When is an insult not an insult?
Last Wednesday, Chinese pianist Lang Lang played a Chinese tune that has been used as part of anti-American propaganda for years by the Communist Chinese.
But according to ABC News, the White House denied the song was an insult to America. Spokesman Tommy Vietor said that:
"...any suggestion that this was an insult to the United States is just flat wrong. As Lang Lang has stated before, he plays this song regularly because it is one of his favorite Chinese melodies, which is very widely known and popular in China for its melody. Lang Lang played the song without lyrics or reference to any political themes during the entertainment portion of the State Dinner. He simply stated the song’s title and noted it was well known in China.”
Well known in China, primarily because it is a song celebrating a communist military victory over the United States.
As reported by the Epoch Times, many in China understood the song was intended as an insult to America, and expressed those very beliefs in various online sites.
According to a Wall Street Journal blog, Lang explained, "I selected this song because it has been a favorite of mine since I was a child. It was selected for no other reason but for the beauty of its melody.”
However, AsiaOne reports:
On his blog, Lang Lang gushed about his black-tie evening at the White House in the company of Hu and President Barack Obama. He played the piece solo after a piano four-hands with US jazz legend Herbie Hancock.
He wrote that playing "My Motherland" in front of so many dignitaries "seemed like I was telling them about the power of China and the unity of the Chinese".
"I felt deeply honoured and proud," he said, without revealing any awareness that his choice might have been a political snub to his US hosts.
A reasonable person might look at these two statements and ask - which is it? Was the song chosen for its melody, or was it chosen to send a message of Chinese power?
Even worse, why the doubletalk? And why does the White House refuse to stand up for those who fought in that war?
If no offense was intended, the least Lang and the Chinese could do is offer an apology.
Over 30,000 American service members died in the Korean War, and the performance of this song in the White House was a slap in the face to the memory of each one of those Americans.
It is the moral equivalent of playing "Dixie" at a NAACP convention claiming that it is a beautiful melody. While the tune is well known and well-liked, those at the convention might have a different opinion.
Comments
Obama's lack of competence is amazing. He is bringing much shame upon America and her people. He should have gotten up and slapped Ling Ling like a bad dog. The Chinese would have respected him more.
obama is not naive so I wonder what's going on with an obvious anti-American tune played in the White House
imagine playing american anthem in British during Olympic Games, would it insult British people?
The entire Obama administration is an insult to America!!!! He continues to disgrace this country on the world stage, ignores our Constitution and rights, insults our allies and embraces our enemies.....what do you expect from a hubris, inept, naive, corrupt fool???????
well said, that pretty much explains the last 3 years of us history
Beyond belief! Why can't this adminstration take responsability for its actions. Only excuses.... And it's never wrong.
I would have offered a film viewing of "Birth of a Nation" and Al Jolson black face tune entitled Mammy! Does anything think the messiah would find that offensive, I don't!
It isn't offensive to obama because he himself is anti-american.
and 49% of the American people still aprove of this fool. throw both he an Lang Lang out of the country. God Bless America!!
It was done with intent. The chicoms are laughing at us. Can we not even admit when we have egg on our face? The chicoms wonder if the sleeping giant still lives...
Stupid is, stupid does.
Many of you don't understand how fragile global relationships are. I agree it was a slap in the face but a great leader chooses his battles. It looks to me that Obama made a calculated decision, and he made the right one. What we should really concern ourselves with is how the rest of the word views the American people slamming their own leader at every turn. We voted for him, he needs our support.
Don't be soft on Hu and LL. Hu was tough on US regarding both the currency conversion rate and the NK-SK conflict. China treats NK as a nuke powered ally of China. US got no help on either issue. Nobel Peace Laureates Liu is still in jail, Dalai Lama has been kept out of Tibet for over 51 years. Their treatment is cruel and inhumane. LL is singing the victory song of Chinese forces over US forces in WH- and no apologies?? Wow!!
"we voteed for him, he needs our support" no you voted for him. and i can see the reason for anonimity. there are none so blind as one who will not see. what does it take for you people to see that this man is a communist, anti-american, racist, muslim terrorist. he wrote in ""dreams of my father" that he thought it was the most hilarious thing to see white people picking up dog manure. he stated freedom is not a right, but a priveleage granted to a people by its government. do you really support a man with this agenda?
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