Somethings Not Right Here Folks: The Media Hall of Shame
"Mao Style Socialist Control" declares the New York Times. "Incompetent" complains Foreign Policy. Authoritarian Crackdown, says China Uncensored.
Really? Let's set the record straight on this disgraceful anti-China garbage I thought might come out of a gossip rag rather than the mainstream media we are supposed to trust and respect.
Welcome dear friends to my 2nd post in what became much more widely read than expected, "Somethings Not Right Here Folks". For many of you wondering, the 1.85 million view response to that essay was not my secret master plan as a paid boot lickin' CCP communist. The article's popularity on the platform in 3 short days and beyond was an entirely out of the blue surprise to me. And I am just exactly the Italian American guy from Yonkers described for the past 20 years as you see in my LinkedIn profile. My mom is proud, my wife appreciates me and this week, my youngest, a boy, thinks his dad is pretty cool.
The original | Somethings Not Right Here Folks article | Click Here
This post, The Media Hall of Shame will be updated regularly, highlighting the most disgraceful politicized, xenophobic, bigoted, racist messaging against all things China. This has to stop. We need civility. Societies are destabilizing and the mainstream media is intentionally inciting this extremism and activism. It borders on evil, on the angels against the darkness and believe it or not, its gotten even worse.
During an actual human tragedy we need a lot more love and compassion; but in this time in which China's response has been unprecedentedly broad and unprecedentedly aggressive, these media headlines and twisting of content have actually become more extreme; we are all scratching our heads as to what the hell these outlets are doing, who is pulling their strings and for whose benefit? Definitely not you and me, not society.
The situation is as though they are puppets of tone deaf billionaire anarchists watching the show through binoculars from their yacht decks offshore, daring us into disbelief as to how much they can get away with until it becomes thought of as normal?
It seems my message and the balanced way I delivered it, touched a nerve. I'll go further, it touched the soul of the earth and people's hearts. We're all sick of this. The first essay posted on LinkedIn spread across the globe, hitting a million views in 3 short days and kept on going from there. It will soon hit 3000 comments and get close to 2 million views. I had posted it just after midnight, woke up the next morning and my life had radically changed, just like we've read in the plot of a juicy novel. With thanks to all of you and God above, I gladly move forward now with the responsibility and mission of the new position into which I have been elevated.
More so, inside domestic China, the Somethings Not Right Here Folks translation was placed at the top of every national media newspaper and online platform | China Daily | Peoples Daily | Global Times | It has been read and commented on in Mandarin with somewhere over 200 million views, plus a week's worth of appearances on Xinhua News and CGTN's lineup of shows, turning me into a 马大爷 which translates as a kind of "Uncle Mario" of China. Portals use my Chinese name, 马意骏， Ma Yi Jun, for searches and they include Sohu, Toutiao, Sina, Netease, Fenghuang, Guancha, Tencent, Chinanet plus tens of thousands of Wechat Official accounts each with hundreds of thousands of followers. So, I suddenly find myself in this together with a whole lot of people this obviously matters to.
Onward to a discussion on the Media Hall of Shame. Say it with me, please: .
"Thank you China, to its govt and people." I am amazed at how many people share this sentiment, especially those of us who are foreigners right now living here in China. We are now into our 3rd week of cooperative quarantine and isolation measures to beat the spread of Covid-19. The businesses, the retail shops, the malls, the office towers, the schools - EVERYTHING has been completely shut down. Stop everything, go home, do nothing else except go out to the only supermarket open for food.
This situation is going to become a worldwide case study is sovereign governance response to global pandemic threat.
Truly incredible and mostly so because we did it for each other as human beings, as scared people with children and old parents to take care of. We did it in glad cooperation based on common sense with unprecedentedly broad and fast coordination by the provincial governments sending orders down into the cities and towns. Was it messy and created chaos in some places? Serious hassles and inconvenience? Yes, what the hell would you think? Of course. Wuhan is far more chaotic but people there tell me it is calm, they are ok. Stay home. Wait. I have heard from many. For the most part, across 250 cities and more, 1.4 billion people did this united together for each other as people. This is what you won't read in their headlines. In fact, one of the CGTN shows I appeared on last week is called The Point with Liu Xin. She is the show host who appeared last year on Fox News with Trish Regan and she also has a program called Headline Busters. During this show, Liu Xin identifies the type of anti-China headlines I've been referring to and examines them more deeply as to what is really going on with the story.
Did you hear that the monstrous regime authoritarians were arresting people who wouldn't cooperate? Yes, that's right. Good. Let's think about that. There's a killer bug going around with a symptom free incubation period of 2 weeks. As soon as you get symptoms, you MUST report to a hospital and talk to us. You MUST tell us as clear as you can who you were in contact with and where during the past two weeks so we can try to find them and tell them, add your information to the tracking map to stop this virus from becoming a pandemic. Get it? You don't feel like cooperating? Really? Sorry, you don't have a choice. Who's not ok with this? The ACLU?
And for you. This country has fallen on the economic sword for itself and therefore the entire planet. We share trillions of dollars in trade and business. There is certainly separation but the deep connections of the global economy can't be undone. And all the media can do is still point out over 10 weeks ago the middle of December when stupid, incompetent, nervous local Wuhan officials delayed sending the news out that there was a virus problem. Because yes, they told Dr. Li Wen Liang, who since then has died of the virus, to please just keep quiet. By the way, no, they did not jail him. But they did this stupid early hesitation and everyone has publicly talked about it and condemned it INCLUDING the Chinese govt. (A moment of silence from our hearts for dear Dr. Li Wen Liang and his family, other brave medical workers giving their lives in this crisis)
For heavens sake, I myself mentioned this mistake in discussion while on the TV show! Does that sound like a conspiracy to hide it? If it was the draconian authoritarian regime you fear so much, wouldn't they have escorted me the foreigner out of the studio and deport me for inciting trouble? They put a 24 hour livestream camera on the building site of the emergency triage hospital while it was being built so you could watch from Vermont or Sicily. Does that sound like hiding? Were mistake made along the way? I'm sure, would there be any situation like this in any country where mistakes wouldn't be made?
But, instead of something reasonable like "China's Unprecedented Effort To Protect The World" its just a negative headline shitshow. Thousands of small business owners are not going to survive this financially. Let's remember that sacrifice. Over 10,000 medical workers voluntarily risked traveling to Wuhan to help. AmCham China has raised over $35 million in cash donations plus equipment from other 100 American companies here.
Does any of this sound like Mao Style Social Control? Incompetence? Or does it sound more like people pulling together in a tragedy as best they can? I said it before:
Its not a conspiracy. Its just tragedy.
We have this disgraceful headline narrative from the mainstream media because, friends, they really really really want you to hate something, they need that and China is convenient. As a rising country, it is a threat to their position and power. Their society is doing a better job of taking care of the people than your society and that's a very tough truth to swallow. The lives of their people have gotten better over the past 20 years while the lives of your country has gotten harder and tighter while the filthy rich billionaires have become more filthy rich while over 40% of American households don't have a $1500 in the bank, can't pay their bills, suicides up 30%, an opioid crisis beyond comprehension, skyrocketing homelessness of families while, get this, Jeff Bezos net worth went up last week $13 billion.
In one day.
See how that works? This is what they don't want you to think about. Their system of capitalism has big problems. Its rigged. Its broken. Its worse than just unfair, its absurdly disgracefully unfair and the society is suffering and listen to me, they could fix it tomorrow if they would just choose to. Don't believe me? Read Matt Taibbi's work on Goldman Sachs. Watch The Big Short. That's what happens when Amazon puts tens of thousands of retail malls out of business then swoops in later to buy those same malls for pennies on the dollar to turn them into warehouses. Why does ONE guy need to be worth over $100 billion while his employees can't pay their bills? Isn't say, maybe 10 billion enough for ONE guy? How about ONLY $100 million? That could do you and me and all the aunts, uncles and cousins fine for at least one lifetime, no? So you see, the system is so distorted, they really really need you to think China is bad.
And we're not! Really, we're freakin' terrific over here in China. Living middle class here is like living in Disneyland. Its crowded. There are no guns. There is very little crime. Health care is quite good and very cheap. Grandma and the kids go out walking at night without worrying. There's a security guard at every apartment garden, not just the rich ones. The malls are filled with education, sports & arts businesses for the kids on weekends. There's no drugs. The school system is excellent, the little critters come out whipper snap smart and disciplined, though a bit short on creativity. Its better than needing metal detectors at school, ya know?
Are you mad at me? I'm not saying I'm 100%r right. Of course not. I'm just making you think. I am intentionally stimulating you here, that's good to look at the world more clearly.
America is great and has problems. China is also great and has problems. We take the good with the bad wherever we live. This is not a surprise, is it? So let's be smart together, let's shame the media together. Let's make them eat their nonsense, what they are doing to society with their manipulative, fake news rhetoric.
WSJ | China: The Real Sick Man of Asia? No, its you. Apologize.
We all pay the price for their efforts to jerk us around. The citizens of China are the ones the Chinese government are actually committed to helping and protecting while in the west, they seem more intent on jerking your chain into partisan xenophobic outrage because if your emotions are busy blaming the Chinese, then you won't be paying as much attention to all the crap they are quietly getting away with in the Washington corridors of power. Its called distraction. And they use generalization, deletion and distortion in the way they deliver information to you to mislead you. Smarten up. I'm here to help.
I have a friend who mentioned to me earlier today that he was from Wyoming and I immediately remember how beautiful and wonderful America is, and how ridiculously nice its people are. So many in so many nice cities. Yes, but that's regarding the real people, the caring, normal nice people of humanity all across the world; that's not the vile, politicized mainstream media who is in a position to be highly influential shaping society.
Contrary to what reasonable, compassionate, caring normal people across the world might expect in the middle of a humanitarian health crisis and tragedy, several western media outlets and government officials have actually increased their politicized, xenophobic, bigoted, racist messaging against all things China, against the big bad draconian boogie man.
The words "Thank You China" are most appropriate and that's right now. I am here on the ground in Shenyang and I can tell you that soon things are getting back to normal. We succeeded by staying put in our homes. In this city and province, there are far less infections and no new ones around. Starting a week ago, when we go to the store, we scan a QR code to register your location. Great. We have waited this two weeks and now we are all realizing that feeling "we're in the clear, we can start getting back to normal." It is similar in other cities. We are almost there. And NONE of us is mad at the govt!
Do you have more questions about exactly what is happening here? Just ask in the comment section. Also please feel free to migrate to my other social media platforms as you like.
The Dragon Roars On | my YouTube Channel - Mario's videos on China, including other social issues, healthcare, marriage & family, China's Social Credit System and a deeper look at Chinese brand home audio gear.
The Dragon Roars On, Mario's 2nd book on China, Amazon Kindle, reduced to only $8
In China:
WeChat Official Acct: MarioCavolo | Douyin short videos: ID #2197189394
The author's CGTN guest appearances: CGTN ThePoint with Liu Xin
CGTN Dialogue | Xinhua News Video Interview on Twitter
So, for me and for you, this is war, against both a virus and a disgraceful western media. With many thanks to the thousands of people who have sent in amazing comments and headlines in support of this story. And for some of the intelligent argument, thanks for that too.
This crisis isn't over yet. But already a result is clear. It has served to unite the Chinese people, being raised up together stronger and more mature as a society by this, with the joy of Spring arriving soon.
Mario, Shenyang
Teacher, Coach, and Author.
4 年We need to make important distinctions. The Chinese people and the CCP are NOT the same entity.
Thank you so much for writing a second one!
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4 年I've read your both articles, which exactly made the valid points. Diversity is one of the most beautiful elements for the human being. So all of us are staying in the one planet, we have different race, religions, culture and etc. All of these make the synergy possible. However, some people or medias have narrowed mindset and are just lack of empathy. I remember Steve Kerr wisely made comments during one interview, "None of us are perfect and we all have different issues ...People in China didn't ask me about, you know, people owning AR-15s... " World is indeed a complex. Never judge other people's action based on your own recognitions and values. Back to the media hall of shame, I think there could be 2 motives behind these media. First motive, their narratives are anti-China, e.g. NYTimes blamed China for over reaction about the lockdown of Hubei Province on 23rd Jan, which emphasized the violations of human rights. And ironically, they claimed the slow response of China gov. caused the epidemic because of?negligence of Dr Li Wenliang's warning 15 days later. Whatever China gov do is always wrong. My nice comment to them is being?fastidious. I can also say their conspiracy is to make China chaos and split. Second motive, there are political and business interests. The political one might has something to do with the political parties behind the scenes. The business one is that they desperately need attention, i.e. the advertisement income and fame(even if it's a shame one). Again, I have an example, Jose Mourinho, a very high profile football manager. When he was the manager of Manchester United, he was attacked by many journalists and media. Many made-up stories came out of no where. I think China is a hot topic in the world, a big and fast developing country, totally different from Western countries in terms of culture, religions, thoughts, logic and etc. Therefore a great deal of points and stories can be elaborated for the sake of attention economy. Having studied and worked in UK, Germany and USA, I still believe the majority are nice to Chinese. Unfortunately, both racism and unilateralism are quite popular in this world, especially after the famous slogan of MAGA from Trump. All in all, we should make this world better together. Let's be empathetic and collaborative together.?
Pre-school Teacher at QSI
4 年Mario says he may not be 100% right and that's fair. What staggers me is that his overall sentiment is argued against and by people with intellect too I believe, based on their positions in life listed on here! He has written two well expressed pieces, with the main point being, 'Why all the negativity?' He's right! What good are negative beliefs or outlooks, with regard to China or anywhere? As he states there is always good and bad, in all places. I myself have lived through Covid-19 from the start, as I live in China. My wife is Chinese, my daughters are born here, one is only 6 months old. Would I want my children raised in a draconian, oppressive regime, as many think it to be? HELL NO SIR/MADAM I loudly declare. I am so lucky to be raising them in a country where happiness and positivity flourishes, to the point where when a new virus hits hard, 1.4 billion people have acted for the good of us all! You must understand that without the government actions here and the actions of us the public, Covid-19 would be a far more horrific global affair than it currently is!
Senior Transformation Consultant
4 年I've come to expect the anti-China bias from NYT, but was surprised and angered by the same approach taken by Foreign Policy.? I expected more balance.