The Rising Sea Dragon in Asia - 2005 UPDATE

JEFFHEAD.COM ^ | March 7, 2005 | Jeff Head

[Phsstpok]

I'm not concerned whether it's the first time they've been deployed there or not.

What is significant is that they HAVE BEEN deployed.

Those planes get deployed for a reason.

Those deployments get publicized to send a message.

I'm suggesting that the message being sent may have to do with the Chinese build up referenced in this article along with the sabre rattling they are doing in the Taiwan Straights, as well as the entire Western Pacific.

[Toddsterpatriot]

Total worth of goods is 7.5%.

Finally, someone gets the math.

Total number of items in the store is over 70%.

Source?

[IonImplantGuru]

Our current technology for making screws still makes our boats pretty damn quiet. I was on a fast attack sub during Viet Nam and the screw noise from Russian nucs was unbelievable.

Don't get me started! That was the case in the 'Nam era (coincidently, my time in the Silent Service); not any more! Thanks to Mitsubishi selling to the Soviets the NMC milling technology that we use to manufacture our screws. Between them and the Walker traitors, much of our edge was blunted.

[AmericanInTokyo]

This is almost tantamount to the Imperial Japanese Carrier Task Force (theoretically) saying in early December 1941, in open press release to hard-headed American dunderheads who would not connect the dots, "We are preparing for military action against the United States, by upgrading our training procedures and further buttressing our naval forces in the Northern Pacific Ocean. As we steam toward the Hawaiian Island chain, our battleships and naval aircraft at the ready, we are committed to carrying out regional Asian peace under the terms illuminated by Our Great Emperor."

March 7, 2005: "China's military pledges strong backing in opposing 'Taiwan independence' ... While taking part in a panel discussion on the Government Work Report on March 6, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) delegation pledged that they would work hard to realize a leapfrog development in the building of national defense and modernization of the army, step up preparation for military actions, thereby making new contributions in opposing and curbing "Taiwan independence", and in the defense of state sovereignty, reunification and stability. Liang Guanglie, member of the Central Military Commission and chief of the general staff, pointed out the need to more consciously plan and guide military work from the political height and the national interests as a whole, do a solid job in pushing forward military change with Chinese characteristics and preparations for military actions, and strive to enhance the army's overall combat effectiveness under the condition of informationization. It is essential to be subordinated to and serve the country's overall development strategy and, on the basis of continuous economic development, energetically strengthen the building of national defense and the army, incessantly enhance national defense capabilities and military strength, so as provide a powerful security guarantee for building a well-off society in an all-round way. It is imperative to step up combat readiness in high morale, in compliance with the requirement of actual combat and in the spirit of seizing the day and seizing the hour, and to provide a strong backing in opposing and containing "Taiwan independence" and defending national unification. Li Jinai, member of the Central Military Commission and director of the General Political Department, stressed the need to always put ideological-political building in the first place of armed forces construction, to hold high banners, obey command, enhance the awareness of military soul and adhere to the correct orientation of army building. "

What other warnings do we REALLY NEED on this, the eve of the Pearl Harbour of the 21st Century.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Sober BTTT...!!!

[IonImplantGuru]

Steely-eyed Killers of the Deep (((PING!)))

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

...four of the new large Type 73 Amphibious Assault ships (that's right, four in a very short time frame and more building...can you guess what these are inded for?)...

If the Taiwanese government had some brains, it would let its citizens own guns and train with them in order to repel the Chicom hordes in the future.

[houeto]

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-11/29/content_395728.htm

So far, more than 70 per cent of the commodities sold in Wal-Mart are made in China.

[s_asher]

Agreed. As a writer yourself, I think you'd want people who cite your work to give credit! :)

Personally, I think it's a good thing that the Chinese are competing against us. Americans are competitive and we are at our best when competing against someone. When our auto industry fell behind, the Japanese gave us a good kick in the rear and we got our act together pretty quick.

In my younger days I had bought in the "Buy American" hysteria of the 1980's and got myself a new Ford. The car had so many problems and leaked oil from day 1. Since then I've learned affixing a "Bomb Japan Again" bumper sticker is about as useful as "Boycott Walmart". Unless if we get better and more efficient, we deserve to lose.

[Toddsterpatriot]

You said items, that said commodities. Try again.

[IonImplantGuru]

[The Virginia class boats] Too expensive, too big, and too capable to risk sending in there IMHO, we need our own diesel electrics in my view.

You and quite a few US submarine veterans too, Jeff.

[Paul_Denton]

If the Taiwanese government had some brains, it would let its citizens own guns and train with them in order to repel the Chicom hordes in the future.

I agree. Taiwan's politics are a mess. Their politicians literally beat eachother up over certain issues. Until the current split within the DPP (Democratic Progressive Party), the pan-green alliance was the party that wanted to strengthen the military and deter China. Last year, the KMT tried to provoke (and very nearly suceeded) China into attacking by inciting riots (One of China's publically stated conditions for attacking Taiwan was civil unrest on the island for some strange reason) intentionally because of the conroversy over president Chen's victory and assasination attempt. Right now only the Taiwan Solidarity Union and part of the DPP wants the military hardware offered by Bush in 2001.

I wonder why Taiwan bans guns? They have very good reason to allow people to own them. I hope some day they are legalized there.

[BykrBayb]

Thanks for keeping me updated.

[houeto]

You said items, that said commodities. Try again.

>Merriam-Webster Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.

commodity

n : articles of commerce [syn: trade goods, goods]

What? You think they're talking about soybeans and pig butt futures?

[GOP_1900AD]

Here's another one:

http://www.asiawind.com/forums/list.php?f=3

Significantly, this one is headquartered in Columbus, OH. That's right folks, a pan Sinicist web site is allowed to exist right here in the USA. The enemy within ....

[Toddsterpatriot]

See, that's the thing about your source. Not specific enough.
Nobody knows what they mean by commodities.

[Jeff Head]

You are welcome. Before he died last year, my World War II vet father of the Pacific Theater of Operatopns (PTO) told me that it took almost two years during World War II to weed out, either through combat or other forms of attrition, the commanders who were not prepared to think correctly as regards Japan and what it would take to defeat them. I pray we do not repeat that bit of history.

[GOP_1900AD]

Great point! Allow me to add further to it. Indeed, the cheap stuff sourced for Wal Mart does not add up to much. Whereas, things like PCB Assemblies, complete electronic systems, mechanical parts and the like add up to a lot.

[Jeff Head]

Lots of treason and culpability. Lots of foolishness and downright shorsightedness in trade policy.

Unfortunately, as the Chinese increase their capabilities, their R&D, their ability to produce their own, we are now looking at more and more competitiveness. We must face it down the way that Reagan faced down the Soviets IMHO. Otherwise we will be left with facing it down the way Patton and others of his ilk did, and at much greater cost to in lives lives and dollars.

[houeto]

See, that's the thing about your source. Not specific enough. Nobody knows what they mean by commodities.

Ok. Enough is enough. I'm calling you out!

You either meet me at Wal-Mart at 8:00 a.m. to do OUR OWN inventory, or you're chicken! (you know where the store is, don't you?)