The most unexpected photo finish from Beijing last week came from the Olympics Opening Ceremonies.  When two pictures of two girls unveiled that the adorable Lin Miaoke was actually lip-syncing to the voice of “less adorable” Yang Peiyi, the world’s reaction went up a whole octave. 

I overheard the following responses:

1.  WHO DO THE CHINESE THINK THEY ARE!?

2.  HOW COULD CHINA DO SUCH A THING TO CHILDREN? 

3.  THE CHINESE ARE SO DISHONEST!

4.  WHO CARES ABOUT LOOKS!? 

Personally, I find Yang’s round face and wide eyes much cuter than the Lin’s Mouseketeer-like poses but let’s look past their looks for a broader discussion and answer the above questions. 

1.  Who do the Chinese think they are……… AMERICA?!  Lip-syncing was our idea and we can prove it.  Roll back that footage of Ashlee Simpson and Britney Spears.  Hit the archives for Milli Vanilli.

2.  When the games end, challenge yourself.  Go through The Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, etc. and try to find one child that could be deemed flat out ugly (chubby doesn’t qualify).  The only face time America invests into an “ugly child” is for a reality TV makeover.

3.  Yes, China could fill a sky full of lies – and they did with fake fireworks – but I’m pretty sure the American airbrush was going to touch up each star before it hit our newsstands regardless.

4.  After Julia Roberts broke up with Lyle Lovett, did we ever see his face in the mainstream?  How long was it before Clay Aiken was transformed by stylists?  Other than a few stars who defy beauty for their rebel image (i.e. Amy Winehouse), who doesn’t care about looks?

Remember, the world is round. If we point the finger of blame far enough East, it’ll end up coming right back on us.

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Inspired by “1 Song, but 2 Girls.”  By Sky Canaves and Geoffrey A. Fowler.  The Wall Street Journal.  Wednesday, August 13, 2008.