Okay, I've heard enough coverage and read enough blogs concerning China, the Olympics, and the torch. And since this story has more legs than all the Chinese thugs in Tibet, I might as well unload a Chinese buffet (with some crab Rangoon) of thoughts on the whole mess.
First, there's no question China wholly sucks on human rights. They've been pulling repressive shit for decades. I remember watching network coverage of the protests in Tiananmen Square until the cameras were forced off just prior to Chinese troops commencing standard totalitarian asskicking. That was 1989, and I had a few years to go in high school at the time. But I remember the Chinese idea of human rights well. Add to that Tibet. Add on their current tendencies toward censorship. I'm sure I'm forgetting things, but there's probably a type-written list somewhere.
So now China's got the Olympics. This is a situation where they'll try to put their best foot forward. Of course, like the USSR and like Nazi Germany, everyone in the world will get to see the shiny, happy wall they will put up around their Olympic displays, as well as slip some cameras through the peep holes. Either way, for everyone who despises China, be assured they won't come out of this looking happy.
Then there's the torch bullshit. Protests are fine. Protests are good. In fact, I'm waiting to see a torchbearer running with a Tibetan flag or a Tiananmen Square T-shirt or something. It would also be interesting to see the torch obscured by flags and signs for every mile it has to go. But attacking the torch, trying to extinguish it, or disrupting the proceedings is dumb. It's the same tactic that the goofy left has been employing in antiwar protests. And it's borderline terrorism. The moronical dickcheeses pulling these stunts don't draw any attention to their cause, only the ire of people who respect free expression.
So allow me to give every solution to all these problems. First, I've already covered the torch: No pissing on it! As for the Olympic games: If President bush goes, he should prominently wear a Tibet flag pin or something for protest. As should every athlete that comes in there. Imagine hundreds of athletes in protest shirts wielding protest flags. And continuing to do this every day until the Chicoms snap. Oh what fun. I'd almost think about considering watching the Olympics. Not really, but you get the point.
As for China long-term, the answer is simple: Economics. Although we are more dependent on China then they are on us, due to that bastion of common sense, Washington DC, they are becoming more dependent on the global economy. If we can get this country on track financially, we will have them by their marbles so fast they won't know what jerked them off. It's beautiful when China becomes a paper tiger. Really.
21 comments:
Except for that little bit about antiwar protesters (the morons who vandalize or commit violence are far outnumbered by the legitimately peaceful folk), I agree with every word.
Few minds will change by attacking the wrong symbol--the Olympic torch has nothing to do with human rights or repression. In that regard, it'd make more sense to beat up the chinese "torch minders, though I don't advocate that, either.
Economics & a free, fair market is what will ultimately change China for the better, just as it has elsewhere. While they're holding too much of our debt (I'll take those "tax & spend" liberals over "borrow & spend" Republicans any day), we are a market for goods too big to pass up... ...and our culture is still pretty popular, so we have a bit to offer the chinese, as well...
I know the relatively reasonable an peaceful people always outnumber the idiots. But the problem is that the idiots keep getting the press. And the reasonable people don't take them out back and smack the shit out of them.
And the "spend" part is why I'm becoming less of a Republican almost daily. There's always the "less tax, less spend" philosopgy that used to be the GOP's and now belongs to the Libertarians.
www.fairtax.org
But we don't have to be dependent on China. In fact, trade with China has only made the gap between the ultra rich and the middle class and poor that much wider. I mean think about it. Companies like Nike say the need to make shoes in China to compete, companies like WalMart say we need China to save consumers money. The only think Nike needs China for is the child slave labor which cuts his costs and makes him more money but it doesn't make the shoes cost less. Since Nike, or anyone else has been making shoes in China have the gotten cheaper? No, just the opposite, they have gotten more expensive. Have Tvs gotten any cheapers? In 1990 I could get a TV for $90, my tv cost 4 grand. Of course I could have bought a cheaper one but when Gateway started making their computers overseas did they get any cheaper or did the CEO of Gateway just make more money?
The need of China is a farce. We don't need them, we need corporations to not be so greedy. If we had all the MFG jobs we have lost to China back in the US the unemployment situation could be fixed overnight. Sure rich people wouldn't make as much money but they don't need any more money, the rest of us do. And if we had that money, we wouldn't need to shop at Walmart as we could afford to buy American made goods that didn't kill our babies.
It's the same tactic that the goofy left has been employing in antiwar protests. And it's borderline terrorism.
Hey. Wait just a gull darn minute, pahdnah. Protesting our gummit is guaranteed in the Constitution. It's not terrorism. It's as American as apple pie and Barack Obama!
As for you other points, I too agree. But since people will continue to make their grievances known in any way they can, there's not much we can do.
The Olympic torch has nothing to do with human rights, it is true, but the fact that that torch will be lit in China to kick of the games is what is driving the protests.
PS. I'd never heard of "dickcheeses." It sounds kinda icky, but I'll file it away to be used when I need le mot juste to insult someone.
Merci.
And the reasonable people don't take them out back and smack the shit out of them.
Well, smackin' the shit out of 'em wouldn't be peaceful, either... Though there are those folks who're only opposed to this war...
Re: "spend"
We have different ideas about the functions of government, obviously... ...which I don't begrudge anyone. Those disagreements are what makes the world go 'round...
I am interested in learning more about the fair tax, however... The little bit I've read about it sounds promising, but because it hasn't gotten much backing as yet and those opposed therefore don't consider it much of a threat, most of what I've read has come from those selling the plan. I'd prefer to also read what some believe is wrong with it (aside it being "a radical change that'll never work," which is the only criticism I can recall seeing) before making up my mind about it...
Toad: You are right. We don't have to be dependent on China. But we chose to be. I remember the "Made in the USA" campaign. I think it was Wal-Mart that was big on that one. I knew back then it wasn't going to work, unless we were really competitive with other countries. But we weren't, and many a low-talent job walked out of the country as a result. And as a result, I can afford more things than I would if we had stayed in that mindset.
For example, I just bought a bunch of summer clothes for my kids today (at Wal-Mart if you'd like to shudder) and spent $30 total for several shirts and shorts for both of them. What would the price have been if those shirts were made here? By the way, they weren't made it China, they were made in El Salvador.
This is how market forces work. And it's why successful CEO's get paid good money, especially when their companies make money.
And while I'm no fan of China, they are becoming more dependent on us. That's good. Debt we owe them, not so good. But that's a different post.
And greed is an excuse to hate those who are successful, not a serious argument.
Shaw: I'm not criticizing the protests, just the just the moronicalites who spaz out and relegate themselves to no respect. It's the difference between holding a sign in protest and wailing in the middle of a congressional hearing. The latter is revealed not as a serious person, but as a douche cocktail. I'm all for the protests, just not the disruptive ones.
And I make up new insults every day. You just take one offensive word and pair it up with something not offensive. But feel free to steal from the best. Me.
Repsac: The best thing you can do for any cause is to police your own, and keep the crazies out of the loop. It helps when you are not perceived as loony.
I've been cooking the numbers on the FairTax. And since I began investigating, I signed up on the site, have been promoting it, and donated a percentage of my tax refund to them. That's how convinced I am. I haven't donated to anything else political in years. That's how good I believe the FairTax is. But judge for yourself. I will be posting on it come April 15, of course.
Then why did Converse and why do New Balance shoes cost the same, if not less than shoes made in China?
Chuck Taylors are no longer made in NC but they were up until a couple years ago. Since they have shut that plant down the cost of those shoes have not gone down, the pay of the CEO has gone up. Leaving those people jobless, taking those routes away from truck drivers and all the other businesses which supported that shoe plant isn't me being jealous of the CEO making more money.
What I am saying is that those items would cost the same, the only difference would be that someone here who is living off welfare would have a job and the CEO would only make 1 million dollars per year as opposed to 2 Million dollar a year. The investors would only get a 20% return on their investment as opposed to a 30% return.
Electronics would be one area where I think you may be right, sort of. I believe Zenith still makes stuff here in the US and I know Whirlpool and Lexmark still manufacture here and they are no more expensive than any other brands. But for the most part, you can generally buy stereo equipment for cheaper prices if its made over seas but, if you can only pay $40 for a DVD player, you don't need a DVD player, you need a meal for your family.
Patrick: You've got the Moonbat Trifecta going here.
I've missed Repsac, Toadbat not so much. And Shaw thrown in for good measure.
P.S. I'm concerned about China too. Their military armament program is way out of bounds with any need for defense. But will that fact bother your "peace" activist commenters? Nope! They'll blame it on Bush even though the roots go back to Clinton.
Toad: What is your solution then? People have voted with their dollars already and have embraced the global economy. The only way to change thing, then, is to change the rules, which means government intervention. And then we all pay more.
Mike: They're not all moonbats (except poor Toad) visiting here. If you haven't noticed, they agree with me sometimes, especially when they disengage from political dogma. And that's what SPD is here for.
Both Bush and Clinton share some responsibility for the current situation with China, as does both the Democrats and Republicans who have been expanding our debt with a continually growing government. The emergence of this conservatism lite GOP is the primary reason John McCain is now their nominee. I was saying "our" before, but I am declaring myself a "New RINO", as I am a Republican in name, but more Libertarian in principle.
Patrick: We may be defining "moonbat" differently, but do agree on Toadbat.
The appellative may be a bit harsh for Repsac. But do see if you can get Rep to come up with practical, EFFECTIVE solutions to the problems he or she constanly complains about. Thus far, I haven't gotten anything more than the same happy feel good kumbaya nonsense.
M'erica, your commentary has never changed, and seemingly will never change... I'm still convinced that that "practical, EFFECTIVE solutions" silliness is hardwired into a function key on your keyboard, given how often you trot it out... I'd feel sorry for you, if I wasn't convinced you'd use it against me, somehow...
In fact, I'm concerned when any country builds a military "defense capability" that is far larger than their need. (Of course, it worked in our favor when Reagan did it, as it persuaded the USSR to bankrupt itself keeping up. 'tween that & the desire for blue jeans, the USSR pretty much fell over.)
While I'm far from an expert on China, I'm hoping that American culture will help them to see the light, as well... (Unfortunately, an arms race with them might bankrupt US, considering how much of us they already own.)
S'pin educational seeing you, mr 'merica. Get back in touch if you ever break out of that same tired us vs them, ad hom rhetoric that your insular little circle mistakes for thinkin'...
Mike: You certainly get soooooo much love. What we need is you and Repsac in a Deathmatch. I want to be the ref, although I'm not sure who I want to win, though.
Repsac: I wiped that link for you, but I'm going to have to leave the other comment just for cheap laughs. I like cheap laughs.
And by government intervention costing us more are you refering to the S&L crisis or our current mortgage crisis.
Again, we need government. We just need good government that isn't run by special interests, lobbyists and corporations.
Toad: Everybody is either a special interest, a lobbyist, or a corporation. That's the inherent problem with big government. Someone with an agenda is always tying to push their legislation through.
Sure, but its the ones with the most money who get what they want.
Did you know there are 6 drug company lobbyist for every US Senator?
I don't have any lobbyists. I guess Obama and Jan Schakowsky will have to do.
Two answers here, Toad:
1. Stop reelecting all the damned incumbents. The longer any politician stays, the more money is flung their way. That's why it was expected when the government was set up that the House would be a place for people to serve, then go back home and live under the laws. Now, government is a damned career....
2. This is the reason for limited government: When government feels the need to pass laws and regulate everything, people are going to try to get those laws to serve them rather than restrict them. So the answer is to say no to the government.
But you voted for Bush the second time?
Mike,
Sorry, but which country is it whose military armament program is way out of bounds with any need for defense?
But youre going to keep sending them your money via walmart and Nike so they can make more missiles. That makes a lot of sense.
Toad: Yes I did. Thankfully, the President is limited to two terms, so no matter who gets elected, they can only be President for 8 years.
And my reasons for voting for him? My choices were limited to him and Kerry. And all the numbers on the expansion of the federal government were not in yet. Oh, and there was a war.
And again your position on war is the more the better??
Yes Kerry would have been a disaster...as opposed to what we got. note the sarcasm.
That's not my position, but that's for another post.
Wow, sarcasm from you? The amazement is palpable.
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