Slashdot Mirror
Chinese Blogger Chosen As Head of Investigation
Lew Perin writes "China hasn't developed much of a reputation for government transparency. And in Yunnan province, the case of a guy who died in police custody was starting to look like a cover up. But then the provincial government startled everyone by choosing a prominent local blogger to head the official investigation into the death. 'The unorthodox move to make popular bloggers heads of an investigation committee is a tacit admission by the Yunnan government of the power of the internet — especially blogs — in shaping Chinese public opinion. It also belies the widespread suspicion of the official version of Li's death.'"
[Homer], ``Your first duty would be to step out on the balcony, and tell that crowd this plant is safe.'
In other news, a prominent Chinese Blogger was admitted to a local hospital with two broken kneecaps and three missing toes, injuries he reportedly sustained after falling down a flight of stairs.
Isn't that the plot of the new re-imagined Charlie Chan movie?
Bow-ties are cool.
What, the next time they'll say a guy died from playing patty-cake in prison?
Obviously you've never been forced to play "Patty-cake" in a prison.
The faded gold lettering on the door says "Philip Marlowe." My digs aren't in the greatest part of town, but that suits me just fine. I'm a blogger-one of the few honest ones out there. Work was a little slow-I was spending some time on important research-reading Slashdot. I was just about to hit the submit button on a post entitled "Frosty Piss!" when the dame shrugged her way through my door. If I'd have known what was going to happen next, I would have stuck to trolling.
She was tall for an Oriental, but not unappealing. She wore a black silk dress cut in traditional Chinese manner, studded with soft pink roses. Her eyes were black and silky as the dress. They didn't stay still. "Are you Marlowe?" she asked, scanning the room.
"Sure," I replied diffidently.
"Your blogging reputation proceeds you. The Chinese government has a job for you."
"Nuts to that. I don't work for commies."
"I could make it worth your while, Mr. Marlowe."
"If I sold out to every fancy-pants who walked through that door, would I be working in this place?"
"I understand your position, Marlowe, but listen. There's a 24-year-old kid who got beaten to death while in police custody. The police say it was from playing hide-and-seek. We need an official investigation, and you're the best investigational blogger we know."
"Sure it wasn't from 'ring around the rosie'?" I smirked nastily. She took a sharp breath.
"Listen, Marlowe, don't you want to help improve the situation? I know you've had certain...shall we say...run-ins with hyperactive authority figures in the past. Surely this could help your reputation."
"MY reputation?" I practically yelled. "Lady, I've been called a troll, a spammer, and an astroturfer more times than you can count on your abacus. I've been modded down, banned, accused of violating TOSs, but I'm still here. So don't think you can tell me about my reputation. I'll do it for $100/day plus expenses."
"Very good, Mr. Marlowe," she purred.
"Oh, and one more thing," I stood up and got my hat. "I'd better be on the official Chinese government blogroll by sundown, or you're gonna have to find yourself a new patsy."
(-1, Raw and Uncut is the only way to read)