OK Pisshead, I insult you back in the rare language of the Fartsoso tribe. They are a small group of people in a remote South American jungle who eat nothing but beans and have no tongues. As such they have developed a unique, albeit stinky, method of communication.


In all seriousness, however, this Craig Roberts has no idea what he is talking about and is proving the old saying? you fear what you don??t understand?. What does he know about China and where did he get his knowledge? When was he there last? I??m not Chinese, I??m just your typical American White boy who just happens to speak Chinese. I also have degrees in International Business and East Asian Studies. I also lived in China in ??96-??97 , go back frequently, and spent most of last February there. Does this mean I know everything about China, no, hardley. I assure you though, the China I know and the China he describes are two very different places.

Let??s break down some of his points:

1. Too many products are manufactured in China by low cost labor thus taking the jobs from Americans. This is true, sadly, but inevitable. It is international economics and can not be helped. The initial thought is that this is bad for the U.S because it takes away jobs. What would happen, however, if these jobs were given back to Americans? First of all the prices on these goods would immediately go up. No more $1 stores, more like $20 stores. Why? Its obvious, no American worker would accept $5 a day. The rise in labor costs would cause a corresponding rise in the prices of these goods. The American workers would naturally want higher wages, putting more money into the economy, causing further inflation, etc., etc. Yeah it sucks but so does life.


2. China??s ultimate goal if forwarding Mao??s version of communism. Mao??s version of communism no longer exists in China, why would they want to spread it somewhere else. While most Chinese today see Mao as the founder of modern China, like we see George Washington, the great majority consider his theories and handling of the country as total rubbish. Mao??s Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution that followed are widely considered dark times in modern China??s history. So, while he is hailed for defeating Chang Kai Shek and the Kuomindang he is also despised for nearly ruining the country.

Communism, as an economic system, no longer exists in China. Private business is encouraged and many have taken Deng Xiao Ping??s words ??to be rich is glorious? to heart. Many are investing, buying their own homes, buying cars (Buick is especially popular), basically living the American Dream. Just in China.

China is only communist in that it is goverened by the Communist Party. That is really just a name though much like the Republican Party. There are few of the old hardliners left and even they would not dare suggesting going back to the old ways. True, they have no intention of allowing free democratic elections and risking losing power. Would the Republican??s if they didn??t have to?

3. China Controls the Panama Canal. Actually it is a Hong Kong based corporation, Hutchinson Whampoa, not the Chinese Government itself. And, actually, Hutchinson Whampoa only controls the ports and either end of the canal. Although rumored to have some investment by the Chinese military, it is widely regarded by maritime experts as an excellent manager of the Panama Canal and other Port facilities around the world. Ultimately China has little ability to enforce any controls over the Panama Canal. Furthermore, the canal treaty signed in 1977, which allows all countries use of the canal, even in war, allows for the United States to intervene militarily in the event that anyone should restrict access to it.

4. China is building up it??s military. So? Why is this such a surprise to everyone? Hell, even Luxemburg has a military. China is a massive country and is quickly becoming a major economic power. Why wouldn??t it want to build up it??s military? Its called National Defense when the U.S. does it but when China does it suddenly becomes an offensive move by crazed communists. If fact, China??s military is far more defensive that it is offensive. They have no blue water navy to speak of and have no ability to launch a large scale invasion of any place that is not along it??s borders. On the other hand, the U.S. military has an awesome amount of offensive power and, especially under G.W., yeehaw don??t mess with Texas, Bush, has proved the ability to use it. So really, patriotism aside, if we can build a massive military why is it so surprising they want to as well? Ever hear of ??keeping up with the Jones???


5. In the event of some catastrophe, ??foreign assets? may be called upon to patrol our streets. I can??t really comment on the UN plan as I have no knowledge of it. My first thought would be that in the event of some major disaster here in the U.S, we would pull our own troops back, no matter where they were. Seeing how George W Bush has essentially ignored domestic issues, however, and focused his entire Presidency on Iraq and the defeat of Saddam Hussein, I??m not so sure. But China? Come on, do you really believe we would ask the Chinese Army come to America to patrol our streets? This statement is simply the product of fear and paranoia. We might as well be worried about what would happen if aliens invaded while our troops are away.

Yeah, there??s a lot about China that??s fucked up. It??s government is filled with corruption and generally keeps its people on a pretty short leash. I challenge you to find a singe country with a perfect government though. The U.S? Please, spare me.

In any case, China is no more a threat, probably mess less, to world peace and security than the U.S. is. The pace of change in China is unbelievably fast. The last 50 years in China is like the last 250 years in the U.S. Controlling that change, and keeping the country stable, is a full time job. China has little time for world domination.

I love America and, despite the fact that I abhor George Bush, consider myself very patriotic. I just hate to see these types on non-truths being spread by people who have no idea what they are talking about. The attitues and fear generated by these lies is far more frightening than China, or America, itself. For it is these fears and attitudes which so often lead to war.