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Stop the dream, I want to get off By Yossi Sarid Tags: Beijing Olympics, China This is the day we have been waiting for, for four years - a giant step for China, a step backward for mankind. It is worthwhile holding the Olympics in China. The authorities there have forbidden the eating of dogs until the Games are over, so man's best friend can feel good until the end of September; he has already gained something. And the subjects have been ordered not to push in queues, not to suck noodles into their mouths too loudly, and not to spit in public - all of this to make a good impression, a cultured impression, on the guests. But the authorities themselves are spitting in the faces of the international community and its Olympic Committee, and the world calls it a monsoon. And how about dog's best friends, the people? Have they benefited? Not really. China is continuing to put to death many dozens of people every year, this year included; dissidents are thrown into jail; 3 million people have been exiled from the capital in honor of the Games; entire neighborhoods are being pulled down or hidden from sight; access to the Internet has been restricted, sites have been blocked, censorship has been increased, the right to demonstrate has been curtailed, including the bereaved parents from Sichuan Province. The main thing is that George W. Bush and Raleb Majadele will be satisfied. Nothing has remained of the commitments that China made in 2001. At that time, the world hoped there would be an improvement in the state of human rights in that country, but behold - from bad to worse. Amnesty International published a report this week where it said that China has stepped up the number of arrests and the surveillance of the regime's opponents. "Human rights are being trampled on with a heavy foot; people live in a police state here," said Ai Weiwei, who designed the new Olympic stadium in Beijing. Advertisement The ceremony tonight will be breathtaking, something we have never seen before. Around 100 heads of state will sit comfortably in the VIP section, all of them sworn sports fans, because, after all, it is not acceptable to mix politics and sports, as well as politicians and athletes. Bush will also be there, the world champion of democracy and human rights, eating a hamburger, and alongside him, Nicolas Sarkozy, who made his participation at the ceremony conditional on progress in talks with the Dalai Lama's representatives before the start of the Games. But meanwhile, the negotiations have completely broken down. They are continuing to persecute the Tibetans, just as they persecute other ethnic and religious minorities. And Shimon Peres will demonstrate his presence after having already given his blessings. "There is a great deal of criticism about the Chinese regime," he said this week, "but it is possible to say a great deal also about us; for example, that there are settlements, and not to come here." We have always been proud of our president, whose eyes can see into the future. The main point is that his mind is at rest and that the sanctity of the Sabbath will not be disturbed. And the presidents of Zimbabwe, Myanmar (Burma), Sudan and North Korea will also be there - all of them criminals against humanity and bosom buddies of the host country. It is recommended to take along a handkerchief and mask to deal with the pollution and stench. It's lucky that Pol Pot and Slobodan Milosevic are dead. I have no idea who will be sitting next to whom in the gallery, but if the seating arrangements go according to the alphabet, Peres from Israel will sit next to Ahmadinejad from Iran. The two will find a common subject for discussion, nuclear reactors. The Chinese have given the Olympics a slogan - "One World, One Dream." Stop the dream, I want to get off. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Going for the gold Israel's athletes made a forceful debut on the opening day of the Olympic Games. Cooking vs. driving As Ramadan nears, Hamas bans the use of cooking gas to fuel vehicles in the Gaza Strip.

Read & React Israel slams Turkey over Ahmadinejad plan to visit Responses: 116 Israel: We'll hold Lebanon responsible for Hezbollah's actions Responses: 272 PRC: Open crossings within 3 weeks or we'll end Gaza truce Responses: 73 Ze'ev Sternhall: Burying the Jewish state between Hebron and Yitzhar Responses: 85 Ultra-Orthodox 'Modesty Guard' suspected in beating of J'lem woman Responses: 106 More Headlines 01:23 Officials: Olmert failed to dispel graft suspicions in 5th round of questioning 02:07 Putin defends Russia's Ossetia incursion, slams Georgia over 'genocide' 23:27 Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish dies after heart surgery 00:09 Putin to Peres: Russia doesn't want a nuclear armed Iran 00:15 Beijing Olympics / Israel shows its mettle even without a medal 20:33 Gaza militants fire Qassam rocket into western Negev 15:21 U.S. Jewish congressman beats opponent who linked him to KKK 20:51 Diplomats: Syria blocks new visit by nuclear watchdog 20:35 INTERVIEW / Top U.S. general lays foundation for Palestinian state 07:46 EU tightens sanctions against Iran over nuke program 03:28 Anti-Semitic graffiti prompts Sarkozy's son to take legal action 17:29 As Ramadan nears, Hamas bans use of cooking gas to fuel cars in Gaza 22:38 VIDEO / Ultra-Orthodox 'Modesty Guard' suspected of beating Jerusalem woman Previous Editions Select Day 08 aug 07 aug 06 aug 05 aug 04 aug 03 aug 01 aug 31 jul 30 jul 29 jul 28 jul 27 jul

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