Just another Reality-based bubble in the foam of the multiverse.

Sunday, April 23, 2006

Stupid is as stupid does

It all depends on what the meaning of the word "small" is.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington sent a delegation to the White House on Friday to demand a detailed explanation of how an adherent of the Falun Gong spiritual sect, which is banned in China, managed to infiltrate the welcome ceremony for Mr. Hu on the South Lawn of the White House on Thursday and heckle Mr. Hu for several minutes before being escorted away.

While Mr. Hu appeared unfazed by the disruption and continued with his planned events Thursday and Friday, some analysts said the security breach might end up heightening the distrust between the nations that the visit had been intended to dispel...

The reception for Mr. Hu was further marred when a White House announcer confused the official name of China with that of its archrival, Taiwan, while introducing China's national anthem. Separately, photographs show that as the event ended, President Bush first steered Mr. Hu to leave the podium and then, realizing he had done so prematurely, grabbed the Chinese leader by the arm and pulled him back into the proper position.

The protocol problems may have had more resonance than the nature of the small slights would suggest because Mr. Hu's visit did not achieve any significant breakthroughs and the Chinese always emphasize careful staging of major political events...


And the Bu$hCo-Cheneyburton administration doesn't. Right.

No one ever told Dear Leader: Never laugh at live Dragons.

Not that there's any particular danger from this dragon. It isn't predatory, although like all dragons- and like the dwarves who run things here these days- it loves gold. But dragons can be provoked, and whether they regard us as a respected rival or an enemy to be burnt will make a difference.

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