Is the Western media being too mean? For the most part, I'd say no. But when you see stories like this one, it does make you understand why the Chinese are fuming about unfair coverage.

In the article, the writer complains that the opening ceremony didn't include "centuries of decadence, famine, civil war, peasant revolts, Japanese annihilation, communism." "No echo of the Cultural Revolution's big rallies here." Oh no!

He also blithely compares the ceremony to Fascism.

Think how we Americans would feel if foreign reporters came here and complained that the opening ceremony didn't include anything on slavery, the Civil War, the internment of Japanese citizens, hostility toward illegal immigrants, lynchings, Vietnam, our awful health care, subprime mortgages, the Iraq War, Guantanamo, illegal wiretapping.

I mean, my head is exploding that this American journalist could have been such a huge ass, going so far as calling for a "Janet Jackson moment" to liven things up, because you know, the opening ceremony was just a tad too perfect, too impressive for his taste.

The Chinese can't win. The foreign press rag on them for their failings -- such as the pollution in Beijing -- at the same time it belittles their accomplishments.

The issue is not that China is not making tremendous progrses, that the opening ceremony and the Olympics thus far haven't been a very impressive, quite amazing coming-out party. I think if you asked most of the foreigners in Beijing, they'd also tell you that this is a historic moment for the country, for the world.

The issue is actually that China challenges Western dominance of everything from the economy to cultural values. Its economic prowess is already very obvious, and culturally, it will also become more influential. But for now, the Western media just can't grasp the concept that China is not there to impress THEM. It might seem that way because the Chinese people, as you have pointed out in your story, have been very welcome of foreigners. But the truth is, China is there to show itself off in the way that it sees fit. And that means it's not about to include some "Janet Jackson moments" just because one Western reporter finds it to his taste.