Usually I don’t consider myself political even though from time to time I cannot help but comment on stupidities that civilized world governments get themselves into.

This time, it is the Chinese government‘s recent big show. Yes, I am talking about the National Day parade, the just past big extravaganza of military parade, floats and firework/laser shows and dancing party later in the night around Beijing’s Tiananmen Square.  The way, however, leading up to the event and the actual processing of it do not demonstrate any spirit of celebration.  In fact, this was nothing like a celebration, especially when you consider this is meant to celebrate the birth of the new People’s Republic back in 1949.  First of all, ordinary citizens were not allowed to be even near the half mile perimeter of the square, -for fear of, I don’t know, something may disturbe the show or make the government losing face. Two weeks before, all household pigeons were ordered to stay in their cages and kitechen knives were off the shelf from most of the supermarkets in town.  While six provinces surrounding Beijing had also suggested their citizens stay home, for people in Beijing, especially those near the parade venue, they need special permits to get out or back into their homes.  Days before Oct. 1, the authority obviously enhanced the capability of the Great Fire Wall by filtering out unwanted foreign web sites. All the measures in the name of security or stability have gone totally absurd and unnecessary and further examplifies the ture nature of the event: it is not about celebration, but to stage a show of self-comfort.

This is stupid, and goes to stupid length.  First of all, the current regime got in the power by a bloody civil war, killing millions of compatriots in the so-called "Liberation War" and stayed in pwoer ever since.  There is nothing legitimate to say for its governance of the land and its people.  For any unelected government to stay in power and find some legitimacy of its authority, the only approach that seems democratic is to stay close to its people, strive to satisfy their needs and make them happy and difinitely not alienate them.  But this is exactly what the Chinese government did or has been doing for the past 60 years. No wonder you find much resentment and no excitment among ordinary citizens this time around. 

Of course, the past show is not the only time when the government stays far far away from its subordinates.  When Chairman Mao announced the establishment of the people's republic, people were genuinely happy.  For about ten years, the government in general stayed close to its people until early 60's when 30 million people died of starvation.  For the next 40 years, the government simply allowed itself drifting away from its people by yileding to its own unsatiated desire for power and fortune. So this celebration is just one of those events that will eventually push the Chinese people to the opposite side of the roling elit and the gap between them is widening by the day.