'Are you Chinese?'

Today, I'm offering a guest posting from my news assistant, Fan Linjun, who will soon be leaving China for graduate studies in California. This will be the only post this week, as I'm on vacation in Florida. I'll post again July 30. Here's Linjun:

Hi, I am Linjun, Tim's news assistant. Tim has mentioned me on this blog a few times, including posting a picture of me eating a dish literally translated as "Ants Crawling on Trees" in Chengdu. Well, to tell you the truth, I don't like that dish and was just posing for Tim to take a picture. I am afraid of spicy food although I grew up in Hunan province.

Besides enjoying cheap dishes and being treated by many nice people during our trips across the country, Tim and I were twice "invited" into police stations to defend our interviews with locals. Once a police chief in Zhengzhou indignantly questioned whether I had sold my soul to evil foreign journalists. "Why do you help foreigners write bad stories to disgrace China? Aren't you a Chinese?"

Actually I had written "good" stories about China and the government for nearly two years when I was working for China's national televion. We were supposed to find daily evidence to prove that China is making progress and the government is doing its utmost to improve people's lives. After writing hundreds of such pieces, I tired of doing it.

It seems that I do just the opposite after I started working with Tim. We are constantly looking for China's problems, especially wrongdoings of government and its officials. Sometimes I am worried that American readers get the impression that the Chinese government is doing nothing but evil through news stories about China, including those written by Tim and me. I actually support many of the Chinese government (and my government)'s policies, which I think are trying to seek justice and help the disadvantaged. On the other hand, I believe that problems should be exposed so positive changes can be brought about early on. Journalists should always be ready to pick faults with the government, like flies untiringly searching for rotten stuff. Foreign journalists could function as critical watchdogs in China, especially when the feet of Chinese journalists are bound.

The Zhengzhou policeman finally let us go without any punishment or warnings. I wish he was somewhat convinced by my arguments. And shortly afterward several local officials stopped us on the street and candidly talked to us on the food poisoning case we were investigating.

I will shortly be leaving Beijing for the University of California at Berkeley, where I will study a graduate program in journalism for two years. I hope to grow into a well-rounded journalist and publish stories of my own. Although I contributed to many of Tim's stories, I have never had the chance of publishing a story in English independently. One instructor at Berkeley has already sent me the curriculum of the first semester---I will be assigned to write three news stories a week, doing interviews and finishing writings before deadlines just as a working reporter does. So it will be a very challenging and exciting experience.

I am looking forward to breathing California's fresh air. I am eager to meet young people from different countries, to examine new plants and to explore new streets. But I may not be able to wonder around as I do in Chinese cities, since I am warned not to walk alone at night in the States.

I can't afford to eat out often, since I have to pay for my living at Berkeley, and the money I painstakingly save in China will be devalued by seven times when I spend in America . I am greatly relieved to know that there are affordable frozen dumplings around in American shops, which will save me lots of trouble cooking. I guess when I am served the "Ants Crawling on Trees" in the States, I will wolf it down, however spicy it is.

Comments

[Marvin L Foushee]

Your currency will be exchanged one dollar for seven yuan, not devalued. There is a difference, but the Communist Party of China is happy that your first story as an American CIA journalist has started out with a big LIE. I like the five to one old conversion rate, but exports are more important than imports if you are trying to build up your foreign exchange reserves. Some matters are best left up to the Central Party Planners and Magicians.

[Marvin L Foushee]

http://www.tscnyc.org/our_pastors.php

This is a good look at Brother's Tim's Times Square Church that he reported upon in an earlier story. Pastor David Wilkerson either has a glass eye, or he is cross-eyed. In fact everyone in the perp lineup looks odd and demented: Twisted smiles and sadistic grins. That is what you look like when you have a CIA/FBI savior as your mentor in the United States.

Get a life in Xiamen University!

[Marvin L Foushee]

WILL THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE TIMES SQUARE CHURCH STEAL THE DALAI LAMA'S BODY WHEN HE DIES AND CLAIM THAT HE WAS REINCARNATED IN ISRAEL?

The future of the Dalai Lama

The 14th and current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso (born 1935).Despite its officially secular stance, the government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) has claimed the power to approve the naming of high reincarnations in Tibet. This decision cites a precedent set by the Qianlong Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, who instituted a system of selecting the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama by means of a lottery which utilised a golden urn with names wrapped in barley balls. Controversially, this precedent was called upon by the PRC to name their own Panchen Lama. The Dalai Lama and the majority of Tibetan Buddhists in exile do not regard this to be the legitimate Panchen Lama. The Dalai Lama has recognized a different child, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, as the reincarnated Panchen Lama. This child and his family have been taken into 'protective custody' according to the PRC, and all attempts by members of the EU parliament and US government to garner guarantees of the family's safety have been denied by the PRC. There is some speculation that with the death of the current Dalai Lama, the People's Republic of China will attempt to direct the selection of a successor, using the authority of their chosen Panchen Lama.

The current Dalai Lama has repeatedly stated that he will never be reborn inside territory controlled by the People's Republic of China[4], and has occasionally suggested that he might choose to be the last Dalai Lama by not being reborn at all. However, he has also stated that the purpose of his repeated incarnations is to continue unfinished work and, as such, if the situation in Tibet remains unchanged, it is very likely that he will be reborn to finish his work.[5] Additionally, in the draft constitution of future Tibet, the institution of the Dalai Lama can be revoked at any time by a democratic majority vote of two-thirds of the Assembly. The 14th Dalai Lama has stated, "Personally, I feel the institution of the Dalai Lama has served its purpose."[5]

[Marvin L Foushee]

The words handed down to the Panchen Lama, Jizün Losang Qamba Lhünzhub Qoigyijabu Baisangbu, from the spiritual kingdom above him: "No Gold, No Silver."

Translation: (No Jesus, No Judas)

(No Church of the Death Eaters, No Harry Potter)

[Marvin L Foushee]

http://honolulu.fbi.gov/area.htm

It seemed to me rather strange that Soloman's Temple, Hawaii Division, is claiming jurisdiction all the way into China, Tibet, Mongolia, Iran, ect. Their range of jurisdiction and command is greater than the United States Navy's Pacific Command. How much of there Death Eater Imperial plans against China did Brother Tim confine in Plum Blossom?

[Marvin L Foushee]

9/11 - A world transformed
Clark T Randt, Ambassador to Israel, after Bush, Death Eaters, Inc., Exxon-Mobil, and the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia took down the World Trade Center Buildings with exposives. The Velvet Revolution in China keeps getting greener and greener.

........................

September 11 was a defining moment in United States-China relations. In Beijing on the evening of September 11, President Jiang was watching CNN when the events unfolded live. Despite significant anti-American sentiment within China's ruling circles, a residue of the Belgrade bombing, the EP-3 incident and decades of anti-American and anti-foreign propaganda, the Chinese response, led by President Jiang, was immediate and unconditional. By 0130 on September 12, only a few hours after the attacks, President Jiang had sent a personal message to President Bush expressing his sympathy and condolences to the American people and offering the support of the Chinese government in combating terrorism. At the same time, Foreign Minister Tang sent Secretary Powell a message which said that "in the fight against terrorism, the United States and China stand side by side." This support was acknowledged and appreciated by President Bush who called President Jiang on September 12 to thank him.

When the coalition retaliated against the terrorists hiding in Afghanistan, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that China supports the strikes against terrorism. China, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, joined with the United States in supporting resolutions aimed at stopping the terrorists. China, also, began to cooperate with us by meaningful intelligence-sharing, and by tracking down and freezing certain terrorist-related bank accounts.

That China would respond in this way could not have been taken for granted. Consider that from the founding of the People's Republic in 1949 and confirmed at the Bandung Conference of 1955, China has presented itself as the champion of the non-aligned Third World. This legacy was reflected in Chinese reluctance to fully support the United States and its allies during the Gulf War and in its opposition to the NATO intervention in Serbia. China remained sitting on the bench during those international actions.

Now, however, China is actively engaged with the international community of nations. China has joined the WTO, agreeing to abide by its rules-based system that governs international trade in goods and services. As a consequence of WTO membership, China will be working together with the member countries of the WTO to further liberalize trade as part of the new trade round agreed to in Doha. China hosted the successful APEC leaders' summit in Shanghai together with its leaders' statement on counterterrorism and China has been selected to host the Olympic Games in 2008. China has also, as has been previously noted, stepped up the plate as a participating member of the international coalition against terrorism.

I wish to stress that, China's participation in this coalition is not the result of any devil's bargain. Being a valuable member of the coalition does not mean that China receives a free pass with respect to issues of non-proliferation, human rights, religious freedom or Taiwan. It does not mean, as the President said in Shanghai, that China can use terrorism as an excuse to persecute its ethnic minorities.

[Marvin L Foushee]

http://www.mayzhou.com/index.html

The search for the FBI killers of a Chinese graduate student at Stanford University, California.

The Chinese government could blame the Saudi government for her death and invade their country to catch her killer.

[MF]

Congrats on getting out of Zhengzhou unscathed. I don't know why, but it's like that town, and Henan in general, is a craziness magnet. Ninety percent of the unbelieveably bizarre news stories I hear happened in Henan. There's a lot of cronyism there too -- a friend of mine was living there and got stabbed by this crazy thug guy. It turns out the guy's dad was a policeman, so there was little my friend could do. When I called the US embassy for him to ask what he should do, the man who answered the phone laughed and asked, "Why is he living THERE? You know what he should do? He should LEAVE!"

[MF]

Congrats on getting out of Zhengzhou unscathed. I don't know why, but it's like that town, and Henan in general, is a craziness magnet. Ninety percent of the unbelieveably bizarre news stories I hear happened in Henan. There's a lot of cronyism there too -- a friend of mine was living there and got stabbed by this crazy thug guy. It turns out the guy's dad was a policeman, so there was little my friend could do. When I called the US embassy for him to ask what he should do, the man who answered the phone laughed and asked, "Why is he living THERE? You know what he should do? He should LEAVE!"

[Marvin L Foushee]

http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_6388333

The above link is in reference to a phony newspaper story in the Bay Area about a kidnapping that did not happen. The CIA staged the phony attemped kidnapping, (rape, murder) newspaper story so they could have a base of criminal operations out of the police department in Menlo Park, California, outside of Stanford University. How far is Stanford University from Berkley? Berkley used to be to a radical university, but it is now being used as a CIA training center for foreign students during the Kill the World Trade Center, Bush era.

Tim Johnson: Cuff Him, Don't Buff Him!

[Marvin L Foushee]

Enjoy!!!
Soccer
By Stallone Steban
This is the true history of how a civilization reached, after four million years of evolution, the summit of the stupidity. Everything began of the most unsuspected form. In some patio of a school, an ingenious boy invented a simple game: the marbles. That childish entertainment, with its small balls of rainbow colors, soon were made popular among the students. Immediately some adult, intrigued by the infantile enthusiasm, showed his head on one of those groups of people. This being, without a doubt of great talent, and of which unfortunately we do not know name, admired agape that innocent game, and in his very advanced mind was arising between darknesses, vague images of colossal temples where masses of people howled and moaned in cathartic celebration. Although he did not understand these auguries (that turned out to be desperate warning of the Gods), he ran to reveal its discovery to other beings of its same species. The amazement was general, and in just a short time grounds of patios, seats and stuffed esplanades of people of all age and condition could be seen crowding around itself with no shame on ridiculous small balls. It didn't take much to organize local championships, encouraged by livened up retailers who offered all class of gadgets and complements of the greater utility for better benefit of the new phenomenon. From the local championships teams of surpassed players arose, who faced in fights provincial and regional. The governors of the nation appreciated the magnificent qualities of so educative activity, and gave the approval to what some began to call “sport”, creating a Ministry that she regulated, protected, sponsored and spread a new organization: Professional Marble League. Naturally, one settled down a simple unified code of rules, uses and ways with his corresponding laws, statutes, substatutes and sections, that the people memorized without the smaller problem. Through all the country the main cities constructed with pride their majestic Marble Stages to lodge properly so important cultural activity. At the same time, they grew new national heroes, the Players Marble professionals, beings of remarkable talent and sensitivity, that they caused envies and the admiration of the population by important declarations and their wealth so deservedly gained. No less media glory was achieved by the ostentatious people, who, with disinterestedness and diaphanous clarity, administered to the accounts and balance of clubs and associations. Day after day, one could be hear thoughtful reflexions and wise analysis by the Doctors of the matter who made an effort to explain without rest their faithful disciples, eager for information on the story of the new Science. Incomprehensibly, some voices were raised against the new one religion: << it's alienating>>, << the opium of the people >>,… They came, without a doubt, from insane minds of diminished individuals, that did not include/understand many virtues of the Marble Game. Without a doubt, everything was perfect: the national economies benefited from enormous income, the citizens tribally combined their patriotic feelings in international encounter, dreamed up the spirit and the throat going to the Magnificent Stages, offered an ideal nobleman to the childhood, and mainly, a democratic Philosophy was provided on which everybody could give a speech with reasonings untiringly founded. And thus it was as an ingenious game became the Subject, Science, the Philosophy and the Religion of that outpost civilization.

[Marvin L Foushee]

With such violence in the Naxi Providence, I bet the CPC asked the administration of George W Bush to recall all of their diplomatic reporters for their own safety.

"Congrats on getting out of Zhengzhou unscathed. I don't know why, but it's like that town, and Henan in general, is a craziness magnet. Ninety percent of the unbelieveably bizarre news stories I hear happened in Henan. There's a lot of cronyism there too -- a friend of mine was living there and got stabbed by this crazy thug guy. It turns out the guy's dad was a policeman, so there was little my friend could do. When I called the US embassy for him to ask what he should do, the man who answered the phone laughed and asked, "Why is he living THERE? You know what he should do? He should LEAVE!""

[Ellen Sander]

Linjun, the best of luck in your studies. If you ever come to the east coast, I will buy you lunch..any dish you choose!

[Marvin L Foushee]

Given Brother's Tim faint connection to the Church of Times Square, I didn't think that it would be a bad idea to go terrorist unit, 2008 Olympics cautious with Fan Linquin at far as the Stanford authorities were concerned, and they checked her application record, and Fan Linquin did not apply to Stanford University. When she did not show up in that database, they checked and she did not apply at the University of Berkley either. What is going on here? Is this a human body parts story or a sex slave story meant to disgrace the Communist Party of China in the eyes of the world. Fan Linquin--bad, lying person. Brother Tim--evil, lying person. Times Square Church--devil Jew Jesus Church.

[Marvin L Foushee]

I can see the Chinese headlines right now: "Rites of Children Passage." It seems like it is a rite of children passage these days to spend a few days or a few months or a few years in the Gang of Four Hotel Suite. Rebels testing their courage and their personal relationship with the authorities, knowing that going in is coming out in a day or two. The Dao of being a teenager in China, or anywhere else for that manner, in a free world.

[Marvin L Foushee]

In Africa, where life is cheap, and water is not plentiful at times, it is easy for the Times Square Church to sweep 185 thousand dollars worth of people under the SEC, Justice Department rug of political corruption, but in America, where power and political influence is expensive, you have to sweep 185 billion dollars worth of people under the TAO rug in order to get their news story, King of Israel attention.

[Marvin L Foushee]

Larry Kudlow, Money & Politics, seems to be an ok sort of political person, and he would probably consider running for President of the United States if he felt that he could keep a Saudi Prince from flying a terrorist airplane into his financial accounts, but does he right the right Capitalism Stuff: Does he believe in free trade or fantasy television capitalism--capitalism that drinks Jesus juice with pedophiles and bank account robbers at Neverland and Exxon-Mobil.

[Kenneth]

Linjun,

Nice writeup! Enjoy the beautiful west coast weather, but don't get too much soaked in the liberalism :-)

[Marvin L Foushee]

I wonder if the King of Saudia Arabia believes that Allah, a pillar of Amon, has enought strength in his teeth to catch a spiritual missile aimed at two Islamic temples dedicated to thiefs, warmongers, and murders?

[Marvin L Foushee]

How large a bonfire of Bibles in Tibet does it take to capture the athiest Falong Gong monk, the Dalai Lama?

20,000,000

[Bill Winghan]

Fresh air in California? Definitely, if you stay away from the big urban areas. Berkeley may have cleaner air than most Chinese cities, but it sure isn’t as clean as it should be, or used to be. You’ll be inhaling industrial pollutants from nearby Oakland, not to mention Richmond, where the oil refineries are. Don’t mean to say that Berkeley is not a nice place -- that it is, otherwise I won’t be living here. The university campus is nice, and around it, there are lots of attractive Arts and Crafts style houses. You won’t find many of those in China. So it’s great for “wandering around”, exploring on foot, etc. Do heed the advice not to wander around alone after dark – at least not until you have learned your way around. And hopefully you will learn much about journalism as well -- as it is practised here. It also isn’t what it used to be. Bill Moyers recently took the US media to task for not calling the Bush administration’s bluff on Iraq sooner. It was aired on PBS and worth checking out. But even he was way late, pointing out what is so obviously wrong with the media. Likewise the coverage here on China is often pathetic. Getting at the truth involves hard work and hard thinking, and presenting it from a relevant perspective, well, that’s almost too much to ask. Good luck in your endeavors.

[cat]

Good luck. Hope to see your name in the byline soon.

[Sara Mills]

Linjun, I hope you enjoy your new experience ahead. I know many Chinese dream about the standards of living in the U.S., but the grass isn't greener. Just make the best use of your time and studies, so your find your success and may you be happy, healthy and prosperous.

[Martin]

Linjun

You wrote a great post! A couple points.

First- Ignore the jackass Marvin L Foushee. And when Tim gets back ask him to block Marv from future comments.

Second- Partially ignore Bill Wingham. I am looking across the Bay at Berkley right now and it's covered in beautiful cool, clean fog. Last night it was crystal clear weather. The air here is gorgeous!

I just moved back from 5 years in Beijing and for the first few weeks I would stop and take deep breaths of the clean, crisp air.

Third- yes you will need to be a little careful at night but no more so than any other major city. Don't let fear stop you from enjoying all the experiences you should have as a student.

And don't worry... you'll definitely be able to find cheap food. And if you have time, you can make extra food money by tutoring Mandarin! Call me if you do!

[Howard]

Thanks for helping Tim tell important stories, Linjun. It's true that journalists often focus on problems, but as you suggest,that's mainly because the attention helps bring solutions, as well.

Good luck at Berkeley.