By Selwyn Duke

It has just been revealed that China will not allow participants in the 2008 Summer Olympic Games to bring Bibles with them when they come  to compete in the events.  But, interestingly, while the Bible is on the list of prohibited items, the Koran is not.

I’ve often thought it was wrong to reward China, with its sterling record of respect for human rights and liberty, with the Olympics.  This, however, is an abomination.  China not only once again reveals its tyrannical nature, it also is now proving itself to be a very inhospitable host. 

If we have any respect  — that is, for human rights and ourselves — we’ll inform the Chinese regime that such repression will not be tolerated.  If China doesn’t want to enter the family of man, it shouldn’t participate in its culture.

Oh, and as Newsbusters has pointed out, the media has been silent about this.  Kudos once again, Shill Media; it’s no wonder you’re going out of business.

Speaking of which, it has just been reported that virtually all of the top 25 newspapers have experienced a further decline in circulation.  Of course, this won’t deter them from pursuing their leftist course, as they see, hear and speak no evil.  Why, they’re die-hards, by gum, and they’ll just go down with the ship.

This isn’t to say that the leftist bent of the Shill Media is the sole reason for their woes, but it is part of the picture.  I truly believe they could breathe new life into their listing rags if they would just allow some new blood onto their editorial pages (and in the newsroom).  Columnists who would offer something other than the usual politically correct pabulum, who could dispense the red meat called Truth, might really be a draw.  And, hey, I just may know where they can find one . . . .

While I chuckle and smirk every time a paper like the Gay Lady (NYT) experiences another death throe, I don’t really want to see the print media disappear completely.  Ever since the invention of the printing press, virtually all of us have been able to pick up a periodical and read something actually printed on paper.  There’s no substitute for getting that ink on your fingers, and I think it would be a sad day if cyberspace became the sole realm of the press. 

But, to prevent this, the Shill Media will have to dispense with the "Shill."  If people want propaganda, they can get it for free online.

Then there’s a piece in the news section about the proliferation of cameras designed to catch motorists who speed and run red lights.  Localities tend to love them because they become a great source of revenue.  As to this, here is an excerpt from the piece:

Following the lead of Illinois, Arizona will soon deploy
permanently mounted speed cameras on freeways throughout the state. In
just nine months last year, a pilot program in Scottsdale, AZ mailed
out 120,000 speeding tickets with a face value of nearly $19 million.
In other words, traffic cameras are serious business, generating more
than a billion dollars every year for local governments and the
insurance industry.

It’s always about the money nowadays, isn’t it?

I probably don’t have to tell you that I adamantly oppose these tools of Big Brother, but I also wonder about something.  It was always my understanding that moving violations were given to the driver, not the vehicle.  So, I’d like to know how these governments can ticket the registered owner of a car based on having videotaped someone — and it could be anyone — driving his vehicle and violating a traffic law.  After all, if I lend someone a steak knife and he later stabs someone else with it, should I be held accountable? 

Regardless, government surveillance cameras are un-American.  Any official who would erect them should be driven from office posthaste.

Lastly, Bono, of U2 fame, must be a big disappointment to Rolling Stone magazine.  Bucking the leftist line so typical of rock n’ rollers, he addressed the threat posed by Islam and said,

"I want to be very, very clear, however: I understand and agree with the
analysis [Bush’s analysis] of the problem. There is an imminent threat. It manifested
itself on 9/11. It’s real and grave. It is as serious a threat as
Stalinism and National Socialism were. Let’s not pretend it isn’t."

Now, although I generally disagree with Bono on the ideological front, I must give him credit.  He’s not a typical leftist, in that he doesn’t respond in a knee-jerk fashion and isn’t blinded by an agenda.  He doesn’t demonize those on the right; in fact, he sometimes works with them.  He seems to be open to Truth.  That’s not so say that I think he has been all that good at finding it thus far, but his heart seems to be in the right place.

My compliments to you, Bono.