One of the mascots chosen by the Chinese government to promote the 2008 Beijing Olympics has defected, with the help of activists from the group Students for a Free Tibet.
The mascot, a cartoon antelope known as Ying-Ying, or Ying-say, was seen in a press conference today charging the Chinese government with ongoing human rights abuses and oppression of the Tibetan people.
This comes as the Chinese Consul General prepares for his first ever visit to Portland later on tonight. He’ll be at the opening ceremony
KBOO’s Jenka Soderberg spoke with Kalayan Mendoza, with Students for a Free Tibet:
The Chinese Consul General will be appearing at the Willamette Falls Ballroom at Portland State University at 7:30 this evening. KBOO has not been informed of any protests planned for the event, although there will be a free tibet protest tomorrow afternoon at 4:30 PM at Pioneer Courthouse Square.
Popular health care access for children will likely decrease this summer. Multnomah County’s new budget calls for shutting down School Health centers around the city. KBOO’s Spencer Raymond reports
Voters may get to decide on the rights of Gay people in 2008. A group flied initial paperwork with the state yesterday to create a referendum. KBOO’s Spencer Raymond has more.
THIS SHOW INCLUDES WEB-ONLY EXCLUSIVES!!!
Dive into classes on medicinal herbs and bicycle maintenance. Hear interviews with Michael Newman, who curates the "Live Journalism and Experts" series at the Waypost and Teri Thomas Peterson of SCRAP (the School and Community Reuse Action Project). Thanks to Brian Kramer for production assistance. Thanks to Levi Cecil for recording help and original music. Click here to download higher quality audio file. Podcast available here! For more information or to make a donation to support the show, please visit my website. Thanks for listening!
If you missed Education Part 1, listen to it here.
Biofuel: the 'green' fuel of the future? An environmental activist group says the Biofuels for Energy Security and Transportation Act of 2007, a US Senate bill mandating increased biofuel production and on a fast track to become law, fails to address critical environmental considerations and may cause more harm than good.
Interview with Beatrice Hohenegger, guest curator of a traveling museum exhibition on the history and culture of tea and author of "Liquid Jae: The Story of Tea from East to West."
The latest update on current threats to food, water, and air quality in Our Backyard and how at least one issue is being addressed by the Oregon Legislature.
Interview with Jeff Cohen, founder of FAIR, Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting, about his experiences as a media pundit on cable television and his critique of how the mainstream media enabled the Iraq War and how they continue to get it wrong.
The times, they are a-changin': Season Creep, a new plant hardiness map and the fate of the Oregon Grape. The National Wildlife Federation publishes a new report called A GARDENER’S GUIDE TO GLOBAL WARMING: CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS. Find out how to get a copy. Makes a great gift, too!
