Mao Mao’ing Mao (+ BTW, Where's MAD)

Michelle Malkin writes about,

A French company is now apologizing to the government of China over an ad it created using an altered image of the Commie leader. If there were a Chinese equivalent of dhimmitude, this would be it…

Actually, the official image of Mao, hanging in Tiananman Square and every wall in China, is also a fake, as now exposed by the photographer.

Can't wait for the pollution-free, dissent-free images of the Olympic Games in China.

BTW, in China there’s a thriving occupation for Mao impersonators. But,

Keep in mind, this is a country where actors and comedians are not permitted to mock or make fun of communist leaders on TV. There is, in fact, no political satire at all in China. One finds occasional political cartoons lampooning foreign leaders — say, George Bush as a gun-slinging cowboy — but cartoonists are strictly forbidden to represent the Chinese leaders in this way. In America, exaggerated caricatures and joking portrayals of public figures inundate the media landscape, whereas the Chinese public sphere is virtually devoid of such images. Thus I was initially puzzled that the Mao look alikes were permitted to perform.

Of course, these performances should not be thought of as the equivalent of Dana Carvey imitating George Bush Sr., or impressionist Rich Little imitating Nixon. These impersonations of Mao and other leaders never veer into parody or ridicule. The actors must not exaggerate foibles or mannerisms for humorous effect, nor can they put inappropriate words in the mouths of the leaders that could elicit disrespect.

Now, China seeks to impose these rules on other countries. Where's MAD magazine when we need it?