Around the Blogosphere: Empty hotel rooms, history of the Chinese Yuan and Muslim weddings in China

Do any of the Chinese citizens here realize that the "tide of public opinion" set into motion to protest CNN, Carrefour, etc., could effectively be used at this last moment to save the Beijing Olympics from becoming a laughingstock? Beijing has worked HARD for these games, to put it mildly; it has done many admirable things, and many cruel things to get ready for this show. If things proceed on the present course, however, it will be for naught; TV network personnel & equipment banned, etc.

Beijing simply does not realize that to truly be seen as standing shoulder to shoulder with other world powers, one has to work harmoniously with huge international TV networks, thousands of personnel, allowing everyone freedom of movement, travel, access, and so on. I predict this: unless Beijing has the guts to do what every other major nation on earth does, this Olympics will always have the reputation of "quaint." That is EXACTLY the image China is trying so hard to fight.

All this "I hate CNN" stuff--that energy of public "thinking"--could be easily, easily mobilized in a last-ditch effort to pressure the Beijing Olympics committee (and others calling the shots) to break out of the fossilized way of thinking that is pinching China's image off at the Beijing airport, where TV network equipment is now being confiscated, reporters sent back home, etc. Not much time to act, but the Chinese people COULD save the Olympics if they turn their true patriotism on.

I'm so angry about the Z-visa thing. Let's hope it remains a rumor, shall we?