MEDIA: Rewriting History

New York Times UPFRONT (Scholastic) ^ | 11/3/03 | Joseph Kahn

[Migraine]

Rewriting 'History' Chinese authorities have angered Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York by censoring her memoir, Living History. China often censors political content in MEDIA newspapers, television broadcasts, films, books and on the Internet, and routinely bans foreign books or films that depict it in a negative light. Recently, however, as part of an effort to show that it is becoming more open, China has been allowing the publication of more foreign books and the distribution of more imported films. But old censoring habits apparently die hard. Clinton says she was "amazed and outraged" to learn that the government-owned Chinese publisher of her book had deleted all negative references to China's leaders. For example, the Chinese edition includes the former First Lady's visit to China in 1998 with President Bill Clinton, but leaves out her statement that she was "haunted by the events at Tiananmen," the site of the violent government crackdown in 1989 on student-led pro-democracy demonstrations in Beijing in which hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of people were killed. The Chinese publisher maintains that only "minor, technical" changes were made for the Chinese edition, which has become a best-seller in China. Clinton's lawyer says the Chinese broke an agreement to print the memoir accurately. Simon & Schuster, the book's American publisher, has posted the deleted content on its Web site (www.simonsays.com) in English and Chinese. —Joseph Kahn

[Migraine]

This is pretty funny. The Hildebeest censors 10,000 crucial facts from her book and whines when the Chinese censor one. There ought to be a Confucian proverb for this.

[Sunshine Sister]

I can't believe this witch and historical editor is amazed and outraged that the Chineese did the same thing she does every time she opens her mouth! That is tell lies and "edit" so that whatever she is telling fits her idea of what the facts should be.

[Always Right]

The Chinese version of the story is probably more accurate. I seriously doubt if Hillary worried about Tiananmen until her ghost writer suggested it.

[freekitty]

Hitlery is also privately telling the Chinese leaders that she only put those things in the book for her American audience to make it look like she is for America when we all know she is nothing but a liar.

[BenLurkin]

. . . she was "haunted by the events at Tiananmen," . . .

Haunted? More likely encouraged.

[Smokin' Joe]

I think you hit the nail on the head.

[Migraine]

Hitlery is also privately telling the Chinese leaders that she only put those things in the book for her American audience to make it look like she is for America when we all know she is nothing but a liar.

Wouldn't surprise me. She is the personification of evil.

[Migraine]

The Chinese version of the story is probably more accurate. I seriously doubt if Hillary worried about Tiananmen until her ghost writer suggested it.

In fact, if she were to write a manual on how to deal with the VRWC, Tienanmen would be her chapter and verse.

[Migraine]

I can't believe this witch and historical editor is amazed and outraged that the Chineese did the same thing she does every time she opens her mouth! That is tell lies and "edit" so that whatever she is telling fits her idea of what the facts should be.

I still say there is a Chinese proverb in all this. Let's get to work on one.

[Migraine]

How about this: "She who remonstrates against one who flings bull dung from teaspoon should not haul it around in wheelbarrow, lest she be perceived as full of it."

[corlorde]

The Chinese censored Hillary? Jeez, that's no way for the Chinese to repay the wife of the man who gave them their space technology!

;-0

[Big Mack]

Yes I'm sure Hitlery is already planning on becoming very agressive when she is crowned the next Prez. She has already written the next patriot act which will focus on domestic terrorist. (all those that own guns or use Free Republic)She will have all of the govmet swat teams doing her clean up and pay back for her.

[Big Mack]

Yes I'm sure Hitlery is already planning on becoming very agressive when she is crowned the next Prez. She has already written the next patriot act which will focus on domestic terrorist. (all those that own guns or use Free Republic)She will have all of the govmet swat teams doing her clean up and pay back for her.