My 1st Op-Ed

My first published Op-Ed in the Nation, Thailand August 26 2008.

Harmonious perhaps, but at what cost?
By Jonathan Fox

As Beijing's Olympic festival draws to a close, it is time to reflect. The past two weeks provided the world with new heights in Olympic showmanship, by both athletes and organizers. Yet all the glitz and glamour Beijing put forth failed to hide the sad truth of repression and violence in China.

It is now safe to say that the Olympic host failed to live up to its promises to the International Olympic Committee. China assured the world that during the Olympic games it would provide full press freedom, allow open protests, and improve its human rights record. Not only has the Chinese government failed to improve its human rights record, under the spotlight of the games they seemed to have worsened. As the inde?pendent watch-dog group Reporters Without Borders recently noted, press freedom during the games was severely restricted. At least 22 journalists trying to report protests during the games were harassed or detained by Chinese authorities, several had equip?ment and cameras confiscated. Two American bloggers have recently been sentenced to 10 days in jail for "disrupting public order" by honestly reporting pro-Tibet protests tak?ing place in Beijing.

Prior to the games opening ceremony, Chinese officials confidently declared that the 2008 Olympics will be an opportunity for the world to see the new face of China. Instead the world has witnessed the old face of Chinese oppression, the same that reared it ugly head during the fateful 1989 Tiananmen Square democratic upraising.

Leading up to the Olympic games 50 Chinese human rights activists were placed under house arrest, harassed or forced to leave Beijing during the games. At least 15 Chinese citizens have been arrested for requesting permission to demonstrate in State sanctioned protests zones during the games. Wu Dianyuan and Wang Xiuying, two Beijing women in their late 70s were sentenced to a year of forced labor after daring to apply for permission protest in the capitals Olympic protest zones. During the games, on August 10th, a Tibetan nun named Sonam Yungzom was reportedly shot to death while shouting slogans in Kardze town, in eastern Tibet. A witness reported that the Nun's crime was daring to shout out "There are no human rights in China, there is bru?tal oppression in Tibet, still the Olympics go on in China!" Is this the China Olympic organizers hoped to show the world?

As China asserts its place in the 21st century, it must catch up to the international norms and behavior expected of all great nations. It is no longer a question of so-called "Western" values, but one of human decency. Countries across Asia, Thailand chief among them, have successfully demonstrated that protecting human rights bears no threat to social harmony. Countries like Indonesia and South Korea have successfully transitioned into open democracies, providing peace, stability, and prosperity for their peoples.

The world hoped, and Chinese officials assured, that the Olympic games would be a catalyst for greater freedom in China. Much hope was placed on China realizing the Olympic spirit of "building a peaceful and better world". Sadly, the 2008 Beijing Olympics have failed the Olympic spirit, they have failed the world, and they have failed the people of China who deserve so much more.

(The author recently returned from Beijing where he took part in non-violent action).

Veni, vidi, vici, I got deported

As most of you know by now, I was in Beijing for the 2008 Olympics, and participated in a none-violent action for Tibet and Human Rights in China. Full information of our action is available HERE & HERE.

What wasn’t reported, was what happened after I was carried away. I was detained & questioned for about 8 hours, an interesting experience for me, being on the other side. To be honest it wasn’t that bad, as the Chinese did not seem interested in interrogating us, but rather getting us on the next plane out. I was lucky, since Chinese and Tibetans face much worse. Even the foreigners who were detained after my group, were subjected to harsher treatment, including sensory manipulation (for those who aren’t on Dick Cheney’s list-serve, that means switching the temperature from extreme heat to cold), stress positions, and sleep deprivation. The “New Face” of China indeed. Thankfully everybody is now safely home.

After the 8 hours we were put on a plane to LA, and 30 hours later I arrived in Washington DC with 3 other team members. Exhausted, we were surprised to be greeted by a group of local Tibetans at the airport, thankful for our actions on their behalf. Over the weekend we met with more local Tibetans from the DC area. Their appreciation was sincere and deep, and put into perspective what we did and for whom we did it. Even with my long history of activism, it was truly a touching moment. After a rejuvenating weekend in DC with good friends, I returned to Bangkok and my “normal” life.

People ask me what the protest in Beijing achieved. First of all, our actions strengthened the morale and resolve of the Tibetan people, both in occupied Tibet and in the Diaspora. After nearly 50 years under the Chinese boot, Tibetans need all the support they can get, especially the younger generation looking for inspiration and hope. Second, we did our bit to make sure the world wasn’t fooled by China’s Leni Riefenstahl-esk attempts to project a picture of a harmonious social utopia. A small achievement perhaps, but significant to those who live under oppression.

Hear it for yourself....

Beijing welcomes you...huh

Recently, as many of you know, I went Beijing for the 2008 Olympics. Well, I went for other things as well, but more on that latter....

So here are some picts & a great video. This song was running non-stop on CCTV, and became our sub-conscious anthem. When i got back to the US i saw the translation, and it became even more hilarious!!!





At the forbidden city, under Mao's ever-present watchful gaze (along with Public Security agents..)






















































Feet...














At Tienanmen Square














At the Birds Nest, well as close as I could get.


















Duck-a-licious Peking Duck mmmmmm

What’s up Beaches??

I have been meaning to update in a while, but, as usual got distracted. With what you ask? Besides work work work, I also happen to be conveniently situated near some of the greatest beaches in the world. I may be making peanuts, but in Thailand I am the monkey-king, swinging from beach to beach…

Three weeks ago I went to Kho Phangan with friends from the US. It was a long weekend & a Full-Moon, which meant party time. The 12 hour ride down from Bangkok was a bit harry, especially the part with the driver falling asleep and swerving into a ditch… but we were all alright, and the damage was only a flat tire. The more you travel, the more you discover that there is only a fine line between a funny story to tell later and death. Death aside, the trip was worth it, full moon a lot of fun, and banna roti (kinda like a pancake) amazing.

Last weekend, my co-workers (Manuel & Aoi) and I decided to investigate the closest beach to Bngkok, Kho Sammet, a mere 4 hours away. I charged up the battery on my camera, but forgot to take it with me. Lucky for me, cause now my friends were taking picts, and I got a bunch of good ones of me.

All things considered, I think I found my beach. Sammet is near Bangkok, easy access, beautiful beach, diverse crowds, fruit shacks, and banna pancakes galore. Ahhhhhh paradise. This beach adventure was much more chilled, no parties, no drama. Just Mauel and I drinking with the barman until 2 am…

Here are a tone of picts & videos. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did taking them.

that is me doing the fire-balls....

on the way to Kho Sammed

someone may be hung-over in Sammet...

but i'm not!!

It's all about the Mango-Shakes!!!

....on the way back from Kho Sammet

on the way back from Kho Phangan

Pure Vide!!!