody hard to understand, considering we did not have the benefit of English subtitles on our DVD, but I’d be lying. Nine Dead Gay Guys is about two best mates, Byron and Kenny, who move to London only to find that the streets are not paved with gold, their unemployment benefits don’t amount to much if they spend all their time drinking, and the best pubs in their neighbourhood are gay ones.
What they end up doing (not a spoiler) is giving blowjobs for beer money. But they’re not gay, all right? How this translates into nine dead gay guys is up to the viewer to discover.
Very odd film. The actor who plays Kenny kind of looks like a cross between John Hannah and Robbie Williams, the flat is a tip, and there’s too much of an attachment to a particular electrical appliance. And look out for Jeff’s wife — Neil shouted her name when the credits rolled, leading me to think he had a bit of a thing for her when he was but a wee boy. But I could be wrong.
Now, mixing prints can sometimes be seen as the height of fashion, but 
