Midi Madness

Is it possible we’re better off postponing?

Everyone knows China’s best outdoor rock concert was unexpectedly canceled last month amid security concerns. Aside from a hundred thousand disappointed rock fans, maybe postponement isn’t such a bad thing. Consider that Midi’s scheduled opening date coincided with a nationwide boycott of Carrefour. Anecdotal reports from Newsweek.com, Shanghaaist and Danwei show popular anger being vented on real-world targets, such as Carrefours around China which have been surrounded by mobs, and a random American in Hunan who was harrassed by angry youths. Similar incidents at Midi would have thrown the entire Olympics project into complete disarray. Who would come if they were going to be shouted at by angry mobs? Midi will happen in October, just like it did in 2003, and public anger will subside as it has before. But it needs time, not rock 'n' roll.

Beijing

“Jackie Chan Style”

The egregious attacks on Olympic torchbearers which captured world attention last month also captured the attention of Jackie Chan. Chan, who will be carrying the torch in Beijing as it approaches its final destination in the Bird’s Nest, has issued a warning to any mofos who dare to mess with him. "Demonstrators better not get anywhere near me,” said the king of kungfu. And if any one does, the star of The Forbidden Kingdom assures us that he will be going all “Jackie Chan style” on them. Ba-dang.

CHINA VS. WORLD

China Says

Yasukuni: Reviewing History
_http://www.bjreview.com_
Filmmaker Li Ying looks at the controversial Yasukuni Shrine by simply stating facts in his hotly debated documentary.

Former Classmates Square Off over Wives' Looks
_China Daily_
The fun ended when Wang got drunk and announced that his wife was more beautiful than Sun's wife.

World Says

Dancing with the Devil over 'Yasukuni'
_http://www.japantimes.co.jp_
As many as 20 theaters around the country plan to screen the film, which has now become a sort of free-speech cause celebre.

Chinese Men as Horny as Pandas
_China Herald_
Chinese men are invariably discouraged from premarital sex, but as they get older and richer they catch the panda vibe.

DIGITS

➜ 28
The number of years Beijing has had private restaurants. The first, Happy Guest Restaurant, opened in 1980.
➜ 11
The number of times Blogspot has been blocked and unblocked by the Net Nanny in China. As of print, Blogspot was unblocked.
➜ 95.4
The percent Netease poll respondents who support boycotting French goods after the Olympic torch relay in Paris was disrupted by activists.