Started by pcmodem · 6 Oct 2004 · 1,480 replies
gaijinmark wrote: Yup, as soon as he sits down behind his desk in the oval office, he's probably going to say to himself, "Geez, if I'd known the country was this screwed up, I'd have left McCain win!!" [/list:u]
bmwracer wrote:Freaking Commies... Why even bother broadcasting the inauguration at all?? :shakehead:
Chinese translation cuts out parts of Obama speech
By ANITA CHANG, Associated Press
BEIJING – The official Chinese translation of President Barack Obama's inauguration speech was missing his references to communism and dissent, while a live broadcast on state television Wednesday quickly cut away to the anchor when the topic was mentioned.
The comments by the newly installed U.S. president veered into politically sensitive territory for China's ruling Communist Party, which maintains a tight grip over the Internet and the entirely state-run media. Beijing tolerates little dissent and frequently decries foreign interference in its internal affairs.
At one point, Obama said earlier generations "faced down communism and fascism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions." He later addressed "those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent \ know that you are on the wrong side of history."
The Chinese translation of the speech, credited to the Web site of the official China Daily newspaper, was missing the word "communism" in the first sentence. The paragraph with the sentence on dissent had been removed entirely.
The censored version was carried by the state-run Xinhua News Agency and posted on popular online portals Sina and Sohu. Another portal, Netease, used a version without the paragraph mentioning communism, but retaining the part about dissent.
The news channel of state broadcaster China Central Television broadcast the speech live early Wednesday local time, but appeared caught off-guard by the statement about facing down communism.
The translator had no sooner said "fascism and communism" when the audio faded out from Obama's speech and cameras cut back to the studio anchor, who seemed flustered for a second before turning to ask an expert what challenges the president faces in turning around the U.S. economy.
Wang Jianhong, deputy director of the CCTV general editing department, said he did not stay up to watch the inauguration broadcast but suggested the transition was a normal part of the program.
"There are breakaways even when broadcasting China's own meetings," he said. "Americans might care a lot about the presidential inauguration, but Chinese may not be very interested."
No one in the editing department of the China Daily Web site was immediately available to answer questions.
The full translation of Obama's speech could be viewed on the Web site of Hong Kong-based broadcaster Phoenix Satellite Television, which has a reputation as a more independent news source. The China Daily Web site posted Obama's full remarks in English only.
China has previously altered the words of U.S. officials. A 2004 speech in Shanghai by former Vice President Dick Cheney was broadcast live on state-run television at the insistence of U.S. officials, but the Chinese transcript of the remarks deleted references to political freedom.
In 2003, the memoirs of then-Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton were pulled from publication in China after the government-backed publisher removed references to the 1989 Tiananmen Square democracy protests and altered Clinton's comments about human rights activist Harry Wu.
kitakaze wrote:They really think they can censor media from Chinese savy in technology this day and age? They must be delusional.
gaijinmark wrote:Gov. Rod Blagojevich lashed out at his accusers Monday and revealed he had considered naming Oprah Winfrey to the Senate.
Takoyama wrote:Secretary of State Billary Clinton is here. Damn she looks so haggard :beaten:
bmwracer wrote:
She's got a lot of miles on her. :beaten:
bmwracer wrote:Boy, the Republicans are one sullen, morose group of stooges.What I can't figure out is why they're already beating up Obama on his economic plan? If they were smart (insert one-liner here) they would wait awhile because if it does work, they're just digging themselves in a deeper hole. [/list:u]
gaijinmark wrote: What I can't figure out is why they're already beating up Obama on his economic plan? If they were smart (insert one-liner here) they would wait awhile because if it does work, they're just digging themselves in a deeper hole. [/list:u]
deseipher wrote:I would guess if the Republicans give Obama enough hassle, perhaps public support the plan and by extension Obama will erode a bit. Enough negativity in the news about the parties fighting over the plan might temper the hopes of some people. It's not exactly a bad plan, given McCain did win 47% of the popular vote so they a base to work with, and I have to admit the Republicans have done a nice job the last few weeks in the media presenting their message about how the bill is wasteful spending and expanding government.
As great as they've done though, the Republicans need to realize that they might come across as petty and immature. The party needs to understand that the majority of the country voted for Barack Obama, and that President Obama does have some political capital to work with. President Obama has done a great job of reaching out to the public about the plan, like the address earlier tonight. Thankfully some Republican governors, such as Gov. Crist of Florida, have come out in support of President Obama's plan and that's the kind of cooperation we need in a time like this.
I feel as if the Republican party is so hellbent on trying to hold their ground that they are willing to make an already difficult time even more so by putting up so much opposition to the plan. So much for country first.
Geezer wrote:And if Bobby Jindal's the best they can do... that won't take long.
It drove me nuts trying to figure out who Jindal reminded me of when I was listening to his response... but when I turned on the computer I saw dozens of comments saying that he was in fact Kenny the NBC Page from "30 Rock". It was hilarious.
krim wrote:Palin/Jindal in 2012! :rofl: :rofl:
Geezer wrote:
It drove me nuts trying to figure out who Jindal reminded me of when I was listening to his response... but when I turned on the computer I saw dozens of comments saying that he was in fact Kenny the NBC Page from "30 Rock". It was hilarious.
With one National speech the guy has gone from Rising star in the Republican Party... to National joke.
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