I know. And since I haven't watched The Godfather, I obviously haven't seen

Actually, not really Clockwork Orange but people tell me its good so I think I should.

Actually, there's more but that's all I can remember at the moment. Anyways, for those who have the above DVDs, kindly let me borrow them.

While I think the entire issue of this ad was overblown, I think it was more stupid than it was offensive.

Won't they at least sit down, brainstorm and think that maybe some people might not take the ad the way it was intended?  That while it was never meant to meant to be racially insulting, the media might turn this around and say it was? That to launch the ad just before the Olympics, that the Olympics is gonna be held in CHINA, that the Spanish team IS gonna play in China, maybe just a tad be wrongly timed?

Did they think that this was gonna make the Chinese smile and think this ad was a tribute to them? Really?

As a Chinese (however banana I may be), I was never insulted when I saw this ad. It just made me think of the stupidity of it all. There are three stupid parties to be blamed here:

1. The ad company for actually thinking this was a good idea: Granted that they (hopefully) never intended it as a racial statement and was actually a salute to the Chinese for the Olympics, but thinking that the ad and this picture won't be circulated around the world within minutes of it getting published is just plain dumb. Spain already has a bad reputation for being racist (the Thierry Henry motivation tactic by the coach, the monkey chants during the friendly vs England, the Lewis Hamilton issue during the Barcelona GP) and this ad doesn't help.

2. The Spanish basketball team for going along with this idea: Hello, maybe it slipped your mind that you are gonna be playing on the world's biggest sporting stage? And that stage happens to be in China?? As my dad would put it, "No cow sense!!".

3. The sporting company/sponsors for agreeing to publish this ad: If haven't heard, this whole thing was actually also to promote the fact that the Spanish Basketball team is sponsored by the Chinese sporting brand, Li-Ning (the Chinese Nike). For a Chinese company to think that this isn't degrading for the Chinese race is simply mind boggling. And to not retract the ad with an apology after it was blown out of proportion by the media is just stupid.

Try doing an ad featuring black people shown as slaves when the Olympics is hosted in Africa and let's see if its still funny.

The whole controversy was definitely overhyped and I doubt a lot of Chinese will take offense, but don't even try touching a sensitive issue. Having slit eyes isn't something the Chinese are proud of.

I just realise that I'm actually a very forward thinking person.

I struggle to wake up every morning for work. In the midst my struggle, I am already thinking of my schedule for the day and if I am able to come back early for an evening after-work nap.

I think its the only time where I actually plan ahead.