August 08, 2007

• Go, Yingsel!
• Run free, Yingsel.
• I thought this sounded like my kind of political protest when I read no. 2 on the list of ways to help protect the Tibetan antelope - "Ask retailers about products made from the finest cashmere (aka “pashmina”)". Warm and fuzzy ...
• I'm glad there's someone out there that cares about the antelope. So why can't they post a picture of it instead of that cutsie poo thing? These winsome little figures are getting old, and they're all starting to look alike. Or is that just me?
• here's the pics They're an absolutely charming, delicately formed animal. VelvetRabbit: Everthing I'd heard before indicated that pashmina comes from a goat, but I could believe that the undercoat of any animal in those cold regions would be very soft and warm. Wikipedia shows me that there may be a question as to their inclusion in the antelope rather than the goat group, so that makes sense. If pashmina wearers insist that their clothing be certified as having been bought from domestic goats, there wouldn't be a problem with wearing that lovely, lovely stuff.* Here's more info on pashmina *disclaimer, I wear artificial, and it's nice, too.
• BlueHorse - yes, Cashmere/pashmina is from goats. The campaign also mentions looking for products made from Tibetan yak wool. Animals which live in the same area as the antelope. No mention of the wearablity of the actual antelope. Which is a shame. Who wouldn't love a pair of a Free Tibet antelope fluff mittens and matching ear muffs? "By purchasing these products, consumers can contribute to the protection of the Tibetan antelope as well as assist with supporting the livelihoods of traditional communities in the Tibetan Plateau region."
• I was planning on doing a post on the Blue (don't tell BlueHorse) about the 2008 Olympics, and I added a bunch of stuff about Yingsel. Thanks, velvetrabbit.
• Olympic artist attacks China's pomp and propaganda
• In Beijing, Orwell Goes to the Olympics
• In case it wasn't clear: the wool of Tibetan antelopes is known as shatoosh or shahtoosh, and because getting hold of it involves the large-scale killing of these endangered animals, it is illegal in many countries since the mid-'90s. There is still a black market: Shatoosh wool is traded over the border into India for tiger parts to be used in "traditional Chinese medicine." Hence the emphasis on Pashmina as a non-horrible alternative.
• Protesters urge Olympic boycott over Chinese support for Burma
• Beijing Dispatch: Olympic preview? Beijing temporarily clears the air
• The Geneva-based Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions has announced its annual Housing Rights Violator Awards.
• Britain kow tows to China as athletes are forced to sign no criticism contracts
• The Hidden Cost of Cashmere
• Olympics clean-up Chinese style: Inside Beijing's shocking death camp for cats
• Sometimes I really, really, really hate China and the prevalent mentality that life is worthless. Why is that so? Chinese Americans are not like that. I have a girlfriend that would weep buckets over this. Emigrant Chinese don't seem to have this mentality. China as a whole doesn't give a damn about their children in sweatshops, or the destruction of their environment either. What gives? Is it the assholes in government? I KNOW the country's growing and they are seeking the "good life." But THIS is the time to make sure growth is controlled and to take care that the people are protected and EVERYONE, not just the rich, can enjoy the benefits of prosperity. I can understand that there is a severe problem with stray cats (and dogs.) I can certainly understand, and even support, a humane program of euthanasia to control disease, then immediate institution of a program of spay and neuter. Damn, if they can enforce a one child policy, surely they can control the unwanted animal population?
• Olympic torch relay cut to one day in Tibet