“One of the Greatest and Most Exciting Events in Human History.”

The Chinese government — and apologist journalism — achieved new lows today, with a Beijing spokesperson quoted in this monstrosity of an article by AP’s Anita Chang as saying that the occupation of Tibet was: “one of the greatest and most exciting events in human history” and lauding it as “an important milestone in the world’s anti-slavery movement.”

My response to this insult is below:

To the Editor:

The laws of good journalism dictate that reporters should present a balanced view of any story, drawing on accepted fact as well as on opinions and arguments from both sides of an issue.

The question I have after reading Anita Chang’s article on the Chinese Government’s newly created “Serf Emancipation Day” is what a responsible journalist should do when one side’s arguments aren’t even worth reporting.

The Chinese government’s utter disregard for the truth does not warrant the screenspace Ms. Chang affords it. No, repeat no, historian or international affairs analyst of any worth or measure would even entertain the equation of the occupation of Tibet with “an important milestone in the world’s anti-slavery movement,” or refer to it as one of the “greatest and most exciting events in human history.”

Reporters who cover the outrageous statements of Holocaust denial that emanate from Iran’s Ahmedinijad often do so with eyebrow raised and tongue planted firmly in cheek, as if to say: “He may be saying this, but we all know the Holocaust actually happened.”

What is troubling about Ms. Chang’s article is that she spends the majority of it presenting the Chinese government’s argument, without ever once dipping into the accepted historical record, which clearly states that Tibet was invaded and occupied and that during the years that followed many, many Tibetans were victims of forced labor and many more were tortured, imprisoned, and died.

The more that journalists cover the Tibet issue from the viewpoint of the Chinese government — whom Human Rights Watch has called the biggest propaganda machine in the world — without bothering to present accepted history, the further they are drifting from the laws of good journalism and the closer they get to being mouthpieces for a great and growing ugliness.

Josh Schrei
Former Chair, Students for A Free Tibet
Producer, Tibetan Freedom Concerts

Street Art Revelation #10: The Eternal Question

Why you treat me so bad??????

Street Art Revelation #9: When did mannequins get so hot?

When I was growing up, mannequins were awful, pale, shapeless things. Now apparently J-Lo and Sir Mix a Lot’s gift to American culture has extended even to the once humble mannequin. Though of course these mannequins have no upper bodies. Which isn’t that hot. Unless you’re into that kind of thing.

Street Art Revelation #8: Imaginary Friends Exist

Its true.

Street Art Revelations Special Edition: Texas Signs

To me, nothing says Texas like guns, fire ants, rabbit meat, God, wholesale TNT, defensive drivers, and Bovine Reproductive Services.

Don’t get me wrong. I love Texas. Here are some dreamy pictures of Texas farm country from my recent trip to Austin…

Street Art Revelation #7: Scientology is creepy.

So I snuck into the Scientology compound in L.A. recently just for the hell of it, and what did I find but an absolute wealth of airbrushed motivational poster art. Its comforting to know that if sales of Dianetics ever tank or the Hollywood cash flow dries up, the Church can always auction this stuff off to Dentist offices around the globe. And yes, I am writing all this tangential crap because I really don’t want to think about what the “purification rundown” actually involves.

Street Art Revelation #6: Coney Island Psychic

Because malt-liquor swilling psychics are almost as awesome as blatantly misplaced apostrophes.

Street Art Revelation #5: Party Mix

Looks like a party to me…

Street Art Revelation #4: Tribute to the Black Cowboy

A short drive from the crack and meth-infused neighborhoods of Waco, Texas lies the Tribute to the Black Cowboy, which apparently consists of this one painting on the boarded up window of a crumbling stucco wall. This of course begs the question — is it a tribute to “the Black Cowboy” as in there once were hundreds of black cowboys roaming the plains of West Texas and this is their tribute –  or rather is it a tribute to — y’know — the one black cowboy that existed, ever.

Street Art Revelation #3: One of the World’s Largest Collection of Decanters.

If you ever happen to be in Holbrook Arizona, and I’m not sure exactly why you would, The Winner’s Circle is clearly the place to be.  The proprietors cannot, however, answer the obvious question — where are the world’s OTHER largest collections of decanters? This to me puts the validity of the whole decanter thing in question. As does the massive painting of Elvis on the opposite wall. Somehow Elvis and decanters just don’t seem right together.