Oh, no! China loses a bit of its humorous charm...

In preparation for the 2008 Olympics, Beijing officials are removing some of the funniest signs from their streets.

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB117063961235897853-U_f3y5c3vvlXGKCWb14Va6aDj6E_20070212.html?mod=blogs 

Professor Chen Lin, a consultant on the job, says "Beijing will have thousands of visitors coming. We don't want anyone laughing at us."

That's really too bad; I think he's missing Americans' emphasis on ironic humor, and the fact that most of us would probably find a street sign that says "Show Mercy to the Slender Grass" both comical and endearing.

I guess we'll have to get our laughs while we can.