Wednesday, November 30: Chinese Protests Pt II
What to believe in a world full of censorship and propaganda
Two things can be true at once.
The Zero-Covid method of handling the pandemic has resulted in many frustrated and angry Chinese citizens. Protest numbers are unclear thus far, but it’s obvious that there is a section of the Chinese populace that have had enough of the lockdown. Recently the method of protest involves holding up blank sheets of white paper, illustrating the limits of criticism in China
American media and other western outlets have a vested interest in making protests seem overwhelming and making the Zero-Covid strategy look as ridiculous as the American policy of “just close your eyes and pretend there’s no more pandemic”. Expect a growing number of think pieces on why the American method of letting 1.1million+ people die is a more logical and liberating approach to pandemic preparedness. Apparently the true meaning of freedom is the right to die during a pandemic without access to healthcare.
Both approaches can be criticized, it’s allowed I promise.
Side Items
Yesterday was the international day of solidarity with the Palestinian people, and Israel celebrated by killing five Palestinians
Marriage Bills: The senate passed a bill called the Respect for Marriage Act, codifying same-sex and interracial marriages. Puritans, racists, and republicans could not be reached for comment at this time
Bernard to the Rescue: Senator Bernie Sanders says he won’t agree to a quick vote on denying railworkers their right to strike, saying, “It’s my intention to block consideration of the rail legislation until a roll call vote occurs on guaranteeing 7 paid sick days to rail workers in America." All this fuss over seven sick days a year? The nerve of these railway executives
Trucker Strike in Korea: Rail workers in this country aren’t the only laborers demanding better treatment. 25,000 striking truck drivers in South Korea have been demanding a permanent guarantee of minimum freight charges, but the governments response is threatening to strip them of their licenses if they don’t end their strike. Cement truck drivers have been on strike for less than a week, but they face fines of up to 30 million won ($22,500) or up to three years in prison. I thought Joey Biden was a strike breaker, but Yoon Suk-yeol is something else
World Cup Recap
Qatar lost the third of their three guaranteed games. I’ll be honest, I laughed
Somehow fans of the US mens soccer team watched three games during which their team scored exactly two goals, and now they’re some kinda hopeful. One goal from ‘the Lebron James of Soccer’ has Americans who’ve never watched the sport believing in a coach with no clear idea of how to utilize substitutes. An uninspiring draw against Wales, a scoreless draw against England, and a survival match against Iran doesn’t exactly inspire my confidence, but then again I’m an equal opportunity hater who always gets a kick out of the “no one believed in us” song and dance Americans perform in the run up to an inevitable 2-0 loss in their first knockout game
France and Tunisia face off today in what some are calling “a revenge game for decades of colonial abuse” (it’s me, I’m calling it that). France has already qualified for the knockout stages, while Tunisia would need to win their game and a favorable result in the Australia/Denmark match to progress, sorry Tunis
Argentina will do their best to survive in the tournament as they face Poland in a must-win game for both teams. The loser will likely be headed home, the winner will book a spot in the final 16. Messi could be headed home in tears today, but I think Argentina will find a way through
Today is the day we find out whether Saudi Arabia are truly frauds or not. Obviously I’m hoping they get embarrassed by Mexico, but I’m sure there are a few oil and blood stained hands out there hoping for a Saudi victory