Lip-syncing 'in the national interest'

Chinese authorities liked the voice of 7-year-old Yang Peiyi, but considered her appearance "not suitable" for a featured role in the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics. They liked the looks of 9-year-old Lin Miaoke, but decided her voice "must change." So Yang sang, and Lin lip-synced, "Ode to the Motherland."

"We combined the perfect voice and the perfect performance," said Chen Qigang of the Chinese Politburo. "The audience will understand that it's in the national interest."

Oh, and part of the fireworks display shown on TV was prerecorded, The Washington Post reports:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/12/AR2008081201567.html?hpid=topnews

On with the sh– . . . uh, games.