The 'La la la I'm not listening' politik

There's been more good news for all you censorship lovers out there this month. We are sure that you are equally as thankful as we are for that evil foreign site Wikipedia to have been blocked, and are quite content at knowing that you just don't need to know so many things about the world (Answers.com notwithstanding). Baidu.com has gone one better, and released Baidupedia, a site containing all the news that's fit to tell us, and none that's not.

Baidupedia also includes a FAQ section that dissuades writers from attacking the current government, along with its institutions and systems, or putting forward a "negative view of life".

Wikipedia defines the Ethiopian famine as: "The 1984 - 1985 famine in Ethiopia was a significant famine in the history of Ethiopia. Drought and political instability contributed to the severity of the famine, which is estimated to have killed over one million people."

Presumably Baidupedia defines it as: "A period in time when Ethiopians rejoiced, as simple chores such as finding drinking water were turned into fun-packed days out for the whole family."

Well maybe not. Maybe it's just China that never had any "negative" points at all in it's glorious history. I suppose we have to be thankful at least for the constant comedy that we are served up. It continues:

In setting up the new service, Baidu claimed that it was unaware that the Wikipedia online encyclopaedia has been blocked by the Chinese government since 2005.

Right. "Oh that? No we don't know about that, ahem, probably never happens, that sort of thing, erm, gotta run! ..." rapid footsteps, tires screeching ...