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Let’s make fun of Mao

By Michelle Malkin  •  January 15, 2008 02:52 PM

Update: Brian Ledbetter and Bruce Kesler note that the “official” Mao portraits are actually fake themselves.

***

You know what the world needs more of? More mockery of Chairman Mao, not less. A French company is now apologizing to the government of China over an ad it created using an altered image of the Commie leader. If there were a Chinese equivalent of dhimmitude, this would be it:

French car-maker Citroen has apologized to China for running a full-page advertisement in several Spanish newspapers featuring a poster of late Chinese leader Mao Zedong pulling a wry face at a sporty hatch-back.

Under the Biblical quotation “Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s,” the text talked up Citroen’s position as a car sales leader in a bombastic tone.

“It’s true, we are leaders, but at Citroen the revolution never stops,” the advertisement said.

“We are once more going to put in motion all the machinery of our technological ability, in order to repeat in 2008 the successes obtained in previous years,” it added.

The Mao poster is similar to the huge painting of the Great Helmsman gazing out over Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, except that it has been distorted to show lips screwed up and eyes squinting.

“The image has been wantonly distorted by the ad’s designers. Mao looks very strange,” Chinese state newspaper the Global Times observed Tuesday.

The scowling Mao had infuriated Chinese Internet users who saw it as a slight, it said.

…Citroen had pulled the ad and apologized to China in a letter sent to the Chinese paper, it said.

“Citroen expresses regret for any displeasure caused by the advertisement and apologizes to all who have been hurt by it,” the Global Times quoted the letter as saying.

A spokeswoman for Citroen in China confirmed the apology letter.

“Citroen reiterates its friendship with the Chinese people, and highly respects China’s representative figures and symbols,” the spokeswoman told Reuters by telephone.

Here’s the ad via the BBC:

_44357831_ad_b203-1.jpg

I know I’ve got some great photoshoppers and graphic artists in our readership. Loyal readers will remember the fabulous China-Google protest logos from 2006.

So, if you’re so inspired, send along your best murderous Chairman Mao mock-ups and I’ll post them. Without apology.

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Comments

  1. #1
    On January 15th, 2008 at 2:55 pm, uhangtight said:

    oh please, can’t anyone take a joke anymore??? PC gone so wrong.

  2. #2
    On January 15th, 2008 at 3:10 pm, graysonret said:

    A world silent, afraid someone, somewhere will be offended by anything. Everyone is so easily offended now; the new Fad.

  3. #3
    On January 15th, 2008 at 3:11 pm, On-my-soap-box said:

    You KNOW what the world needs more of?

    Yes, freedom, but liberals will stop at nothing to make sure we do not get keep it.

  4. #4
    On January 15th, 2008 at 3:12 pm, huggybear said:

    What’s that you say - the Chinese government doesn’t have a sense of humor? I’m shocked.

  5. #5
    On January 15th, 2008 at 3:25 pm, walterc said:

    Actually, along with Mao, they should have had a picture of Stalin, Fidel, Che Guevera, Hugo and John Lennon all with funny faces. That would show “the revolution never ends”.

    Or maybe they had a whole series of revolutionaries they were going to bring out over a series of months?

    Kind of like the Budweiser Frog series of the 90’s.

  6. #6
    On January 15th, 2008 at 3:31 pm, see-dubya said:

    COMMITUDE!

  7. #7
    On January 15th, 2008 at 3:36 pm, BrianNY said:

    Mao, the American Left’s favorite commie? Mao, the same commie central planner who starved up to 14 million of his countrymen in the 1959 China Famine due to his arrogant commie central planning?

    At least the pathetic commies still have their priorities in line.

  8. #8
    On January 15th, 2008 at 3:39 pm, jsr said:

    How about Mao sitting atop mounds of corpses as far as the eye can see while feasting, drinking and proclaiming he “serves the people”?

    Oh wait, that isn’t funny. That was the reality of life in another workers paradise

  9. #9
    On January 15th, 2008 at 3:41 pm, d1carter said:

    The age of apology…so sad.

  10. #10
    On January 15th, 2008 at 3:50 pm, On-my-soap-box said:

    It’s the French - who cares. Like polls about candidates and points on “Whose Line is it Anyway” - worthless.

  11. #11
    On January 15th, 2008 at 3:50 pm, cpodug said:

    The age of apology…so sad.

    That’s because when all of this PC BS started, nobody had the gumballs to stand up and say “the Emperor has no clothes!”

  12. #12
    On January 15th, 2008 at 3:57 pm, Armigerous said:

    Q. What comes out of a rodent’s ass?
    A. Mousy Dung

  13. #13
    On January 15th, 2008 at 3:57 pm, Lan Astaslem said:

    I would just chalk it up to the French behaving in a very French-like fashion (if you’re Amerian, raise your hand, if you’re French, raise both hands), but it’s not just them anymore. It’s everywhere, and I sure wish someone could figure out how to stop the PC-run-amok-ness in the world!

  14. #14
    On January 15th, 2008 at 4:01 pm, dankitti said:

    I suppose someone could have it so that Mao kind of looks like a kittycat. Chairman Meow?

  15. #15
    On January 15th, 2008 at 4:05 pm, John Ansell said:

    Looks like Elton John needs to re-cut his song. Sorry, the easiest thing to say.

  16. #16
    On January 15th, 2008 at 4:08 pm, maurelius said:

    Did Monty Python & the BBC apologise for this?

    Sing Little Birdie!

  17. #17
    On January 15th, 2008 at 4:12 pm, ajmontana said:

    Giddy Up Oom Poppa Omm Poppa Mau Mau
    Giddy Up Oom Poppa Omm Poppa Mau Mau
    Heigh-ho Silver, away….. la la la…

  18. #18
    On January 15th, 2008 at 4:14 pm, ajmontana said:

    opps….mao mao

  19. #19
    On January 15th, 2008 at 4:14 pm, The Raging Republican said:

    Hillary Clinton’s newest campaign slogan:

    “Four Mao Years!”

  20. #20
    On January 15th, 2008 at 4:16 pm, The Raging Republican said:

    Obama, Hillary, and Edwards=

    Larry, Mao, and Curly (In that order)

  21. #21
    On January 15th, 2008 at 4:19 pm, The Raging Republican said:

    Michelle Malkin said: So, if you’re so inspired, send along your best murderous Chairman Mao mock-ups and I’ll post them. Without apology.

    Better watch your back… the Democrats PC Police will be coming for ya!

  22. #22
    On January 15th, 2008 at 4:22 pm, The Raging Republican said:

    Michelle:
    Better be careful….. Edwards might sue you for Mao practice!

  23. #23
    On January 15th, 2008 at 4:22 pm, graysonret said:

    You know, I feel really offended by this. I think we should all get together with MM and send a letter to Citroen that we are very upset and very offended that they apologized to China for being offended about their Mao. We, in turn, want an apology for their apology to China. In fact, we should demand an apology, not only from Citroen, but from the Chinese government for demanding an apology in the first place. (Well, let’s face it, people, a guy that ugly should be happy to be on an international commerical anyway, don’t you agree?)

  24. #24
    On January 15th, 2008 at 4:22 pm, CarpiJugulum said:

    Stalin, Fidel, Che Guevera, Hugo and John Lennon all idols of the left and fancy this. All idols of the Democratic candidates running for election. Hmmmmm, wonder how left theri views really are?

  25. #25
    On January 15th, 2008 at 4:25 pm, meatpieandtatters said:

    I don’t ripping on Mao is a good idea. With 1.3+ billion “adherents” to their system, how can it be so wrong?

  26. #26
    On January 15th, 2008 at 4:26 pm, The Raging Republican said:

    Breaking news: Hillary breaks down in tears claiming “Mao Hsus hurt Mao feet!”

  27. #27
    On January 15th, 2008 at 4:29 pm, The Raging Republican said:

    Ever notice how short people always have a “Mighty Maos” complex?

  28. #28
    On January 15th, 2008 at 4:31 pm, The Raging Republican said:

    Just to prove that there is always something stupid to watch on YouTube.

  29. #29
    On January 15th, 2008 at 4:31 pm, cpodug said:

    The Raging Republican said: “Mao Hsus hurt Mao feet!”

    Hillary has more Hsus than Imelda Marcos had shoes!

  30. #30
    On January 15th, 2008 at 4:34 pm, The Raging Republican said:

    Yet another stupid YouTube Chairman Mao moment

  31. #31
    On January 15th, 2008 at 4:35 pm, The Raging Republican said:

    YouTube Mao Moment Round 3

  32. #32
    On January 15th, 2008 at 4:36 pm, The Raging Republican said:
  33. #33
    On January 15th, 2008 at 4:37 pm, zoyclem said:

    I read somewhere that Mao never brushed his teeth.

  34. #34
    On January 15th, 2008 at 4:38 pm, hadsil said:

    Funny how only America does not demand apology when others mock its President, let alone others so afraid they actually give it. Such a bully, America is.

  35. #35
    On January 15th, 2008 at 4:48 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Rosie is translating his “Red Book” even as we speak.

  36. #36
    On January 15th, 2008 at 4:58 pm, On-my-soap-box said:

    On January 15th, 2008 at 4:08 pm, maurelius said:
    Did Monty Python & the BBC apologise for this?

    You mean to spam. I hear spam all over the world was offended for that one.

  37. #37
    On January 15th, 2008 at 5:00 pm, Lifeofthemind said:

    On January 15th, 2008 at 4:37 pm, zoyclem said:
    I read somewhere that Mao never brushed his teeth.

    That was the book by Mao’s physician.

    What a pig Mao was.

  38. #38
    On January 15th, 2008 at 5:01 pm, The Raging Republican said:

    On January 15th, 2008 at 4:48 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Rosie is translating his “Red Book” even as we speak.

    Yeah, I hear keith Olbermann (D) is going to write the forward for it.

  39. #39
    On January 15th, 2008 at 5:05 pm, Dave Turson said:

    Lennon with Mao? No way! If Lennon carried a label, it was as a libertarian. Lennon taunted far lefties with his lyrics in “Revolution.”
    But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao
    You ain’t going to make it with anyone anyhow

  40. #40
    On January 15th, 2008 at 5:34 pm, John Ansell said:

    You are on a roll Raging Republican. “Mao Hsus hurt Mao feet”. That’s a coffee spitter there.

  41. #41
    On January 15th, 2008 at 5:48 pm, John Ansell said:

    Any lawyers on here? I just wondered if Hillary could Hsu Norman for nonsupport now.

  42. #42
    On January 15th, 2008 at 6:17 pm, JoAnn in VA said:

    Raging Republican…Cpu…Aj..y’all are crazy. I love it!

  43. #43
    On January 15th, 2008 at 6:45 pm, Speakup said:

    A spokeswoman for Citroen in China confirmed the apology letter.

    So if the nation states considered so obsolete were more self sufficient they wouldn’t so sorry.

    If America had stepped up and filled the vacuum left after WWII with Democracy instead of letting a brutal communist dictator fill the void, I wonder if we would be so worried about the global giant bully that China rising represents.

  44. #44
    On January 15th, 2008 at 6:52 pm, hadsil said:

    Mao, Mao, everyone, play nice!

  45. #45
    On January 15th, 2008 at 6:56 pm, Lifeofthemind said:

    Mao Mao? is this a thread on rioting in Kenya?

  46. #46
    On January 15th, 2008 at 6:59 pm, zorro said:

    I am expecting my copy of Photoshop to arrive any day now! Can’t wait.

  47. #47
    On January 15th, 2008 at 7:26 pm, realitycheck said:

    On January 15th, 2008 at 4:37 pm, zoyclem said:
    I read somewhere that Mao never brushed his teeth.

    That would have made them “mao-odorous”.

  48. #48
    On January 15th, 2008 at 7:39 pm, Tennessee Dave said:

    Lets all sing “papa ou mao mao!”

    This isn’t exactly photoshopping, more like just combining pictures. I couldn’t resist combining two things in one. Hope you like it.
    Revolution In Time

  49. #49
    On January 15th, 2008 at 7:45 pm, John Ansell said:

    Man that’s a coin flip Dave.

  50. #50
    On January 15th, 2008 at 7:51 pm, garyt said:

    At least the French have a sense of humor but I am sorry to say they buckled down and had to aplogize to the Chinese. Maybe some USA, European, or Canadian company could do the same thing with the portrait of Stalin. This time we could have Stalin smiling down at capitalism at work. Stalin could smile at folks going to church. See if the Russians or Georgians still have a sense of humor.

  51. #51
    On January 15th, 2008 at 9:01 pm, BKennedy said:

    I apologize that Mao-Tse Tung was a mass-murdering commie psychopath.

    He should have taken his metamucil.

  52. #52
    On January 15th, 2008 at 10:36 pm, hadsil said:

    I hear 9 Lives cat food will operate in China now. Love the jingle:

    Mao Mao Mao Mao
    Mao Mao Mao Mao
    Mao Mao Mao Mao Mao Mao Mao Mao
    Mao Mao Mao Mao
    Mao Mao Mao Mao
    Mao Mao Mao Mao Mao Mao Mao Mao

  53. #53
    On January 16th, 2008 at 12:04 am, Armigerous said:

    Gimme a ham and Swiss on rye and hold the mao

  54. #54
    On January 16th, 2008 at 12:20 am, JoAnn in VA said:

    I don’t think I can take many mao of these…

  55. #55
    On January 16th, 2008 at 10:29 am, Antaradus said:

    This isn’t a political issue, it’s a marketing blunder. If you’re trying to sell cars to the world’s biggest potential market, you don’t:

    a) make adverts that will insult your customers (even if they do have dumb political opinions and a lack of sense of humor)

    b) if you do, you apologize and hope that your company doesn’t lose any goodwill with that particular customer base. Otherwise they buy your competitor’s cars

    c) you fire the marketing guy who, instead of making you money, stands to make you lose it. Then hire a better guy.

    A company that defiantly says “We will not apologize for our marketing; you’re the ones who can’t take a joke you commie drones” might earn plaudits for its high-principalled political stand, but not for its business sense; and ultimately, that’s what companies are for.

  56. #56
    On January 16th, 2008 at 10:48 am, jitsusoji said:

    I agree entirely with Antaradus. This was a colossal marketing blunder, and the company is doing necessary damage control to protect their bottom line. This was an asinine advertisement, and just shows how thin thin copywriting is these days. If this goal of the business is to make and keep a customer, this is a good lesson in how NOT to do it.

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