Talking points for 25 August 08

Goodmorning, It’s Karnie with you today…

I must admit it gets harder and harder to go through your comments on a Monday BUT it’s equally inspiring to see so many comments up! I have been very good and looked over them this weekend and have a good idea as to what you’ve been suggesting…

What do we do with the Olympic feel-good factor?

The Beijing Olympics end on Sunday and the final medal tally is nearly complete. China is the obvious winner – not just in terms of gold medals, but also given the huge boost to its national pride and prestige.

Talking Points 15 August

Goodmorning, it’s Karnie…sorry about the delay..my computer’s been playing up!!

Thanks Mike, Brett, Steve and Will for stepping in at the last minute to moderate the blog..

By 2042 whites in the United States will be outnumbered by other racial groups due to significantly higher birth rates among immigrants. Several states, including California and Texas, have already reached the point where members of minorities are in the majority. The change will have far-reaching consequences for politics in the United States, pushing immigration and social reform to the top of the agenda.

Taxi for Sandell…

From Mark…

There are two Olympic Games going on here. There’s the smiley, “Ni Hao”, “Welcome to Beijing”, Bird’s Nest games and then there’s the other , slightly sinister, rumour-laden, you- are- being- watched, sanitised Games.

Life’s a beach…

Mark writes..

It is a hard job but someone has to do it. James and I went to the beach volleyball in search of a story about……well, armed conflict of course. Russia were playing Georgia in a women’s match and it was felt it might be a bit of a story, and our sports correspondent was poolside for Mr Phelps entering Olympic history. So we were asked to go.

Waiting to exhale

Mark writes :

A funny thing happened after last night’s WHYS , which we did from the rooftop of the Fish Nation restaurant here in Beijing. As we were leaving – at 3 in the morning local time (when even in Beijing not many people are about) – there were two men standing opposite watching us leave.

Beijing bound

My last day in before heading off to run the World Service news coverage of the Olympics.  It’ll be my 4th time of covering the Games and don’t think for a second i don’t realise how privileged i am to be able to say that.

 

Hans down ?

China says it’s showing restraint in the face of the Tibetan protests. They also claim the Dalai Lama is orchestrating the trouble and it’s an attempt to wreck the Beijing Olympics.

I’ve been struck by the restraint, too, in the press.