CCTV FOLLIES 6.6 Ukraine did it, didn't they?

Russia's TASS tells the story of the busted dam in Ukraine -Moscow says it's sabotage -Xi is thinking about the earth -Xi models Cui Jian's moves! -Dancing in Tibet -Honduras in the fold -US a mess

Xinwen Lianbo turns to Russia’s TASS news agency to report authoritatively on the busted dam in Ukraine. Ukraine did it to cut Crimea’s water, says Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. It’s Ukrainian sabotage, adds the Foreign Ministry’s Maria Zakharova.

CCTV’s chyron indirectly supports Russia’s assertion, banking on the assumption that Russia would not do such a terrible thing in territory it controlled.

“The Russia-controlled dam and hydroelectric station experienced an explosion.”

More images from TASS about the so-called Ukrainian sabotage.

Although Russia gets the first and last word, CCTV does acknowledge that Zelensky blames Russia for destroying Kakhovka dam.

There is also concern about water supply to the nuclear plant upstream. It’s a war crime that’s being talked about, so CCTV would do well to hedge their bias a bit.

In other Ukraine-related news, the Russian bombardment of the country proceeds apace, images below provided courtesy of Russian Ministry of Defense.

In a rare display of showing what it must be like to be on the receiving side of these fiery images of Russian ballistic prowess, CCTV includes some footage of explosions in the fields of Ukraine and mentions that Ukraine is fighting back.

But let’s go back to the real top story of the day, Xi Jinping posing for the camera.

Xi: “Inner Mongolia is an important national energy and strategic resource base, a production base for agricultural and livestock products and an important bridgehead for China’s opening to the north. To optimise the industrial structure, we must base ourselves on these endowment characteristics and strategic positioning, vigorously develop industries with distinctive advantages and characteristics, actively explore new paths for the transformation and development of resource-rich areas, and accelerate the construction of a modern industrial system that reflects the characteristics and advantages of Inner Mongolia.”

I learned a lot about the environment by seeing Xi pointing at rice, ducks, maps, waterways, and sometimes just pointing for no point at all. Sometimes he points one way and looks the other way. Either way, the photos drive home the message that Xi is thinking about the environment.

When he’s not mimicking Mao, he’s channeling Cui Jian.

(photo below not from today’s broadcast)

CCTV provides a riveting close-up of the paramount leader’s black slacks and black shoes as his feet arduously work their way across an expanse of sand on the path.

When Xi is taken to exhibits, no matter how esoteric the topic, he does most of the talking. He knows his stuff, he knows so much it impresses everyone, and often he has some special insights to share. He’s gotten so good at this he doesn’t even have to look at the things he’s pointing at.

When Xi speaks out of doors…

…loyal sidekick Cai Qi stands at attention like a wooden Indian.

Lesser personalities gaze with reverence, ears perked for every word, hands gently clasped, but it’s also permissable to let them dangle loosely on the side.

To be in the presence of such wisdom!