Journalism Dangerous Job in China

Being a reporter is the third most dangerous occupation in China, the official New China News Agency said, second only to being a miner or a police officer.

"An increasing number of reporters are obstructed, scolded, even beaten during interviews," the agency said Thursday.

To help journalists injured on the job, a hospital in the northeastern city of Shenyang had set up a foundation, it said. "The foundation will help reporters to pay part of their medical fees if they were attacked or wounded by accidents while doing interviews around Shenyang," said Zhang Chengpu, vice director of Shengjing Hospital.

China is the world's leading jailer of journalists, with at least 32 in custody and an additional 50 Internet campaigners also in prison, according to Reporters Without Borders.

Source: Washington Post

Kenya: Race And Colour Have No Place in Global Village

I ran across this insightful article, and thought I would share . . . Just a Traveler

One would think that living in the global village and the technology that goes with it, we would be distracted from colour coding and it would matter little if one was black, white or yellow.

Global interaction is also so extensive that many of the prejudices that were ascribed to people from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas have largely been dismissed for what they are - stereotypes.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Anti Hip Hop NBA - Culture Clash

Anti-hip hop NBA out to clean up image but some are calling it dirty tricks

Strong, smiling, polished clean, not a blemish on him. There, on the cover of GQ magazine, the sports issue, is the Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade, stripped down to his waist, in silk and cotton boxer shorts. It's an NBA marketer's dream shot. It's like Wade is emerging from a cocoon, hearkening a new era, non-threatening and baby-like.

Wade, LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets are the holy trinity being offered up to fans by the NBA's image police.

That's not to suggest this is an initiative where style trumps substance. As NBA fans know, as most sports fans know, these three rank among the elite. The fact they have no rap sheet to accompany their resumes, the fact they appear and act like businessmen, both on the court and with their off-court business endeavours, well, that's so much the better.

Last year it was the dress code that took the league's hammer -- collared shirts, dress slacks and dress shoes were legislated in; 'do rags, ball caps, baggy jeans, retro jerseys, bulky chains and medallions were out.

Read the rest of the article at the Toronto Sun

Britain Celebrates America's 400th Anniversary

Britain is preparing to commemorate 400 years of history with America, marked by the anniversary of the founding of the Jamestown settlement in Virginia in 1607.

With nearly 40 million Americans able to claim British ancestry today, VisitBritain, the national tourist office for England, Scotland and Wales, is promoting the following events and festivals to help Americans celebrate their own piece of British ancestry.

London's Museum in Docklands has a new exhibition dedicated to America's social, cultural, economic and political beginnings. Titled "Journey to the New World: London 1606-Virginia 1607," the installment will tell the tale of the intrepid colonists that played a crucial role in the founding of America by offering glimpses into daily life at the 1607 Jamestown settlement.

Call 800-462-2748 or visit www.visitbritain.com/ancestry.

Flavor Flav Strikes Again

I find it CRAZY that ANY WOMAN would want to sleep with this man!!!! I saw him in person once, and the sight of him made me flinch . . .

And now the headlines on my home page say he is expecting his 7TH child . I guess that proves there's someone for everyone.

Soldiers in Iraq Respond to Kerry's "Joke"

Found this picture at the Wizbang Blog, and there's a lively discussion about the "Kerry" joke.

Bush is dumb, but Kerry did not say that - he's just not brave enough - same tactics he lost the Presidential election with - he just needs to shut up!

The only ones "stuck" in Iraq are American soldiers, and like the blog title over at Wizbang states " They do have a sense of humor".

If you'd like to post your sentiments, head on over to Wizbang's blog
http://wizbangblog.com/2006/11/01/they-may-be-stupid-but-at-least-they-have-a-sense-of-humor.php#385573

Fly Me to The Moon

This stunning image of a BMI Airbus flying past the moon was captured on Wednesday night.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=414083&in_page_id=1770

Blogger Slamed to Ground at Allen Rally

Sen. George Allen and Democrat Jim Webb entered the final week of their bitter and sometimes bizarre campaign with Allen refusing to denounce his supporters' manhandling of a liberal blogger and accusing Webb of provoking the incident.

On Tuesday, men wearing blue Allen lapel stickers put University of Virginia law student W. Michael Stark in a choke hold and slammed him to the floor after an Allen rally at a Charlottesville hotel.

"It was typical of the Webb campaign, wanting to provoke an incident," Allen said Wednesday. He did not say why he believes the Webb campaign provoked the stunt.

Webb said he did not know Stark, nor did he know what happened. "But I certainly regret the conduct of certain people there yesterday," he added.

When will this madness end? Just a few more days!!!!!!!!!!

Steve Colbert Portrait Sells for over 50K

A Stephen Colbert portrait-within-a-portrait-within-a-portrait fetches $50,605 for charity, and that’s the Word.

Sticky Fingers, a barbeque chain with restaurants throughout the South, won the online auction for the portrait on eBay.

“We don’t know much about art, but figured any time you can get two portraits for the price of one, then it must be a great deal,” the chain’s owner said. “It’s like a buy-one-get-one-free on the American Dream.” The proceeds will go to the Connecticut-based charity Save the Children.

Are You the Ugly American?

I ran across this article on CNN.

Certain actions -- whether stemming from ignorance or arrogance -- will brand you a jerk. Experts offer advice to avoid the 10 most common faux pas among travelers.

Read the full article here
http://www.cnn.com/2006/TRAVEL/10/31/cultural.etiquette/

Nicaragua Cultural Tours

Following the successful 2006 Nicaraguan Cultural Series, the Tourism Board of Nicaragua announced cultural tour packages to Diriamba, the birthplace of the country's ancient folkloric dance, El Guegüense.

In October, the Nicaraguan Folk Ballet performed renditions of El Guegüense for more than 5,000 spectators during a weeklong circuit in South Florida and Washington DC.

The Tourism Board is now inviting travelers to experience the country's authentic culture firsthand by taking advantage of the following cultural packages. Grayline and Servi-Tours offer travelers opportunities to witness the Fiesta of San Sebastain, a vibrant and colorful religious, theatrical, and folkloric celebration that symbolizes the arrival of the Spaniards to Nicaragua.

The Fiesta takes place yearly during the third week of January. Grayline offers a three-day/two-night package from Jan. 19-22 to Diriamba, with a stay at the Hotel Crowne Plaza in Managua, breakfast, and airport transfers for $250 double.

For more information, call 505-266-6134 or visit www.graylinenicaragua.com. Servi Tours offers a seven-day/six-night "Cradle of the Gueguense" package, which includes the festivities of San Sebastian and visits to key tourist cities such as Granada, Leon, and Managua.

For more information on the series, visit www.visit-nicaragua.com/gueguense.

For more information on Nicaragua, call 888-SEE-NICA or visit www.visit-nicaragua.com.