CCTV FOLLIES: 10/1 National Day
-China congratulates itself, even from outer space
-The world congratulates China
-Putin signs a document
-Zelensky signs a document
-Nord Stream pipeline?
-Russia says US did it, US denies doing it
It's National Day!
It's disappointing to see astronauts floating in weightlessness so far away home toeing the line of a hyper-nationalist script prepared in Beijing, but that's the weight you bear being a mascot.
The propaganda from the Chinese space station is simply out of this world.
Bright red blazer, lipstick redder than usual,
which is to say:
Happy National Day!
Everything's fine in China. No droughts, floods or weather disturbances. No problems. Bumper crops, high industrial output, contented people.
All art is political, and the more political it is, (in the right direction) the more likely it is to get hung in this gallery.
What's art but an advertisement for one's own country?
Look at those painterly scenes of missile launchers, jets and the colorful aircraft carrier.
China is number two in the world in woman's basketball!
btw: Who won?
In more normal times, it is a joy to see such excellent athleticism...
...but ever since the Winter Olympics, sports in China has been tainted by oozing hysterical nationalism.
(Team USA is guilty of this kind of flag-wrapping too)
Putin extends his warm wishes and everlasting friendship to China on the 73rd National Day.
Russia's bombing of the neighboring country of Ukraine proceeds apace, but don't call it a war. It's complicated. The so-called precision targeting always claims to be aimed at military installations, missile batteries, and US supplied weapons depots.
Recently, Ukraine has been granted the chance to get in a word or two under the Fox News "fair and balanced" rules (it's like "Hannity and Colmes," if anyone remembers that lopsided show.)
"Ukraine forces surround Russians at Lyman"
-CCTV still refuses to grant Ukraine a border
The shocking news of Putin annexing large swathes of Ukraine by fiat gets about 10 seconds of air time, here signing off on a new sovereignty arrangement.
China respects Russia's duplicitous notions of sovereignty, so they don't object much.
And a five-second riposte from Ukraine...
Zelensky signs papers requesting NATO membership.
And then it's on the UN in NY where...
The Russians say the US did it and the US says it didn't.
Finally, the National Day news program closes with beautiful, calming scenes of a prosperous country at peace.
During this time of trouble, the restive populace is sure to be calmed by this new publication highlighting Xi Jinping's penetrating insights into high-level science
Yet another publication by the world's greatest freelance writer:
Xi Jinping Thought on Strong Military
Why read it once when you can read it three times?
The next ten minutes is devoted to some reassuring, inspirational shots of Xi Jinping who has total control of the military and wants the world to know it.
Patrick Chovanec, a consultant at Silvercrest Asset Mgmt has done some China virtue-signaling by compiling photos about the 1989 Tiananmen demonstrations, an event he evidently knows little about.
(a thread)
To do this, he compiled over a dozen of my photos on his blog , and when I brought this to his attention, he made no effort to credit the photos or reveal where he got them from. patrickchovanec.com/about/
Some of the photos now have a life of their own on the internet, including the above photo, (caption by Chovanec) which has been used by conspiratorial pro-China bloggers as proof of a "color revolution."
;-)
A political bible with quasi-religious overtones is unveiled like a holy relic.
A book by Xi Jinping! In English!
CCTV news shows the entire table of contents
Wow. It sure looks like a gripping read. Find a comfy chair, put the kettle on and settle for a long enlightening read.
CCTV FOLLIES: 5.26
China state TV doubles down on dubious Russia claims about "secret" US bio-labs in Ukraine.
(from May 26 Xinwen Lianbo)
Anchor Li Zimeng couches the accusations in the language of Russia's Defense Ministry, but the CCTV editors like the story enough for it to get major airtime.
The Russia Defense Ministry, solid architectural monolith that it is, is portrayed as a presumably authoritative source.
Read all about it! Top of the news! Yet another much-heralded publication by the indefatigable freelance writer Xi Jinping, whose excessive narcissism is nicely balanced with pictures of himself.
Up next, a nostalgic look back to 2017 when this man was laying the foundation of today's greatness.
Among many, many other incredible, almost super-human accomplishments, he created a city out of dust.