Along with millions worldwide, I watched the opening ceremony of the Olympics and was spellbound by the artistry and fireworks. Days later, I heard on the radio that the amazing fireworks I saw on TV were partially generated via computer automation and that the NBC “live” coverage of the Olympics wasn’t so live as the [...]

My Communist demonsPosted on Jul 22, 2008 03:27:00 PM by Susanna Zaraysky for New America Media
I wanted to write on this topic over a week ago, but I was frankly too scared to tell anyone.
Born in the city baptized by Vladimir Lenin’s grandiose legend, I never seemed to rid myself of the vestiges of Communism [...]

Top photo: Dark Beijing street with a man pushing a cart of goods.Bottom photo: Tianammen Square. The Communist red flags are “red flags” that repression is here.
Upon arriving in Beijing on Monday evening, March 24th, I was surprised to find myself in a city that reminded me too much of the former Soviet Union. Despite [...]

(Traditional tea ceremony before the accident.)
I am drinking my chamomile tea by the wood old-style Chinese tea table and nibbling on charcoal covered peanuts. Our Rotary Group Study Exchange Team is in the mountains in Yu Ling County, Taiwan. We’re at least an hour away from the closest town. It’s around 9pm.
“Where’s S.?”
He’s been gone [...]