China & Russia: On A Bit Of The Edge

First, from China:

China arrests over coup rumours

The internet rumours have spooked China's top leadership

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Chinese police have arrested six people and shut 16 websites after rumours were spread that military vehicles were on the streets of Beijing, officials say.

The web posts were picked up last week by media outlets around the world, amid uncertainty caused by the ouster of top political leader Bo Xilai.

The State Internet Information Office (SIIO) said the rumours had a "very bad influence on the public".

Two popular microblogs have temporarily stopped users from posting comments.

Second, from Russia:

Russian Police Detain 55 Protesters Near Moscow's Red Square

VOA News

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Photo: Reuters

Interior Ministry officers detain opposition activists during a protest rally to defend Article 31 of the Russian constitution, which guarantees the right of assembly, in Moscow March 31, 2012.

Russian police say they detained 55 opposition supporters near Moscow's Red Square in order to prevent an unauthorized anti-government rally there.

Activists had called for supporters to walk around the square, located outside of the Kremlin, wearing white ribbons as a symbol of the protest movement.

But police closed the square and blocked off its access roads, preventing the gathering.

Russian opposition activists have criticized the government for violating their right to freedom of assembly.

Tens of thousands of activists have rallied in recent months against widespread fraud in the parliamentary election and against Vladimir Putin's election as president last month.

An unhappy and unstable China and Russia tend to make unhappy and unstable decisions whilst under pressure.

And pressure is indeed ratcheting up on all countries and issues.

With that in mind, according to Obama aides, it's time to blame Romney for Obama's blatant display of fear towards Russia in Obama's "coming second term."

For the love of God, I swear this nation and this planet get more upside down and unrecognizable by the week -- and so few seem to notice or care.

BZ