- from Friday night’s AC360°:
Marion Jones ...
This admission certainly came as no surprise. The question remains, though, as to why now? Particularly after years of vigorous denial about using steroids. I certainly hope that Ms. Jones’s Olympic teammates don’t end up having to forfeit their medals because of her banned activity. As for athletes in other sports “using” – I’m pretty sure that all you have to do is look at pictures of, for example, Barry Bonds from the early 1990’s and compare them to current photos. I’m fairly certain that lifting weights doesn’t double the size of your neck ...
Police Video ...
After seeing the Phoenix Airport video involving Carol Ann Gotbaum, this video was a classic example of why average citizens tend to be quick to condemn police for “use of excessive force”. The initial report is that this teenage girl’s offense was being out after a locally imposed curfew, and that she bit the officer. Bit him? OK – not the way to ingratiate yourself to an officer, but punching her in the face and using pepper spray? I don’t think so ...
Escape to Thailand ...
It’s always good to see Matthew Chance – you can be sure of an enlightening segment, and this one certainly qualifies.
As the military regime in Burma turns to using force against its citizens, especially the highly revered Buddhist monks, the more that flee into neighboring Thailand. They are running not only because of the violence against them, but due to starvation and the destruction of their villages. Matthew conducted several interviews, one with a monk who stated that he saw government troops using tear gas on monks inside a monastery. Many of the monks are just young children. Refugee camps in Thailand continue to multiply.
Matthew also discussed that pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been allowed to appear on government-controlled TV in Burma, and she has also been “invited” to “talks” with current military leader Than Shwe – if she agrees to a number of “conditions”, such as relinquishing her call for international sanctions on current government officials. Both Matthew and Anderson agreed that was unlikely to happen, so this will turn out to be one of those “hollow” attempts to demonstrate peaceful motives.
Rugby World Cup ...
What a terrific interview with Michael Ware! And wasn’t it fantastic to see him out of Baghdad and smiling?? He was in Marseilles, France to attend, report on and celebrate at the Rugby World Cup!
SO – we learned a bit about the game of rugby – namely, a “scrum” is a form of “trench warfare”, a “haka” is a war dance, and a “hooker” is a team member in the middle of a scrum who is trying to retrieve the ball for his team by using only his feet in a “hooking” motion. And yes, Michael has confessed to being a “happy hooker” during his life!!!
Anderson showed a close up photo of Michael which highlighted his nose – and the fact that since it’s been broken many times - now it’s somewhat crooked. Thankfully, AC didn’t take MW up on his “offer” to break his (own) nose on the air, since it wouldn’t be a big deal after having had it broken so many times on the rugby field – yikes!!
If you’d like to follow the action, you can do so here. And if you’d like more “Rugby 101” information, click here.
Thanks for visiting – updates posted as needed – have a terrific weekend!
2 comments:
First off..I really enjoyed AC's interview with Michael Ware on Friday's program. Great to see MW out having a great time and the nose bit just cracked me up!
Marion Jones' apology was emotional but I find it so difficult to feel sorry for her after her years of lying about her steroid use. Not only lying but so indignant and arrogant about the fact that she was under suspicion for steroid use.
Once again great reporting from Burma. Found this following article encouraging. Nice to know that people around the world are aware of the situation in Burma and in Canada and I'm sure many countries around the world pressuring their governments to take action.
"THE CANADIAN PRESS
Sat Oct 6, 5:50 PM ET
Canadians added their voices to thousands around the world rallying Saturday in support of dissidents in Myanmar.
In Vancouver, speakers' voices broke as they recounted what drew them to stand in the sprinkling grey rain to advocate that Canada play a greater role in pressuring the military regime in the southeast Asian country.
"I am here today because I cannot tolerate injustice, oppression, violence and the blatant suppression of human rights," said organizer Deanna Scott, who spent time in Thailand working with the orphaned children of Myanmarese migrants.
"I am here because my friends asked me not to forget them and to tell Canadians about Burma when I got home," she said, tears welling in her eyes.
The international outcry of support was prompted by a violent crackdown on people protesting for democracy in Myanmar, also known as Burma, beginning earlier this month.
The party of Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi said Saturday that 210 of its members had been arrested during the crackdown.
Sympathizers from typhoon-racked Taipei to London chanted and waved placards and activists in Myanmar slipped quietly underground to hold candlelight prayer vigils for those killed and arrested in the junta's suppression of their uprising.
In Halifax, ralliers lit candles and burned incense as they chanted for peace.
Protesters in Montreal marched in the rain, holding banners and waving placards calling for freedom for Myanmar monks.
In Vancouver, Aung Myat Thein pulled up his sarong to show his prosthetic leg, which he said was the result of a confrontation with military authorities in Myanmar in the 1980s.
Thein, who leads Vancouver's Karen community - an ethnic minority in Myanmar - said unless the military regime is toppled, there will be no peace in his homeland.
"When we sit down for Thanksgiving, while we enjoy the peaceful democracy of Canada, let us remember those unfortunate people in Burma," he said.
Next week, protesters are hoping for blitz of e-mail and phone calls to Prime Minister Stephen Harper's office on Oct. 10.
Scott said the new campaign is aimed at getting the Canadian government to take direct action against Myanmar in whatever form it deems necessary.
Three Canadian companies, Ivanhoe Mines Ltd., Jet Gold and Leeward Capital all announced this week they are suspending operations due to the political instability, but protesters said there are still more who should be divesting themselves of any connection with the regime.
International condemnation of Myanmar's junta intensified at the United Nations, with the U.S. warning it would push for UN sanctions against Myanmar if it fails to respond to the world's demands for democratic reforms.
But the junta has shown little evidence that it is taking world pressure to heart.
Myanmar's foreign minister, Nyan Win, told the UN General Assembly last week that democracy "cannot be imposed from outside."
The junta's treatment of the Buddhist monks - who are revered in the deeply religious nation and led the street protests - is a key issue that could further inflame the people of Myanmar and possibly even anger some soldiers loyal to the military rulers.
The government insisted that most of the monks it detained had already been freed, with only 109 still in custody, according to an official statement broadcast Friday night on state TV. The report said the junta was still hunting four monks it believed were ringleaders of the rallies.
Demonstrations that began in mid-August over a sharp fuel price increase swelled into Myanmar's largest anti-government protests in 19 years, inspired largely by thousands of monks who poured into the streets.
The military has ruled Myanmar since 1962. The current junta came to power after routing a 1988 pro-democracy uprising, killing at least 3,000 people. Suu Kyi's party won elections in 1990, but the generals refused to accept the results."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/cpress/20071006/ca_pr_on_na/myanmar_protests;_ylt=AhxRV3N3NIJfeANPz97hK5D0kPUI
Newsblooz: Thanks for the great blog and caps, you summarized Friday’s program beautifully!
By admitting to taking steroids Marion Jones not only dishonored herself, her family, and the American people, she admitted to destroying the careers of those athletes who lost to her. Also, what about the children and young people who looked up to her? What are they supposed to think now?
I worked at a fitness club and let me tell you it is easy to spot someone who is taking steroids; their entire physical makeup changes virtually overnight. Those that say athletes like Barry Bonds do not take steroids are kidding only themselves. No amount of weight lifting is going to double the size of your head or neck! To those who know, the general look of the muscles on someone who takes steroids is different than one who does it the normal way; it is especially noticeable on women.
The police officer who pepper sprayed and punched that teenage girl was out of line!
Matthew Chance’s report was very informative. Why should Aung San Suu Kyi be forced to agree to any conditions just to talk? It is obvious that the military leaders there have no intention of working with the protesters.
Anderson’s interview with Michael Ware was priceless! It was a nice change of pace in the program and they both seemed to have so much fun doing it. It was especially nice to see Michael away from the war zone enjoying himself for a change. I hope his team wins! If Anderson had taken up Michael's offer to break his nose on air that would have given a whole new meaning to Breaking News!
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