Update: The first Lies about President Obama

Written by Julen Madariaga on January 21st, 2009

I don’t usually do direct accusations on this site, because I know better than searching conflict, and I understand nobody is perfect and we all make mistakes.

But this one I cannot let pass, it is too low and too gratuitous. It is sad: why does it have to be  China who tells the first Lies about President Obama, only 20 minutes into his presidency. This is how they respect one admirable man, and 1 Billion of their own listeners.  (h/t shanghaiist).

To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

Yes, he said that. And yes, they are on the wrong side.

Comments welcome.

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Comments so far ↓

  1. Jan
    21
    3:50
    PM
    bt

    Hi ULN :)
    Hao jiu bu jian!
    Sometimes, I don’t understand how they work at CCTV … doing that will inevitably draw the atention of everybody abroad and in the PRC.

    [Reply to this comment]

  2. Jan
    21
    4:01
    PM
    uln

    Hi Bt, good to see you back:)

    Yes, this time it is so obvious that I hope everyone in the World can see it and all Chinese are informed of what their government is doing.

    That is why I publish it here, to help spread the word.

    [Reply to this comment]

  3. Jan
    21
    9:43
    PM
    xu

    In terms of censorship, western media have nothing to brag about. While Chinese state-controlled media report selectively, western media are just the same or even worse. At least,CCTV would not call an ambulance car a police car and they are above saying “Chinese policemen are beating Tibetan protesters.” while showing the audience a picture of Nepalese policemen fighting with overseas Tibetans.
    When Dalai lama was showing up at a gathering in an american city last year, a small airplane flew overhead pulling a banner which read something like “Dalai lama. Your smile charm, but your actions harm.”(sorry,not sure if this is the original words). As far as I know, not one single major western media bothered to mention it although it was worth a headline story. When riots broke out in Lasa,all western media were accusing Chinese police of “bloody crackdown” without any convincing proof and all people could see is how tolerant the police were and how lawless and brutal the rioters. They didn’t tell western people that there were five young girls were burned alive. They didn’t tell people why they thought the police should not intervene while houses were burning and passers-by were attacked. Do you call this “leading by example”? In my opinon, when Reuters scorns CCTV,it’s just “乌鸦落在猪身上,看见别人黑看不见自己黑”.

    Do cctv mean to look down upon Pres Obama? I think they don’t although I’m not sure. But I tend to think we don’t need to be so much indignant if we take into consideration the fact that Senator Clinton said “Shame on you,Obama” and Senator Mccain called Pres Obama “that one” and Pres Obama never showed any sign of being offended.

    [Reply to this comment]

  4. Jan
    21
    10:12
    PM
    xu

    When Dalai lama was interviewed by an american reporter, the reporter said something like this “As you know,only those who are brave to fight can achieve their goal”. Obviously he was instigating violence. He was an american whose country sustained 9.11 and he was suggesting violence. Would Chinese media be that disgusting? You don’t call this “leading by example”,do you?

    [Reply to this comment]

  5. Jan
    21
    10:44
    PM
    uln

    Hi Xu, thanks for commenting.

    1- I never said Western media was perfect. I criticize them too when there is a reason. In the cases you mention I didn’t comment because my blog didn’t exist at the time.

    2- I agree with you, the West hasn’t been “leading by example” these last years. Leading by example is what Obama is supposed to do (hopefully), but certainly not what Bush did.

    3- There is one essential difference between Western and Chinese media in the cases you mention: In the West it is a free and diverse world; when some tell lies, others correct them. If you read the different media and compare, you get a close idea of the truth. In China there is no different media, there is only one: the State media.

    4- Finally, I might agree today’s little “lie” or omission is not the worst we have seen on either side. But it is the way it has been done, gratuitously, unnecessarily, and just at a time when many like me were dreaming of a better world. It is mean, and I hope you can understand why I was so pissed off.

    [Reply to this comment]

  6. Jan
    22
    11:36
    AM
    xu

    The first lies,if omission can be called “lies’,is not done by Chinese but americans themselves. Still remember how the usher presented Pres Obama? “Ladies and gentlemen,the President-elect Barack.H.Obama.” And we all know Pres Obama’s middle name is Hussein. Why was “ussein” missing? Don’t tell me it’s not because Hussein is a Muslim name and was used by Saddam, too. If western media think that americans’ lacking of courage to face a name is nothing unusual, why do they make such a big fuss over CCTV’s omission?

    [Reply to this comment]

  7. Jan
    22
    12:47
    PM
    uln

    Yes, I noted that too in the speech.

    But I don’t think it is comparable. It is usual practice in the United States to use just a letter for the middle name. For example, everyone said George W. Bush. Therefore, we cannot consider this a deliberate omission of the Hussein name.

    [Reply to this comment]

  8. Jan
    22
    12:52
    PM
    uln

    Besides, how can “Americans lack courage to face a Muslim name”, when they have actually chosen this man as their president?

    Sincerely, I think you are completely wrong on that one. Americans have shown that they have way more courage in this sense than either Chinese or Europeans.

    [Reply to this comment]

  9. Jan
    22
    1:56
    PM
    Wukailong

    There are a bunch of other lies floating around about Obama. My favorite is this one about his muslim faith:

    http://www.conservapedia.com/Barack_Obama

    ‘Obama recently mentioned his religion as “my Muslim faith.”[31]‘

    There are many other interesting claims in there about him being a socialist and using mind control, among others.

    [Reply to this comment]

  10. Feb
    22
    10:50
    PM
    Elder David Forsythe

    Obama told meet the press long before he became president , that”He was not going to run for president or vicepresident in 2008″ I don,t see how we as people of this country can follow a man who tells lies!!! He cannott claim to be a christian and tell lies too.!! If he will tell one lie , he,ll tell more!!! You cannott trust a lier..
    According to Holy Scripture, a lie is a sin!!!

    [Reply to this comment]

  11. Mar
    7
    2:39
    PM
    Charlie P. in the P.R of China

    To:Elder David Forsythe
    “According to Holy Scripture, a lie is a sin!!!”

    You have got to be kidding me Elder. For your information not everyone in this harmonious world is consequentially a religious believer. Hence, religious affairs should not be brought into the matter of politics! Even John F. Kennedy stated on September 12, 1960, in his address to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association ‘I Believe in an America Where the Separation of Church and State is Absolute’.

    [Reply to this comment]

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