An era is coming to an end.  Richard Nixon started up the first relationship between the United States… and Communist China.  Back then… a backward 3rd world country… where running water was a luxury.

As a gesture of friendship… the Chinese government loaned us a pair of zoo animals never before seen in the United States.  A pair of Giant Pandas.  At the National Zoo in Washington… Ling Ling and Sing Sing became a sensation.  

Chewing on imported bamboo…  and generally being cute.

The entire country followed their numerous attempts to reproduce and create an American Panda   W  For 10 years… the Pandas couldn’t quite get it done…. til a baby was born… and died hours later… cradled in Ling Ling’s Arms.  By the way…  this is where you got the entire storyline for the movie Anchorman.  The pandas in labor!
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Alas… Panda diplomacy is dying.  Over the years... China made a habit of befriending countries… and loaning them Giant Pandas… but now they want ‘em back.  In China there’s an angry groundswell …demanding the country get the Pandas back from the Memphis Zoo.  Complaining they're mistreated… and their bamboo isn’t fresh.  Animal rights groups are joining in… and it looks like the era of Panda diplomacy might be coming to an end.  No more ling ling’s and sing sing to marvel at.

And that’s a shame shame.