August 13, 2008 3:21 PM
Belated Comment Reaction
After today's shocking revelation that we were accidentally, uh, censoring our readers' comments, we're trying to make good at the Rocky's Olympics blog. Normally, we'd be responding to comments on the blog in real time, but today, basically a ton of comments spanning the entirety of this blog's existence just showed up. I'm going to attempt to respond to some of them that we really would have responded to earlier if not for the commenting mishap. Sorry about that.@Carmila: Can anybody help on this one?
From "Hu Jintao Does Not Care for OPS+"
@Matt Smith: Thanks for the proxy link. VPN's also been working nicely.
@Mike, Dan, Two Dogs, EPB and Carman Tse: Here's what I've been able to uncover on the FJM being blocked front: blogspot addresses are not blocked here in China. However, blogs like are written using Blogger but published to a separate address -- like firejoemorgan.com or murraychass.com -- are blocked. I am not sure why the censors make this distinction.
@Nick Underhill: I'm not sure who started the "blogger in his mom's basement" cliche, but I've always assumed it was one sportswriter's Freudian defense against a childhood spent in that exact location. Agreed that it's time to kick the old stereotype. Rise up, seamheads! The first level of your mom's house ain't so bad.
@Mike in China: I have no idea what's going on here. I don't understand anything. I don't expect to understand anything. That's kind of the point around here.
@Bill: "The good people of China deserve to know what inane things you are saying." Backhanded compliment appreciated.
@Simonbike : The water on Mars story was overshadowed by the Chinese government's decision to restrict business visas for Martians, er, foreigners.
@Flip Washington: If conversations were more like BOCOG manuals, George Bush would suddenly be considered a sensible and great orator.
@Nathan: Jackie Chan's legit environmental qualifications have yet to be noted by the blog, so here you go. He's also railed against the consumption of shark fin (a worthy cause, I might add).
@Jackie in Beijing: The official record from BOCOG makes no distinction between what most people would consider central Beijing and the surrounding areas, which are really separate places but still apparently count as "Beijing." Beijing City and Beijing County -- if that exists -- are one and the same.
@Daniel More: As mentioned here on the blog, Nike's not an official sponsor, so that complicates things. But with such widespread exposure for the brand, the Olympics shouldn't hurt Nike's stock.
@HairySwede: Swedish bikini team? I'm listening...
@Flip Washington: Beijing's not very high up, so there's no real altitude adjustment. In terms of unique alcoholic beverages: they've got this unidentified grain alcohol that sells in green bottles for about 3 yuan ($.44). It may actually be ethanol. There are no English words on the bottle, but I'm told that on the scale of one to moonshine, it's pretty high up there. I wouldn't describe it as tasty, though.
For that same 3 yuan, I can get 20.3 ounces of Tsingtao or Yanjing beer. That's the drink of choice over here.
And thanks for the kind words. Cynical yet curious. Sounds like a Tanqueray ad. I like it.
@Skinny Dipper and Fiona: I'm fairly sure that in a country without water access, the Speedo suit will be ineffective for the Taliban fighters. And no daring, please, unless it's a double dog dare. We take those seriously at the Rocky.
@Champson and HairySwede: It really is the most unusual thing I've seen in my time here. It really does explain a lot of the randomness that people are experiencing with the volunteers here.
From "The Greatest Free Ad Ever"
@Charles Frith: Some of the clothing at Li Ning certainly is a bit eccentric. I do find my new Shaq-endorsed sneakers comfortable, though.
@Elinor and Dk: From a spectator's point of view: the torch lighting was awesome. One of China's most famous/important Olympians lit the torch in an incredible way, and I don't think that anyone can deny that. For the Chinese here, it was a very proud moment. But at the same time, BOCOG does have a responsibility to the sponsors who've paid hundreds of millions of dollars to support the Games. Perhaps in retrospect, they'd just have allowed us to watch Yao Ming fly through the air instead.
@Flip Washington: Comment away, sir. Thanks for your persistence.
@Great Gazoo: Try this extensive TV guide from NBC. Or TiVo. Either works.
@Flip Washington: No. In retrospect, I should have represented Denver in a genial manner, as you noted. My apologies.
@George: Sadly, if you had it my way, it'd be all badminton, all the time. Btw, if running is unpopular as an Olympic sport, than are we down to swimming and basketball as the only cool sports left?
@Mallinson: Thanks for the persistence. Three cheers to you, sir.
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