Japan pushing the limits of China’s tolerance

The Japanese govt is pushing ahead with its farce buying of Diaoyu Island from another Japanese whose fictitious claim to ownership of the island must the height of Japanese trickery. They did this kind of shit over and over again during Imperial Japan to bully a decadent and weak China. It is trying to do the same today to a China that could give them a bloody nose any time.

Japan is forcing the hands of Beijing and the latter has no choice but to respond robustly or it would lose its credibility in the eyes of its citizens and would also encourage adventurism in South China Sea. China would now have to mount a military force to protect its island, like it or not. This could lead to a military confrontation that China has chosen not to oblige for a long time.

The world, the Asean countries and the US are watching how China would respond to this aggressive act against its territories. Backing out and allowing the Japanese to continue in its heady encroachment of its islands is a no option.

Japan has made the first offensive move. The ball is now in Beijing’s court.

 International ties

China's new face in the global arena

Updated: 2012-09-04 16:20

By Aaron Jed Rabena ( chinadaily.com.cn)

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China has changed a lot since its opening-up policy in 1978. China is now the world's second economic and military powerhouse. As China continues to rise, so does the wrong misconceptions and deceitful stigma about how it will continue to waltz out and evaporate.
China's approach now is with a strong emphasis on economic diplomacy, stern professionalism, and cultural exchanges. In the common parlance, it is known as "business is business" or "strictly business." Political liberalization is gradually following economic liberalization. An American scholar, Michael Roskin, once said "You have freedom here (China)."
What makes China different from other rising or emerging powers is that is has peppered itself with a strong emphasis on bilateral and multilateral diplomacy and international commitments. This is evidenced by their strong participation in international governmental organizations. No other emerging power in history has done what China is doing in terms of a very wide reach of economic linkages and activism in international affairs and global responsibilities which actually signals to the world they have no ulterior motive.
China has also committed to engaging the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and the East Asia Summit among others.
Key to this success is the profession of the leaders and bureaucrats. In China, the most popular professions are engineering, business, architecture, IT, and the like. All these point to the fact that the leaders orientation will be reflected on the things that they do in society. This has been evident in the grand implementation of the national high-speed railway system, towering and magnificent mega-infrastructures, stretching flyovers, and booming high rise residential buildings – which are all aimed to provide for the needs and comforts of the people.
Leaders in China do not like to talk as much as leaders in "democratic countries." But rather, they devote their time for talking about the creation of material and tangible outputs for the benefit of the public. Most of the statesmen in China do not belong to the law profession, but what they have done for their country to achieve perpetual success is truly praiseworthy and has already been palpably embedded to improve people's lives. In China, their actions not their words are what achieves democracy -- which is done by a strong and overdriven government.
It is by the provision of efficient public services at a fast pace in which other democratic countries are not able to deliver due to much political bickering, partisanship, and squabbling. "Democracy" is just a nomenclature, what is important is a strong government that can effectively cater to the needs of its people in a swift and willful manner. There is no demagoguery in China, only productivity and non-stop activity managed by leaders that possess wisdom.
This goes to show that there is no best political form of government or political system. Every country has its own reception and perception towards its own constituency and nation-building. All nations must discover for itself what is good for it. This is what makes China flag their "Socialism with Chinese Characteristics" which bespeak that everything shall be adapted and dealt with on a case to case basis.
The Chinese are now becoming the top source of tourists and foreign students abroad especially in many Western countries, bringing along money that can contribute to the economy of the country where they are going.
Football player Nicolas Anelka and NBA idol Stephon Marbury among others have come to China to grab the opportunities that can be realized. So, from the US version of an "American Dream," there is now seemingly an emerging "Chinese Sensation" where more and more people are starting to join the bandwagon. The world is changing, where Asian states are rising, and on the forefront of that comes China's new face to the world.

The author is an overseas student from Philippines mastering in International Relations with a Holistic Law Background and Service Experience at Shandong University in China.

The opinions expressed do not represent the views of the China Daily website

China cancelled meeting with Hillary

I was expecting this to happen for a very long time. There is no reason why the host of a country would want to discuss his neighbourhood problems with his guests, and definitely not one from the other side of the Pacific Ocean. Why should Hillary or the Americans be dictating the agenda, on what to discuss and what not to discuss, and what more, the disputes between neighbours? Who do the US think they are to tell the neighbours how to behave and what to do? Oh, I forget, the Empire.

It is about time that Asian and Southeast Asian countries decide what they should talk to their guests and not be dragged along by the guests. And this is what happened in Beijing today.

‘BEIJING (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton sat down Wednesday with Chinese President Hu Jintao to press Beijing to agree to peacefully resolve territorial disputes with its smaller neighbors over the South China Sea. But as she began her meetings here, China questioned the stated neutrality of the United States.

At the start of the talks with Hu, Clinton said the U.S.-China relationship is strong. "We are able to explore areas of agreement and disagreement in a very open manner, which I think demonstrates the maturity of the relationship and the chance to take it further in the future," she said.

There was no immediate comment on the talks, but a scheduled meeting with Vice President Xi Jinping for later Wednesday morning had been canceled by China "for unexpected scheduling reasons," said a senior State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity.’

The next time China may not even want to see her, or maybe no next time unless Obama is reelected. The host country should determine the agenda of the visit and not about meddling with other countries’ affairs.

Send her home.

Social media versus commercial media

I would like to use the term professional media to describe the main media but that would have given them far too much credit than they deserved. The only thing professional is probably its recognition as a profession. Today, many professional journalists or even academics are far from neutral, objective, and many try to pursue their private agenda for personal or financial gains. This is particularly widespread among the much hyped and considered respectable big names in the western media. Many have proven to be writing fictions created to suit their personal motive.

Cherian George wrote a hefty piece of material in his article, ‘Press Controls and the Myth of Online Bypass’ in Journalism.sg. The title itself suggested where he is coming from and he did not hide much to be seen as being neutral. The main media or commercial media is the still the cornerstone in the collection and dissemination of news. This I cannot disagree as long as it keeps to these roles. Once it strays towards opinion and commentaries, to set an agenda, the horns are raised. The main media will play its part to serve its master’s interests and agenda. Period. How many professional journalists could touch their hearts and say, I am saying this, writing this, strictly from a neutral, professional and objective point of view? Not that bloggers and social media are clean and objective either. There is a contest, a war, by both sides trying to tell their truths or version of truths.

The intrinsic biases in Cherian George’s position to favour main media are understandable. This can be reflected in his comments here,

‘Professional journalism

There is, however, a third role that newspapers play that online media show no signs of taking on. As much as our blogs claim to be monitoring the powerful, the reality is that their capacity is extremely limited. One limitation is their lack of training and experience, in making ethical judgment calls and in separating reliable information from gossip. This gap may be overstated. Journalism is not rocket science and I think it is possible for bloggers to develop professional journalism skills.

However, there is a bigger – and so far unbridgeable – gap that we need to take far more seriously. This is the gap between what can be accomplished by large teams of professional, full-time journalists versus small collectives of part-time amateurs. No matter how intelligent, talented and sincere the latter are, there are simply practical limits to what they can accomplish without sufficient time and the organisational back-up.’

His assumption is that the main media and professionals would do the necessary, to accomplish that idealism, that aspirations, that the media as the Fourth Estate should do or expected to do. The expectation and hope by the public are very high, but often in vain when the professionals failed them. If bloggers are assumed to lack the skills and intellect to make ethical judgements, so professionals will have the skills and the will to do so? The assumption is too naïve and simplistic. How many professionals are strutting their stuff and bulldozing their ways under a power halo over their heads? And in so doing, totally ignore the ethical calling of their professions and their conscience?

Cherian assumed that by virtue of their training, their numbers and organization resources, the professionals will do good for the sake of good and ethics, to say the right stuff. Really?

How many would agree to this assertion?

USA,Japan, Vietnam & Philippines have divergent agenda and motive against China

USA, Japan, Vietnam and Philippines have divergent agenda and motive against China.



The Evil  Empire, USA, Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines all have different agendas, interest and motive in pushing against China.  For some unsound moronic reasons US tries to stop China's peaceful development by various ways and means because it fears of losing its number one position to China. What better way to achieve its evil agenda then by pitting Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines and India against China. America will be happy to see Asia in turmoil with Asians fighting Asians. In this way with China tie down in perennial wars with her neighbours the Evil Empire thinks it will thus be able to preserve its number one position forever.

Japan has a different agenda and motive in hoping to involve America in a war with China. Japan believes that when USA and China fight it will result in mutual nuclear destruction and thus serve her secret agenda and motive of proxy revenge against USA nuclear bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima in the Second World War while at the same time prevent China from her peaceful development.

The Asian parasites of Vietnamese rats and Philippine vermins hope to nib at Chinese territorial lands and seas when China is busy fighting the Evil Empire, USA.

America will be smart enough not to involve in a long war with China especially both can annihilate each other with nuclear weapons. America's sinister agenda and motive is to stir shit and let Japan, India, Vietnam and the Pinoys fight its proxy wars against China. Hope these stupid Asian countries will see through the evil agenda and motive of the Satanic Empire, USA  and stop  being make use of as sacrificial pawns by that Evil Empire.

Southernglory1

Tuesday, 4th September, 2012.

Homes-for-Hongkongers plan will extend to their resale

Homes-for-Hongkongers plan will extend to their resale

“Policy to help local homebuyers by barring non-residents from buying some flats will also extend to their resale, housing minister says

Tuesday, 04 September, 2012, 12:00am

Joyce Ng

A much-awaited scheme to restrict sales of some new homes to Hong Kong buyers will be extended to the resale of those flats, the housing minister said yesterday.

In an interview with the South China Morning Post, Secretary for Transport and Housing Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung said the sales ban would be extended to safeguard the policy dubbed "Hong Kong property for Hong Kong residents". Otherwise buyers could quickly defeat its purpose by immediately reselling the flats to mainlanders.

Cheung was elaborating on Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying's announcement last week of 10 measures to cool the property market. Leung said the sales ban would be launched after legal drafting was completed and the new restrictions were added to land leases of new sites for sale to private developers.

"The purpose is to cater to Hong Kong residents' aspirations for home ownership," Cheung said….”

At the rate property prices are spiralling out of control with a shrinking world and money being printed like toilet papers, the whole paradigm of home ownership for citizens would need to be seriously looked at, especially in little countries or cities like Hongkong and Sinkieland. They just have not enough for sale, and there are just too much money looking for a good buy. And where else to put money into properties than in land scarce little cities? The only risk is for the little cities to sink due to the weight and overbuilding. Other than this, the prices of properties can only go one way, up and up. And anyone who sold will only see the prices going higher and higher, like the Tower of Babel.

Given the new set of parameters, what should the govt of a people do to protect the interest of its citizens? Selling out is a very attractive option and everyone hanging to a piece of property would only wait for his turn to cash out to the next richer buyer. It is a nice monopoly game to play and to exit very rich as long as one does not bother about remaining in an ever pricier little city.

The Hongkie govt has realised that the property game cannot be played under the same old rules or Hongkong will be sold to the highest buyers in no time. The curbs will come down real hard, and the game will be changed. Properties will no longer be traded freely, or some at least, and be determined by market forces alone. Govt intervention is a must to keep the ship from hitting an iceberg of Titanic proportion.

Maybe the Hongkie govt are just plain silly. It would be better to sell everything on a willing buyer willing seller basis, and everyone will be smiling to the banks. Why is Hongkong losing touch with its free spirit and free enterprise philosophy?

No more cheap shots, Hillary!

In his article in mypaper today, titled No China ‘cheap shots’ please, Clinton, Meidyatama Suryodiningrat is perhaps the first Asian journalist reporting from The Jakarta Post/Asia News Network, to call a spade a spade. The hypocrisy of the Americans is so thick and slimy that their hosts from Mongolia down to Southeast Asia and to the Pacific Islands were too polite to wipe it off Hillary’s face. This farcical face of the Americans were lifted again in the front page of the ST by Zakir Hussein, another Indonesian correspondent who quoted what this woman said, ‘The United States does not take a position on competing territorial claims over land features but we believe the nations of the region should work collaboratively together to resolve disputes without coercion, without intimidation, without threats and certainly without the use of force.’

Now, which country has been drumming up territorial claims overtly and supporting them covertly to raise tension in Southeast Asia? Which country has been applying coercion, sanctions, intimidations and threats of war or use of force against smaller and weaker nations across the globe? This woman thinks that the Southeast Asians and the rest of the world are daft. Her arrogance to preach peace while conducting wars openly and subversively trying to start wars must be the height of vanity and stupidity.

Well she thought she is the Emperess of the Empire or the plenipotentiary of the Emperor and could fire cheap shots at anyone she pleases without batting an eyelid. The tensions in western Pacific and around the world are solely the works of the Americans.

Last few days the Australians were wallowing in self pity when a few Aussie soldiers were killed in Afghanistan. Why did the Ausssie soldiers get killed in that country? What have the Afghans done to the Aussies for the latter to send their soldiers to kill them and in turn be killed? The Afghans have no quarrels with the Aussies and have nothing to do with the Aussies. What is the link for Aussie soldiers to kill Afghans and for Afghans to kill them?

It all boils down to a country that needs to have enemies at all times and to have to fight wars at all times to keep its war industries in the pink of health. Yes, the USA is a warmongering country, a country that wants wars and will keep the flames of war burning bright for its own economic and political interests. They still think they are the cowboys and need Red Indians to satisfy their thirst for blood and killings.

And Hillary Clinton is telling everyone that she is the angel of peace. That she is the saviour of the poor and unthinking Asians and the Pacific Islanders. She came for peace, to broker for peace, but with all the soldiers behind her. Did someone shout her down for firing cheap shots?

PS. The stability and economic progress under the Susilo Yudhoyono presidency have seen Indonesia rising in confidence and stature as the de facto and dejure leader of Asean, and as a growing regional power. The Indonesians too are striking out to put their own marks and views on regional issues independently and standing clear of the shadows of big power hegemony. Indonesians will see things in their own perspective and in their own interests, and in a wider context in the interests of Asean and the region.

A matter of extreme prejudice

‘PARTY AGAINST PEOPLE:

September 3, 2012 at 12:11 am (Quote)

It is rumored that the actions of law society has the implicit approval of the PAP government. Ravi is the only lawyer among the 3000 lawyers who dare represent the downtrodden and opposition clients against the government. The rest of the lawyers, as we the public view them, are in the profession for LOVE of the money and sucking up to PAP. I wonder with the many Senior Counsels in Singapore, who among them will dare represent Ravi, probono, of course. Any lawyer willing to step up?’



Why is it that the finger will be pointed at the PAP? The above is a comment posted in TRE on the persecution of M Ravi. It claimed that it is rumoured, nonetheless, why should it be a rumour against the ruling party? Practically every comment in the thread and other blogs would also look at this witch hunt in the same manner, and guessing who is behind it. Are the rumours/assumptions right that the party is behind it is the party behind it? Or are the assumptions wrong, and the perceived party to be behind it is not the party behind it? No one is wiser though everyone knows who is wiser. All the circumstantial evidence and logic only point to one direction. But since these are all conjectures and not facts, and no one is brave enough to stand up to make the claim, it is at most rumour mongering. And PAP, or any organization, would not respond to rumours. It would take someone to call a spade a spade and be ready to meet in the court of law to prove his case.

For the time being, it is just the Law Society versus M Ravi. The fact is, it has nothing to do with the govt or the PAP. While many would put one and one together, sounds so logical and real, but could be unreal and not the truth. In the same manner, any blogger that is being spammed or attacked will also think the same. It is like whatever is wrong or bad, it must be the work of the devil. The poor devil becomes the fall guy for whatever is sinister, and people use this to capitalize on the suspicion.

In international relations, the false flag formula always works as it is difficult to prove, and the real culprit will take a very simple step to cover his track. In local politics, is the covering of one’s track that simple? I doubt so as it is so easy to trace back to the very culprit if one has the resources. The PAP could easily take the rumour mongers to task and sue them for libel or intentional harassment. The inconvenient truth could easily be put right and should be put right for the good of the PAP. It should be in its interest to right the wrong, clear the wrong perception, and clear its name.

It must have its own reasons not to do so, not to want to do so and keeps everyone guessing. Or is there a need to guess? Is it wrong for the public to have such negative perception of the PAP? Is it fair for the public to regard the PAP as the devil to take all the blame? Whatever, the PAP has a perception problem and saboteurs could use this credibility gap to fly false flags with PAP ending up carrying it. The more bloggers are attacked, the more damage control needs to be done even if PAP is totally innocent. Cyber insurgency is proving to be a double edged sword and can cut either way.

What do you think?

A matter of value, a matter of life

Many countries retire their senior citizens at 55 or 60 or maybe 65 for them to live their lives in a more casual pace. Even communist countries do that. With or without pension, govt handouts, etc, life goes on.

In Sinkieland, the oldies are encouraged to continue to work as a healthy way of living, with or without pension or govt handouts. The oldies keep on working to 70, 80 or maybe more. This is seen as liberation, freedom from financial dependency, and a lot of dignity. The type of jobs does not matter. Some could be directors or chairman of corporations and sipping tea in board meetings, and be chauffeured around. Some of the oldies could be cleaning tables or picking cardboards off the streets. Both are equally financially independent. Not a burden to the state or their family members. Both equally dignified in their way of life, working and working to pass time.

What a life. It is a matter of value and a matter of what is a good life worth living and working for. We know what is good for the oldies and we know what the oldies want to do with their lives, to work with dignity.

Hongkong concerns over influx of tourists

‘A plan to allow millions more mainland Chinese to visit Hong Kong was delayed Friday as the southern city said it needed to consult with Beijing over its ability to cope with the influx.

Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying said his government would hold talks with the mainland authorities to discuss the "capacity of Hong Kong to receive these additional visitors".

"I have reflected the Hong Kong people's concerns to the central government and the central government views these concerns seriously," he said….’ Yahoo News

The Hongkies are not that enterprising afterall. Imagine if the tourists are coming to Sinkieland in the millions, we will be smiling in glee. Money coming in, growth, growth, growth. Better still if they take up PR. And even better still if they become citizens. We have so much land to build more expensive flats and Sinkies will also see the value of their flats appreciating even higher. Why can’t the Hongkies see the good stuff?

Sinkieland will soon surpass Hongkong in many things. Highest economic growth, population growth, property prices, density, freest economy, most dynamic nation, must oohm and parties, and most happenings. Sinkieland will be the place to be in, to be seen, to live and prosper, with unstoppable growth.

If Hongkong is afraid of the influx of the Chinese tourists, recommend Sinkieland to Beijing and earn a commission for it. Sinkies will be grateful for this.

Li Ka Shing buying more land in Sin

BusinessWeek, 28 Aug 2012

Billionaire Li Ka-shing’s Singapore property joint venture may seek more land in the city’s downtown to replicate its latest development that attracted global banks including Standard Chartered Plc and Macquarie Group Ltd

Should Sinkies greet this news with glee or with fear? Li Ka Shing is a shrewd businessman with great foresight, to see what and where there is a good deal. His intent to buy more land can be seen as a good sign that the future is good here. People selling land will be very happy to hear this news. But for land scarce Sin, what is it going to cost the locals and property prices, good for those wanting to sell and profit and bad for those needing a place.

Sinkieland can grow more land by reclamation, provide more yield by building higher and digging deeper. But if there is no restraint in foreign buying, there will be not enough land to meet the foreign demands, which are as good as the demands of the rich of the world.

The govt has to seriously relook at this issue of housing and land for its population and industry use. It is very tempting to keep selling at higher and higher prices. It looks so great to let property prices spiral up with all the property owners smiling and feeling so rich.

Come 50 or 60 years down the road when most HDB 99 year lease would be due for expiry and owners would need to buy new flats, what would be the prices then? By then they cannot sell to use the proceeds for a new flat with a small top up fee. The old flats would be worthless or at minimal value. Some could be saved through regular en bloc repurchase schemes, but when the bulk expires at about the same time, it is not going to be an easy thing to do. 900,000 units! 50% is going to be 450,000 units for en bloc and SERS.

The land and housing issue here is not the same as countries with big and near unlimited land relative to their population. Housing as a commodity for trading is dicey if not managed well.

Safe to go nuclear

There was a CNA programme last night on how safe to go nuclear in Southeast Asia. After an hour, the panel over came initial reservations and seemed quite agreeable to the idea that nuclear power is safe and necessary. Fossil fuel will just run out and countries wanting growth and growth and growth just have to rely on nuclear. All the concerns about radioactive fallouts were summarily dismissed. No 911 on any power plant is possible. You would need a nuclear bomb to blow up a nuclear power plant to really cause damage and widespread radiation.

In the Three Mile Island no one died. In Chernobyl, just about a hundred. In Fukushima no one died too, or maybe a handful. Nuclear power stations are safe. There are more people being killed on the road than by a nuclear accident.

The Chairman did try diplomatically to raise the concerns of expertise and discipline of the people manning the plant and also the inconsistency of governance with regular regime changes and change of leadership personalities. These were discussed but should not be an issue. The system of operating a nuclear power plant is so carefully and meticulously designed to take care of everything. Nothing will be allowed to go wrong.

Our SMRT was running perfectly for at least 20 years under the best governance and best trained personnel with all the safety and maintenance procedures observed. We know the story. Equipment ages, people slack, management oversight, over confidence and getting into a routine, could all contribute in their small little ways to build into a crisis.



All it needs is a confluence of little events. A poor quality cable, a technician having a bad day, a computer or system glitch, management having a hangover after a party, no one is assumed to be able to break into a highly secured installation.

When things want to go wrong, it will go wrong according to Murphy. Don’t believe in Murphy. Can a senior technician in the plant be converted by a cause, bought over or blackmailed? I think all eventualities have been thought through and taken care of. Even if Nature wants to take a pee or a fart would have gone into the equation to build a 100% safe plant.

The no choice option is the main thrust for nations going nuclear. They need the growth, and the power, not today, maybe tomorrow. The world’s population must grow for growth’s sake. It is 6 billion today and could go to 10 billion or 20 billion, for whatever reason, I dunno. But grow it must, for economic growth and prosperity. And consumption of all things, resources and energy must go on and on and on. Why there is a need to keep changing mobile phones and add new little games is a complex issue. Once whatever is consumed, next frontier, Mars.

Human beings will just grow and consume for the sake of growing and growing. There is no other option but to grow. And nuclear is the next alternative to support the growth that is needed, for what?

China and Russia : The Growing Alliance that won't be intimidated by US Global Aspirations.

China and Russia: The Growing Alliance That Won't Be Intimidated by America's Global Aspirations


The U.S. government lurches from one war to another and nothing really changes. After a succession of totally misguided wars with relatively small nations, none of which it has "won", the U.S. has now decided that China, a giant among all other nations, is to be its next target. The question is; Have those currently in charge of this government taken leave of their senses since China is the one nation on the face of the earth that, because of its economic and military power, will not be intimidated by the U.S?

The U.S. has made it known that it is proceeding with a new strategy by which to establish control of the Asia-Pacific region, including the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean. This is an area over which China has maintained a significant influence for many years; we might call it China's backyard. To think that China will allow the U.S. to move into this region and take control is delusional thinking. China will not accept such an encroachment into its territory without finding some way to oppose it and that could result in a very dangerous military confrontation.

At the same time that the U.S. is setting up this potential confrontation with China, it is also confronting Russia in several regions of the world. It continues to attempt to surround and suffocate Russia by erecting a missile defense system close to Russia's borders; it's known as the Strategic Defense Initiative, or "Star Wars", that President Reagan proposed in 1983. This system will never work because Russia has clearly warned that, if it ever nears completion, swift and powerful countermeasures will be taken to completely nullify its operational capabilities.

Anyone who thinks that Russia and China are powerless against the might of the U.S. military needs to think again. Both of these nations possess nuclear arsenals that could bring massive, unimaginable destruction to America should some ill-advised, out of control regional confrontation get completely out of hand. In reality, there are three superpowers in this world, not just one, and we better hope that it never, ever comes to such a horrific confrontation. But try to warn those bloodthirsty facilitators of war in our nation's capitol to back off and you will get absolutely nowhere.

While China and Russia can't currently be described as extremely close allies I see these two countries as allies of necessity. The more that they are threatened by U.S. militarism and expansion the more closely aligned they will become. In recent times the alliance between these two powers has been strengthening as both have significant interests in Iran, Syria and other parts of the Middle East, and they are not going to let America assume total power over this region.

Russia and China, obviously, still view the U.S. as a very formidable military power but one that is has already entered into an almost reversible state of decline. They see a nation that is literally spending itself into bankruptcy by using its dwindling wealth on perpetual war. They see a nation whose economy is tanking as the purchasing power of an increasingly unemployed workforce is being diluted. They are watching this rapid decline take place and they are well aware that all they have to do is to patiently wait and let America's military spending eventually force it into bankruptcy.

While China continues to rapidly grow its economy, America is doing exactly the opposite; it's selling out its manufacturing sector, piece by piece to China which, in turn, has been given free access to the world's largest consumer market. For every billion dollars that the corporations of America invest in Chinese labor for the manufacture and assembly of American consumer products, that's a billion that cannot be used to help revitalize the U.S. consumer-driven economy.

In this scenario it seems like the American government and the nation's business sector have completely opposite objectives. It makes no sense to be stirring up trouble and posing a threat to China, the nation that has become the prime manufacturer of U.S. consumer products. If this strategy of military aggressiveness leads to a situation that causes a massive disruption in the manufacture and distribution of products from China then the U.S. economy could take a crushing, devastating blow that would send this country into a recession of monumental proportions. That's because many thousands of America's former manufacturing facilities are non-existent and would be difficult to start up again.

China currently does not pose a direct military threat to America. It has not been engaged in wars and military confrontations across the regions of the world and it does not have a network of bases. Its actions show no indication that is has aspirations of becoming the next military empire. China is working with many nations to make agreements to acquire oil and other critical resources it needs to continue to maintain a strong economy; it invests billions in other nations to help them develop their resources; it has not used force to achieve its objectives.

China concentrates on its domestic needs and developing its manufacturing base and economy. And you know what? That's what America used to do decades ago, before it adopted its aggressive military agenda. That's not to say that China or Russia will never pose any threat to the U.S. Without a doubt, the U.S. must be very vigilant and maintain a strong military to deter any serious imminent threat; but it seems like this government has gone completely overboard in entering into the affairs of nations across the world, quite often with military force, when there is no rational, justifiable reason to do so.

China is using its rapidly increasing wealth, thanks to the generosity of U.S. corporations, not on a military empire but, rather, on building many new cities, airports, bullet trains and vastly improving its national infrastructure. As long as China shows no evidence of aggressive intentions, the U.S. government should not continue to antagonize and threaten it lest its government reaches a point where it will have had enough and it shifts its objectives toward a substantial buildup of its military and highly sophisticated weaponry. The last thing that we and the world need is another Cold War and arms race that benefits only the profit-crazed defense industry corporations.

So, in reality, what exactly is going on here? If China does not pose a distinct immediate threat to the security of America, then why has it become the next target for Washington's hegemony? If we dig a little deeper into the mindset of those who lead this nation we will find that the threat that China poses for the U.S. is that it, in the near future, will become the world's #1 economic power; and that fact does not sit well with this government. But this is a dilemma that the government itself has allowed to develop over the past several decades as it has, basically, looked the other way as Corporate America has sold this nation's manufacturing industry to China.

Beneath the surface there is something else, something very troubling that may be fueling this hubristic agenda. Perhaps we can explain it this way; it's becoming quite evident that many of those in this government who have, for the past several decades operated the levers of war are at least borderline, if not full-blown, paranoid schizophrenics; those whose symptoms include "extreme anxiety, exaggerated suspiciousness, aggressiveness, anger, argumentativeness, and hostility, which may lead to violence." This overly aggressive, often uncontrollable demeanor, characterized by a pronounced obsession with the proliferation of war can in no way be judged as normal human behavior.

While it's rarely if ever discussed in any of the media, Washington is largely controlled by bureaucrats who have, for many years, operated at the highest levels of this government and who are dedicated to the expansion of this nation's military outreach across the world. They are an integral part of the Military-Industrial Complex. Therefore, in reality, no matter who becomes president, the direction of this nation will remain in the hands of these embedded individuals who possess the reigning, absolute power.

We the people of this nation are living in what has to be termed one of the most radicalized, dangerous times in its history. Those at the highest levels of leadership of this country, from the government to the masters of Corporatism, with very few exceptions, seem to have lost the ability to judge right from wrong;   rational thinking, and judgments based on a sense of morality have no place in the decision-making of those who worship the gods of war and profit.


The people of America must not allow this government to continue to try to dominate the nations of the world; that has not worked and will not work except to lead this nation further down the road to a financial implosion. The people of America must think deeply to somehow, some way determine the ways by which to remove these disciples of war, that are so obsessed with military power, from this government. They must no longer be allowed to continue their agenda of hubris and empire building that threatens the future of our nation.

The hand of reason and logic has been replaced by the fist of military power and, unless that condition is reversed, it will be the eventual undoing of this nation; one that will have squandered it's potential for greatness.




Michael Payne is an independent progressive activist. His articles concentrate on social, economic and political matters as well as American foreign policy. He is a U.S. Army veteran and a graduate of Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. His (more...)






 

Scream by Mother Nature

Darkness, this is Mother Nature's version of The Scream: ) This piece is done differently. Every stroke of paint is made by a koi fish. Look carefully and you can see the koi.

Tree of Life (reversed)

A different angle to look at the Tree of Life.

Nuclear power dream or nightmare?

Anyone remembers the report on Malaysia’s plan for nuclear power plants in the ST recently? It seems that among the gungho Asean countries, those thinking too big with their swollen heads and those who think they need to keep growing their populations to achieve economic growth at all cost, there is no other option than nuclear. Oil is going too be too expensive in times to come and the growing demand for more energy with bigger population and bigger appetite means nuclear and nothing else.

What is so beautiful about the Malaysian nuclear plan is the location of their nuclear power plants, one near Penang and one near Sinkieland. Obviously these have nothing to do with the concentration of Chinese population in Penang, Sinkieland and Southern Johore. The main reason for the choice of locations is simply to get them as far away from KL as possible. A nuclear mishap is going to neutralise a sizable area for a long time as can be seen in Fukushima , Chernobyl and Three Mile Island in the US. And the heroes who are brave enough to resettle in the radioactive zone must be praying to have godzilla or ultraman as their offsprings.

Sinkieland is equally deadset on the nuclear option I think. What to do when population growth is a must or cannot be slowed down without affecting economic growth? They must be planning for 10m or 20m population in the future and are seriously investing in research and development of nuclear plants here. And the snake oil sellers would never tell you the whole truth about the risk involved. Even a 0.0001% risk is too high a risk in the context of Sinkieland. We can never think of locating our nuclear plants in KL or Penang for sure. So how far and how safe would it be in Tuas, Changi or Tekong?

If the nuclear madness becomes a reality, one can safely predict that sometime in 2050, 2150 or 2250 Sinkieland could be a declared nuclear hazard zone with no inhabitants. Mathematically the numbers generated must still look good and safe and the snake oil sellers must still be mesmerising their listeners on how safe nuclear plants are in this piece of rock. Technology is so advanced that nuclear power stations are absolutely safe. Have no fear. So lucky that we would not be around to say I told you so or to face the consequences.

Early Autumn

A piece of rar art painted by Mother Nature.

Imposing West's will on China goes against global norms

Updated: 2012-09-01 07:59

By Guo Jiping ( China Daily)

China's continuous gains in strength have fanned the flames of envy, misgiving and even horror among certain Westerners, leading some to slander Beijing's development, squeeze its strategic space and challenge its main interests.
China's fast economic development over the past 30-odd years has not prevented the spread of empty talk about subjects such as "China's collapse", "China's responsibility" and "China's expansion". The country's rapid gain in international influence has been accompanied by a so-called alliance of values, the "return to the Asia-Pacific" strategy and similar Western initiatives.
Certain Westerners are always trying to contend that China's achievements are the "products of a distorted political system". Even Chinese athletes who excelled in the just-concluded London Olympics have seen their praiseworthy performances come under the harsh light of such criticism.
China has consistently walked the road of peaceful development and held high the banner of cooperation. As early as in the 1970s, the late leader Deng Xiaoping, the architect of China's reform and opening-up, solemnly vowed at a United Nations assembly that China will never seek hegemony. The ideals of peace and harmony are upheld in China's millennium-old traditional culture and are rooted deeply in the hearts and minds of the Chinese people.
A country can forge a suitable path for development only by conducting explorations in accordance with its national conditions, instead of by simply following other countries' methods. The Chinese people find no fault in the road Western countries have taken and only ask that the road they have chosen be accorded the same sort of respect. Common sense dictates that the only fit judges of a country's path of development are the people of that country themselves.
The Chinese are satisfied with the direction development has taken them. According to a poll conducted by the Pew Research Center, they are now more satisfied with their prevailing path of development and government than many other peoples in the world are with theirs.
Western countries, in one moment, accuse China of hampering the entry of foreign companies into its market and then, in the next, conjure up various pretexts to sabotage plans to liberalize trade and investment.
The Chinese government places a priority on protecting intellectual property rights, knowing well that they pertain to the openness of the country's economy. In the decades since China's reform and opening-up, the country has never slackened its efforts to safeguard such rights and has continuously worked to perfect its legal system.
China has also taken measures to coordinate global work related to energy conservation and climate change. China is committed to being able to say by 2020 that it is emitting 40 percent to 45 percent less carbon dioxide for each unit of its gross domestic product than it was in 2005, and to having 15 percent of its primary energy come from renewable, nuclear and other non-fossil sources of energy.
Despite all of this, some Westerners seem to be willfully ignoring China's unremitting work to meet international accords. Disregarding China's low amount of energy use per capita and low emissions of carbon dioxide per capita, and its efforts to conserve energy and reduce emissions, they try to place the entire blame for global warming on China.
Yet they cannot ignore that China's remarkable achievements over the past 30 years have shaken the "moral code" Western countries have attempted to use to rule the world. China's success once again proves that there is no one-size-fits-all method for ensuring a country's development.
China will unwaveringly travel a development road that merely suits its national conditions and is in no way intended to promote "ideological competition". At the same time, China will not tolerate attempts to squeeze its development space and disturb its development process.
With the quickening pace of globalization, China and Western countries should cooperate more with each other in complementary ways. This will not only bring strength to their development, but also improve international relations and make bigger contributions to world peace and prosperity.
To this end, China and Western countries should try to resolve their disputes in a prudent manner as part of efforts to strengthen mutual trust and reduce misunderstanding and misgivings.
At the moment, China's priorities are in finding better ways to handle the country's domestic affairs, achieve development and make further progress along a socialist road with Chinese characteristics.
The author is a commentator at People's Daily and this article was first carried in that newspaper.

(China Daily 09/01/2012 page5)

Assault on the dull Sinkie mind

Unknowingly, unthinkingly, the Sinkies have been under constant and repetitive attacks on their ability and confidence. Today, many Sinkies did not have a sense of well being and self worth. They lack confidence and cower in the presence of foreign talents, even those from the third world countries and working under some with dubious or maybe even fake credentials. This sickness has transcended the country and if not arrested, Sinkies will turn themselves into third world people in their first world home. The half baked foreigners are acting smug and holding the Sinkies in contempt behind their backs.

The Sinkies have been told that they are daft, lazy, uninspiring, lack creativity, no drive, unproductive. They are even told that they are irresponsible with their money and would gamble them away. But it is alright for others to gamble with their money and lose them in the billions.

And a simple thing like building homes for the people, with all the money and resources they could not do it well. By not building, they created a big shortage to impose all kinds of silly rules to tell the daft Sinkies why they have to wait for years to get their flats. And many were excluded from buying on the excuse that they would deprive those who needed more from getting their flats. Of course daft Sinkies believe in the stories and started attacking one another for depriving others the chance of getting their flats.

On the other hand, foreigners were praised as the talents that are here to help the daft Sinkies. Without the foreign talents the daft Sinkies would not be able to have a better life. While we are a top financial centre, we claimed that we have no finance talents and have to go to small towns that have medieval little banking systems to recruit their finance talents to run our world class banks. We are one of the most highly wired and computerised city but our IT talents are all kaput, or no talent. Again we go to small little towns to hire their IT talents with many haven’t even hold a laptop or an android phone in their hands.

Maybe it is true. Sinlieland is what it is today because of the smart foreigners. Sinkies are only good as taxi drivers and cleaners. Sinkies were sleeping when the city developed into a world class city with the help of foreigners who could not help their own countries to progress. More reasons to thank them for contributing their talents to help Sinkieland than their own home countries. Big sacrifice really. Sinkieland is what it is today without the contribution of daft Sinkies.

The latest barrage against the Sinkies is that they are anti foreigners. And the message is being drummed in, with the media reinforcing the accusation. Sinkies are xenophobic. How many foreigners were attacked or beaten by Sinkies or the reverse? Is there a coordinated campaign to undermine the confidence of Sinkies?

Who is leading the attack on Sinkies to make them dull and daft and to feel inferior and inadequate to the foreigners from third world countries that came from third grade schools and universities while we boast of world class universities? Or our universities were built to train foreigners instead. That may be the reason why Sinkies are so untalented, and sooo lack of talent and needed to be replaced and helped by foreign talents.

Sinkies must look at the mirror and ask themselves, are they really that daft and easily branded by any tag. If they are not, what are they going to do about it? What do you think?

North Korea offering the olive branch

With the young Kim Jong Un in charge, changes are starting to take place in North Korea. So far the indicators are quite positive. He is coming on as a livelier and down to earth person, more open and easy going. There is a high and good possibility that the North Koreans would adopt the Chinese model of economic growth by opening up, like Myanmar. They have made trips to China for more talks and fact finding missions.

The latest and most promising sign is to open discussion with Japan, likely to be for aids and economic cooperation. It would be a good opportunity for Japan to open up and engage the North Koreans, extend whatever economic assistance they could to help the North Koreans to become wealthier, seeing more promises and hopes of a better life. A rich and prosperous North Korea is likely to be friendlier and less confrontational and could be an active member of the world community. It is to Japan and the South Korea’s interest to integrate the North Koreans into the world system with economic growth and less military provocations.

Japan could go one step further, as just economic growth is not enough. The centuries of historical debt, particularly of land grabs must be settled as soon as possible. Japan could stand out as the country that is genuine to bury the past by unilaterally announcing the return of all islands taken from its neighbours during its colonial days. Such a gesture will be greatly welcomed by its neighbours, and the world will see Japan in a very positive light. It will also remove forever the torn of nationalism and historical antagonism that could erupt and undermine the good relations built over the years. War is no longer an option today and the earlier the root for future wars be killed and cleared, the better for all the countries in the region. Holding on to war loots is untenable and will need to be addressed and return at some point in time.

Would Japan seize the moment and rise above selfish individual and national pride to ride this new wave of economic cooperation with its neighbours? Or would Japan arrogantly and stubbornly want to hold on to the islands it grabbed from its neighbours and eventually rekindle a bitter war of mutual self destruction? Is it worth clinging onto other people’s islands?