My Blog

Tibet and the Chinese Handcuffs.

Conal — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:49:24 GMT

Remember those "Chinese Handcuffs you played with as a Kid? Once you stuck your fingers in, you couldn't pull them out, no matter how hard you tried? Well here's the real deal. China's coverage - or inside China, their non-coverage - of the olympic Torch ceramonies! No matter how hard they try to put a good spin on the Bejing 2008 Olympic Games, They walk away with more and more egg on their face. As a childs toy, it was fun - if not annoying. As a political stratagy, it only leads to violence, oprression, and a complete suppression of Human Rights. Please do something! Wear a shirt, wear a pin, or carry a coffee cup to show that the spectacle of the 2008 Beijing Olympics will never be enough to hide the Human Rights Violations of China. Visit http://www.cafepress.com/conalscorner/5476651 for ideas on what you can do.

Back to the Kingdoms...

Conal — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:36:38 GMT

Well, after spendinga week or so on The Tibet issue, I've gotten back to working on the few remaining Kingdoms I need to create artwork for on Conal's Corner. I finished up Trimaris (http://www.cafepress.com/conalscorner/5071372) yesterday, and finally found documentation for the Atenveldt Populace Badge (http://www.cafepress.com/conalscorner/5374152) back in the 1973 LoAR, so I've added that in under the Atenveldt section. That leaves me with Lochac, Northshield, and Gleann Abhann left to go. Barring any requests from members in any of those Kingsdoms, I'm going to proceed with them in the order I've listed them, that is, their order of creation.

Support Team Tibet - Again.

Conal — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:13:20 GMT

While my original intention was to distribute "Team Tibet" Patches for Beijing 2008, we seem to have run astray of the Long Arm of the International Olympic Committee. It seems that selling any item with the Olympic symbol - the Interlocked Rings - is protected above and beyond normal copyright and tradeamrk laws. The IOC, in essance, owns the symbol, and will not permit it's use without written permission being granted by them. In fact, it seems you even have to be careful of how and where you use the word "Olympic." If It's usage in any way implies any type of association with the IOC, you simply can't use it without thier permission. So, instead I've substituted a nice image with the Tibetan Flag and "Support Team Tibet" as well as a link to the Team Tibet website. It's still at http://www.cafepress.com/conalscorner/5315069

Support Team Tibet

Conal — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:25:17 GMT

On August 8, 2008, the eyes of the world will be focused on China, as it hosts the 2008 Beijing Olympics. But when the opening ceremonies begin, one flag will be missing: the flag of Tibet, the country occupied by China since 1949. Under Chinese occupation, Tibetans are denied their right to sovereignty and have been barred from competing in the Olympic Games on behalf of their country. Team Tibet represents the national aspirations of the Tibetan people for freedom and independence. On March 18th, 2008, Team Tibet athletes withdrew their request to participate in Beijing 2008 in response to the Chinese government's brutal crackdown on Tibetan protesters. But around the world, people who believe in Tibetan freedom and want to be counted in support of that goal are showing their solidarity with Tibetans by becoming honorary members of Team Tibet. Team Tibet is now a movement of people everywhere who are determined to give Tibetans a voice in Beijing and to use the opportunity of the 2008 Olympics to press the Chinese government for meaningful political change for Tibet. Conal's Corner is helping to publicize Team Tibet by distributing their team logo on bags, clothing, and stickers at http://www.cafepress.com/conalscorner/5315069

Freedom First, Olympics second

Conal — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 17:07:58 GMT

Well, I don't usually turn into a revolutionary, but this nonsense with the 2008 Olympics has got me worked up... So here we go. Don't boycott the 2008 Olympics at Beijing. Letting the Olympics proceed is a far better tactic for lettng the world know about the atrocities being perpetrated by the Chinese Regime. Consider what has happened at many of the torch ceremonies already. Protesters are making it know to almost all the world that something is rotten in the province of Tibet! I say almost all the world, because the Chineses people have seen none of this. When protesters for Tibet's independence burst into a ceremony at ancient Olympia being held to light the Olympic torch for the Beijing Games, Chinese state television immediately cut its broadcast, and screened pre-recorded footage instead. Few Chinese will be allowed to hear of the protests that will buffet the torch relay for the 130 days it will take to reach Beijing. But the people of the world will see and hear of China's atrocities. The more people that become aware, the more political and economic pressure can be directed towards those responsibile. Even his Holiness, the Dalai Lama has stated that the Olympics should continue: "...The hosting of the Olympic games this year is a matter of great pride to the 1.2 billion Chinese people. I have from the very beginning supported the holding of these Games in Beijing. My position on this remains unchanged. I feel the Tibetans should not cause any hindrance to the Games. It is the legitimate right of every Tibetan to struggle for their freedoms and rights. On the other hand, it will be futile and not helpful to anyone if we do something that will create hatred in the minds of the Chinese people. On the contrary, we need to foster trust and respect in our hearts in order to create a harmonious society, as this cannot be built on the basis of force and intimidation." -- from "Statement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to All Tibetans" April 6th, 2008 So what can we do? Make sure that the world knows that while we support the endeavors of the atheletes around the world, we protest the use of the Olympic Games by the Chinese government to disguise its horrific track record of political and religious opression. Of course, I've got a recommendation for that protest: Go to http://www.cafepress.com/conalscorner/5299999 and wear your protest!

Added five more Kingdoms.

Conal — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:12:00 GMT

I've added another five Kingdoms to Conal's Corner. I've just got four left, and I'll have all of the Kingdoms in the Known Worlde on the website. Once that's done, I'll take a break and then add the Principlaities!