Who is that man they are idolising?

1.3 billion people are celebrating their National Day today.

1.3 billion minus one, to be more precise.

This day never stirs any excitement in me. I am against nationalism, especially the extreme nationalism that totallitarian regimes conveniently stoke up in the people just to strengthen their rule. And what is there to celebrate in the establishment of an oppressive regime whose founder, in enforcing the Great Leap Forward in which at least 45 million people were worked, starved or tortured to death, was responsible for overseeing "one of the worst catastrophes the world has ever seen"

The portrait of this great leader, who qualifies as "the greatest murderer in world history", is proudly displayed at the entrance of the Forbidden City, the venue where fireworks will as usual be lit this evening.

"The Chinese race has come to the most dangerous moment..." the people will be singing. How right they are!