who's not smiling?

Since foreign journalists are not allowed into Tibet, ambassadors can't get into courtrooms, and finding news about anything in Chinese takes a whole lot of effort and maybe some special knowledge, it's depressing to think about how long it might take all of us to find out what's really happening.

But don't worry. CCTV will keep us up to date. Two quotes from prime minister Wen Jia Bao from within the last day are classic examples of how Beijing believes that reality is actually determined by the picture it paints.

Regarding the riots in which thousands of Tibetans are revealing deep anger towards China through some pretty big numbers and, sadly, violence:

Wen insisted the conflict would not disrupt the games: "I have confidence the smiles of 1.3 billion Chinese people ... will be reciprocated by the smiles of people from all over the world," he said.

Regarding the arrest, political charges, and trial of an environmental/AIDS activist . . .

"China is a country ruled by law, and all these issues will be dealt with in accordance with law," he said. "As far as the critics' view that China is trying to arrest dissidents before the Olympics, there is no such issue at all."

The sad thing - especially on the Tibet issue - is that my friends mostly believe what they're told - that a small group of "splitists" led by the Dalai Lama is responsible for all of the protests and riots . . . while your average Tibetan is overwhelmingly grateful for the TVs and and the train.