Bulls on Parade

Nothing about an American upbringing can prepare you for the upcoming 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China. Sixty years of Communist Party rule, yo. Never have I seen such overt propoganda being hammered on, blugeoned really, average citizens (and us foreign residents). The city has turned into a surreal police state mixed with an over-the-top show of patriotic pagentry. The city's been cleaned and scrubbed -- beggars and hookers have been rounded up -- for the big event on October 1 when the country will show off its military might with a parade of tanks, artillery and students marching in unison (here are some pics of the rehersal that a friend sent me). Unlike the Rose Parade, regular 'ol Chinese folk can't be anywhere near the route; only invited Party officials can frolick with the tanks. I'll be with my fellow comrades watching the 17-long ass hours of telecast on CCTV.