World News Feed

The Freedom Against Censorship Thailand or FACT mentions the confrontation of state-controlled newspapers and the Vietnam government over the arrest of reporters who wrote about a corruption scandal.

New Mandala is shocked to discover that a state-run newspaper in Myanmar reports the impact of the Cyclone Nargis only on page four of the paper

In case you are looking for the Junta's official mouthpiece, visit myanmar.com.

Magnoy Samsara notes “feather-boa bicycle bandits” have invaded Vietnam's city streets.

nomad4ever tackles the reasons and impact of rising fuel prices in Indonesia

Susan Loone's blog asks if there is a military torture camp in Malaysia following the release of a two minute video clip which showed military commandos being tortured by their superiors.

Brunei Lifestyle announces Brunei’s half-day energy conservation marathon next week. “Bruneians are urged to take part in the ‘e-Saving’ drive simply by turning off unused electrical appliances, use them in moderation and switch to energy-efficient equipments.”

The biggest auction site in Korea, “Auction,” was involved in a hacker attack in February and lost the personal information of at least 11 million customers. Recently, the hackers were found to be Chinese. In addition, Koreans are related to this crime. The fact that the personal information is used by Chinese netizens in China at present shocks Korean netizens and they question how they have to deal with this problem.

Martian Martin gives the details in his post.

?? 2? ??? ??? ?? ?? ?? ????? ??? ??? ??? ?? ? ? ?? ?? ??? ????? ???. ??? ??? ??? ????? ???? ??? ?? ???? ?? ???? ??? ???? ??? ??? ?? ??? ???? ?????. ??? ? ?? ??? ???? ??? ???? ????? ??? ?? ???? ????, ? ??? ??? ??? ??? ?? 1800??? ?? ?? ????? ??? ?? ?????? ???. ?? ?? ???? ???? ????? ??? ?? ??, ??? ?? ??? ?? ???? ???? ??? ?? ?????? ?? ??? ??? ???. ????? ??? ???? ?? ???? ? ??? ?? ?? ??????, ? ??? ???? ??? ??? ?? ?????? ???? ??? ??? ????? ??? ??? ?? ??? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ??? ??? ??? ? ? ??? ??? ?? ????? ??? ? ??? ????? ?? ??? ??? ?? ????. ?? ??? ??? ??? ?? ??? ?? ??? ??? ?? ?? ??? ???? ???? ?? ?? ??? ?????, ???? ?? 1/2? ??, ????, ??????, ???? ?? ??? ???? ????? ????? ??? ?????. ??? ???? ????? ?? ???? ??? DB? ???? ?????? ???? ?? ?? ???? ????.

??? ???? ??? ??? ??? ??? ?? ????? ???? ???? ??? ??? ?? ?? ???? ???, ??? ???? ?? ??? ??? ??? ???????. ??? ??? ??? ?? ??? ? ????? ??? ???? ??? ???? ??? ????? ?? ??? ?????,[…] ?? ??? ? ?? ???? ??? ??? ? ? ?? ??? ?? ?? ??? ?? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ? ?? ??? ??? ?? ????. ??? ?? ??? ??? ???? ? ??? ??? ?? ????? ??? ??? ? ?? ?? ???? ???? ??? ???? ???? ???? ?????.

The government knows the information of the people is already used in illegal ways for the evil intentions, but they seem not to solve this problem actively. The extent of the security of our country has been backward and our country is just famous for having the fast speed of the Internet.[…] If it is information that we can’t take back anymore, there should be other methods to prevent other crimes or to protect individual information. And we should catch these betrayers of our country at all means and punish them in front of all other people in order to set a good example to show what would be the end of traitors.

Not a few netizens worry about how the personal information is used and feel insecure.

[…]?? ??? ????? ? ???? “?????? PC? ??? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ?? ???? ??? ??? ???? ?? ??? ???? ???? ??. ? ????? ???? ??? ????? ???? ??? ??.”?? ????. ??? ??? ?? ? ? ?? ???? ??? ??????. ??? ??? ???? ??, ??? ?? ???? ???? ???. ?? ??? ?? ??? ??? ? ?? ??? ???? ? ????? ????? ??? ??? ??[…] ??? ????? ??? ?? ??? ?? ???? ???? ??? ? ????? ????? ?? ??? ???? ??. ????? ?? ???? ???? ??. ??? ????? ? ???? ???? ?? ???? ????? ???? ???? ??[…]

Current chaos in Korean society over other issues generates criticism toward the present government.

????..?????. ????. ?????…[…] ?? ?? ???… ??? ??…??? ???? ??? ??? ????.. ??? ? ???? ??? ??? ??? ????. ??…

A netizen criticizes the attitude of people toward computer hackers and how to react to this coming threat.

?? 2?? ?? ?? ????? ??? ? ??? ?? ???. 1000? ??? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ???. ??? ??? ??? ?? 3?? ???? ?????, ??? ??? ????? ??????. ??? LG???? ??? ??? ???? ????? ?? ??????? ????? ??? ??? ????.??? ???? ??? ?? ????? ????? ?? ????? ??? ???? ??? ????? ?? ?????. ??? ???? ????? ??? ????? ???? ??.??? ?? ??? ???? ??? ???? ?? ??? ??? ?? ?? ??? ????? ??? ? ? ??. ????? ??? ???? ???? ??? ??? ??? ???? ????? ?? ??? ????. ?? ???? ????? ??? ??? ???? ??? ?? ???. ????? ? ??? ???? ?? ????? ??? ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???. ?? ?? ??? ?? ?? ????? ????? ???? ????.??????? ???? ??? ??? ??? ??? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ??? ????. ???? ??? ??????? ?????? ???? ??? ????? ???? ??. ??? ? ?? ??? ??? ??? ???? ??? ??? ?? ? ??? ?? ???? ?????? ??. ??? ???? ??? ??? ?????? ???? ??? ???? ?? ??? ??? ??? ??. ??? ?? ? ??? ??? ?? ????.??? ??? ??? ??, ??? ?? ??? ???? ??? ??? ??. ???? ??? ??? ???? ??? ? ?? ???.

This photo shows ID numbers and Korean names after putting a random Korean name in a Chinese portal site

After a long period of dictatorship, and since the political liberalization of the 80's, Brazilians have learned to value freedom of expression as a key democratic right. But the last weeks have shown that some issues such as marijuana legalization still don't hold the status of being entitled to a legally sanctioned public debate. This year's edition of the Marijuana March was prohibited by courts in 9 capital cities across the country due to allegations of illegal promotion of drug use. The theme provoked responses by many local bloggers.

Enquanto em alguns países o uso da maconha é restritamente aceito, no Brasil esse tipo de debate não é nem ao menos permitido. Falar sobre maconha se tornou mais que um tabu, visto que poucos dias antes da marcha acontecer ela foi proibida pelo Ministerio Público, decisão essa que impediu um recurso contrário devido a proximidade da data do evento. Fica clara a incapacidade desse país em permitir com que seus cidadãos possam debater em prol das relações que temos com alguns problemas vividos por aqui. Seria uma passeata, apologia? Debater se tornou influenciar? Alguns termos estão muito mal definidos na cabeça do poder legislativo, o que impede o cidadão de se reunir para reivindicar o que lhe julga de direito: a liberdade de expressão.
Fascismo Tropical - Obrog!!!

Obviamente, decisões judiciais não se descumprem, mesmo que as achemos inconstitucionais, pois gozam da presunção de legitimidade necessária à segurança jurídica das relações humanas e sociais reguladas pelo direito, valor maior a ser preservado no sistema jurídico. Mas nada impede que sejam objeto de debate acadêmico e mesmo político, sob um ponto de vista crítico. Os direitos à livre expressão do pensamento e à reunião são garantidos pelo artigo 5º de nossa Constituição como valores fundamentais do regime democrático. Princípio democrático é a norma constitucional que determina não apenas a adoção de decisões por uma maioria legislativa ou social, mas também - e em especial -, a preservação dos direitos das minorias… Subtrair de parcela da cidadania o direito de protestar contra a vigência de qualquer lei, penal ou não, é ferir de morte o regime democrático. É subtrair-lhe o sentido, traduzindo-se em ato imperial, impróprio ao Estado Democrático de Direito… Se postular pela revogação de uma lei não é conduta salvaguardada pelo direito de livre expressão, que condutas da cidadania seriam salvaguardadas por este direito? Posso expressar que sou contra as normas vigentes, mas não posso dizer quais e as respectivas razões?… Fica agora a questão: será que passeatas em favor da descriminalização do aborto e outras semelhantes também serão proibidas? Podem também serem compreendidas como um estímulo à prática do aborto, conduta tipificada em nossa ordem penal. Se forem, obviamente o sentido da democracia brasileira se esvairá.
A Marcha da Maconha e o direito à livre expressão, por Pedro Estavam Serrano - Última Instância

Cannabis was brought to Brazil by the first Africans arriving from Angola, and it's use and cultivation was encouraged by the Portuguese, which resulted in it being culturally assimilated by the mestizos and by some Indian groups. Medical use was also common, mostly during the second part of the 19th century, and even advertised in Brazilian medical journals up to the first years of the 20th century. Some commenters focused on the cultural aspects of the censorship.

Tal proibição numa cidade como Salvador, afronta um significado étnico e cultural do uso dessa planta, que é uma parte da herança cultural africana. Sobre esse aspecto assim se expressou Gilberto Freyre: “as tradições religiosas, como outras formas de cultura, ou de culturas negras, para cá transportadas, junto com a sombra das próprias árvores sagradas, com o cheiro das próprias plantas místicas – a maconha ou a diamba, por exemplo – é que vêm resistindo mais profundamente, no Brasil, à desafricanização. Muito mais do que o sangue, a cor e a forma dos homens. A Europa não as vencerá.” (Sobrados e Mucambos, 2003, p.797). Poderia Gilberto Freyre ser enquadrado como “apologista” da maconha?
Democracia Cultural e a Marcha da Maconha - Blog Oficial do Tio Tod

Recentemente, o Ministro da Cultura Gilberto Gil apresentou uma proposta p/ tombar a Ayahuasca, planta alucinógena que compõe o chá do Santo Daime, como patrimônio cultural nacional. Se a “Pequena Morte” pode, por que não a Manga Rosa, o Cabeça de Nego, o Cabrobó?… Enquanto não se chega a um consenso, e muito menos a uma solução p/ o problema, o presidente do Conselho Federal da OAB, Cezar Britto, defende a liberdade de expressão como bem primordial de um Estado democrático: “O maior mal que se pode impor a um país é calar, censurar o pensamento.”
A marcha que não quer calar - Viva la Brasa

The 20th century brought about the spreading of the notion of the plant as a great danger to individuals and society, and also a surge of international agreements for the adjustment of national laws criminalizing the use of cannabis. Ecologia Cognitiva offers a good account and links showing how the the early Twentieth Century American movie industry played a key role in disseminating the new cultural references for the plant, and the ideological elements displayed by some commenters adds up to the notion that politics seems to play a role bigger than science when it comes down to defining how harmful cannabis really is.

Ao examinarmos os fatos percebemos claramente que os mais comuns e perigosos mitos e inverdades sobre a substância ilegal mais utilizada no mundo são concebidos e difundidos pelo governo americano, em desacordo com as descobertas oficiais… Em 1936 o filme Reefer Madness (vale à pena assistir) inaugura a perseguição mostrando como apenas uma tragada da fumaça maldita pode levar jovens sadios a uma escalada de violência e luxúria que resulta em morte e insanidade. Apesar da declaração de que os fatos narrados no filme não apresentavam nenhuma relação com pessoas ou situações reais, o filme explicita que cumpre a missão de informar a população incauta sobre o ‘novo inimigo público número um' (veja ao lado)… O famoso estudo de 1972 da ‘National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse', formada por especialistas e congressistas convocados pelo então presidente Nixon, sugeria no relatório final que “deveríamos desenfatizar a maconha como um problema” e afirmava que “o uso de drogas por prazer ou outros motivos não-medicinais não são inerente irresponsáveis”. Tal resultado certamente não atendeu à agenda política da época e foi totalmente ignorado pelo governo — o período que se seguiu foi marcado por grande censura à pesquisa com psicoativos.
Em 1988, após 4 anos de estudos envolvendo centenas de testemunhas e milhares de páginas em documentação, Francis Young, Chefe do Depto. Jurídico do DEA publicou relatório onde sugeriu uma reclassificação de periculosidade da cannabis declarando: “é razoável concluir que existem utilizações seguras para a maconha sob supervisão médica — afirmar o contrário constitui claro erro de julgamento”. Novamente os estudos oficiais foram desconsiderados, e aproximadamente 10 anos depois o drug-czar do presidente Clinton (Barry Macfrey), afirma à imprensa que “não existe nenhum traço de evidência científica sobre segurança ou benefícios medicinais da maconha.”… Enquanto isso, na Europa, pesquisa encomendada pelo governo inglês em 1996 registrou parecer que também recomendava a reclassificação da substância, indicando que “os malefícios não devem ser superestimados: a cannabis não é venenosa e não apresenta algo grau de adição”. E o National Institute of Health (EUA) promoveu em 2001 workshop sobre as possíveis utilizações médicas da cannabis, e dentre as conclusões afirma que podem existir casos específicos de pacientes onde o uso da cannabis (a fumaça) supera em resultados os medicamentos que utilizam o princípio ativo (thc) em cápsulas.
Planta proibida, perseguição denunciada - Ecologia Cognitiva

In 1988, after 4 years of study involving hundreds of testmonies and thousands of pages of documentation, Francis Young, DEA Administrative Law Judge published a report where he suggests reclassifying the dangerousness of cannabis, declaring: “it is reasonable to conclude that there exists safe uses for marijuana under medical supervision — to affirm the contrary is a clear error of judgement”. The official research was again not considered, and aproximately 10 years later President Clinton's drug-czar (Barry Macfrey), declared to the press that “there is no trace of scientific evidence about safety or medical beneficials of marijuana use.” …. Meanwhile, in Europe, research ordered by the British government in 1996 registered an opinion that recomended the reclassification of the substance, indicating that “the negative aspects of the use should not be exaggerated: cannabis is no poison, and does not represent a high addiction level”. And the National Institute of Health (US) has promoted a workshop about the possible medical uses of cannabis, and among the conclusions it affirms that there may be some specific cases where the use of cannabis (smoked) surpasses the results of the medicines which utilizes the active principle (thc) in capsules.
Prohibited plant, denounced persecution - Ecologia Cognitiva

… Deputado Federal Marcelo Itagiba (PMDB-RJ), ex-secretário de Segurança do Estado, que entrou com uma ação contra a passeata que resultou na sua proibição pela Justiça, contrapôs que o ato era ilegal, pois diligenciava em favor do uso da maconha: “A marcha foi criada para promover um crime, que é o consumo de drogas. Eu não sou contra a liberdade de expressão, mas essa discussão não deveria ser feita em local público, e sim em meios acadêmicos e no Congresso. Essa é um movimento de meia dúzia de burgueses que buscam satisfação pessoal para o seu vício”. O deputado Itagiba está coberto de razão, mas, coitado, não sabe com quem está lidando, ou sabe e não quer falar: pois é justamente no seio da “comunidade” acadêmica, no âmbito das ONGs ambientalistas e, de forma camuflada, nos bastidores dos partidos “progressistas” - e radicais - que se trama a luta pela descriminalização da droga e a sua posterior liberação. O ex-presidente Fernando Henrique Cardoso, o Vaselina, e o governador Sérgio Cabral, leitor do “Estado e a Revolução” (de Lenin), dois produtos típicos do nosso meio “politicamente correto”, são favoráveis e laboram, sempre que possível, em função da sua descriminalização. A tese é a de que com a legalização da produção, comercialização, distribuição e o controle da droga pelo Estado, a violência que a cerca acabaria como num passe de mágica… O fato concreto é que nos últimos 50 anos a droga massificou-se em escala universal. E, paralelamente, tornou-se um negócio (porco) dos mais lucrativos do mundo, com renda global em torno dos US$ 800 bilhões anuais. Por trás dele estão as máfias internacionais, o crime organizado, os guerrilheiros das FARC, interesses ideológicos e revolucionários de todos os matizes, para não falar da própria polícia, dos políticos e de setores do poder judiciário – justamente as instituições que deveriam combater a ferro e fogo o narcotráfico.
A Marcha da Maconha - Blog sem Máscara

One thing is certain: this year's edition of the Brazilian Marijuana March is to be remembered by activists from all the different positions of the spectrum. On one hand, it is the first time that the movement to legalize was spread across the country, and on the other, it is worth some reflection on what could be called a backfire in the repression strategy, as the issue earned even more visibility in the media. The two videos posted at Filipeta da Massa illustrate well the situation: the first is a brief documentary of the single legal March in Recife, Pernambuco and the other reports the negative reaction to the prohibition as shown on the main TV news program in Brazil.

Among the many different points-of-view, some people are just starting to approach the issue. For them, it seems illogical trying to understand something without having fair access to all sides of the debate. Kind of obvious, isn't it?

Sobre a marcha: fiquei sabendo há acho que faz duas ou três semanas e, assumo, achei ridículo. Imaginei que só teria um monte de gente que não quer saber de nada da vida, que acha que abala, fumando com a maior pose de ‘prenda-me se for capaz’. Mas, quando soube que, durante a marcha, o consumo da maconha não seria permitido, me esquivei. Esquivei porque senti que seria um negócio sério, mesmo que, obviamente, pessoas tipo citadas acima estariam lá estragando todo o ideal. No fundo eu achei que não fosse dar certo mesmo, a maconha é um grande tabu e ninguém – das pessoas ligadas à política - quer ser o primeiro a discutir sobre sua legalização. Eu não tenho uma opinião formada sobre isso. Lí um folhetinho sobre a marcha e não me convenci que isso deve ou não deve acontecer; tem seus problemas, tem seus benefícios, mas eu realmente não sei o que achar disso. Se fosse comprovado que iria diminuir o tráfico, eu até iria à marcha, defender de verdade a legalização, mas como isso é só uma dedução – mesmo que pareça lógico – e não uma certeza… De qualquer forma, barrar a manifestação foi o cúmulo do autoritarismo, e isso sim eu não apoio de verdade. O pior nessa história toda, é que ninguém sabe agumentar e respeitar. Todos têm suas opiniões a respeito, querem impô-las aos outros, mas não sabe ser pacifico e convincente para isso.
A história de como eu perdi um dente + A Marcha da Maconha - Grão de Estrelas

Russian photographer Oleg Klimov (translation of his travel notes from Russia's Far East are here and here) visited a commercial greenhouse outside Moscow and posted his observations (RUS) about a birthplace of the roses one buys in Russia's capital:

[two photos from the greenhouse]

Why is it considered romantic to give flowers as gifts? I went to [Podmoskovye], observed how they are growing roses there. It's easy. Dutch technologies. Expensive. The director is from Cosa Nostra or is representing it: black shoes, black jeans, black leather jacket and a black Beemer. The real owner is a deputy from the [Putin-led United Russia Party], still a businessman, but a future politician, too, or, more likely, both. Engineers and the agronomist are Dutch. The workers are [gastarbeiter, migrant laborers], and they have fewer rights and respect than Moscow bums from [Kurskiy train station]. And a corresponding salary - “whatever God sends down.” One rose costs 30-40 rubles [$1.25-$1.70] at the […] farm, and 130-140 rubles [$5.45-$5.90] in Moscow. Everything they produce goes to Moscow. There are not enough flowers. The business is flourishing and growing. Damaged flowers are sent to churches. For free. A way to atone for their sins, obviously. God is not at the market - won't notice the damage.

[Migrant workers] can barely speak Russian. They work almost illegally, and perhaps their status in the country isn't too official, either - but it's hard to find out. […]

A woman from Tajikistan, whose hands are all covered with bruises from rose thorns, said to me in Russian: “I love flowers, they are hope.” It was strange to see the silent and humiliated human beings - as if transfered from the Middle Ages - work next to the high-tech [equipment]. And I still don't understand why women like everything that has to do with slavery: diamonds, gold and flowers.

Or Does it Explode reports on a protest in Damascus, Syria, calling for the release of their relatives, who are imprisoned in Saudi Arabia. According to the blog, Saudi Arabia has sentenced to death at least 28 Syrians for drug possession and jailed hundreds more.

Egyptian blogger Hossam el Hamalawy reports that the Egyptian stock market continues to decline

Jordanian blogger Lulu, who lives in the US, draws our attention to an underwater cemetery, which sea lovers can choose to be buried in.

Li Shihui, a researcher of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), exposed in his blog that the Sichuan earthquake on May 12 was already predicted at an earlier time. In spite of the various rumors of earthquake omens which are flooded on the Internet, Li's specialty and systematic statement have helped him gain many people's confidence, even after his controversial articles are deleted by the network administrator.

The front page of Li's blog

Clicked on the relevant articles of Li's blog, the page appears to be”Sorry, the blog you visit doesn't exist.”

A copy of Li Shihui's article on chinalabs.com:

???????????????????5??????????????????????????????????????????32?????????????????????????????“?????”?????????????“?????????”?“???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

???????1970??????????????????????????????????????“????”??????????????????????????????(??1956-1970?)?????????????“6?????????????1-3.5??????????????????????????”????????512?-1879??????2-3.5?,???7?7.5-8??????1972??????“?????????????”??????????????1975??????????1976????????1980??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

???2008?5?12??????????7.8??????????????????????????2006????????????????????????7??????2008?4?26??27?????????????“???????”?????,??“?????2008.5-2009.4?????????,?????????????6-7???”?????????????????4?30?????????????????????????“????7??????????5?8?(??10???)”????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

??????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Seismologist with tearless grief: Today's strong quake was predicted
.
Key Laboratory of Engineering Geomechanics, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Li Shihui
2008-05-12 23:45:02
.
Under the direction of the modern science and technology of Western World, the forecast of destructive earthquake?over 5 magnitude) is impossible, especially the imminent earthquake prediction, which has been a general consensus in the seismology world. From this point of view, there is no way to well predict the Tangshan earthquake 32 years ago or today's Wenchuan earthquake. The TV program “Read News Everyday”(??????of Phoenix mentioned: some newspapers said the calamity of Tangshan earthquake is “mainly caused by human error” ; the anchor of “Debate on Current Affairs”(?????) said: if China had accepted the international aid, hundreds of thousands of people would have survived. Those opinions are not in accord with the facts. The truth is the tragedy might have been avoided if authorities had accepted the views of the scientists, who combined the research of the east and the west. Please refer to the relevant articles I copied or published in my blog.
.
During 1970‘s, a group of young seismologists in China had achieved great results which were well ahead of the world level by studying the essence of Chinese traditional culture(including the methods that fully make use of the historical documents and “analogy drawn from phenomena”). For example, according to the statistics of the relationship between drought and earthquake throughout the ages?including 1956-1970), Geng Qingguo discovered a law that “the epicentral region always suffered droughts 1-3.5 years before the earthquake over 6 magnitude. Besides, the larger the drought region occupied and the longer the drought lasted, the higher the corresponding magnitude would be.” (2-3.5 years after the long droughts during 512-1879AD, seven 7.5-8 magnitude earthquakes had occurred in China) In 1972, Geng Qingguo put forward a theory of “medium-term earthquake prediction based on the relationship between drought and quake”. By that law, Geng Qingguo successfully predicted the Haicheng earthquake in 1975 and especially the Tangshan earthquake in 1976. In 1980's, He published his treatise The Relationship between Drought and Earthquake in China (Science Press). However, those achievements challenged the powers in the Chinese seismology circle, so Geng Qingguo was shunted from the prediction team to an earthquake newspaper office.
.
Today is May 12, 2008, Chinese seismologist Geng Qingguo is suffering with tearless grief. In 2006, according to the relationship between drought and earthquake he predicted in recent years there would be a serious earthquake over 7 magnitude in Aba autonomous region. After a group discussion on April 26 and 27, 2008, Committee of Natural Hazards Prediction subordinate to Chinese Geophysical Society (CGS) reported that “a 6-7 magnitude earthquake may occur to the south of Lanzhou, around the borders of Sichuan, Gansu and Qinghai.” (the written report had been sent to the China Earthquake Administration by confidential letter on April 30). What's more, Geng Qingguo clearly indicated that “the dangerous point of an earthquake over 7 magnitude in Aba region is on May 8 (within 10 days before or later)” in accordance with the magnetic storm Combinations.?The prediction above had obviously pointed out all the three essential factors). Geng Qingguo, an undoubted national treasure, is excluded by the earthquake experts of mainstream, and can only depend on a meager pension to continue his research. The pity is what this old seismologist said didn't make any difference.
.
I am filled with grief and indignation. I was wondering if there will come a day when Geng Qingguo, Wang Chengmin, Ren Zhenqiu and Wangdixing such national treasure are not frozen out any more, and freely work for the rejuvenation of China.

??2006?12?17?“???????????????20??????????”?????????????????????

A picture taken before the “From Haicheng Earthquake to Qinglong Miracle Conference” on December 17, 2006. The one siting left is Geng Qingguo, Wang Chengmin on the right and Li Shihui in the middle.

The mass circulation of Li Shihui's article in the blogsphere and BBSs has provoked more criticism on China Earthquake Administration which did not publish any warning before the dreadful earthquake while some other netizens expressed their doubt about Li's unofficial statement.

Comments on KDNET:

?????51 ??? 2008-5-15 0:11:55
……
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
????????????????????????????????????
?????????????????????????????????????“??”?????????????????????????????????
……

Author: Eastwind 51 Posted on 2008-5-15 0:11:55
…
In a word, the information about the earthquake should be treated with scientific and realistic attitude. Tell the people that those information is neither rumors nor totally reliable truth. I believe people will understand that. To deal with the situation only by violent ideological confrontation can only backfire. The authorities should learn the lesson.
On the other hand, it is really inadvisable to give too much emphasis to Geng Qingguo's prediction, because before the earthquake no one knew whether his prediction was right or not.
Someone may believe that it's a case involving human life, so the authorities should have paid more attention to his prediction. However, those friends may not know there are hundreds and thousands of such kind of prediction. it's not easy for the authorities to pick the valuable out of vast information.
…

??????? ??? 2008-5-15 0:21:34
??????????

Author: Background Operation Posted on 2008-5-15 0:21:34
To hell with political needs?

??????? ??? 2008-5-15 3:28:16
????????????????

If the thing is true, the head of the Earthquake Administration should be handed over to the justice!

Comments on Tianya:

??????3 ??? 2008-5-14 11:13
??????????????? ??????????????????? ???? ??????????????????? ?????????

Author: Chinese Knot 3 Posted on 2008-5-14 11:13
If the head of the Earthquake Administration still had a little humanity, at least he should have paid some attention to the prediction, but he just kept it as secret. What was he up to!! Let him go to Sichuan with Premier Wen and unearth those victims.

????? ??? 2008-5-14 12:04
???????????,?????????????????????????????????????????????,????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
???????????????????????????????????????????????????……

Author:Guest Posted on 2008-5-14 12:04
Our country is doing all that which is to be done, but whether the Earthquake Administration carried out their responsibilities? Is there a negligence of duty?? Should the authorities call the Earthquake Administration to account??? All the people are proud of Premier Wen, the rescue officers and soldiers, the medical personnel and the reporters; When those people who are negligent of their duties mourn for the dead, is it necessary to let them experience the bereaved family's feelings???
I have no idea of Seismology and I am not sure whether the person mentioned in the article is a Seismologist. If so, it's really a big woe of China. If China does not value talents, the country will…

????? ??? 2008-5-14 13:06
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Author:Guest Posted on 2008-5-14 12:04
I don't think it's a negligence of duty or problems of prediction capability, but a terrible fear of responsibilities. If the predicted earthquake occurs, the prediction become an honor, but more often the prediction will fail, and in that case who is going to be responsible for the failure? From the technical experts to the chief executive, who is willing to take the risks?

????? ??? 2008-5-16 3:46
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Author:Guest Posted on 008-5-16 3:46
I was in doubt about the earthquake at very beginning. The officials of Earthquake Administration are still practicing Tai chi chuan, prevaricating with a excuse that prediction and early warning are impossible. Bullshit?The work of this Earthquake Administration is only to measure the quake magnitude?
Poor Chinese!!!!! We have lost so many little lives!!!!!!!

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