The East is Red – or any other colour you like

Despite the “confusion” over the role of the Chinese “flame attendents”, the Olympic Torch Relay passed through Canberra without major incident. As predicted, pro-China demonstrators were out in droves. The irony of them showing support for their country by means of a public demonstration was obviously completely lost on them.

I noticed that these demonstrators live in almost childlike awe of their country. They are oblivious to their Government’s oppressive policies and hypersensitive to any criticism of them, which they seem to regard as a personal attack on the Chinese people.

Any media report that portrays the regime in a negative light is systematically denounced as “biased”.

The irony is blinding.