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seen as this Bond-like nemesis, accused of poisoning governments around the world, attempting clandestine and overt takeovers on continent-after-continent. After the air went out of that balloon, the lack of an adversary troubled the Military/Industrial complex, so... China! Why, they've taken over our manufacturing! They'll be coming for our kids, next.
Now, I think it's obvious: the only serious threat to America... is Americans.
Follow Ups:
China is the largest thread. Russia is the smoke-screen. N. Korea fits somewhere in the middle.
a
"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination" -Michael McClure
Yes, the "Americans" (America companies) who have sold out to the Chinese.
Oh, and let's not forget China's military built-up.From the 1 Sep 2020 Military.com article "China's Military Has Surpassed US in Ships, Missiles and Air Defense, DoD Report Finds" (link below):
"China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) has already surpassed the U.S. in missile development and its number of warships and air defense systems under the Chinese Communist Party's plan to achieve dominance by 2049, the Defense Department said in a sobering report Tuesday.
The ultimate goal of the People's Republic of China, or PRC, is to "develop a military by mid-Century that is equal to -- or in some cases superior to -- the U.S. military, or that of any other great power that the PRC views as a threat," the DoD's annual report to Congress said."
And then there is China's effort to indoctrinate American college students."Last year, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte made an announcement to great fanfare: The university would soon open a branch of the Confucius Institute, the Chinese government-funded educational institutions that teach Chinese language, culture and history. The Confucius Institute would "help students be better equipped to succeed in an increasingly globalized world," says Nancy Gutierrez, UNC Charlotte's dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and "broaden the University's outreach and support for language instruction and cultural opportunities in the Charlotte community," according to a press release.
But the Confucius Institutes' goals are a little less wholesome and edifying than they sound-and this is by the Chinese government's own account. A 2011 speech by a standing member of the Politburo in Beijing laid out the case: "The Confucius Institute is an appealing brand for expanding our culture abroad," Li Changchun said. "It has made an important contribution toward improving our soft power. The 'Confucius' brand has a natural attractiveness. Using the excuse of teaching Chinese language, everything looks reasonable and logical."
Li, it now seems, was right to exult. More than a decade after they were created, Confucius Institutes have sprouted up at more than 500 college campuses worldwide, with more than 100 of them in the United States-including at The George Washington University, the University of Michigan and the University of Iowa. Overseen by a branch of the Chinese Ministry of Education known colloquially as Hanban, the institutes are part of a broader propaganda initiative that the Chinese government is pumping an estimated $10 billion into annually, and they have only been bolstered by growing interest in China among American college students."
(from the Politico article "How China Infiltrated U.S. Classrooms
Even as they face criticism, Chinese government-run educational institutes have continued their forward march on college campuses across the United States." https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/01/16/how-china-infiltrated-us-classrooms-216327/And, of course, China's actions and intensions are always benign. LOL
Edits: 06/01/21
Then we can cut our ridiculous "defense" budget and spend it on something worthwhile. Like universal health care, clean water, free college, 21st Century transportation.
Seriously...which country invaded Iraq? Which country has been fighting in Afghanistan for 20 years? Which country killed 2 million Vietnamese in order to save them from the commies?
Which country has overthrown damned near every government in Central and South America at least once?
Which country blew up Libya? Which country has 700 military bases in 120 countries world wide?
The US is the No. 1 aggressor nation by far. When you live in a glass house, you shouldn't throw stones.
And no, I don't consider China a threat. What are they gonna do, invade? We're just going to sit here for two weeks quaking while the invasion force crosses the Pacific?
I'm much more concerned with what our bought-and-paid-for government is doing to innocent people world wide with my money and in my name, and what it refuses to do for Americans right here at home.
The problem is not that there is evil in the world, the problem is that there is good. Because otherwise, who would care?
Edits: 06/02/21 06/02/21 06/02/21
is exactly what America has been doing for decades.
Large military, involved in just about every activity on the planet? - Check
Insidious propaganda through the media? - Check
Why do you consider it wrong for another country to try to exert it's influence and philosophy in a similar manner?
To paraphrase Sting, I bet they love their children just like you do.
In case you didn't notice, the context of my comments were in regards to "the only serious threat to America... is Americans".My argument is that the only serious threat to America is not "only" Americans.
You are responding to a different argument, an argument that I did not make. (a Red Herring Logical Fallacy)
To quote Supertramp from The Logical Song -
"I said, watch what you say or they'll be calling you a radical
Liberal, oh fanatical, criminal"
You are responding to a different argument, singing an illogical song. :-)
Just sayin'.
Edits: 06/02/21
you're flaming John The Scot! you disagree with him!
that's nonsense
Supposedly flaming John The Scot!
Supposedly.
well played sir!
Why does the idea of culture exporting constitute a threat?
Americans can choose to embrace or reject it.
If there is a country anywhere in the world that is a melting pot of cultures it's surely the U.S.A. I think that's something for you to celebrate.
OK, so we should celebrate that China is innocently exporting culture to U.S.A, a "melting pot of cultures" who "can choose to embrace or reject it".
Let's just say that I am more suspicious of China than you are.
If you have a desire to learn more about the Confucius Institute, may I suggest reading the Wikipedia entry for the Confucius Institute. The entry has 124 footnoted references with 8 more articles listed under "Further reading". Link below.
I don't think it's surprising that you are more suspicious of China than I am. I expect I'm more Socialist (not Communist) than yourself, or the average American.
I think the U.S.A and China are much more suspicious of each other than may be warranted, a state of mind encouraged by your Governments.
I hope I'm correct.
Many fears are unfounded, though even paranoids have enemies.
"Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. "
― W.C. Fields
Your purchases have funded the military of China which now threatens to boot the U.S. out of east Asia.
"Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. "
― W.C. Fields
'China's actions and intensions are always benign'
according to ... ?
My actual statement was:"And, of course, China's actions and intensions are always benign. LOL"
It was sarcastic hyperbole. Hence, the "LOL" that followed.
Addendum: Or, perhaps more accurately, a rhetorical statement.
Edits: 06/01/21
'It was sarcastic hyperbole'
as a measured statement?
according to Marx, sarcasm and hyperbole without reference is posturing
unless ...
regards,
Forgive me Karl. LOL[BTW: Check out Karl's posturing. :-) ]
Edits: 06/01/21
nice! you rock Krav! ... wrong Marx though
bestest regardest,
ps ... that's a Navy Colt for those that were in the gun discussion
Outsourcing our supply chains is a real problem as we saw during the pandemic.The second biggest problem is our politicians that promote divisiveness and use identity politics, group think and cancel culture to demonize their competitors. We need to come together as Americans and stop with the hyphenated versions of our various ethnic groups. Afican-Americans, Irish-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, Italian-Americans and so on are all Americans.
-Rod
Edits: 06/01/21
The worst service conservatives can render to the international order is to seek to smash the system [Globalism] indiscriminately in an effort to recreate an ahistorical utopia of autonomous nation-states living together in harmony.
Humankind has become vastly more prosperous with extensive international cooperation. Since 1950, the world's population has roughly tripled; over the same time, real output has increased by more than a factor of 10. In Botswana and South Korea, real per capita incomes have grown 38 and 30 times, respectively.
Global prosperity is a direct outcome of economic globalization. Compared to automation, trade accounts for a tiny fraction of total job losses in the U.S. Meanwhile, cheaper consumer products imported from overseas have been among the most effective anti-poverty "policies" in the Western world.
Globalism has been terrible for the working class in first world countries. This has been obvious for a long time. The ruling class has been indifferent at best and frequently hostile to working whites. This has resulted in returned hostility and successful populism. If the big shots were anything other than morons or a$$holes they'd have worked a lot harder to keep the working man on their side. Instead, they're pandering to the sexually hilarious, big shots from other countries, academics, everybody but who they're really responsible for serving. They deserve to be thrown out.
"Hostile to working whites...."
"Terrible for the working class...."
As mentioned in the previous article, Automation has hurt our blue collar workers more than trade. Whether that statement is true or not, I can't say. I'm not saying Globalism is perfect, either, but the positives seems to get lost in the bumper-sticker hysteria. As for tying human rights to trade deals, that seems superfluous in an economic discussion.
Our poorest states in the US have actually benefited from Global investment, just as much as the Botswanans have, (and maybe that embarrasses our Populists, I don't know):
Kentucky
International companies in Kentucky employ 137,500 U.S. workers. Approximately 73,900 of those jobs are in the manufacturing sector. With 685 international companies in the Bluegrass State, global investment grows Kentucky's economy. Discover how global investment is growing Kentucky's economy and providing high-quality jobs in local communities.
Tennessee
International companies in Tennessee employ 198,700 U.S. workers. Approximately 93,400 of those jobs are in the manufacturing sector. With 839 international companies in the Volunteer State, global investment grows Tennessee's economy. Discover how global investment is growing Tennessee's economy and providing high-quality jobs in local communities.
And on and on....
I could get all the yard tools and hand tools I want and furnish my entire house with stuff made in China and elsewhere. That's not a good thing.
****
We are inclusive and diverse. But dissent will not be tolerated.
They were mostly card-carrying members of Sam's Club, and were third- or fourth-generation Walmart Shoppers. And mostly they were wearing shoes, hats, clothing, flags, phones, etc., made in the PRC. Meanwhile absurdly decrying the sell-out that sent jobs and industrial infrastructure to the PRC, Bangladesh, Vietnam, etc.
For sure, the sell-out happened -- but most every common man was complicit. And just about the only organized and consistent opposition came from our weak labor unions.
"Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. "
― W.C. Fields
There's no such thing as cancel culture. It's a red herring.
"Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. "
― W.C. Fields
In fact, during the late 90's we shipped entire factories to China, just so Walmart could make a few extra bucks on the savings in cost-of-goods.
it's also so that the American public could get the cheaper goods they demand.
This is how it worked (from a slightly different perspective)
For most of my life I worked for large American global corporations (and was extremely grateful for the opportunity). These included Polaroid and Honeywell, both of whom had large footprint factories in the West/Centre of Scotland.
They were here because it was cheaper to build in Europe for the "overseas" market due to American labour costs and import duties. So, just economic common sense.
Many of us eventually lost our jobs when these factories, or individual product lines, were transferred to Chinese factories for the same reasons.
It's just the way it works. If you want significantly cheaper goods, you need to pay lower wages. You can only get so much from manufacturing efficiencies.
China is now losing out to Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines. Check your recently purchased trainers.
Know of one?
"Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. "
― W.C. Fields
They must carry books, but no telling what kind.
I was in a Walmart once. Never again and thank the Gods (well 8 of
them) that we've chosen a life/place that excludes that sort of experience.
"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination" -Michael McClure
It's a bipartisan, green party sell out for the sake of a consumer growth GDP.
-Rod
And it's not just us. It's rich vs poor, Christian vs Jew vs Muslim, Christian vs Christian (Protestants raised militias in American colonies and attacked Roman Catholic settlements), whites vs Native Americans vs Blacks vs Mexicans....
Hate makes the world go around. Always has. So don't act like it's something new.
The problem is not that there is evil in the world, the problem is that there is good. Because otherwise, who would care?
Edits: 06/01/21 06/01/21
And cancel culture is a red herring.
"Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. "
― W.C. Fields
Cancel culture is very real, it's just not often successful. If you were a remotely curious person you'd know this.
Any kind of pablum for that matter :)
"Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. "
― W.C. Fields
you've got nothing
Just another bumper-sticker catch phrase for the permanently aggrieved.
The problem is not that there is evil in the world, the problem is that there is good. Because otherwise, who would care?
nt
"Trying is the first step towards failure."
Homer Simpson
.
-Rod
Presto! 911 to conveniently jumpstart the old Crusades. No way could we lose an enemy from a thousand years ago. Longevity is good in this business.
But alas. On to the next culprit. All that matters is that we have one.
Cuz the PRC would trounce us in war.
"Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. "
― W.C. Fields
once we can isolate the "other" we have a handy target. It makes it easier to define what we are. Been going on for centuries.
P
.
"Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. "
― W.C. Fields
as Victor intimated but never said, the Bear didn't just go away, it was lost in the woods for awhile, but it's still there and awake from hibernation
we'll see
regards,
I remember it, too. I remember seeing news clips of Nikita Kruschev banging his shoe on the podium and saying "We will bury you!".
Look it up.
These days, we have Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton saying that the Republican Party is the greatest threat.
My, how times have changed.
****
We are inclusive and diverse. But dissent will not be tolerated.
My parents understood Polish and they were able to understand most of what Khrushchev said that day because the Polish language has many words in common with Russian. I vividly remember watching Khrushchev on TV with my parents and being afraid because they were afraid.
"Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. "
― W.C. Fields
on its path of irrationality and doing everything possible to destroy a fair, honest and inclusive electoral system, NP and HRC will be proved correct. Collapse from within at this point is (or at least is becoming) as likely as attack from external forces. The very far-right wing, to which the RP is rapidly becoming beholden, LOVES the idea of an armed revolution. Don't think it can't happen. I truly didn't think that the likes of a sociopath such as DJT could possibly get elected, yet there we were.
Mark in NC
"The thought that life could be better is woven indelibly into our hearts and our brains" -Paul Simon
I am for voting and election integrity, i.e. following recommendations of the 2005 Carter-Baker Report.
"There was a widespread understanding that this election was not on the level. We still don't know what really happened."
...-.since it was America's captains of business, industry and government that fell over themselves in efforts to send manufacturing, and lots of other now obviously vital IP and other activities to Asia in general and China In particular. The prospects of a market larger than the US and EU combined could not be ignored. China certainly seemed willing to accept whatever the west sent their way but if it hadn't been pushed to China, I doubt China could have done it on their own.
"since it was America's captains of business, industry and government that fell over themselves"
They're bean counters. They did it for their stockholders in the interest of the Almighty Dollar.
It was Japan before it was China...
50 years ago, all the cheap stuff came from Nippon. Their quality of life improved and other third world countries picked up the slack. Low skill manufacturing jobs migrate to the low cost producers. Fact of life. Our highly automated factories of today look nothing like our factories of the 50s through the 90s.
S. Korea has built the new modern manufacturing muscle w/ infrastructure
and it kicked off with the ship building used to export the output
along with 'regional' production out of China
modular built ships for modular ocean container shipping
Japan rebuilt and S Korea emerged from Japanese domination. PRC is well on its way to transitioning from a maker to a consumer of low cost goods. Viet Nam is moving that way as well. I predict sub Saharan Africa will become the next low cost manufacturing center. The rural will transition to urban and they're off to the races.
'I predict sub Saharan Africa will become the next low cost manufacturing center'and you're not the only one making that bet!
the obstacles being cultural, geographic, and fairly persistent foreign meddling at odds with each other ... since it's a resource rich target
with regards,
Edits: 06/01/21
Step right up and purchase your targets for the backs of America's captains of business, industry and government.
BTW: targets that are Made in China.
"Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. "
― W.C. Fields
American jobs were sent overseas by other Americans.
Who lobbied hard for the trade agreements that made it all possible. Our bought and paid for Congress was only too happy to oblige.
The problem is not that there is evil in the world, the problem is that there is good. Because otherwise, who would care?
Edits: 06/01/21
...they didn't take them, we handed them to them. Americans truly are the 1%ers. If it can be done/sourced even 1% cheaper, we're all over it.
"So I talk to the night, I head for the light, try and hold it on the road. Thank God for the man who put
the white lines on the highway"--a very dear friend for decades Michael Stanley (Gee)--RIP
We sure as hell didn't hand our jobs over. Our financial elites made the decision for us. We were told, you don't really want to do those jobs anyway. Americans are too good to work in factories, let people in Asia do that work.
Yeah, sure.
The problem is not that there is evil in the world, the problem is that there is good. Because otherwise, who would care?
...unions saying we're too good to work for globally competitive wages, and we won't accept anything less than $XX, so corporate owners cut their labor costs by sending jobs overseas? That's the "flip-side", and part of the reality.
"So I talk to the night, I head for the light, try and hold it on the road. Thank God for the man who put
the white lines on the highway"--a very dear friend for decades Michael Stanley (Gee)--RIP
When unions were strong in the U.S. our economy was the envy of the world and the degree of income inequality was MUCH less than it is now in the U.S.
Buzz us when either you or your kids would like to work for the same salary as a Chinese person working at a Nike factory, or a factory making tools, or damn near anything else we buy that was made in China. Wouldn't surprise me at all if factories making some mega buck hifi gear pay their Chinese workers chickenshit money.
I agree that no one should work for wages paid (or not) in other countries, but I also think that labor unions in the US demand too much--both in wages/benefits, and the protection the afford to incompetent/ineffective employees. Seniority is not a suitable substitute for merit-based pay/promotion.
As for China (in general)--we're the ones that wanted to establish ties with China. Prior to Nixon, we had very little economic interaction with the Chinese. It was deemed a major "breakthrough" when we opened the doors to trade with China. Hindsight is always 20/20, but you can see what we have done to ourselves.
"So I talk to the night, I head for the light, try and hold it on the road. Thank God for the man who put
the white lines on the highway"--a very dear friend for decades Michael Stanley (Gee)--RIP
Nt.
Mark in NC
"The thought that life could be better is woven indelibly into our hearts and our brains" -Paul Simon
"American jobs were sent overseas by other Americans."
Absolutely true!!!
****
We are inclusive and diverse. But dissent will not be tolerated.
Every family needs and F-35 circling overhead. Oops...I think they're grounded again.
BTW, Tin...filibuster still firmly in place. And don't blame Joe Manchin. He's just providing cover for the rest of them.
The problem is not that there is evil in the world, the problem is that there is good. Because otherwise, who would care?
nt
n/t
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