IllinoisDave

Glad she make it.

Charlie is a fictional Chinese guy played by a white guy. Full of stereotypes. Earl Derr Biggers actually created the character based in part on an actual Hawaiian policeman. Full of stereotypes for sure. And it didn't stop with Asians. Remember his sidekick Birmingham Brown? Funny as hell, but probably wouldn't pass the PC smell test today. I did use to love watching those old Chan movies along with Basil Rathbone's Sherlock Holmes on Sunday afternoons when I was a kid.

Pretty scary stuff. I don't think anything short of severely drastic measures is gonna help the pollution crisis in places like Guangzhou. Capitalism and economic developement=pollution.

Welcome to Candle Henry. Check out various member's timelines and it'll give you a good idea of the time frames you're looking for. If you add yours it'll help also. As far as when she can leave China? As soon as she has the visa in hand she can get outta town. Good luck.

B) We bought a "cheap" bag at one of those luggage stalls in Shenzhen to bring some of her stuff home. As I pulled it out of the trunk of the cab in our driveway the handle snapped off in my hand.

Great to hear. Congratulations!

Excellent news! CONGRATULATIONS

41K a year in China is a kings ransom. I did see that, but wasn't really putting it into perspective... that salary for that position is low for USA wages, but you are correct - in China that is a pretty good penny. I'd work for that if I didn't have to live in GUZ. Funny, to me that is one of the perks! To each his own. Just wasn't that crazy about Guangzhou in the short time we spent there. Admittedly unfair to judge on such limited experience but what can I say. Now put it in Shanghai or Beijing or just about anywhere else and I'm there.

Do you think there is an element of denial in this? I'm just curious. The topic of death doesn't come up with us. When I engage in 'black humor', Lao Po scolds me and tells me we will be together forever (I happen to agree). Interesting topic. You both bring up interesting points. I wonder if this isn't a case where, for a change, we USCs are actually thinking in practical terms (be prepared etc) while our Chinese mates aren't (unlucky to talk about it etc). That would be a twist wouldn't it?

I agree. That AP report and the captions with the pics were made up almost exclusively of cited facts and quotes from Chinese STATE RUN media! Seemed like a pretty straight-forward job of reporting those simple facts to me. Must every negative thing about China reported in the media be some kind of conspiratorial effort to smear China and it's people? How about some perspective? I understand the motives for wanting to defend all things Chinese here, and it's very admirable. But accusing the media of some kind of ongoing,coordinated effort to demonize China just doesn't seem to square with reality. Perhaps you are right Dave but the first thing that pops up when you click on Tony's orignal link is It doesn't say "Chinese police uncover child labor violation." like it would if it happened in America. China has gotten a lot of bad press lately, mostly undeserved. It seems almost as if the media is competing with one another to see who can smear China the most. Even Dennis, as noble of a Chinese supporter there ever was percieved this Average Joe American is going to read these news articles and walk away thinking that child labor is commonly practiced in China and the Chinese Govt. seldom does anything about it. You're definately right Carl in the sense that headlines can be misleading. Unfortunately, I think the people who write the headlines rarely read everything they're headlining about. And by the same token, many readers may do the same. But I do think that happens in regards to domestic stories as well. I can see that headline about the same type of incident here just as easily. Sorry, I've read Dennis' post a few times and I think he may be arguing along the same lines I am. He said: "seems as simply another 'attack' (exposure)" which I took to mean that what some perceive as an "attack" others will see as simply exposing the flaw in the system that isn't an attack on the people. I could be wrong. Maybe Dennis can clarify what he meant. I don't know that I agree that the average American reader would come away thinking that child labor is common AND unpunished in China based solely on these articles. I don't believe the articles are slanted in such a way as to imply that the gov't looks the other way. Just the opposite IMHO. There were two incidents cited, this one and the kiln case, both of which the article said resulted in the companies being caught and punished. Remember, we're talking about the AVERAGE American reader here, not you and I, who pay much more attention to anything pertaining to China. So I think we bring our own particular bias to anything we read that MAY reflect badly on China in any way. If anything, I think we may suffer from having TOO MUCH knowledge on this particular subject. After all, because we're so interested in all things China, we tend to absorb any info we can about it. And,for me at least, some of that info tells me that child labor in China DOES happen and CAN be ignored by local officials at least who pretend not to see as they stuff yuan into their pockets. But I don't think the average US citizen knows enough about China to make the connection, especially having read only these articles. I think what hurts China more than things like this are all the product recalls over the past year or so. When you start talking about poisoned pets and lead in toys you get people's attention pretty quick. The result is that any time they see something like this reported on, they tend to jump to a negative conclusion. Can we really blame the media that there were so many recalls for products that happened to be made in China? Should we blame them for reporting those recalls? Could they do a better job taking the US companies to task who import those products? Sure. But should they then ignore other stories that aren't flattering to China just because the recall stories are already out there, as if there's some kind of quota on negative China stories? I think that's a little bit of wishful thinking on our part, hoping that the motherland of our loved ones is spared from any kind of negative publicity. I wish everything WAS candy and flowers in China. Unfortunately, it's not. You're right Carl. It does seem like there is an awful lot of negative press about China. But I don't think it's unfair to report facts,even if they're painful for us to see. The unfortunate fact is bad things happen in China just as they do anywhere else. I just don't see a coordinated effort by the media to intentionally harm China.

I agree. That AP report and the captions with the pics were made up almost exclusively of cited facts and quotes from Chinese STATE RUN media! Seemed like a pretty straight-forward job of reporting those simple facts to me. Must every negative thing about China reported in the media be some kind of conspiratorial effort to smear China and it's people? How about some perspective? I understand the motives for wanting to defend all things Chinese here, and it's very admirable. But accusing the media of some kind of ongoing,coordinated effort to demonize China just doesn't seem to square with reality.

Well, I guess I can stop wondering what hakkamike means. What's left to live for?

41K a year in China is a kings ransom. I did see that, but wasn't really putting it into perspective... that salary for that position is low for USA wages, but you are correct - in China that is a pretty good penny. I'd work for that if I didn't have to live in GUZ.

And I thought I was being diplomatic. maybe.. but I think being diplomatic or practical means different things to different people, just like dying means different things in different cultures / people. IMO Very true.

And I thought I was being diplomatic.

Much better than we do. Wow... tell us more!! Well, for one thing the vast majority aren't burdened with fretting about whether they or their dearly departed loved ones led "good enough" lives (as defined for them by someone else) to get into that someone else's version of "heaven". My impression is they have a much more practical approach to death and the dying. Mostly they see it for what it is, a natural part of the cycle of life. And I don't think they spend thousands of dollars on gawdy,over-priced caskets/funerals just to stick that bronze-covered,satin lined box six feet into the ground.

Much better than we do.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Mark. You got a Chinese version of the Illinois manual online? If so, do you have the link? No sorry Dave, gave feng the State of Washington version. The only place in Illinois to take the driving written test in Chinese is at 99th and King, that is what I was told anyway?? Thanks.

Capitalism conquers all.

I would have to say Chinese movies are just as violent only they use Kung Fu instead of a pistol fu. Western culture did not invent violence. It has been around since Cain & Able! Japanese movies top them all in violence and gore. If crime increases in China it will do so as the gap between the haves and the have-nots increases. Westernization and violent movies, from any country, will have little to do with it IMHO.

Welcome. Congrats. Sorry to hear it. CONGRATS! Thanks for sharing.

I wonder if these types of incidents will increase as the Olympics get closer and there are more easy marks available, then decrease as the "visitors" leave.

Fox is 'fair and balanced' to the extent that it counters all the liberal drivel coming from the mainstream media. I don't recall them blowing up Chevy trucks to show that the gas tanks would spontaneously combust. I don't remember forged National Guard documents being passed off as genuine. I could go on with DOZENS of examples, but I'm already getting a headache! The gig is up for the lib media and some just can't stand it. Love ya, Dave!! You're right. It IS conservative drivel.

Please recheck the Jasmine and Basmati types, I think you're not looking at the right 'types'. He's right about the Jasmine. Our local SuperH has it at the same price we paid a month ago. Didn't seem to be any shortage and no signs mentioning limits. Did not on Sunday either, no big deal. The bad part was the dange blue crabs on sale I now get to have for dinner!! B)