MSN and China: This blog contains forbidden speech

This story about Microsoft's new Chinese MSN service is just sad. Microsoft, which was criticized for waffling on its support for homosexual rights, apparently also has no spine when it comes to dealing with the Chinese government. No wonder the Chinese government blocks Blogger but allows Chinese Internet users to access MSN Spaces.

UPDATE: An Associated Press story is more clear about the situation. Apparently, MSN Spaces blogs are filtered. Bloggers who enter in certain words are asked to re-phrase their sentences, or intentionally misspell them, as is often the case. Quote from a Microsoft spokesperson:

"Even with the filters, we're helping millions of people communicate, share stories, share photographs and build relationships. For us, that is the key point here."

Way to go, weenies.