Posts
…was someone to behold as he tore into the Republicans and the Democrats who support those tax cuts for the rich. You should take the time to listen to the Senators rants,and learn something while you are at it.
Be INFORMED
Friday, December 10, 2010
Friday Funnies
Time for the weekly dose of the “Friday Funnies,” complete with shots of the latest funny bumper stickers which grace the rear ends of your automobiles. Of course,I am also including the best of the “Late Night” comedians.
Part-time Governor Sarah Palin shot and killed a reindeer on last week’s TV show. And that was her Christmas special. Took her three shots. Well, she’s rusty. Last thing she brought down was John McCain." –David Letterman
"So it’s Bush tax cuts for two more years, and then it’ll be up to President Palin." –David Letterman
"A new study found that American schoolchildren rank 25th in math, 17th in science, and 14th in reading which, according to my calculations, means we're in third place. We're still leading in P.E., recess, and shop." –Jimmy Kimmel
"According to a report, the worst drivers in the country are in Washington, D.C. Republicans can only turn right, Democrats can only turn left, and Obama is weaving all over the place." –Jay Leno
Tea Party Favorite All From PoliticalHumor
Thursday, December 09, 2010
Did The Bush Tax Cuts Create Any Jobs?
You and I know that those tax cuts did not create any meaningful jobs as was advertised. The Republicans also know this,but they keep getting away with this message because the understand that most Americans are stuck on stupid. The Republican Party counts on the “Jerry Springer” crowd to help keep their agenda going. You don’t like that statement? Well then! I urge you to take a look at our last mid-term elections.
With those tax cuts in mind, I bring you this.
Did tax cuts to the rich create jobs in this country?
by icebergslim Thu Dec 09, 2010
This is a fair and direct question.
The reason I am asking it is because the negotiated tax plan from the White House with the Republicans touts it will create jobs.
My thing is this, "The millionaires and billionaires have had this tax cut for 10 years, where are the jobs?"
This is a valid question because does anyone believe that continuing this tax cut will create jobs in this country?
We are knocking on the door of 10% unemployment in this country and I don't see any relief of these numbers, anytime soon. In fact, we need to create over 200K jobs a MONTH to catch up with inflation and the unemployment rate to off set it and we are talking about 200K a month for close to 2 years.
Look, the reality is this; all of this is a set up to marginalize President Obama further, along with the Democrats. If you don't believe it, watch the ratcheting up for the next year from the GOP. Watch about the continued lack of leadership, weakness from this president meme. And the GOP has been stating this about him WAYYYY before Democrats got frustrated and started saying this publicly.
This dog and pony show will continue, it will not slow down or stop. Every time President Obama wants something, he will be forced to cave to the Republican agenda. Pushing these rich folk tax cuts is just kicking the can down the road and empowering, proving the point to the Republicans. The Republicans believe they can defeat Obama in 2012, control the congress again, and make these tax cuts permanent. The Republicans don't believe this economy will turn around anytime soon, the fact of the matter is that we don't have enough jobs to employ folk in this country.
The next act from the Republicans will be the call to PAY FOR THIS SHIT. And guess what they will trot out? Social Security and Medicare cuts. The GOP will continue to whine that these programs will bankrupt this country and must be overhauled. Along with this disastrous meme, will be the reminder to President Obama that he is for "Pay Go". Remember, words do matter and he did say he supported it. This will put President Obama in another box. And you think folks are angry at rich folk tax cuts, watch your Grandmother go off when she witness President Obama state, "..cuts in payment to social security must be done to save this country."
It will be a sham.
Why a sham? Because the Republican Party is the party of spend, spend, and spend. They spent us into the ground under George W. Bush, but spent the money on what they felt is best for themselves and their rich buddies. That is how it went down. When the Democrats came in power, we get shamed on the deficit and it must be under control, programs must be cut. This bullshit is the biggest sham of all because we are spending fake money now to pass this tax cut and if the deficit was so damn important, WE WOULD NOT BE TALKING ABOUT THIS. Personally, I don't know if this tax cut deal will pass or not. But I do know that President Obama will become a mockery if it does.
Finally, from TomP's diary a comment from lisastar:
caller on Ed's show yesterday (7+ / 0-)
an international flight attendant reporting on what she overhears from US CEOs on her flights. It's all about opening new factories overseas and buying second homes in the 3rd world country of choice to make it easier to commute.
Another caller in the import business said: Trickle down economics works great to create jobs - JOBS OVERSEAS. The wealthy are investing alright, just not in America.
Screw the president's bill.
That is the real point here (and I heard the same caller on Ed's radio show). Until any President have the fortitude to revamp trade agreements to China, India, Brazil, etc., this argument will continue to go in circles. This country is feeling the affects of a poor NAFTA agreement and bad trade agreements resulting in CEO's of this country opening up their manufacturing plants abroad to the tune of 1.00 an hour for personnel with no benefits. This country can not compete with that and to be brutally honest, it won't change. President Obama can say whatever he wants, but the real banker that we owe is China and those floodgates of their bad gear, food is not going to stop coming into this country anytime soon.
That is the dilemma about jobs in this country and why we will be sitting on high unemployment for a very long time. Tax cuts to the rich are not going to create any jobs and if you believe that, then a cup of reality is much needed.
Technorati Tags: Bush Tax Cuts,Wealthy Tax Cuts,Barack Obama,NAFTA,Employment,Jobs,The Economy,DailyKos
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Obama’s Tax Cut Deal
Keith Olbermann gave a blistering comment on President Obama’s handout to the rich.
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
President Obama Gets Middle Class Crumbs…
….from the Republicans and their wealthy,corporate masters,for giving them an extra tax cut. so folks, there’s another big chunk of change that the government will have to do without. $700 billion in tax cuts for the rich and infamous! What a fucking joke this party of Democrats have turned into over the past 2 years. I think that maybe they should all seek some kind of counseling since they all appear to be one massive group of mentally deficient jack-asses.
Mr. Obama is giving a news conference at the moment talking about how the tax cuts will be up for another vote in a few years and that maybe then those cuts for the rich will be done away with. WTF? In a few years the Republicans will have not only the House, but they will also have the Senate and possibly the White House. Does anyone really think that the Republicans are even going to think about dropping those cuts for the wealthy once they have even more control of the government? I think not.
So folks, look for our employment rate to begin going down in the near future,and for more citizens to end up on the unemployment line. Cuts for the rich will help create jobs? Didn’t work under Reagan,nor under George Bush Jr.,and it will not work this time around either.
This may be the first time in a long time that the United States economy will not improve under a Democratic President. Same thing may happen to Wall Street. It’s doing okay now, but Obama has 2 more years to help make it tank even though business has posted record profits. With all of those profits we should have had a pretty good increase in jobs for the workers looking for them.
President Obama is right on track to become a one trick pony,and that trick (health care reform) was half assed.
Monday, December 06, 2010
WikiLeaks Site Mirrors
Oh yes, the United States government and many others around the world are still attempting to keep WikiLeaks off of the internet because of those damned embassy cables that the site posted online.
I am happy to say that those government efforts are not going so well,as many other site online have taken to mirroring the WikiLeaks site. Good for them.
You still want to keep up with the cables? Great, then go check out SaveWikiLeaks.Net to view those cables.
Sunday, December 05, 2010
President Obama’s Problem
Not only has President Obama lied to those of us who went out and raised lots of cash for his campaign for the office which he now occupies, but the man has also shown his supporters that he is also a wimp when it comes to governing the United States. Not only is this an Obama problem,it is a problem that the Democrats have in general. A spineless group of folks who cannot stand up for what they are supposed to believe in,and they are certainly not standing up for the average joe when it comes to the major issues of importance to you and I.
Let’s take those Bush tax cuts for an example. Our president has been busting his ass in order to gain a compromise with the Republicans over the cuts for those making $250,000 a year or more. The problem with Obama and his compromise is that overall, 50 percent of those surveyed say that they only want the tax cuts extended to those making less than $250,000 a year.
So, is Obama just flat out not listening to the American people or is he just inept,or is he now also on the take? He is,after all,one of those who would benefit from those Bush tax cuts.
Frank Rich got it right in his editorial in the N.Y.Times on Sunday regarding Obama’s White House meeting with his hostage takers from across the aisle.
Hardly had this staged effusion of happy talk been disseminated than we learned of Mitch McConnell’s letter vowing to hold not just the president but the entire government hostage by blocking all legislation until the Bush-era tax cuts were extended for the top 2 percent of American households.
The captors will win this battle, if they haven’t already by the time you read this, because Obama has seemingly surrendered his once-considerable abilities to act, decide or think.
Maybe Obama should shut his so-called advisors up and learn to think for himself once again. Then again,maybe it is to late.
Saturday, December 04, 2010
Tax Cuts: Let The Republicans Eat Crow
Let ALL the tax cuts expire and hang it on the GOP
by Walt starr @DailyKos Sat Dec 04, 2010
The answer is simple. The votes have been taken. Let the debate end there.
All of the tax cuts expire on January 31 because Republicans are unwilling to compromise.
The GOP has handed the Democrats the single best talking point ever handed to them, and they gave it up on a silver platter.
The Republicans did not vote for tax cuts.
Fine, let them be the anti-tax cut party. It's how they voted, now let them reap the consequences of their actions.
The Democrats control the Senate and control the agenda. There's no need to ever let tax cuts for the rich make it to the floor of the Senate. No tax cuts for the rich ever need get out of any committee.
This is the single best winning issue the Democrats could have.
So let them all expire and let the blame sit where it belongs, with every Senator who voted "NO" to extending any tax cuts.
Senate Votes On Bush Tax Cuts…
…and I should note that this was the first vote on the measure to extend that extra gift to the wealthy.
DailyKos (edited)
Nothing really reflects the absurdity of this debate better than this exchange from the morning's debate between Senators Schumer and Grassley. The Dems argue on facts, the Republicans argue nonsense, and will win the day. On behalf of billionaires. Against the rest of the country.
Mr. Schumer: I thank my colleague. And through the chair, I'd simply like to ask my colleague this. I understand we have a different point of view here. We both care about deficit reduction. Could he please explain to me why it is okay to take $300 billion of tax cuts for those at the highest income levels, above a million, and not pay for it and yet we have to pay for unemployment insurance ex extension?
Mr. Grassley: I thought I made that point very clear, because the taxpayers are smarter than we in Congress are. They know that they give another dollar to us to spend and it's a license to spend $1.15. So it just increases the national debt. And when it comes to paying for unemployment compensation, we can pay for unemployment compensation because the stimulus bill was supposed to stimulate the economy and it's not being spent. And if you put money from stimulus into unemployment, you don't increase the deficit and you'll also have the money spent right away.
Mr. Schumer: I would just say that the answer doesn't deal with deficit reduction. If you care about deficit reduction, the two should be treated equally. A dollar of tax break for millionaire and a dollar of increased unemployment benefits increases the deficit the same amount. However, every economist -- I saw we had a chart up about economists before -- will tell you that a dollar into unemployment benefits stimulates the economy about four times as much as a dollar into tax decreases for millionaires. That's pretty universal. Mark Zandy, John McCain's economic advisor during his campaign, said that a dollar of tax breaks for millionaires stimulates the economy about 30 cents worth. A dollar of tax -- a dollar of unemployment benefits increases the economy by about $1.62.
The fact that Republicans will be able to obstruct the Dem package today does not change any of the facts that extending the tax cuts for millionaires will continue to cost the country, dearly. Maybe instead of negotiating with the
terroristsSenate Republicans, it's time for President Obama to start talking about the veto pen.The first vote is happening now. For the highlights of the debate, check out the liveblog.
Update: Ok, then. As of now, Senators Feingold, Webb, Ben Nelson, Manchin, and Lieberman vote with the GOP on the first vote. That really helps. Presumably, Feingold did it because he doesn't want any of the cuts to be extended. Fails 53-36.
Update 2: We now know what the definition of "middle class" is for Senators Manchin, Ben Nelson, and Webb--$1 million in income. They all voted yes on the Schumer amendment. There were more no votes among Dems on this one--Feingold, Rockefeller, Harkin, and Durbin voted against it, as did Lieberman. Fails 53-37.
It's not clear at the moment what happens next with the tax cuts. Presumably, negotiations continue.
And in other business. Reid says that there will be cloture votes on DREAM Act, 911 firefighter health, firefighter collective bargaining and $250 cola for seniors on Wednesday.
Friday, December 03, 2010
Employment Stats For November 2010…
….are not as good as expected,but still,it does look better than has been previously. The economy is chugging along, just at a slower pace than we would like.
The unemployment rate edged up to 9.8 percent in November, and nonfarm payroll
employment was little changed (+39,000).
The number of unemployed persons was 15.1 million in November. The unemployment
rate edged up to 9.8 percent; it was 9.6 percent in each of the prior 3 months.
Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for adult men (10.0 per-
cent), adult women (8.4 percent), whites (8.9 percent), and Hispanics (13.2 per-
cent) edged up in November. The jobless rate for blacks (16.0 percent) showed
little change over the month, while the rate for teenagers declined to 24.6 per-
cent. The jobless rate for Asians was 7.6 percent, not seasonally adjusted.
Among the unemployed, the number of job losers and persons who completed tempor-
ary jobs rose by 390,000 to 9.5 million in November. The number of long-term un-
employed (those jobless for 27 weeks and over) was little changed at 6.3 million
and accounted for 41.9 percent of the unemployed.
The civilian labor force participation rate held at 64.5 percent in November, and
the employment-population ratio was essentially unchanged at 58.2 percent
WikiLeaks Switches To Swiss Domain..
…after being taken off of the servers of their host,EveryDNS. The hosting site say that WikiLeaks was disrupting service after suffering quit a few denial of service attacks coming from unknown sources. The new address:WikiLeaks.ch
Thursday, December 02, 2010
United Kingdom Covered Bush Administrations Investigation Over Iraq War…
…which is really no big surprise,is it?
Here is another embassy cable by way of WikiLeaks.
¶9. (S/NF) Day opined that “mobilizing” NATO allies after General McChrystal released the results of his review would be “very difficult.” “Our message” to the U.S. is “bear with us... we will continue to work closely with you,” Day said. He pledged to work closely with the U.S. on the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) and National Posture Review (NPR) as well as on the UK’s Strategic Defense Review. In regard to the UK review, Day observed that he had worked on the last review in 1997-98, and he bemoaned the lack of institutional memory within HMG regarding the review process.
¶10. (S/NF) Day also promised that the UK had “put measures in place to protect your interests” during the UK inquiry into the causes of the Iraq war. He noted that Iraq seems no longer to be a major issue in the U.S., but he said it would become a big issue -- a “feeding frenzy” -- in the UK “when the inquiry takes off.”
Hey Democrats: If You Extend Those Tax Cuts For The Wealthy…
….the elections in 2012 will be a bloodbath for your party. Did you group of morons not learn anything from the 2010 mid-terms?
Stop being a bunch of pussies,and grow some balls for once. The wealthy in this country do not need an “extra” tax cut which serves only to increase the size of their bank accounts and stock portfolios.
Get a grip!
Pakistan:Embassy Cables
Thursday, 16 October 2008, 10:16 C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 001541 SIPDIS EO 12958 DECL: 10/15/2018 TAGS PREL, PTER, SA, PK SUBJECT: PAKISTANI RELATIONS WITH SAUDIS “STRAINED” REF: A. (A) ISLAMABAD 3249 B. (B) RIYADH 1510 C. (C) RIYADH 1175 D. (D) ISLAMABAD 2405 Classified By: CDA David Rundell, reasons 1.4 b & d. ¶1. (C) SAUDIS UNHAPPY WITH ZARDARI: Echoing Pakistani interlocutors in Washington and Islamabad, in an introductory call with PolCouns, Pakistani DCM Sarfraz Khanzada (protect) characterized Saudi-Pakistani relations as “under strain.” This was due, he said, to a lack of Saudi confidence in the Zardari government. He cited a sharp reduction in Saudi financial assistance to Pakistan, and said that the Saudis had not provided “a single drop” of oil at the concessionary terms promised last year (refs c & d). Instead, during 2008, the Saudis had provided assistance in the form of a single $300 million check, considerably less than in previous years, but “beggars can’t be choosers,” he lamented. Khanzada opined that the Saudi government appeared to be “waiting for the Zardari government to fall.” ¶2. (C) NAWAS FAVORED: Khanzada said the Pakistanis are convinced that Saudi King Abdallah would prefer to see Pakistan run by former PM Nawas Sharif, and were cutting back assistance to Pakistan to hasten this eventuality. Nawas “practically lives” in Saudi Arabia, Khanzada declared, claiming that Nawas had even been favored with reserved prayer space in the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. Because Nawas’ daughter is married to a grandson of King Fahd, he has “become a member of the Saudi royal family.” (Comment: Embassy is not able to confirm whether this is true. End comment.) ¶3. (C) AFGHAN MEDIATION: Khanzada claimed that the Pakistani government was not directly informed about the Saudi Afghan mediation effort, though they suspected that Nawas had been present, since he was in Mecca at the same time. While the Pakistani government did not oppose such talks in principle, they believe they have little chance of succeeding without U.S. and Pakistani participation. ¶4. (C) COMMENT: Khanzada’s remarks track with reporting from Islamabad and Washington regarding Pakistani concerns about deteriorating relations with the Saudis. While our Saudi interlocutors tend to be less forthcoming, they’ve made no secret of their reservations regarding Asif Zardari. Nevertheless, officials continue to insist that Saudi Arabia supports efforts to stabilize Pakistan, and we expect that Saudi officials will participate in the next round of meetings of the Friends of Pakistan. End comment. RUNDELL
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Comcast Vs. Netflix: Don’t Let This Happen
Level3 Communications (Netflix partner) has come out and accused Comcast of raising the rate which Netflix pays to the cable company in order to have Netflix movies carried on the companies service, and putting internet video carriers at an un-fair disadvantage.
What happens is that basically Netflix would have to raise their rates to customers while outfits like Comcast can then charge a cheaper rate to customers who would use Comcast’s own video service. This should not be allowed to happen,and you can help do something about it.
Go HERE and sign this petition to let FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski know that this is not a good thing to let pass.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Embassy Cable Leaks In Torrent Files.. UPDATE
…which I guess have been posted to the net this way because the WikiLeaks site has been very difficult to access due either to the traffic that these cables are generating or the site is being jammed up by our government.
The two links below will get you the files if you are interested in them. They are “torrent” files so you will need something like Vuze in order to download them. This software is my favorite and it is used everyday with no problems. It is also Windows 7 compatible.
Direct Link (working)
From PirateBay:
1 cablegate.wikileaks.org_2010-11-28_220_total.zip
2 WikiLeaks 2010 Embassy Cable Leaks - Fast!
WikiLeaks: Iranian Psychology
As we all know by now, WikiLeaks has released a treasure trove of documents/cables which where sent to and from our embassies and other U.S. locations all around the world.
I just happened to be browsing through a cable which concerned some negotiations with Iraq. The cable dealt more with what the U.S. Embassy personnel thought of the way that the Iranians handle such matters and the mind view of Persians in general. Interesting reading at times. This cable was from the embassy in Tehran to the Secretary of State.
R 130458Z AUG 79
FM AMEMBASSY TEHRAN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 3182
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEHRAN 08980
E.O. 12065: GDS 8/12/85 (TOMSETH, VICTOR L.) OR-P
TAGS: PEPR IR
SUBJECT: NEGOTIATIONS
¶1. (C - ENTIRE TEXT).
¶2. INTRODUCTION: RECENT NEGOTIATIONS IN WHICH THE
EMBASSY HAS BEEN INVOLVED HERE, RANGING FROM COMPOUND
SECURITY TO VISA OPERATIONS TO GTE TO THE SHERRY CASE,
HIGHLIGHT SEVERAL SPECIAL FEATURES OF CONDUCTING
BUSINESS IN THE PERSIAN ENVIRONMENT. IN SOME INSTANCES
THE DIFFICULTIES WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED ARE A PARTIAL
REFLECTION ON THE EFFECTS OF THE IRANIAN REVOLUTION,
BUT WE BELIEVE THE UNDERLYING CULTURAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL
QUALITIES THAT ACCOUNT FOR THE NATURE OF THESE DIFFICULTIES
ARE AND WILL REMAIN RELATIVELY CONSTANT. THEREFORE,
WE SUGGEST THAT THE FOLLOWING ANALYSIS BE USED TO BRIEF
BOTH USG PERSONNEL AND PRIVATE SECTOR REPRESENTATIVES
WHO ARE REQUIRED TO DO BUSINESS WITH AND IN THIS
COUNTRY. END INTRODUCTION.
¶3. PERHAPS THE SINGLE DOMINANT ASPECT OF THE PERSIAN
PSYCHE IS AN OVERRIDING EGOISM. ITS ANTECEDENTS LIE
IN THE LONG IRANIAN HISTORY OF INSTABILITY AND INSECURITY
WHICH PUT A PREMIUM ON SELF-PRESERVATION. THE PRACTICAL
EFFECT OF IT IS AN ALMOST TOTAL PERSIAN PREOCCUPATION
WITH SELF AND LEAVES LITTLE ROOM FOR UNDERSTANDING POINTS
OF VIEW OTHER THAN ONE'S OWN. THUS, FOR EXAMPLE, IT
IS INCOMPREHENSIBLE TO AN IRANIAN THAT U.S. IMMIGRATION
LAW MAY PROHIBIT ISSUING HIM A TOURIST VISA WHEN HE HAS
DETERMINED THAT HE WANTS TO LIVE IN CALIFORNIA.
SIMILARLY, THE IRANIAN CENTRAL BANK SEES NO INCONSISTENCY
IN CLAIMING FORCE MAJEURE TO AVOID PENALTIES FOR LATE
PAYMENT OF INTEREST DUE ON OUTSTANDING LOANS WHILE THE
GOVERNMENT OF WHICH IT IS A PART IS DENYING THE VAILIDITY
OF THE VERY GROUNDS UPON WHICH THE CLAIM IS MADE WHEN
CONFRONTED BY SIMILAR CLAIMS FROM FOREIGN FIRMS FORCED
TO CEASE OPERATIONS DURING THE IRANIAN REVOLUTION.
¶4. THE REVERSE OF THIS PARTICULAR PSYCHOLOGICAL COIN,
AND HAVING THE SAME HISTORICAL ROOTS AS PERSIAN EGOISM,
IS A PERVASIVE UNEASE ABOUT THE NATURE OF THE WORLD IN
WHICH ONE LIVES. THE PERSIAN EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN THAT
NOTHING IS PERMANENT AND IT IS COMMONLY PERCEIVED THAT
HOSTILE FORCES ABOUND. IN SUCH AN ENVIRONMENT EACH
INDIVIDUAL MUST BE CONSTANTLY ALERT FOR OPPORTUNITIES
TO PROTECT HIMSELF AGAINST THE MALEVOLENT FORCES THAT
WOULD OTHERWISE BE HIS UNDOING. HE IS OBVIOUSLY
JUSTIFIED IN USING ALMOST ANY MEANS AVAILABLE TO EXPLOIT
SUCH OPPORTUNITIES. THIS APPROACH UNDERLIES THE SOCALLED
"BAZAAR MENTALITY" SO COMMON AMONG PERSIANS, A
MIND-SET THAT OFTEN IGNORES LONGER TERM INTERESTS IN
FAVOR OF IMMEDIATELY OBTAINABLE ADVANTAGES AND COUNTENANCES
PRACTICES THAT ARE REGARDED AS UNETHICAL BY OTHER
NORMS. AN EXAMPLE IS THE SEEMINGLY SHORTSIGHTED AND
HARASSING TACTICS EMPLOYED BY THE PGOI IN ITS NEGOTIATIONS
WITH GTE.
¶5. COUPLED WITH THESE PSYCHOLOGICAL LIMITATIONS IS A
GENERAL INCOMPREHENSION OF CASUALITY. ISLAM, WITH ITS
EMPHASIS ON THE OMNIPOTENCE OF GOD, APPEARS TO ACCOUNT
AT LEAST IN MAJOR PART FOR THIS PHENOMENON. SOMEWHAT
SURPRISINGLY, EVEN THOSE IRANIANS EDUCATED IN THE
WESTERN STYLE AND PERHAPS WITH LONG EXPERIENCE OUTSIDE
IRAN ITSELF FREQUENTLY HAVE DIFFICULTY GRASPING THE
INTER-RELATIONSHIP OF EVENTS. WITNESS A YAZDI RESISTING
THE IDEA THAT IRANIAN BEHAVIOR HAS CONSEQUENCES ON THE
PERCEPTION OF IRAN IN THE U.S. OR THAT THIS PERCEPTION
IS SOMEHOW RELATED TO AMERICAN POLICIES REGARDING
IRAN. THIS SAME QUALITY ALSO HELPS EXPLAIN PERSIAN
AVERSION TO ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY FOR ONE'S OWN
ACTIONS. THE DEUS EX MACHINA IS ALWAYS AT WORK.
¶6. THE PERSIAN PROCLIVITY FOR ASSUMING THAT TO SAY
SOMETHING IS TO DO IT FURTHER COMPLICATES MATTERS.
AGAIN, YAZDI CAN EXPRESS SURPRISE WHEN INFORMED THAT THE
IRREGULAR SECURITY FORCES ASSIGNED TO THE EMBASSY REMAIN
IN PLACE. "BUT THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE TOLD ME THEY
WOULD GO BY MONDAY," HE SAYS. AN MFA OFFICIAL REPORTS
THAT THE SHERRY CASE IS "90 PERCENT SOLVED," BUT WHEN
A CONSULAR OFFICER INVESTIGATES HE DISCOVERS THAT NOTHING
HAS CHANGED. THERE IS NO RECOGNITION THAT INSTRUCTIONS
MUST BE FOLLOWED UP, THAT COMMITMENTS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED
BY ACTION AND RESULTS.
¶6. FINALLY, THERE ARE THE PERSIAN CONCEPTS OF INFLUENCE
AND OBLIGATION. EVERYONE PAYS OBEISANCE TO THE FORMER
AND THE LATTER IS USUALLY HONORED IN THE BREACH.
PERSIANS ARE CONSUMED WITH DEVELOPING PARTI BAZI--THE
INFLUENCE THAT WILL HELP GET THINGS DONE--WHILE FAVORS
ARE ONLY GRUDGINGLY BESTOWED AND THEN JUST TO THE
EXTENT THAT A TANGIBLE QUID PRO QUO IS IMMEDIATELY
PRECEPTIBLE. FORGET ABOUT ASSISTANCE PROFERRED LAST
YEAR OR EVEN LAST WEEK; WHAT CAN BE OFFERED TODAY?
¶7. THERE ARE SEVERAL LESSONS FOR THOSE WHO WOULD NEGOTIATE
WITH PERSIANS IN ALL THIS:
- --FIRST, ONE SHOULD NEVER ASSUME THAT HIS SIDE OF
THE ISSUE WILL BE RECOGNIZED, LET ALONE THAT IT WILL
BE CONCEDED TO HAVE MERITS. PERSIAN PREOCCUPATION WITH
SELF PRECLUDES THIS. A NEGOTIATOR MUST FORCE RECOGNITION
OF HIS POSITION UPON HIS PERSIAN OPPOSITE NUMBER.
- --SECOND, ONE SHOULD NOT EXPECT AN IRANIAN READILY
TO PERCEIVE THE ADVANTAGES OF A LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP
BASED ON TRUST. HE WILL ASSUME THAT HIS OPPOSITE
NUMBER IS ESSENTIALLY AN ADVERSARY. IN DEALING WITH
HIM HE WILL ATTEMPT TO MAXIMIZE THE BENEFITS TO HIMSELF
THAT ARE IMMEDIATELY OBTAINABLE. HE WILL BE PREPARED
TO GO TO GREAT LENGTHS TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL, INCLUDING
RUNNING THE RISK OF SO ALIENATING WHOEVER HE IS DEALING
WITH THAT FUTURE BUSINESS WOULD BE UNTHINKABLE, AT
LEAST TO THE LATTER.
- --THIRD, INTERLOCKING RELATIONSHIPS OF ALL ASPECTS
OF AN ISSUE MUST BE PAINSTAKINGLY, FORECEFULLY AND
REPEATEDLY DEVELOPED. LINKAGES WILL BE NEITHER READILY
COMPREHENDED NOR ACCEPTED BY PERSIAN NEGOTIATORS.
- --FOURTH, ONE SHOULD INSIST ON PERFORMANCE AS THE
SINE QUA NON AT ESH STAGE OF NEGOTIATIONS. STATEMENTS
OF INTENTION COUNT FOR ALMOST NOTHING.
- --FIFTH, CULTIVATION OF GOODWILL FOR GOODWILL'S SAKE
IS A WASTE OF EFFORT. THE OVERRIDING OBJECTIVE AT ALL
TIMES SHOULD BE IMPRESSING UPON THE PERSIAN ACROSS THE
TABLE THE MUTUALITY OF THE PROPOSED UNDERTAKINGS, HE
MUST BE MADE TO KNOW THAT A QUID PRO QUO IS INVOLVED
ON BOTH SIDES.
- --FINALLY, ONE SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR THE THREAT
OF BREAKDOWN IN NEGOTIATIONS AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT AND NOT
BE COWED BY THE POSSIBLITY. GIVEN THE PERSIAN
NEGOTIATOR'S CULTURAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL LIMITATIONS, HE
IS GOING TO RESIST THE VERY CONCEPT OF A RATIONAL
(FROM THE WESTERN POINT OF VIEW) NEGOTIATING PROCESS.
LAINGEN
CONFIDENTIAL
Technorati Tags: WikiLeaks,United States,Iran,State Department,U.S.Embassy Cables,News,An American Gothic
Sunday Satire
I’ve been a little behind as of late because I’ve been trying to make this site look a little bit different than it has been looking. Of course, with the holiday having had been in full swing, this has not been an easy task to complete. I have had a few other things come up,none good,that I have had to deal with also. One particular distraction I could have done without.
I need a little bit of humor today,and I’m sure that a few of you could use some also.
"On Glenn Beck's radio show yesterday, Sarah Palin accidentally said, 'We have to stand with our North Korean allies.' Then Palin was like, 'Wait. North Korea's the one in the south, right?'"
"Bill Clinton is auctioning off a dinner with him and three of your friends for charity. When asked what the cause was, he said, 'Cause Hillary's out of town.'"
"The Pope said in an interview recently that the use of condoms is acceptable under certain circumstances. For instance, if you're dating someone from the cast of 'Jersey Shore.'"
"People lined up for days to see the new 'Harry Potter' movie. The movie is called 'Harry Potter and the Long Line of Single People.' It's just nice seeing a long line these days where nobody is getting their junk touched."
"Bristol Palin lost to Jennifer Grey in the finale of 'Dancing with the Stars.' The good news is, when a Palin loses they tend to just quietly disappear."
From PoliticalHumor
Friday, November 26, 2010
Did California Err In Not Legalizing Pot?
Yes they did, if you ask an observer from overseas.
El Pais, Spain
The Ups and Downs of Marijuana
By Mario Vargas Llosa
Translated By Jonathan Fitzerald
7 November 2010
Edited by Hoishan Chan
Spain - El Pais - Original Article (Spanish)
Californians made a mistake when they voted against its legalization. The government should treat drugs the same as alcohol and tobacco — giving freedom to the individual and punishing others for the harm done.
On Nov. 2, voters from the state of California rejected the legalization of the cultivation and consumption of marijuana by 53 percent to 47 percent, which was, in my opinion, a wrong decision. Legalization would have represented an important step in the search for an effective solution to the problem of crime linked to drug trafficking, which, according to recent official reports, has caused the chilling total of 10,035 deaths so far this year in Mexico.
A solution must include the decriminalization of drugs, an idea which up until relatively recent times was unacceptable to the majority of a public convinced that repression by police of producers, dealers and users was the only legitimate method for putting an end to such a plague. Over time, reality has revealed that this idea is erroneous. Studies point out that despite the astronomic sums of money invested and the gigantic mobilization of troops to combat it, the drug market has continued to grow, extending throughout the world and creating mafia cartels of immense economic and military power. As witnessed in Mexico since President Calderón has decided to confront the mafia cartels with the army at the frontline, the drug kingpins and their gangs of mercenaries are able to fight on equal terms, thanks to their power in states which they have infiltrated by way of terror and corruption.
The millions of Californians that voted for the legalization of marijuana is a promising sign that there are more and more of us who believe that the time for change has come regarding drugs and the redirecting of efforts, from simply repression to prevention, treatment and information, with the aim of putting an end to the unbridled crime driven by the ban and the havoc that the drug cartels are inflicting upon democratic institutions, above all in Third World countries. The cartels are able to pay better salaries than the government can, neutralizing and gaining the favor of members of parliament, policemen, government ministers and government employees by financing political campaigns and acquiring media outlets to defend their interests. In this way they provide jobs and support to countless professionals hired in industry, commerce and legal enterprises in which they launder substantial profits. That dependence upon the drug industry by so many people creates a tolerant or indifferent state of mind contrary to what it implies — the deterioration and collapse of lawfulness. That is a path which leads, sooner or later, to the suicide of democracy.
Of course, the legalization of drugs will not be easy, and, at first, as its detractors point out, it will undoubtedly lead to increased consumption, especially among youth. Therefore, decriminalization can only exist if it is accompanied by intense informative campaigns about the risks and harm drug consumption involves — similar to campaigns that have served to reduce the consumption of tobacco in most of the world and from parallel efforts to detoxify and treat victims of drug addiction.
But the most positive and immediate effect will be the elimination of the crimes which thrive thanks to the prohibition of drugs. As it was with the gangsters who rose to great power and saturated New York, Chicago and other American cities with blood and death during the years of alcohol prohibition, a legal market will do away with the mighty cartels. It will deprive them of their substantial profits and in effect destroy them. As the drug problem is principally economic, its solution must also be so.
Legalization will bring enormous resources to the states in the form of taxes, which, if used for educating the youth and for informing the general public about the harmful effects to one’s health that drug consumption poses, may have infinitely more beneficial and long lasting results than a policy of repression, which, beyond causing excessive violence and a day-to-day life full of insecurity, has not done the slightest in the way of stifling drug addiction in any society. In an article published in The New York Times on Oct. 28, the columnist Nicholas D. Kristof cited an investigation chaired by Harvard professor Jeffrey A. Miron in which it is estimated that the legalization of marijuana alone, across the entire U.S., would bring around $8 billion annually to state funds, while at the same time saving it an equivalent amount invested in repression. That enormous injection of funds poured into education, primarily in the schools of low-income neighborhoods, out of which come the vast majority of drug addicts, would in a small number of years drastically reduce drug trafficking within the social sector which accounts for the highest number of violent crimes, juvenile crime and family breakdowns.
Kristof also cites the conclusion of a study carried out by former policemen, judges and U.S. district attorneys, which stated that the prohibition of marijuana is the main culprit behind the proliferation of violent gangs and cartels that control the distribution and sale of the drug on the black market and reap “immense benefits” in the process. For many youths living in Hispanic and black ghettos, already struck hard by unemployment caused by the financial crisis, the possibility of earning quick money through crime gains an irresistible allure.
Opponents to these pragmatic arguments in favor of decriminalization tend to respond with a moral argument. Should we then give in, they argue, to crime in all the cases in which the police are not able to catch the criminal and then recognize it as lawful? Should this be the response, for example, in the face of pedophilia, domestic violence and gender violence, phenomena that, instead of decreasing, are on the rise everywhere? Are we to throw down our hands and give up, endorsing them since eliminating them has not been possible?
Oil and water should not be mixed. A democracy cannot condone crime without denying itself and turning into an uncivil nation. A nation has the obligation of informing its citizens about the risks involved with smoking, drinking alcohol or using drugs, of course, and to severely sanction and penalize anyone who, through smoking, drinking or using drugs, causes harm to others. But it does not seem very logical nor coherent that if this is the policy followed by all governments with regards to tobacco and alcohol, that it not be the same one followed in the case of drugs, including soft drugs like marijuana and hashish, despite it being proven that the harmful effects of the latter to one’s health are no greater than, and may actually be less than, the excesses of tobacco and alcohol produce.
I have not the slightest fondness for drugs, hard or soft, and I, with all honesty, find both drug users and alcoholics to be quite unpleasant, aside from annoying and wearisome. But I also deeply dislike people who pick their nose in front of me or use toothpicks or eat fruit with seeds and skins, but it would not occur to me to request a law prohibiting them from doing so and sending them to jail if they did. Therefore I don’t see why the government should have to prohibit an adult, owner of his/her own reason, from deciding to do harm to him/herself by, for example, smoking joints, snorting coke or stuffing themselves with ecstasy pills if they like it or if it relieves their frustration or feelings of apathy. Individual freedom cannot mean the right to be able to do only good and healthy things, but also things that are not, provided of course that these things do not bring harm to others. That policy, which is applied to tobacco and alcohol, should also govern the consumption of drugs. It is extremely dangerous that the body politic begins to decide what is good and healthy, and what is bad and harmful, because those decisions mean an intrusion on individual freedom, a fundamental principal of a democratic society. On that path we could senselessly end up with the disappearance of individual sovereignty and a form of veiled dictatorship. And dictatorships, as we already know, are much more lethal for citizens than the worst drugs.
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Technorati Tags: El Pais,Marijuana,California,Decriminalization,Voters,Crime,Mexico,Jeffrey A. Miron
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thanksgiving Is Over…
…and it is not over soon enough for me. I really despise this time of the year only because one has to put up with all of those well meaning family members that you do not see to often trying to tell you how to live your life and telling you what a fuck-up that you are. I’m not the only person in this country who endures this, I’m sure. the worst part of the deal is that many of us will have to put up with this crap all over again at Christmas time. It’s even worse then because we have to listen to our so-called Christian family members nag us about going to church if we do not do so on any kind of schedule. But, at least we have the fortune of knowing that our know-it-all’s will be going back to their own homes not soon after and that we will not have to start the new year in a depressed mood because of our well meaning family members.
I continue to work on changing this blogs looks, which will take a few days to do. When you visit this site over the next 2 or 3 days, you will see a different layout every few hours or so until I get things set the way that I wish to have them. This will will still remain in a darker color mode for the most part since it is easier on the eyes when reading.
Have a great remainder of the holiday weekend everyone. Come and visit here once in a while, will you?
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Off For Thanksgiving…
…at least I will be in theory. Some of you know how a holiday off can go.
Anyway, thank you for being here and I look forward to seeing you again, real soon. On either Friday or Saturday, this site will have a new look to it. I hope that you like it.
Be safe out on the road if you are driving, and be even more careful if you are at the airport. Watch those pat-downs if you opt for that choice.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
What Has President Obama Done For Us?
You may remember that before the mid-term elections all that the Tea-baggers and the Republicans would tell you is that we need a smaller,less intrusive government and that the deficit must be brought under control, which has never happened when the Republicans ran anything.
We also heard that President Obama has done nothing to improve the job situation, and that this administration has done nothing but add more to the huge budget deficit.
So just where has some of that money gone? Not just to the banks and Wall Street, that is for sure.
This post comes to you because of a few comments by our so-called columnist who have taken to saying that President Obama is more or less a conservative, a group that I despise with a passion, so far. No conservative would do this kind of stuff for the American people because most of us do not make enough money to join their club.
Cross posted from The Peoples View (Edited)
This is where we are in our political discourse as Democrats and this is where I say, if only we held each other close like they do...
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...if only we held each other close...
...after passing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 that gave birth to the almost dead American Economy that could have easily caused 3 million jobs disappear...
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...if only we held each other close...
...after salvaging the US auto industry that saved at least 1 million jobs; after extended Unemployment benefits up to 20 weeks; after pumping $26 billion aid to states package preventing large-scale layoffs of teachers and public employees...
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...if only we held each other close...
...after ensuring that coverage can’t be denied to children with pre-existing conditions; after ensuring that adults up to age 26 can stay on their parents’ health plans; after making free preventive care available; after eliminating lifetime limits on insurance coverage...
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...if only we held each other close...
...after making rescinding cover illegal; after restricting annual limits on insurance coverage; after pumping $5 billion to support affordable coverage for the Uninsured with Pre-existing Conditions; after another $10 billion investment in Community Health Centers...
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...if only we held each other close...
....after signing a sweeping bank-reform bill into law, managing a part Bush era $700 Billion Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) that Banks have already repaid 75% of the TARP funds that stabilized our Capital Market's system; after cuts Salaries For 65 Bailout Executives; after closing offshore tax safe havens, tax credit loopholes on companies that use the tax laws to ship American Jobs oversees; after passing Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act to increase accountability for corporate and mortgage frauds; after passing signing the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act to look after consumers...
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...if only we held each other close...
...after implemented renewable fuels mandate of 36 billion gallons by 2022 that is four times what we currently consume; after requiring automakers to meet a fleet-wide average of New Gas Mileage Standards at 35.5 MPH by 2016; after a $60 billion investment in renewable and clean energy...
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...if only we held each other close...
...after increasing the amount of federal Pell Grant awards and enabled the stripping of banks privileges as intermediaries for student loan servicing; after pumping $100 Billion for reforms to strengthen Elementary and Secondary education, early learning programs and college affordability...
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...if only we held each other close...
...after pumping a $33 Billion Jobs Package allowing small businesses to get $5,000 tax credit for new hires; after a $26 billion State Aid Package Jobs Bill saving 300,000 teachers and public workers jobs from unemployment...
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...if only we held each other close...
...after providing $275 billion dollar housing plan to prevent at-risk mortgage debtors already fallen victim to foreclosures and to bring about confidence to offer affordable mortgages and to stabilize the housing market; after establishing "Opening Doors" to end the homelessness of 640,000 men, women, and children in the United States in 10 years; after providing $510 Million for the rehabilitation of Native American housing, after the $2 billion assistance for Neighborhood Stabilization Program to rehab, resell, or demolish in order to stabilize neighborhoods; after providing the $5 billion Weatherization Assistance Program for low income families to weatherize 1 million homes per year for the next decade; after providing grants to encourage states and localities to take the first steps in implementing new building codes that prioritize energy efficiency...
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...if only we held each other close...
...after giving $250 economic stimulus check to 55 million Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients in 2009; after cutting prescription drug costs for Medicare recipients by 50% and began eliminating the plan’s gap ("donut hole") in coverage; after passing a $6.4 billion measure reversing a 21 percent cut in physician payments that would have started a flood of rejections by some doctors of seniors covered by Medicare; after expanded eligibility for Medicaid to all individuals under age 65 with incomes up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level ($14,400 per year for an individual)...
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...if only we held each other close...
...after extending benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees; after signing the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act; after instructing HHS to require any hospital receiving Medicare or Medicaid funds (virtually all hospitals) to allow LGBT visitation rights(effective date 1/1/11); after banning banning job discrimination based on gender identity throughout the Federal government (the nation's largest employer); after signing the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act; after extending the Family and Medical Leave Act to cover Gay employees taking unpaid leave to care for their children of same-sex partners...
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...if only we held each other close...
...after bringing back nearly 100,000 U.S. troops home to their families and ending combat mission in Iraq; after passing a $112.8 billion VA budget, an increase of 15.5 percent over 2009, the largest percentage increase for VA requested by a president in more than 30 years; after implemented a strategic plan to increase the hiring of Veterans and Military spouses throughout the Federal civil service; after ending media blackout on war casualties, after creating a 'Green Vet Initiative' to promote environmental jobs for veterans; after covering the expenses of families to be at Dover AFB when fallen soldiers arrive; andafter increasing the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans...
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...I don't know about you but I am starting to question the planet Pual Krugman is from. If you are interested to ask Paul Krugman that question, here is his contact information. I bet the Conservatives Nixin, Regan, Daddy Bush and Son Bush have done so much for this country compared to the Conservative Obama.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Outlaw Smoking? some Think It Should Be Done
I just so happen to be one of the people who do not think that smoking should be outlawed in the United States,and luckily, not many citizens in this country feel that my only remaining bad habit should be banned.
A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey finds that just 17% of Americans think tobacco smoking should be against the law in the United States. That’s down slightly from 22% in December 2008.
Seventy-two percent (72%) disagree and think smoking should not be outlawed. Eleven percent (11%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Nineteen percent (19%) of non-smokers like the idea of a tobacco ban, compared to just 11% of those who say they currently smoke.
When it comes regulation of the cigarette industry, Americans are divided over how much is enough. Twenty-two percent (22%) think the level of regulation is too high, while 26% believe it's not high enough. Thirty-eight percent (38%) say the current level of regulation is about right.
If you wish to ban a product that is not good for you then just look towards the alcohol industry. Yes, smoking can kill you with many forms of cancer and such things as second hand smoke (?), but a cigarette has not made to many people run into other vehicles and kill the people in said vehicle, or people in crosswalks either.
I’ve never heard of cigarettes making anyone go totally dumb and stupid and start shooting at someone just because a person may have pissed them off.
Ban the alcohol or either tax the hell out if and leave us smokers alone for a change.
Technorati Tags: Rasmussen Reports,Cigarettes,Smokers,Tobacco,Current Events,an American Gothic,Alcohol
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Obama And America: Harsh View From China
This article comes to you by way of WatchingAmerica, which happens to be my favorite go-to site when I wish to know what the rest of the world thinks about the United States and the things that we do.
Lianhe Zaobao, Singapore
Obama’s Dimwittedness
and America’s Anxiety
By Xin Yishan
It is so obvious that America is a dying superpower. There’s no need to hurry a dying man to his grave, so let America play any trick it wants. Anxiety has deeply disturbed America’s bearing, and as long as China sticks firmly to its principles and steers away from the temptation of quick success and instant benefit, then America is powerless.
Translated By Qu Xiao
15 November 2010
Edited by Heidi Kaufmann
Singapore - Lianhe Zaobao - Original Article (Chinese)
Obama used to be quick-witted and eloquent before he became the president, but his intellectual cadre seems to have declined in recent months. At the G-20 summit in Korea, when facing Rui Chenggang, an unexpected journalist from China, we can clearly see Obama’s clumsiness — being caught in embarrassment and not able to come up with a clever-enough response to prove true to his name as a veteran politician and an elected president. Maybe he worried that the Chinese journalist would raise some tough questions, or he didn’t expect a Chinese journalist to be so bold as to press the president of America for an answer.
Obama went to India and promised to let India enter the United Nations Security Council. Then Obama landed in Japan and also promised Japan a ticket into the Security Council. What did he take the U.N. for? Besides, such a trick of throwing empty promises around can hardly fool a kid; yet, Obama keeps using it. We can say that Obama indeed has become dimwitted.
In fact, Obama hasn’t changed. It is the environment around him that has changed. Being a president, naturally he would have to consider the interests of his country, and it is not an easy task, because to achieve such a tough goal, first there must be plans for the whole situation. So whatever he does, Obama has to follow the instructions of his think tank.
Inevitably, a presidential candidate who played it by ear before the election would turn into a more clumsy and dimwitted order-follower after taking office. If Obama can just be himself, then not even 10 Chinese journalists like Rui Chenggang teaming up together would make any trouble for him. But if Obama’s think tank told him not to talk about China too much for fear of leaking information regarding America’s plots against China, then Obama’s unwillingness to take Rui Chenggang’s question could then be understood.
In addition, promising the moon and stars for someone would make him happy, but hardly anyone would believe such a promise. Although it’s not as hard as delivering the moon and stars to absorb new members into the Security Council, it’s still very unlikely to be achieved. After all, there are still four other big nations who hold veto power. Yet, Obama keeps fooling India and Japan with his promises. Why? It’s not that Obama is really a dimwit playing children’s games. He’s merely following the orders of his think tank, and only by acting like this can the Chinese people be tricked, and it has worked. Previously, it was just a little trick that had stirred up Japan’s hatred and jealousy toward China, and accordingly, China has paid a high price and used many diplomatic resources in objecting to Japan’s entry into the Security Council. Now the intention of Obama’s trip to India is to incite the deterioration of the relationship between India and China, a trick based on his earlier successful experience with Japan. The Americans think that it worked before, and that it will still work this time.
In fact, being the member that has used its veto power the most, America least wants to lose its privilege in the U.N., and its power would be greatly weakened if any more novices were to enter the Security Council. So why would America — the member who least favors any newcomers into the Security Council — run around the world and show a supportive gesture to other countries? Because America thought China was narrow-minded, and as long as America is supporting its neighbors, China would definitely stomp its feet and protest. Such is America’s thinking. In this regard, however, America has already succeeded once at sabotaging the friendly progress between China and Japan, which is the truth. America is now digging up this old trick and wants to use it again. So naturally the general public in China thinks Obama is acting like a fool — very dimwitted indeed.
And through Obama’s “intellectual degradation,” we can see that the American think tank is not bearing any good will toward China. Whatever America does, it does to make sure that no other country will surpass America. But when facing China, all the tricks and plots have failed. Military interventions like the Korean War, the Vietnam War and military relations with Taiwan failed; trying to lure China to take the path of the USSR’s downfall failed. In desperation, America can only pull some dirty tricks. So it is obvious that America is anxious.
The first cause of America’s anxiety is China’s rapid development and the prediction that China will surpass America shortly. Second, America is feeling powerless because of its economic downturn. What’s more, America has felt that its international influence has slumped, and the days when America could command whomever it wanted are long gone. Besides, the financial crisis has overwhelmed America with huge fiscal difficulties and slow economic recovery. All this has put an almost unbearable burden on the U.S. government, which can be easily seen from Obama’s hair — turning grey within two years of taking office. The American president’s anxiety, of course, is also the American government’s anxiety. And China doesn’t bother at all and ignores the U-shaped or C-shaped encirclement around its neighborhood. After all, what is the use?
Apparently, they are useless tricks. This is like a lame chess player, hurrying to attack his opponent when he has yet to build up his own line of defense, and the result is undoubtedly a clean loss. China has gone through all kinds of difficulties throughout its history, so America’s trick will not work on China. Besides, if we view things like a game on a chess board, then it would be one move on each side, so whatever America’s move is, China would make its countermove. Therefore, America should be anxious, and this shows it is ill-intentioned.
Obama makes a lot of promises, but not many of them are actually fulfilled, and a broken promise may incur hatred. This is something the trick-player rarely considers.
China can totally remain calm and peaceful, paying no notice of whatever farce America is putting on, as long as China itself keeps a watchful eye and makes sure not to step into America’s trap. As for the encirclement around China, it is quite impossible to do any damage, so we can just ignore it. As for America’s intention to start a fight between China and its neighbors, it can also be easily solved if we firmly stick to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. No country is so stupid as to sacrifice its own interests just to make America happy. So America is probably throwing good money after bad.
America now is like a clay idol fording a river — hardly able to save itself. America’s national wealth is closely linked to the stock market, and what if another crisis strikes? Where will its money go then? If America can maintain itself 10 more years without going downhill, then I’ll have no more to say. But it is so obvious that America is a dying superpower. There’s no need to hurry a dying man to his grave, so let America play any trick it wants. Anxiety has deeply disturbed America’s bearing, and as long as China sticks firmly to its principles and steers away from the temptation of quick success and instant benefit, then America is powerless.
On the one hand, America has a high ambition to undermine China; on the other hand, America’s economy couldn’t fund such a whim. It still has its political influence in the world, but its economic influence has been largely crippled. America only gave several million dollars in charitable funds to Indonesia, which is enough to show that its economy could no longer hold up its status of global domination. In contrast, China gave $1.6 billion in charitable funds to Cambodia. Make the comparison yourself, and you will see what I mean. Now China is doing whatever pleases it without any outsider’s interference. Let the Americans be anxious.
CLICK HERE FOR ORIGINAL VERSION
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