Ever since the triumph of China's communist revolution--sixty years ago yesterday--left-leaning intellectuals have convinced themselves of cheerful falsehoods about the regime. Visitors to China, even during the heyday of Mao Tse-tung's ruinous economic policies, saw a "uniquely creative" and "profoundly ethical" political system. "Life in China today," claimed Simone de Beauvoir, "is exceptionally pleasant." English clergyman Hewlett Johnson perceived in Mao "an obvious preoccupation with the needs of others."
The delusional narrative of China's brave progressivism dominated the skyline of New York City earlier this week: The Empire State Building paid homage to China's revolution with a display of red and yellow lights, the colors of the People's Republic of China. Despite protests from human rights groups, the lights burned brightly until early yesterday morning. Asked to explain the multi-megawatt celebration, the Empire State Building's management told reporters it "doesn't discuss the intricacies of the lighting approval process."
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