Moon Over My Hammy

Don't Say I Didn't Warn You: China, Again

It seems almost everyone I know, including people much more knowledgeable than me and people whose opinion I trust, have been telling me for years that my fear of a rising China is irrational.  These people constantly have assured me that, as China grows into a super power and an economic force, China will be more inclined to cooperate with the west, and gravitate more towards engagement with the west.  My argument has been just the opposite - that China will use the west, for a time, to get where it wants, but that China has its sights set on being THE world super power, not second fiddle to the USA. 

This article seems to come down on my side of the debate, and notes that there has been a noticeable "shift" away from China coopeeration to China antagonism towards the west.  I would argue this is no shift, and this has been the inevitable outcome all along.  At any rate, these quotes kind of sums it up:

China has long felt bullied by the West, and its stronger stance is challenging the long-held assumption shared among Western and Chinese businessmen, academics and government officials that a more powerful and prosperous China would be more positively inclined toward Western values and systems.

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The change comes during what a leading Chinese economist, Hu Angang, in an interview called "the longest golden era in China since the opium wars" of the 1840s, when British warships forced China to open to trade. From its position as an impoverished, developing country, it has jumped into the ranks of the powerful.

But the closer China gets to a variety of firsts — No. 1 exporting nation and even No. 1 economy in the world — the more its government seems to exhibit a nagging insecurity and opposition to the West.

As I have said before on this website, China consider itseld our "strategic enemy," it indirectly supports our military enemies, and clearly has a mindset of natural superiority in the world. 

I am not suggesting we need to gear up for war with China.  I am just saying that it would be foolish to overlook the potential, growing threat we face from a strong China.

Genetically Screened British Baby Born

A baby in Britain was born recently after being screened for a gene that indicates a likelihood of developing breast cancer. 

A quote from another article about the couple:

The couple produced 11 embryos, of which five were found to be free of the gene. The spare healthy embryos have been frozen and the couple hope to be able to have brothers and sisters for their daughter. They do not know whether the embryos in storage will be sufficient to complete their family.

The parents, who had alot of breat cancer in the family, wanted to "irradicate" the gene from the family line.  Presumably, the 6 embryos they produced that had the gene were destroyed.

Feels like Pandora's Box has been opened here.  What other hereditary traits will people wish to irradicate?

Don't Say I Didn't Warn You: Homeland Security Working On Technology To Read Your Mind

The Department of Homeland Security's "Human Factors" Division (scary in and of itself) is currently testing a device called MALINTENT that can be used to scan your brain for signs that you have the intent to commit a terrorist act.

Don't Say I Didn't Warn You: Robots With Biological Brains

Well, they've gone and done it.  They've officially and forever blurred the line between man and machine.  Just what we need, sentient robots. 

Firefighters Taught To Be Domestic Spies

Apparently, the Department of Homeland Security is testing a new program whereby firrefighters would be trained to look for indications of anti-American dissent.  Firefighters do not have the restrictions that are imposed on the police, so this could, in a sense, allow firefighters to conduct warrantless searches in certain circumstances.

It is a really interesting battle that continues to play itself out after 9/11. The battle lines have been drawn. There are those like me who, while we believe the terrorist threat is real and serious, would rather risk another terrorist attack and even great loss of life than curtail or even risk curtailing any of the things that make this country great and unique. Then there are others who believe the terrorist threat is so great that it is worth granting police power to the very limits of the constitution for the greater good, protection of our citizens.

The battle is over no more and no less than the very concept of America. The stakes are huge. I believe this specific battle, more than the battle against terrorism itself, will be the defining issue of our time, as it will define what kind of America is there for future generations.

Chinese Submarine Penetrates U.S. Navy Defenses

A Chinese submarine popped up next to a U.S. aircraft carrier in the middle of U.S. Navy exercises.  The sub had been completely undetected until it surfaced.

I'm sure it's nothing to worry about, though.  After all, people have assured me that China is not our enemy.

Don't Say I Didn't Warn You: 1984

Plans are underway to unite the entire Western Hemisphere under a single free trade agreement and, eventually, single currency.

Looks like the African nations are working on something similar.

Hmmm, maybe this guy is on to something after all.

China Arming Our Enemies

It appears China is now supplying a huge amount of arms and amunition to insurgents in Iraq and the Taliban in Afghanistan - weapons that are no doubt being used to kill U.S. soldiers.

Man, I am so glad China is our friendly, capitalistic partner now, and that we no longer have to worry about them as our strategic enemy.

People need to wake up.  The threat of terrorism may be the most immediate threat, but is not the biggest potential threat to U.S. interests.

One interesting tidbit in the article states that China is also supplying Iran with small gunboats for use in patrolling the Persian Gulf.  The article states that Iran would use a "swarming" technique if faced with a challenge from a large military vessel.  Over ten years ago, my friend Pete Schultz and I were discussing how China or any other enemy of the United States would possibly counter the U.S. huge advantage over every nation except Russia in navy size and sophistication.  We theorized that, if we were China, what we would do is build a huge armada of small gunboats with explosives (sort of kamikazee style) or missles attached to them.  They would be cheap and quick and asy to build.  I think we may have actually used the term "swarming" in discussing how a huge number of these boats could overwhelm a large U.S. Navy vessel.  This hypothetical enemy could gain a huge tactical, and especially psychological, victory by bringing down a large Navy vessel with a bunch of these small boats.  Interesting that Iran has come to that same conclusion.

Don't Say I Didn't Warn You: Crazy Las Vegas Expansion

I think in 1,000 years, Las Vegas will be one of the primary examples historians use to describe the hubris and excess of modern America.

Don't Say I Didn't Warn You: Cyborgs, Attack!

The Pentagon's human enhancement project.