While I don't agree with the Know-your-place-and-keep-your-mouth-shut sentiment this thread reeks of, I am well aware that there's a time and a place. That said, what's with the apologist approach? I think there's been 2 threads on GoK and they were both about keeping safe and staying out of trouble (before they mysteriously got locked, what's that about?) and it's hard to imagine a forum full of Westerners where the who/what/when and why wouldn't come up. I think both threads weren't crossing any lines and stayed within what reasonably could be expected in times like these. If Yereth feels he needs to self-censor, well, it's his site so although we can disagree wildly about the validity of such moves, in the end there's not much to do about it.

My wife translated some of the spewing. They had huge loudspeakers on a truck and there were some 15-20 mianbaoches lined up with banners and stuff. It looked VERY organized although I of course can't say for sure if it was approved by the local government or not. There were police posted in groups in the 4 corners of the square so at the very least they were noticed beforehand. I wonder if the Chinese are aware how much it could hurt them if Japanese citizens were killed in China and also how other Asian nations take note of this behaviour. If the fear of China exceeds the respect it's plausible that some will be pushed into the arms of American security treaties and/or a joint Asian defence cooperation.

Rally within hearing distance from my place. The speakers calling for the murder of all Japanese and the destruction of Japan. Seems local government approved since it's set up on a public square, lots of banners and the police is there to direct traffic (and nothing else). Also, plenty of cars here driving around nationalist style with flags and scary banners. This is taking an ugly turn and with the tendency for some Chinese to jump from words to violence very quickly, we probably should thread lightly.

One would imagine, if you bought something second hand it should be up to the police to prove it was acquired illegally, not for you to prove the opposite. I know China and the concept of Rule of Law sometimes collide, but if I had bought a 2nd hand scooter or something else and I knew it wasn't stolen before I'd fight hand and nail for my rights (and probably be laughed out of the police station).

When you set it up and if you're not planning on getting wifi, be careful in pointing out the correct data outlet. You won't get internet in China that can be accessed from the outlets in all the rooms but only one. I had way too long a talk with my TV/Internet company because they only wanted to set up the internet in the same room as the TV (naturally I don't want my computer desk and all the stuff in the only reasonably nice room if I can avoid it) and it took ages to make them give in. Oddly enough, when they finally relented it took them just about 10 minutes to set up. Anyway, about the lads they're sending out to fix it, they know what they're doing and won't leave until they've installed the software on your computer, set the whole thing up and it's working.