Revelations, not surprising

Friday night, China opened up the Olympics with a ceremony so large, so breathtaking, so perfect, that the world stood amazed. We personally did not watch, in our own silent protest. We have however, seen clips and photos on the news and in the papers in the days since.

Most everyone who saw the show have reported they stood (or sat on their sofas) in awe, simply amazed at the sheer precision of the thousands of "volunteers" working in unison. Many have continued to discuss their astonishment at the 2,008 drummers, the breathtaking fireworks and finally, the angelic little girl who sang "ode to the motherland." Her voice, pure. Her face, cherubic.

And then today, revelations that not only were the fireworks faked, (oh yes, they were,) but the little angel who sang was in fact, not singing at all. She was miming, pulling a Milli Vanilli, if you will. Why? Because the real singer, she wasn't "flawless" enough.

Oh she was cute, just not cute "enough." Because whatever child sang had to give just the right impression of the great country. The country who does not allow free expression, does not allow religious freedom, the country who has been jailing anyone in their country who has spoken ill of the government while there.

The same country who is right now, jailing, torturing and sometimes killing Muslims (the Uighurs) in Western China, on the claim that they are terrorists with links to al Qaeda, although little evidence has been found to support China's claims and most human rights groups have long accused China of persecuting the Uighurs because of their ethnicity.

They may put on a spectacular show, they may have a nice water cube and bird's nest, but let us not forget what China is, a place where nobody questions authority, where every act is made to honor the great leader on punishment of exile or even death if one dares step out of line.