panda diplomacy backfires

[Neon]

Must say that I would be insulted, too.

China gift of pandas ?an insult? to Taiwan

The pair, chosen from a pool of 23 candidates, were selected for their cuteness, character and compatibility after a series of genetic tests and trial marriages, Beijing officials said.

But while the Chinese and Taiwanese media indulged in an orgy of coverage, with revelations of the panda?s hobbies, star signs and favourite foods, Taipei reacted with anger.

[Mark H]

Must say that I would be insulted, too.

China gift of pandas ?an insult? to Taiwan

The pair, chosen from a pool of 23 candidates, were selected for their cuteness, character and compatibility after a series of genetic tests and trial marriages, Beijing officials said.

But while the Chinese and Taiwanese media indulged in an orgy of coverage, with revelations of the panda?s hobbies, star signs and favourite foods, Taipei reacted with anger.

I agree that it is insulting. Of course Ace will hate this thread based on his Panda thoughts.  Maybe they should give the Pandas to Ace. ;)

[Bill]

Why is it insulting?  Sounds like an act or offer of reconcilliation.   Skeptics don't help peace settlements.

Bill

[Ace]

In a misguided, misanthropic mysoginistic misdirected mistaken attempt at good tidings for all, they probably thought they were doing a "nice" thing.  It's still wrong to wish a panda on anyone, even your enemies.

"Pick the cutest"...?  Let's go to the landfill and pick the "best looking pile."  Let's go to the Superdome and select "the most interesting stain."  Let's go find the needle in the medical waste, shall we.

MaHrk, if they did give the pandas to me it'd be two down and let's go find the other 23.  Plus, I am in no mood to reconcile with mainland China at the moment.  I know that's mean and counter to the meaning of the season and Scuzzy's birthday and all, but I am just not ready to get over their gross neglect of the environment and tendency toward communistic unionism.  Let alone jumping on the dang free enterprise bandwagon.

If Taiwan has rockets, they oughta send'em right back.  Have a couple incoming b&W greasy furballs come plummeting out of the sky over Beijing or Peking or whatever it is they're calling their cities this week.  I saw that the last of the "Gang of Four" died last week.  I thought that band broke up in the 80's.  

I sort of look at peace overtures from China to Taiwan like a grizzly offering a paw to a salmon.   But even that would be better than a dang panda.  I tell ya, if bamboo moved those things would starve.

Ace; I noticed the trash I put out today had a lot of "character."