The Chinese President Hu Jintao is in the United States being entertained at the Whitehouse as he continues to contemplate ways to exploit Chinese economic growth. During the welcome parade, a lone protestor (who had gotten in on a one day press pass) began shouting and was removed by the Secret Service. They charged her with disorderly conduct, but obviously decided not to press similar charges against Hu Jintao.
I loved the US media reaction to this. CNN criticised the Chinese media for “blacking out” screens when the protestor began speaking and for removing all reference to her actions. Yet, this is the same media that routinely delivers non-news, wouldn’t discuss Iraq properly for the longest time, and generally are a huge bunch of hypocrites on a level approximating Faux News.
The most amusing gaff came from the Whitehouse announcer, who announced the “National anthem of the Republic of China”. That’s Taiwan to the Chinese (who don’t like the ROC much because they decided they didn’t want to be repressed by the PRC any more) whereas the “correct” name for China is a People’s Republic. Of course, what do you expect? They’ve got overgrown kids running the Whitehouse (the Bush Administration), so it’s not surprising.
I’ve been working on a list of countries that I’d have a problem visiting. The list includes China, Turkey, and a few others that generally repress the right to free speech that their peoples don’t have in the first place. Turkey needs to join the EU like I need to join the People’s Republic.
Jon.
You amuse me greatly by deriding the results of leftist policies in England and China, while in the same time desiring the same policies in the U.S. Gratious kicking of Bush is also very funny. Please keep up the good work.
Don’t forget that for Turkey to join the EU these and other abuses will have to cease – a strong stick with which to beat whilst dangling the economic carrot.