Earlier this month, on August 2, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a Democratic delegation commanded headlines when they traveled to Taiwan, an independently governed East Asian country made up of 168 islands on which about 24 million people live, and which China claims.
Thank you, Heather, for this comprehensive overview of China, the Indo-Pacific, etc. You are much more helpful that most news stories - and especially the fear-mongering headlines - that have dominated. I especially appreciate that Biden and Blinken have found a third way to deal w/ China and that region. Finding that third way might be just what our country (and many people) need regarding many other issues that initially seem either-or/zero-sum.
Here we have yet another comprehensive, full-court-press approach to fixing one of the long list of Trump screwups. And all of it involves working closely with a range of nations to the benefit of all.
Once again President Biden is demonstrating that government works – if officials work hard at it. Meanwhile, what are Republicans doing to help the nation?
Yes Georgia Girl! If we all do our most important job and SIMPLY VOTE just think of what can be accomplished! Biden had surrounded himself with incredibly talented negotiators and problem solvers. What a breath of fresh air in Washington DC!!!
The R’s are working as hard as they can to tear the nation apart because they have no ideas to improve the lives of ordinary people. As I read this letter, I kept thinking of Rex Tillerson, an actual business person instead of a pretend one, calling Trump “an effing moron.” He nailed it.
For most of my life I listened to others, not trusting my own experiences. I mostly wanted people to be happy. As I grew older another voice, my own, emerged. At first this current spate of elected republicans seemed an offshoot of the desperation of those who had fallen through the cracks. That is utter rubbish. My own voice tells me loudly and clearly they have no moral agenda, no political agenda, and no business re presenting those they are victimizing. Their absurd posturing if coordinated at all most resembles a feeding frenzy of sharks tearing apart the fabric of our American government. They represent the the most significant threat we have ever faced as a nation, in one of the most abhorrent manners ever conceived. Do I think we will defeat this current crop of weeds? Inevitably! “We’ll hit the decks a running boys and spin those guns around.”
I see Republican leaders as on a classic quest for absolute power. The sow confusion, distraction and utter distortion to keep their membership in an incurious, reactive "reptile" state, a vulnerability I think virtually all humans share to some extent. It's the mind control that Orwell wrote about, not to empower but to dominate. Utterly. History shows plainly where that can lead when not effectively opposed.
And that Republicans use those warnings as an instruction manual. When I read 1984 as kid (somewhere around age 12) I was fascinated (and creeped out) but thought the "war is peace" thing overplayed. Not any more.
Which, insofar as we are talking about a component or a society, not its sole purpose, is fine with me. What is not OK is monopolies, of markets or of political power; and the two seem to go together. And private enterprise is not suited for many of the crucial and desirable societal functions better, more safely, and more justly managed by the public sector. We seemed to understand that better when I was a school kid in 1950s Ohio, and my socially conservative teachers celebrated Teddy Roosevelt as "The Trust Buster". After decades of teaching manners and restraint to the plutocrats, voters handed them the keys to the country, with predictable results.
I’m pretty sure they are busy shagging Lassie. What I meant was screwing the pooch. I know that doesn’t really explain em, but as I have forgotten so many words due to old age evaporation, those were the least offensive words I could think of. And yes my apologies to Lassie.
And yet we still bow to bipartisanship, when the Republican Party is the enemy of all logic and reason. Chump’s goal was destroy by whatever means, and he will, given the chance. Biden is still betting on logic, reason, and the future of us as citizens of the world. Which we ALL are, like it or not. Biden is playing chess while chump whines and plays the victim. If only Rupert were on the side of the truth. But then, old dogs don’t seem to learn new tricks, except Joe B
I had to laugh at that myself, it's an increasingly frequent experience. The reassuring part is that, often, the word hasn't totally evaporated although too often it pops into mind too late.
Another reassuring bit about aging memories v. dementias is that (as I read in a "health" column years ago), if you remember that you've forgotten you're okay.
Good on you Pat! I've been noticing in the alternate news sites that I read in addition to the MSM, that the baaaaaad language strictures are loosening: words are often spelled out instead of ****. Me? I'm 95 and say whatever the hell I want - although I don't want to so much anymore. Growing self confidence, I think. ?????????
Here are two euphemisms I use when necessary: Schlitz!!! and Flux!!!! L&B&L
I don't remember that. My father was a druggist and I worked for him as I was growing up - I remember selling Schlitz. And I was under 18 - I wonder how that worked in those days; it certainly never was an issue. So, here we are, awfully old. I'm still in good health Keith, and I hope you are. L&B&L
Age matters. It takes longer to produce excellence. By example, my wife is 67 and contradicts nearly every word I utter. My girlfriend is 97 and hangs on every word. She agrees with me on everything. It is so refreshing that I built her a new porch. I removed the tree the wind blew over. I rebuilt her fence. I repaired her garage. I built new old fashioned screen doors for her. I cut her daughters hay and baled it for her. A friend suggested something cynical in our relationship but I know in my heart it is the wisdom of 97 years shining in the late afternoon sun. Age really does matter.
Yeah. Been here a long long time and last night would have been fine. But my health and genes are so good - and I enjoy some of every single day and laugh: out loud and a lot.
I am just finding out! I had no idea until this year! Gee... I thought it was just the people... and not the so called Christians! And it happened while I was sleeping! I always believed in the separation of church and state!
I have heard prominent Republicans say the Constitutional freedom of religion means that you are free to have a religion, not free to not have one. And if you look more closely, it's not just any brand of religion they are talking about. Rubbish. The "Enlightenment" era philosophies that pervade the Constitution were an intellectual movement away from the domination of the church. Yes. there was a general embrace of religious thinking on the part of the founders, "endowed by their creator", etc. but Jefferson produced his own, heavily edited Bible, and in any case, our prescriptive philosophy of law is more allied to the methodology of science than subjective faith; proof by logic and evidence.
The methodology of science can inform but not settle every human question, but when our actions impose consequences on others, there is a reason to have evidence-based thinking behind it; persecuting witches for example (one pope was even into eradicating cats). And science is allied to democracy in the form of peer review, and the freedom to challenge, based on evidence, any existing beliefs, and a "see-for-yourself" standard of confidence. While observing Higgs bosons takes fancy equipment, many game-changing classic experiments could be duplicated by nearly anyone.
When human lives are on the line (e.g., COVID, Climate) it seems only fair to agree to act on what we can observe together, rather than unique visions of prophets. People should be free to seek their own spiritual thoughts, and to also seek the like minded, but not to impose their subjective preferences on others, especially when it comes to edicts from those who consider themselves inherently holier than thou, i.e., hubris.
The history of organized religion is strewn with horrors, though as you indicate, there is a distinction to be made. The Quakers, for example, do a disproportional amount for the size of the membership of non-discriminatory and heroic international service work. MLK was a clergyman. There seems to be a strain of religion that is humble and compassionate and a strain that is vainglorious and cruel, think "witch" burnings or 9/11. Think the sociopathic hubris that credited God for native genocides, or justified slavery. Some "religious" people seek to empower and to others to dominate. They can't both be serving the same agenda. Somehow religion and its evil twin share the same label.
Jeez Kathleen, words from Arizona’s aspirating gubernatorial what? Slut? The quality just keeps eroding in those circles. In Hollywood there is someone who picks the actors for films. Since the republicans like actors, obviously liar material, their choice of Trump to pick for them is priceless. Any horseman knows that the bigger the rope the harder it is to push.
This is blatantly troublesome to me.This was at a Turning Points STUDENT SUMMIT (most of Charlie Kirk’s recruits are white male students) and this idiot is talking about Big Dick Energy. There’s her platform for Governor.
Blatantly troublesome indeed, Christine ... today's iteration of the war between the sexes - patriarchy vs matriarchy - the bold, saucy, new-age popular culture woman celebrates raw penis power - the bigger and more aggressive the better ... brawn vs brain ... who needs conscience, integrity, intelligence, sensitivity when females who play into the game now represent the liberated woman and women who stand up for equity and respect once again are subverted and undermined ... I could go on ...
One thing about that uber masculine backbone of steel ... unbending and inflexible ... unlike the spider's web (stronger than steel, yet flexible) ... the tree that does not bend will break when big winds blow - as we know they will ... lives rooted in deception, superficial manipulation and cosmetic deceit will go slip-sliding away at the end of the day ... as they say in AA, "THIS TOO SHALL PASS!!"
They have, however successfully assisted the richest of the very rich to grow very much richer at the expense of the common weal, and to reverse anti-trust policies so that companies that were market leaders half a century ago are now no more than owned brands of an oligarchy of super-massive conglomerates.
When I finished digesting this LFAA, I was left with this thought: Is this the precursor to an Asian-America NATO policy applicable to our Pacific coasts as NATO is to our Atlantic coast and European heritage?
I don't know if that a NATO-like associatin is the intention or not. There are alliances but I don't think they reach the level of commitment of NATO.
The big driver in the Pacific Rim and western US has long been trade. It is a very big deal, indeed, with many formal and informal relationships built around it. I can say that it has always baffled me that so little attention has been paid to the importance of our economic relationship of USA west coast and the Pacific Rim nations by both Washington DC and media outside the region.
It's interesting that the NW and some other areas in the west has had this year a bumper crop of wheat, despite the drought. They are harvesting early.
Historically, their largest market has been with the Pacific Rim countries. This year, with the recent loss of a significant flour mill in Pendleton from a massive fire, along with shipping disruptions in the Pacific, NW farmers are eagerly enlarging their market to the EU and Africa. This could mean strengthened trade relations that we had not given much thought to before in WaDC. This won't change the established trade relationship with the Pacific Rim.
I'm glad to see attention being paid to it by Biden's administration and by Congress. These relationships are likely the best way to ensure east/west stability (both economic and political), and ensure that China does not become an out-of-control actor.
There is excellent potential that, as Heather implied, that the process this is setting in motion will help a great deal in creating pathways reaching both east and west. We may indeed see the day Russia deeply regrets their war on Ukraine.
So Pelosi et al's reaching out to the Pacific Rim is welcome news in many ways. Thanks, Heather, for such an excellent run-down on its significance! Whoop!
While America sleeps and the Republicans continue to thwart America's standing internationally, the Biden administration continues to go about doing the work of leadership on the international stage. Quietly. Thoughtfully. And in full interests of our national security, economic interests, and the necessity to protect democratic institutions so that our form of democracy may thrive. That Mr Bid and Mr Blinkin have worked with Congress to do the visits and hold conversations with long-standing partners while enjoining with these, through words and actions, subtle perhaps, is reminder that much that is good and successful among nations is achieved not in the hot eyes of public sausage-making, but by professional diplomats. Important reversal to Trump’s exit from the Asian stage where he exchanged American interests for personal friendships with Xi and Kim, dictators in the fashion he intends for our country were he to return to office. Thanks for preparing this well thought out analysis, Heather. I have a better sense of the ends involved in Ms Pelosi's Taiwan visit; reasoned and symbolic, with importance beyond 2024 and possible regime change.
Yes! And here's a suggested tweet if you want to share Dr. H's brilliant and completely understandable view of the US, Taiwan and the Trans Pacific region in response to misinformation on twitter. I find there's more visibility when I reply to someone else's tweet than when I only post this on my own feed. 279 characters and the link is working!
TWEET:
Was Trump right to withdraw from the Trans Pacific Partnership? Was Speaker Pelosi wrong to go to Taiwan? Read why the US must be active in the region (stretching from OUR coastline to Indian Ocean) & all the progress the Biden admin has been supporting.
As I recall (someone correct me if I'm wrong) both Trump and Clinton promised to withdraw from TPP. Heather states "Crucially, the document [i.e., the Biden document on Indo-Pacific] focuses not on the trade deals that made the TPP so unpopular". The reason that TPP was so unpopular is that it was largely written by and for corporate interests, and included serious adverse effects on labor and environmental issues. Unless I've completely misunderstood the situation, I'm glad the TPP was abandoned. Whether something else should have taken its place is another story.
My understanding was that Clinton was not willing to agree to the terms, as you point out. As a former Secretary of State and then President, it was expected that she would seek to renegotiate it before submitting it to Congress for ratification if successful. Trump walked away from foreign alliances choosing to engage in specific nation trade negotiations with the threat of trade wars as they were easy to win, so he said. One president would have used our powers to shape and remain working with other nations In the Pacific. tfg promised something bigger and better between him and Xi and we got nothing but enmity and tarriffs.
Quite so, diplomacy vs. braggadocio. Trump made numerous such promises, none of which came true. Among them, the nuclear problem with N. Korea was "solved" after he and Kim Jong Un fell in love. The difference between a president and a clown.
'Competing responsibly' with China is the way to go. Although I understand our military maintains awareness of China's capabilities should they ever have to contend with them, this is a better course to pursue than the NATO route. Different horses for different courses
Definitely agree! Your first sentence says perfectly my own thoughts. What a gift that keeps on giving is Letters from an American! It would have taken me several semesters of college to untangle all of the facts, diplomacy, and personalities that this one newsletter has accomplished.
And McConnell will love it if we fall for the "Biden is too old" lament and nominate a fresh face. I adored Obama but he did not have the experience of Biden and McConnell wiped the floor with him. Biden has proven that experience really matters. Leading this country is not a video game or TV drama.
I am never one to give up the opportunity to become anxious. The narrow focus and destructiveness of Trumpers, from it's leaders and throughout average America, speaks of such derangement and populism that I fear it will never see the benefits of Pres. Biden's leadership. That they still might prevail is chilling. Their outrage and AK-15 ownership is truly frightening.
A superb piece of writing about Taiwan, the US, China, and the Pacific---what breadth, insight, and information. This is an "awesome" post this evening. Another reason to read daily and recommend. Thank you Prof. Richardson. Peace and Courage to All.
I agree. Most news outlets were too breathless with the Mar-A-Lago drama to even mention this, let alone analyze it. We know that we can always depend on Heather to fill in the gaps. She always comes through.
Massive research. Maybe a record number of citation/links? All collated into a comprehensive report that reads like a story--that we who are (understatement ahead) weak in expertise in all things Asian-Pacific can understand.
BRAVO! Standing ovation to my favorite historian! Thank you, thank you, thank you! This fills in the major gap in the public's understanding of our relationship with China, Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific sphere which has been absent from the mainstream media. It also adds another large eagle feather in President Biden's cap. We have never had a President with more experience and expertise in foreign affairs than President Biden. And, Secretary of State Blinken has been at his side for many years. What a team they make! So, putting NATO back together and stronger than it has ever been and now making sure we have a similar strong alliance in the Indo-Pacific. North Atlantic Treaty Organization and a South Pacific Treaty Organization. It gives me great hope that American will someday soon be an admired leader of democracy around the world once again. The Phoenix is rising!
I feel optimism rising, but am not oblivious to how fast destruction works as opposed to building. Lock him up, lock the whiner up. He is showing us how much legal chaos money can buy. And how far into the future it can go…
There is a trend now starting to show after the Jan. 6 hearings that many Republicans while they still like DT don't want him to run for President again because they are tired of the chaos. I never liked the "lock her/him up" chant because it is inciting a mob. Always gave me the willies. Wish we'd stop using it. I do want DT in an orange jumpsuit. It is his color.
Jeri, Yes, unfortunately. Grew up across the river from the bum and his dad. I told my family and friends that he would ruin this country for generations, but they voted for him anyway.
Biden's team did it without the devious TPP provisions that would have allowed corporations to sue countries for any regulations that decreased their profits. Even Obama fell for that one.
Thank you for another detailed analysis complete with important insights. The recently signed Chips Act invoked much displeasure on the part of the Chinese. Ironically it will be Taiwan which will face the largest loss of jobs it would seem. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, and others, will partner in the US effort and collaboration will lead to continued viability for those nations principle exports. At the same time jobs are coming to America in a way not seen for decades. I have been trying out conversation stoppers such as: "I understand President Biden is bringing more jobs to American than any President before him". The looks are amazing.
During the signing ceremony, Biden mentioned an “analysis” as the source for the claim that 1 million construction jobs would be created -- as an established fact.
It turns out this number is wildly exaggerated.
We could not find any reference to 1 million construction jobs being created. Instead, such an investment — roughly equivalent to the Chips Act — would create “an average of 185,000 temporary jobs annually throughout the U.S. economy from 2021 to 2026.”
There’s often a temptation for a politician to cite the highest possible job creation for a new policy. But the president stumbled badly here. In public remarks, and then in a tweet, he claimed 1 million construction jobs would be created because of the Chips Act.
The real number was just 6,200, according to the industry-commissioned report.
Yes, I am sure the numbers are in play here. When an "industry" is returned to our shores then all of the follow on jobs arrive with it. President Biden is looking at jobs in tech which do not exist today. It is certainly true that our economy is marching toward less employment as it has for many decades. So? More jobs, in numbers, are likely to be generated by returning core industries, such as chip making, to our shores.
The belief that returning an entire "industry" to America will somehow not create more jobs here than existed before defies logic. The jobs created are at the top of the employment ladder while the jobs lost overseas were mostly low paying. The children of skilled techs who maintain the chip making robots will be the inventors of so many follow-on advances. Computer chips are the heart of manufacturing in many other fields. Time for American to step up to the technological challenge of breaking ties to a supply chain which is fueled by nations who do not like us very much. I have taught tech, we can and will meet this challenge.
Before we get too thrilled about chips and chip-making robots, let's think about the effects of many recent (and not-so-recent) technological "breakthroughs" on society. For example, we should not be manufacturing tons of plastic crap (and crap made of other materials hazardous to the environment). Is it really necessary to have an app to turn on the heat before we get home (except in some special circumstances)? Is Facebook adding to or subtracting from society? Many other questions along these lines -- this is a conversation too long for this forum, but urgently important.
Mr. Horowitz, your luddite is showing. Want to have a long conversation with real facts instead of fear of the future? Robots will only make the chips we need because robots are just manufacturing machines. They will elevate workers from pitiful repetition into problem solvers with a sense of accomplishment. Let the robots do the work and let the consumer decide what work they do.
Since you don't know me except through a few comments here, please don't assign personality traits to me (luddite, fear of the future,...). I'm no Luddite, but, for example, if you follow publications such as Technology Review, hardly a Luddite rag, you will find much discussion of the implications of large scale automation for workers. The results aren't pretty, by and large. Not only assembly line workers, but also many white-collar workers have been and will be replaced by robots. Instead of problem solvers with a sense of accomplishment, they will be flipping burgers. There was another point in my post, however, and that is the production of endless plastic and other crap. There was an estimate a few years ago (maybe in 2020 - I don't have the reference at my fingertips) that the weight of plastic in the ocean was 25% of the weight of fish, and that by 2050, under business as usual, it would be 125% of the weight of fish. So it's not just about robots, but about what our economy is doing, both to the people and the planet. As I said, it's a long conversation.
Oh, I definitely withdraw the luddite remark! I am sure that since we both follow the excellent analysis of HCR that you would not be trying to smear the remarks of a fellow person of the Liberal persusasion. Since I have retired from over 30 years in the technology business as both a tech and a tech instructor I find your concerns to be quite dated. I have been witness to the backend, the network technology which first sent tens of thousands of CRM jobs overseas and then, with AI, back again. So you may still speak with an agent, depending on time of day, in India or the Philippines you are much more likely to be conversing with an AI in Canada or the US. After considerable filtering by said AI you will be delivered to a real human and again, depending on time of day, somewhere and often back to the US. So? Is this fit work for an human who lives and works in the most advanced country on the planet? Keep your focus, the problems are simple. Fossil fuel is the biggest issue by far. We are heating the planet up at a fantastic rate. Don't get misled by the RW that plastics are somehow the big issue. Don't flp out on battery tech, don't flip out on plastics. Focus on the reality that anything which reduces dependence on fossil fuel combustion is a move in the right direction. Your story about fish is wrong, you are using what you would think frightens libs but is totally off the scales of reality. So, just guessing here, you are not really a lib are you?????
"Yesterday, U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, six months into the job, did his first television interview."
Nick Burns was a couple years behind me in high school and has been my "go to person" on foreign policy for a long time. I had the opportunity to hear him speak in Boston in February 2020 - he was a consultant to the Biden campaign. As a sidebar, there was speculation from others who know Burns, that had Hillary won against trump, Nick probably would have been the top candidate for Secretary of State.
I introduced myself after the forum (he doesn't know me from Adam!) and we reminisced about the 'ole hometown. He is the type of person who, when you have a conversation, you are the only person in the room and you have his full attention - hence his very successful diplomatic career. I had no doubt that when Biden appointed him as Ambassador to China that he was an excellent choice and was going to have one of the most difficult jobs in the world. But, if anyone is up to the task it is Ambassador Burns.
While having a madman occupy the WH, one of the biggest things I obsessed about (and there were sooooo many) is that the U.S. lost the opportunity (with, as it turns out now, dire consequences) to have qualified, compassionate, and experienced people throughout government and representing us overseas. IMO, Biden has done an incredible job in using his extensive network to find the best people for the most difficult positions. It remains beyond comprehension that there is a slug of millions of people who are so ignorant (with a dose of evil) that they would continue to support a madman who is so destructive to this country and the world order.
We know that cults can become very dangerous, and highly irrational (such as Jonestown and Heaven's Gate). It really seems to me like "mental malware", and I suspect that few if any human beings are completely free of some of the human tropisms that reinforce them. Much of what Republicans are saying these days could pass for madness, which has been evident in the dynamics of the exceptional COVID death-rate in the US. I know bright, educated people who are Trumpsters, hook, line, and sinker.
I know at least part of the core of the madness is calculated manipulation that may spawn it and certainly keeps it going, for example Harriet Hageman's petty manipulation of Cheney's concession message, or Sidney Powell's election fraud lies for which she has been sued. And of course, there is Trump. But the cult is the power source of their machine, and I suspect we need to understand cult dynamics a great deal better to deal with it.
As for evil, when I try to think of an example of extreme evil, I think it could as well be called predatory sociopathy, ruthless ambition unrestrained by compassion or conscience.
I agree that the loss of public service and diplomatic expertise and talent was a huge set back for our nation. I’m glad to read about Nick Burns as not only the diplomat, but as a person. Character matters!
❤️ I heartily agree Janet. Once I recognized that Biden would be our Dem candidate I thought to myself, he will know and recruit the very best people for important leadership positions creating a government for the ages. I have not been disappointed.
So true! Biden was not my first choice for president for several reasons but compared to the actual insiders and knowledgeable, smart people who are totally immersed like Nick Burns, I knew absolutely nothing, but I did know who to listen to! However, I understood Biden's vast experience (as well his being Obama's wingman for 8 years), connections, his moral and ethical compass all would be incredible strengths to draw upon a deep bench of talent that was ready to serve for all the correct reasons.
Having said that, I do wish the dems would step up to the podium a lot more often to tout the incredible successes that have been accomplished by this administration. And, done so under the most difficult times in modern history (domestically and around the world). The repugs are still consuming all the oxygen in the room and it's long overdue for that to change!
Wow, Dr. R! Thank you, as always! for such a succinct explanation of why it was important we went to Taiwan and what this means in the larger political picture!
Thank you! Really. Thank you, Professor! Once again, stunning writing about stunning developments as democratic principles are encouraged and supported by the Biden administration. I just wish these achievements could get as much press as Trump’s scurrilous behavior. Your letters should be read by every American. Thank you!
And that, dear friends is the problem. MAGAts have no eyes or ears, and the Republican leaders have no integrity and will hide logic and reason from the MAGAts with all their might.
Not only did your letter focus on the positive steps the Biden administration and members of Congress have take to reestablish positive relationships with Asian nations, but you did so by mentioning the former guy’s name only once. Bravo!
Thank you HCR. This important connection with the Asian Pacific countries, beyond the historical exploitation for corporations and cheap consumer goods is a step that shows we value the governments and people of the Southeast Asian nations. Your note: “…But with no guaranteed access to U.S. markets, there was uncertainty about how effective the administration’s calls for better labor and environmental standards would be.” I hope Humanitarian standards will be part of the deal, at least with long term planning. And with Climate Change and human rights front and center.
Annie, that’s good to hear. The concern of work conditions for workers in foreign countries who produce the products we buy in USA is critical. I think there have been inspections and standards but they may not be as rigorous as in the states. It’s something we need to care about. The price differences between Made in USA and imported goods is often a condition of lower pay and fewer benefits and safety conditions.
Xi Jinping has himself to blame, having decided he will become the second Mao (as if the first one wasn't bad enough). I have friends in Hong Kong, and when one of them was here on business and we had lunch, he curled my ears, telling me what has happened to that once great and free place under the Chinese Communists. So far as I am concerned, China needs containment like the USSR did. If you read Asian history, you will find that when the Chinese Empire was great, it was not loved by any of its neighbors.
My neighbor was a CIA operative in China before, during, and after WWII. He offered a scathing view of U.S. policy in all of Indo-China as communism took hold. His words were particularly unkind towards our policy of refusing Ho Che Minh’s requests for help, forcing him to get in bed with the communists. It seems to me that this period of our history politically helped shape the trouble we have now.???
Your neighbor was exactly right. Ho and the Viet Minh were the only indigenous indepence force in Asia that fought on our side, due to the USSR position. Ho as a young man went to the Versailles Conference to petition Wilson to implement the self-determination of the 14 Points for colonies, but found that Wilson the bigot was only interested in helping white people. The Bolsheviks being the only force that was anti-colonial...
Had we kept the French out in 1946 and recognized Ho's government, the result would be we would have a relationship with Vietnam much like we have now, only for 77 years - 58,000 Americans would not have died and would have accomplished other things, and who knows how many Asians wouldn't have died and would have contributed to that very different world.
In fact, if FDR had lived, that was what he wanted to do: keep the Europeans from returning to their colonial empires, and making the original anti-colonial country the leader of anti-colonialism. Things could have been very, very different...
I never understood why the Vietnam War was ever considered worth that. I know why we fought in WWII, but not there. I heard a lot of talk about "The Domino Theory" but it never seemed credible on it's face.
Nobody else did, either. Other than JFK, who had been humiliated by Kruschchev at the Vienna Summit in April 1961. That summer, he heard of Krushchev's speech saying the USSR would support "wars of national liberation," and decided to test that in the guerilla war going on in Vietnam that the National Liberation Front was winning. The first American was killed there in December 1961. We had begun supporting the French in the First Indochina War in 1950 as part of the "global st struggle against world communism" after Korea began.
(Shameless personal plug, go get my two Vietnam books, "The Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club" and "Going Downtown" - Vietnam Veterans of America has called them Best Vietnam History of 2021 and 2022 respectively.
FDR knew taking the French side in Vietnam was wrong and would have stopped it if he hadn’t been so busy fighting Nazis. I don’t know what Truman thought (if if, for that matter, but suspect he was in league with red-scarists like the evil Dulles brothers), but JFK, McNamara, and LBJ knew the Vietnam war was unwinninle. Johnson thought losing it would sink his legislative programs to promote human rights and reduce poverty in the US. He was probably right about that. LBJ’s political skills were probably the best of his generation, and the US electorate has been dominated by warmongering rabble for a long time, especially during Vietnam. Too bad Truman of Eisenhower failed to get us on the right side in Vietnam when it was possible to do so.
Want to encourage those of us with 20+ aged relatives interested in the history of WWII and Vietnam-- connected it seems to their budding interest in their family histories and their relatives who served during wars-- to suggest they read TC's books. My nephew Colin, 25, is a big fan of TC's writing and accessible style. Sometimes we forget that these kids do not have the memories of those years.
It made sense to me at the time, thought for years that our intervention there stopped communism in the area to a great extent. But blamed tricky dick for interfering in 1968, even though the extent of his efforts were not known at the time. Maybe I was like the Foxers of today, thinking I knew when I had no clue.
These are the first two paragraphs of the historical background chapter of "Going Downtown":
One cannot begin to either comprehend or understand anything that happened during America’s involvement in the Southeast Asian wars of the 1960s without understanding that those events did not arise de novo with the election of John F. Kennedy as president in 1960. America’s wars in Southeast Asia were a long time coming. The United States had been effectively at war in Southeast Asia since 1950, and in many ways for much longer than that. Perhaps the best description of what Americans would bring to the region is the famous line in Graham Greene’s novel of the First Indochina War, “The Quiet American,” in which the novel’s protagonist, cynical British journalist Thomas Fowler - a stand-in for Greene, who wrote the novel from experience - describes the title character, Alden Pyle: “I never knew a man who had better motives for all the trouble he caused... impregnably armored by his good intentions and his ignorance.” At the same time, the Americans who came to Southeast Asia to fight could be compared with another fictional character, the detective Jake Gittes of Chinatown, who only gradually gains the terrible awareness of his own helplessness in the face of the omnipresence of power and abuse, “the futility of good intentions.”
John F. Kennedy, who could well be seen as the embodiment of Alden Pyle, and was perhaps more responsible than any other American for the wartime involvement of his country in Southeast Asia, visited South Vietnam as a young congressman on a fact-finding investigation in 1952. After two weeks of meetings with officials and dinner conversations with French colons in Saigon, and after receiving a quick tour of the countryside, he returned to the United States and wrote presciently of the trip in his diary: “We are more and more becoming colonialists in the minds of the people. Because everyone believes that we control the U.N. and because our wealth is supposedly inexhaustible, we will be damned if we don’t do what the new nations want.” Ten years later, one could argue he had forgotten every moment of his visit, every sight seen, every conversation engaged in.
❤️ so wish I had known all this, Wilson was the harbinger of so much that turned out to be so chaotic and just wrong. But chump is our modern version and people do know, or should….
Here's our first involvement with Vietnam (From my book "Going Downtown: The US Air Force in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia 1961-75")
American Marines first arrived in Vietnam on May 10, 1845 - 120 years before they landed on Da Nang’s White Beach in March 1965 - when Captain John “Mad Jack” Percival, commanding officer of USS Constitution, “Old Ironsides,” then on a Far Eastern show-the-flag tour, dropped anchor in Da Nang harbor and landed a detachment of the ship’s Marines in the closest port to Hue, the Vietnamese imperial capital. “Mad Jack” was responding to information he had received that the Vietnamese were about to execute French bishop Dominic Lefebvre, the Catholic religious leader in Viet-Nam, as part of an ongoing persecution of native Catholics carried out by order of Emperor Trinh, son of Emperor Gia Long who had considered Christianity subversive to the nation he was building in the years before his death in 1832, Vietnam was in the midst of a persecution begun in 1827 that would be the greatest since Nero, with 130,000 Vietnamese Catholics murdered by 1856.
The American Marines quickly took several local Vietnamese officials - who had never heard of the United States of America - captive and held them as hostages for four days until Emperor Trinh gave assurances that the bishop would not be harmed. Satisfied, “Mad Jack” sailed away and matters remained quiet until the government in Washington finally heard of the event and sent the American Consul at Singapore to apologize to the Emperor for the audacious behavior in 1849. Similar to events 120 years later, “Mad Jack” Percival and his Marines had never heard of Vietnam until two weeks before they landed, when they learned of the Christian persecution while in Singapore and the captain decided unilaterally that he would intervene.
Absolute our path leads forward, yet the "what if" question can be the key to improvement and discovery. That's why investigative team gather every available shard of a plane crash, to see what might be done to prevent such a scene in the future. "If only" is less productive, but we still may need to comprehend and grieve it, and then move on forearmed.
Doesn’t it always, our lack of foresight bites us for generations. I never had the foresight, but my hindsight is awesome. Wish those in the know did better.
Then your Neighbor would know that the OSS ( precursor of CIA) did in fact support Ho Chi Minh's cadres & others in WWII to attack Japanese Imperial forces. ( Footage still available of Ho doing Tai Chi at his Camp). After the devastating Anti- Fascist WWII battles, the US supported the doomed French re-colonization of Vietnam. The Colonial French collapsed in 1956. One of the first Americans killed was in 1957 in Saigon. Yes, historical sins writ latge are still with us in 2022.
So this Letter was the mysterious rabbit hole? A huge amount of research went into it, judging by the number of notes. I am so grateful to understand better all the background and reasoning for our involvement in the region. Now Pelosi’s visit makes sense to me. I couldn’t understand the timing of it until now. Thank you, thank you yet again Prof.. Richardson!
Thank you for this summary of our relationship with Taiwan and other countries and also how China is being affected. It is nice to know that the Biden administration is doing well in this area as well after death star put us at a disadvantage with these countries.
Today’s summary proves Rick Wilson’s point-everything t**** touches dies. The toxicity of tfg is evidence that he is the human version of Agent Orange.
A brilliant piece, Heather! Thank you for bringing all the players together with such clarity and élan. Nancy Pelosi’s role makes so much more sense now.
“The U.S. and Taiwan, which was not included in the earlier economic organization, will start formal trade talks in the fall.”
Thank you, Heather, for this comprehensive overview of China, the Indo-Pacific, etc. You are much more helpful that most news stories - and especially the fear-mongering headlines - that have dominated. I especially appreciate that Biden and Blinken have found a third way to deal w/ China and that region. Finding that third way might be just what our country (and many people) need regarding many other issues that initially seem either-or/zero-sum.
Here we have yet another comprehensive, full-court-press approach to fixing one of the long list of Trump screwups. And all of it involves working closely with a range of nations to the benefit of all.
Once again President Biden is demonstrating that government works – if officials work hard at it. Meanwhile, what are Republicans doing to help the nation?
We can only thank President Biden and his team by coming out by the millions in November and giving them our VOTE!
These Republicans are no longer on America’s side.
Yes Georgia Girl! If we all do our most important job and SIMPLY VOTE just think of what can be accomplished! Biden had surrounded himself with incredibly talented negotiators and problem solvers. What a breath of fresh air in Washington DC!!!
The R’s are working as hard as they can to tear the nation apart because they have no ideas to improve the lives of ordinary people. As I read this letter, I kept thinking of Rex Tillerson, an actual business person instead of a pretend one, calling Trump “an effing moron.” He nailed it.
For most of my life I listened to others, not trusting my own experiences. I mostly wanted people to be happy. As I grew older another voice, my own, emerged. At first this current spate of elected republicans seemed an offshoot of the desperation of those who had fallen through the cracks. That is utter rubbish. My own voice tells me loudly and clearly they have no moral agenda, no political agenda, and no business re presenting those they are victimizing. Their absurd posturing if coordinated at all most resembles a feeding frenzy of sharks tearing apart the fabric of our American government. They represent the the most significant threat we have ever faced as a nation, in one of the most abhorrent manners ever conceived. Do I think we will defeat this current crop of weeds? Inevitably! “We’ll hit the decks a running boys and spin those guns around.”
..."hit the decks running BOYS AND GIRLS and spin those guns around." 😉
Yes, Nancy. I’m sure Johnny Horton would approve. I can’t imagine a world where men are considered equal to women. I am thrilled that they allow it.
Sly rascal! 😜
Thank you for exercising your voice.
Your passion is contagious!!! Stay the course!!!
Yes!!!!
Yes!
I see Republican leaders as on a classic quest for absolute power. The sow confusion, distraction and utter distortion to keep their membership in an incurious, reactive "reptile" state, a vulnerability I think virtually all humans share to some extent. It's the mind control that Orwell wrote about, not to empower but to dominate. Utterly. History shows plainly where that can lead when not effectively opposed.
Yes! Eternal vigilance
Frightening to realize that Orwell wasn’t just telling a story but truly warning us.
And that Republicans use those warnings as an instruction manual. When I read 1984 as kid (somewhere around age 12) I was fascinated (and creeped out) but thought the "war is peace" thing overplayed. Not any more.
Makes me think of regulated or contained capitalism.
Which, insofar as we are talking about a component or a society, not its sole purpose, is fine with me. What is not OK is monopolies, of markets or of political power; and the two seem to go together. And private enterprise is not suited for many of the crucial and desirable societal functions better, more safely, and more justly managed by the public sector. We seemed to understand that better when I was a school kid in 1950s Ohio, and my socially conservative teachers celebrated Teddy Roosevelt as "The Trust Buster". After decades of teaching manners and restraint to the plutocrats, voters handed them the keys to the country, with predictable results.
Your reply is exactly what I had in mind.
I’m pretty sure they are busy shagging Lassie. What I meant was screwing the pooch. I know that doesn’t really explain em, but as I have forgotten so many words due to old age evaporation, those were the least offensive words I could think of. And yes my apologies to Lassie.
And yet we still bow to bipartisanship, when the Republican Party is the enemy of all logic and reason. Chump’s goal was destroy by whatever means, and he will, given the chance. Biden is still betting on logic, reason, and the future of us as citizens of the world. Which we ALL are, like it or not. Biden is playing chess while chump whines and plays the victim. If only Rupert were on the side of the truth. But then, old dogs don’t seem to learn new tricks, except Joe B
“Old age evaporation” Explains a lot…
Known at our house as adult onset full brain syndrome!
I had to laugh at that myself, it's an increasingly frequent experience. The reassuring part is that, often, the word hasn't totally evaporated although too often it pops into mind too late.
Another reassuring bit about aging memories v. dementias is that (as I read in a "health" column years ago), if you remember that you've forgotten you're okay.
Thank God for small favors. I still remember that I’ve forgotten what I came in to the pantry for!
Whew!!
You’re right, except that the President has had this knowledge for decades.
It’s the young dogs following along and picking up what the old dogs started that frighten me.
... not just the pooch!!
Apparently not.
Good on you Pat! I've been noticing in the alternate news sites that I read in addition to the MSM, that the baaaaaad language strictures are loosening: words are often spelled out instead of ****. Me? I'm 95 and say whatever the hell I want - although I don't want to so much anymore. Growing self confidence, I think. ?????????
Here are two euphemisms I use when necessary: Schlitz!!! and Flux!!!! L&B&L
Ida At close to 89 I recall "If you are out of Schlitz, then you are out of beer." Now we need more beer and less Schlitz and Flux the baddies.
I don't remember that. My father was a druggist and I worked for him as I was growing up - I remember selling Schlitz. And I was under 18 - I wonder how that worked in those days; it certainly never was an issue. So, here we are, awfully old. I'm still in good health Keith, and I hope you are. L&B&L
Ida Don’t know about you, but my feistiness keeps me going, despite some physical impediments.
Here’s a slogan from yesterday that has today a double entendre:
‘Things go better with Coke.’ Personally never snorted a thing.
When I was on a nonprofit board with the head of Pepsi, my wife made me promise not to sing this to him:
“Pepsi Cola hits the spot,
Twelve full ounces, that’s a lot,
Twice as much for a nickel too,
Pepsi Cola is the drink for you.’
One of my few moments of restraint.
Awaiting 90 in 14 months.
Keith
Schlitz made Milwaukee famous. So In context I could say republicans schlitz a little too close to the house especially when they’ve got the flux?
Age matters. It takes longer to produce excellence. By example, my wife is 67 and contradicts nearly every word I utter. My girlfriend is 97 and hangs on every word. She agrees with me on everything. It is so refreshing that I built her a new porch. I removed the tree the wind blew over. I rebuilt her fence. I repaired her garage. I built new old fashioned screen doors for her. I cut her daughters hay and baled it for her. A friend suggested something cynical in our relationship but I know in my heart it is the wisdom of 97 years shining in the late afternoon sun. Age really does matter.
You go girl!
I'm still goin' Lois. Thanks. L&B&L
And good on you for being here.
Yeah. Been here a long long time and last night would have been fine. But my health and genes are so good - and I enjoy some of every single day and laugh: out loud and a lot.
L&B&L
I think you nailed it Pat. Just the right words.
"Meanwhile, what are Republicans doing to help the nation?"
It's against their religion.
Their corruption of Christianity is beyond the pale, yet few seem to notice.
I have been paying attention to their corruption of religion (not faith) for the last 50 years.
I am just finding out! I had no idea until this year! Gee... I thought it was just the people... and not the so called Christians! And it happened while I was sleeping! I always believed in the separation of church and state!
I have heard prominent Republicans say the Constitutional freedom of religion means that you are free to have a religion, not free to not have one. And if you look more closely, it's not just any brand of religion they are talking about. Rubbish. The "Enlightenment" era philosophies that pervade the Constitution were an intellectual movement away from the domination of the church. Yes. there was a general embrace of religious thinking on the part of the founders, "endowed by their creator", etc. but Jefferson produced his own, heavily edited Bible, and in any case, our prescriptive philosophy of law is more allied to the methodology of science than subjective faith; proof by logic and evidence.
The methodology of science can inform but not settle every human question, but when our actions impose consequences on others, there is a reason to have evidence-based thinking behind it; persecuting witches for example (one pope was even into eradicating cats). And science is allied to democracy in the form of peer review, and the freedom to challenge, based on evidence, any existing beliefs, and a "see-for-yourself" standard of confidence. While observing Higgs bosons takes fancy equipment, many game-changing classic experiments could be duplicated by nearly anyone.
When human lives are on the line (e.g., COVID, Climate) it seems only fair to agree to act on what we can observe together, rather than unique visions of prophets. People should be free to seek their own spiritual thoughts, and to also seek the like minded, but not to impose their subjective preferences on others, especially when it comes to edicts from those who consider themselves inherently holier than thou, i.e., hubris.
The history of organized religion is strewn with horrors, though as you indicate, there is a distinction to be made. The Quakers, for example, do a disproportional amount for the size of the membership of non-discriminatory and heroic international service work. MLK was a clergyman. There seems to be a strain of religion that is humble and compassionate and a strain that is vainglorious and cruel, think "witch" burnings or 9/11. Think the sociopathic hubris that credited God for native genocides, or justified slavery. Some "religious" people seek to empower and to others to dominate. They can't both be serving the same agenda. Somehow religion and its evil twin share the same label.
Your thinking is the life blood of our emerging society. I think you are a pretty smart cracker JL.
"Meanwhile, what are Republicans doing to help the nation?'
Promoting and celebrating BDE ((https://www.thedailybeast.com/kari-lake-says-ron-desantis-has-big-dick-energy-she-got-one-word-right)) ...?!
Jeez Kathleen, words from Arizona’s aspirating gubernatorial what? Slut? The quality just keeps eroding in those circles. In Hollywood there is someone who picks the actors for films. Since the republicans like actors, obviously liar material, their choice of Trump to pick for them is priceless. Any horseman knows that the bigger the rope the harder it is to push.
Dicks have screwed us for too long, tricky dick, Chaney dick, and now Ronny dick. Enough already
... oh, silly me - here I thought it was all about the money ...
This is blatantly troublesome to me.This was at a Turning Points STUDENT SUMMIT (most of Charlie Kirk’s recruits are white male students) and this idiot is talking about Big Dick Energy. There’s her platform for Governor.
🗽
Blatantly troublesome indeed, Christine ... today's iteration of the war between the sexes - patriarchy vs matriarchy - the bold, saucy, new-age popular culture woman celebrates raw penis power - the bigger and more aggressive the better ... brawn vs brain ... who needs conscience, integrity, intelligence, sensitivity when females who play into the game now represent the liberated woman and women who stand up for equity and respect once again are subverted and undermined ... I could go on ...
One thing about that uber masculine backbone of steel ... unbending and inflexible ... unlike the spider's web (stronger than steel, yet flexible) ... the tree that does not bend will break when big winds blow - as we know they will ... lives rooted in deception, superficial manipulation and cosmetic deceit will go slip-sliding away at the end of the day ... as they say in AA, "THIS TOO SHALL PASS!!"
Willow woman.
We are not supposed to be shocked at anything those A-holes say. That is her duty and contribution to instituting the rising call to fascism.
Ooooh - let the puns begin!! I’m sure her remarks were harmless. She was just yanking your chain- you know she said it with a wank and a smile.
While her on-camera speech was meant to bully, I imagine she’s a jerk-off camera, too.
Think this will blow her chance for the gubernatorial race? Arizona has some stiff competition for the biggest dicks in politics.
Puns are considered a low form of humor. Luckily the second amendment guarantees pun rights.
😂🙏🤣🙏😂
Subtly hilarious. Wry. I will chuckle all day or until my failing mind let’s go of it.
😂🤣😂🤣😂
The anti democracy party has done near nothing to help the nation. In fact they fit my definition of domestic terrorist.
They have, however successfully assisted the richest of the very rich to grow very much richer at the expense of the common weal, and to reverse anti-trust policies so that companies that were market leaders half a century ago are now no more than owned brands of an oligarchy of super-massive conglomerates.
Absolutely nothing, unfortunately.
When I finished digesting this LFAA, I was left with this thought: Is this the precursor to an Asian-America NATO policy applicable to our Pacific coasts as NATO is to our Atlantic coast and European heritage?
I don't know if that a NATO-like associatin is the intention or not. There are alliances but I don't think they reach the level of commitment of NATO.
The big driver in the Pacific Rim and western US has long been trade. It is a very big deal, indeed, with many formal and informal relationships built around it. I can say that it has always baffled me that so little attention has been paid to the importance of our economic relationship of USA west coast and the Pacific Rim nations by both Washington DC and media outside the region.
It's interesting that the NW and some other areas in the west has had this year a bumper crop of wheat, despite the drought. They are harvesting early.
Historically, their largest market has been with the Pacific Rim countries. This year, with the recent loss of a significant flour mill in Pendleton from a massive fire, along with shipping disruptions in the Pacific, NW farmers are eagerly enlarging their market to the EU and Africa. This could mean strengthened trade relations that we had not given much thought to before in WaDC. This won't change the established trade relationship with the Pacific Rim.
I'm glad to see attention being paid to it by Biden's administration and by Congress. These relationships are likely the best way to ensure east/west stability (both economic and political), and ensure that China does not become an out-of-control actor.
There is excellent potential that, as Heather implied, that the process this is setting in motion will help a great deal in creating pathways reaching both east and west. We may indeed see the day Russia deeply regrets their war on Ukraine.
So Pelosi et al's reaching out to the Pacific Rim is welcome news in many ways. Thanks, Heather, for such an excellent run-down on its significance! Whoop!
They did let the non-voting delegate from American Samoa go with Sen. Markey's group. That counts, right?
While America sleeps and the Republicans continue to thwart America's standing internationally, the Biden administration continues to go about doing the work of leadership on the international stage. Quietly. Thoughtfully. And in full interests of our national security, economic interests, and the necessity to protect democratic institutions so that our form of democracy may thrive. That Mr Bid and Mr Blinkin have worked with Congress to do the visits and hold conversations with long-standing partners while enjoining with these, through words and actions, subtle perhaps, is reminder that much that is good and successful among nations is achieved not in the hot eyes of public sausage-making, but by professional diplomats. Important reversal to Trump’s exit from the Asian stage where he exchanged American interests for personal friendships with Xi and Kim, dictators in the fashion he intends for our country were he to return to office. Thanks for preparing this well thought out analysis, Heather. I have a better sense of the ends involved in Ms Pelosi's Taiwan visit; reasoned and symbolic, with importance beyond 2024 and possible regime change.
Yes! And here's a suggested tweet if you want to share Dr. H's brilliant and completely understandable view of the US, Taiwan and the Trans Pacific region in response to misinformation on twitter. I find there's more visibility when I reply to someone else's tweet than when I only post this on my own feed. 279 characters and the link is working!
TWEET:
Was Trump right to withdraw from the Trans Pacific Partnership? Was Speaker Pelosi wrong to go to Taiwan? Read why the US must be active in the region (stretching from OUR coastline to Indian Ocean) & all the progress the Biden admin has been supporting.
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/august-20-2022?r=eznl2&s=r&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
As I recall (someone correct me if I'm wrong) both Trump and Clinton promised to withdraw from TPP. Heather states "Crucially, the document [i.e., the Biden document on Indo-Pacific] focuses not on the trade deals that made the TPP so unpopular". The reason that TPP was so unpopular is that it was largely written by and for corporate interests, and included serious adverse effects on labor and environmental issues. Unless I've completely misunderstood the situation, I'm glad the TPP was abandoned. Whether something else should have taken its place is another story.
My understanding was that Clinton was not willing to agree to the terms, as you point out. As a former Secretary of State and then President, it was expected that she would seek to renegotiate it before submitting it to Congress for ratification if successful. Trump walked away from foreign alliances choosing to engage in specific nation trade negotiations with the threat of trade wars as they were easy to win, so he said. One president would have used our powers to shape and remain working with other nations In the Pacific. tfg promised something bigger and better between him and Xi and we got nothing but enmity and tarriffs.
Quite so, diplomacy vs. braggadocio. Trump made numerous such promises, none of which came true. Among them, the nuclear problem with N. Korea was "solved" after he and Kim Jong Un fell in love. The difference between a president and a clown.
'Competing responsibly' with China is the way to go. Although I understand our military maintains awareness of China's capabilities should they ever have to contend with them, this is a better course to pursue than the NATO route. Different horses for different courses
Definitely agree! Your first sentence says perfectly my own thoughts. What a gift that keeps on giving is Letters from an American! It would have taken me several semesters of college to untangle all of the facts, diplomacy, and personalities that this one newsletter has accomplished.
Yep and it is never easy.
Thank you Laurie for your response to Heather. It's exactly what I wanted to say:)
Oh thank you, Carolyn.
Wow! So while the Republicans blather on about strength and greatness, “Sleepy Joe” masterfully orchestrates building alliances with true power.
So we can say, “Even in his sleep, Joe Bided can work circles around trump and the corrupt old party”
And McConnell will love it if we fall for the "Biden is too old" lament and nominate a fresh face. I adored Obama but he did not have the experience of Biden and McConnell wiped the floor with him. Biden has proven that experience really matters. Leading this country is not a video game or TV drama.
I am never one to give up the opportunity to become anxious. The narrow focus and destructiveness of Trumpers, from it's leaders and throughout average America, speaks of such derangement and populism that I fear it will never see the benefits of Pres. Biden's leadership. That they still might prevail is chilling. Their outrage and AK-15 ownership is truly frightening.
"I am never one to give up the opportunity to become anxious." Amen!
My thoughts exactly, though I use more words to say so.
A superb piece of writing about Taiwan, the US, China, and the Pacific---what breadth, insight, and information. This is an "awesome" post this evening. Another reason to read daily and recommend. Thank you Prof. Richardson. Peace and Courage to All.
Masterful is for once appropriate and on a really challenging topic.
I agree. Most news outlets were too breathless with the Mar-A-Lago drama to even mention this, let alone analyze it. We know that we can always depend on Heather to fill in the gaps. She always comes through.
Massive research. Maybe a record number of citation/links? All collated into a comprehensive report that reads like a story--that we who are (understatement ahead) weak in expertise in all things Asian-Pacific can understand.
No one does it better than our Professor!
Thank you.
Gus, I too noticed the large number of citations. No wonder it took Heather 2 days to get this completed. What a fine LFAA!
Yes, amazing.
You think we got our $50 dollars worth again today, Gus?
Fred, I certainly do. But don't tell anybody. The tuition might increase to what it's really worth!
The Letter helps me stay "cognitively intact," which is priceless.
An uphill, toe-to-toe battle, ain't it?
BRAVO! Standing ovation to my favorite historian! Thank you, thank you, thank you! This fills in the major gap in the public's understanding of our relationship with China, Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific sphere which has been absent from the mainstream media. It also adds another large eagle feather in President Biden's cap. We have never had a President with more experience and expertise in foreign affairs than President Biden. And, Secretary of State Blinken has been at his side for many years. What a team they make! So, putting NATO back together and stronger than it has ever been and now making sure we have a similar strong alliance in the Indo-Pacific. North Atlantic Treaty Organization and a South Pacific Treaty Organization. It gives me great hope that American will someday soon be an admired leader of democracy around the world once again. The Phoenix is rising!
I feel optimism rising, but am not oblivious to how fast destruction works as opposed to building. Lock him up, lock the whiner up. He is showing us how much legal chaos money can buy. And how far into the future it can go…
There is a trend now starting to show after the Jan. 6 hearings that many Republicans while they still like DT don't want him to run for President again because they are tired of the chaos. I never liked the "lock her/him up" chant because it is inciting a mob. Always gave me the willies. Wish we'd stop using it. I do want DT in an orange jumpsuit. It is his color.
Jeri, Yes, unfortunately. Grew up across the river from the bum and his dad. I told my family and friends that he would ruin this country for generations, but they voted for him anyway.
And he has…..
The destruction is not yet complete. Fingers crossed, Gus.
Biden's team did it without the devious TPP provisions that would have allowed corporations to sue countries for any regulations that decreased their profits. Even Obama fell for that one.
One of my complaints against Obama. And, the secrecy of that deal made me think they were selling us a pig in a poke.
Cathy, all true, all true!
Rise bird, rise!
Thank you for another detailed analysis complete with important insights. The recently signed Chips Act invoked much displeasure on the part of the Chinese. Ironically it will be Taiwan which will face the largest loss of jobs it would seem. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, and others, will partner in the US effort and collaboration will lead to continued viability for those nations principle exports. At the same time jobs are coming to America in a way not seen for decades. I have been trying out conversation stoppers such as: "I understand President Biden is bringing more jobs to American than any President before him". The looks are amazing.
The looks are of stunned chumpers, keep it up.
Philip B. Huff -- "I understand President Biden is bringing more jobs to American than any President before him"
Be cautious with (arguably) hyperbole:
“𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘈𝘤𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦 1 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯 — 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 1 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘫𝘰𝘣𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘴𝘪𝘹 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢.” --President Biden, in remarks during the signing of the Chips Act, Aug. 9
“𝘐𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘏𝘐𝘗𝘚 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘓𝘢𝘸 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 1 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘫𝘰𝘣𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵 6 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢.” --Biden, in a tweet, Aug. 11
During the signing ceremony, Biden mentioned an “analysis” as the source for the claim that 1 million construction jobs would be created -- as an established fact.
It turns out this number is wildly exaggerated.
We could not find any reference to 1 million construction jobs being created. Instead, such an investment — roughly equivalent to the Chips Act — would create “an average of 185,000 temporary jobs annually throughout the U.S. economy from 2021 to 2026.”
There’s often a temptation for a politician to cite the highest possible job creation for a new policy. But the president stumbled badly here. In public remarks, and then in a tweet, he claimed 1 million construction jobs would be created because of the Chips Act.
The real number was just 6,200, according to the industry-commissioned report.
The president earns Four Pinocchios.
[Gift Link]
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/08/18/bidens-bogus-1-million-construction-jobs-boast/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWJpZCI6IjEwMDk0NTQ3IiwicmVhc29uIjoiZ2lmdCIsIm5iZiI6MTY2MTAwODE4NiwiaXNzIjoic3Vic2NyaXB0aW9ucyIsImV4cCI6MTY2MjIxNzc4NiwiaWF0IjoxNjYxMDA4MTg2LCJqdGkiOiJhNWY5Y2M2OC01ZTdlLTQwYTktOTVjZC1hODJkZTBlMzU3NDkiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy53YXNoaW5ndG9ucG9zdC5jb20vcG9saXRpY3MvMjAyMi8wOC8xOC9iaWRlbnMtYm9ndXMtMS1taWxsaW9uLWNvbnN0cnVjdGlvbi1qb2JzLWJvYXN0LyJ9.CSu4ucfw0ayyXJWSYE21Fxi5kzS_os_RvgLjJB71fPY&fbclid=IwAR2hE25dcCWN6Y-7FKKygBWS75bFoX056_ByXc4n89ZCivr9eWYtHjanSGU
Yes, I am sure the numbers are in play here. When an "industry" is returned to our shores then all of the follow on jobs arrive with it. President Biden is looking at jobs in tech which do not exist today. It is certainly true that our economy is marching toward less employment as it has for many decades. So? More jobs, in numbers, are likely to be generated by returning core industries, such as chip making, to our shores.
Yes!!
Great idea. Do you happen to have any handy links for any of us who might want to try it?
The belief that returning an entire "industry" to America will somehow not create more jobs here than existed before defies logic. The jobs created are at the top of the employment ladder while the jobs lost overseas were mostly low paying. The children of skilled techs who maintain the chip making robots will be the inventors of so many follow-on advances. Computer chips are the heart of manufacturing in many other fields. Time for American to step up to the technological challenge of breaking ties to a supply chain which is fueled by nations who do not like us very much. I have taught tech, we can and will meet this challenge.
Before we get too thrilled about chips and chip-making robots, let's think about the effects of many recent (and not-so-recent) technological "breakthroughs" on society. For example, we should not be manufacturing tons of plastic crap (and crap made of other materials hazardous to the environment). Is it really necessary to have an app to turn on the heat before we get home (except in some special circumstances)? Is Facebook adding to or subtracting from society? Many other questions along these lines -- this is a conversation too long for this forum, but urgently important.
Mr. Horowitz, your luddite is showing. Want to have a long conversation with real facts instead of fear of the future? Robots will only make the chips we need because robots are just manufacturing machines. They will elevate workers from pitiful repetition into problem solvers with a sense of accomplishment. Let the robots do the work and let the consumer decide what work they do.
Since you don't know me except through a few comments here, please don't assign personality traits to me (luddite, fear of the future,...). I'm no Luddite, but, for example, if you follow publications such as Technology Review, hardly a Luddite rag, you will find much discussion of the implications of large scale automation for workers. The results aren't pretty, by and large. Not only assembly line workers, but also many white-collar workers have been and will be replaced by robots. Instead of problem solvers with a sense of accomplishment, they will be flipping burgers. There was another point in my post, however, and that is the production of endless plastic and other crap. There was an estimate a few years ago (maybe in 2020 - I don't have the reference at my fingertips) that the weight of plastic in the ocean was 25% of the weight of fish, and that by 2050, under business as usual, it would be 125% of the weight of fish. So it's not just about robots, but about what our economy is doing, both to the people and the planet. As I said, it's a long conversation.
Oh, I definitely withdraw the luddite remark! I am sure that since we both follow the excellent analysis of HCR that you would not be trying to smear the remarks of a fellow person of the Liberal persusasion. Since I have retired from over 30 years in the technology business as both a tech and a tech instructor I find your concerns to be quite dated. I have been witness to the backend, the network technology which first sent tens of thousands of CRM jobs overseas and then, with AI, back again. So you may still speak with an agent, depending on time of day, in India or the Philippines you are much more likely to be conversing with an AI in Canada or the US. After considerable filtering by said AI you will be delivered to a real human and again, depending on time of day, somewhere and often back to the US. So? Is this fit work for an human who lives and works in the most advanced country on the planet? Keep your focus, the problems are simple. Fossil fuel is the biggest issue by far. We are heating the planet up at a fantastic rate. Don't get misled by the RW that plastics are somehow the big issue. Don't flp out on battery tech, don't flip out on plastics. Focus on the reality that anything which reduces dependence on fossil fuel combustion is a move in the right direction. Your story about fish is wrong, you are using what you would think frightens libs but is totally off the scales of reality. So, just guessing here, you are not really a lib are you?????
"Yesterday, U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, six months into the job, did his first television interview."
Nick Burns was a couple years behind me in high school and has been my "go to person" on foreign policy for a long time. I had the opportunity to hear him speak in Boston in February 2020 - he was a consultant to the Biden campaign. As a sidebar, there was speculation from others who know Burns, that had Hillary won against trump, Nick probably would have been the top candidate for Secretary of State.
I introduced myself after the forum (he doesn't know me from Adam!) and we reminisced about the 'ole hometown. He is the type of person who, when you have a conversation, you are the only person in the room and you have his full attention - hence his very successful diplomatic career. I had no doubt that when Biden appointed him as Ambassador to China that he was an excellent choice and was going to have one of the most difficult jobs in the world. But, if anyone is up to the task it is Ambassador Burns.
While having a madman occupy the WH, one of the biggest things I obsessed about (and there were sooooo many) is that the U.S. lost the opportunity (with, as it turns out now, dire consequences) to have qualified, compassionate, and experienced people throughout government and representing us overseas. IMO, Biden has done an incredible job in using his extensive network to find the best people for the most difficult positions. It remains beyond comprehension that there is a slug of millions of people who are so ignorant (with a dose of evil) that they would continue to support a madman who is so destructive to this country and the world order.
We know that cults can become very dangerous, and highly irrational (such as Jonestown and Heaven's Gate). It really seems to me like "mental malware", and I suspect that few if any human beings are completely free of some of the human tropisms that reinforce them. Much of what Republicans are saying these days could pass for madness, which has been evident in the dynamics of the exceptional COVID death-rate in the US. I know bright, educated people who are Trumpsters, hook, line, and sinker.
I know at least part of the core of the madness is calculated manipulation that may spawn it and certainly keeps it going, for example Harriet Hageman's petty manipulation of Cheney's concession message, or Sidney Powell's election fraud lies for which she has been sued. And of course, there is Trump. But the cult is the power source of their machine, and I suspect we need to understand cult dynamics a great deal better to deal with it.
As for evil, when I try to think of an example of extreme evil, I think it could as well be called predatory sociopathy, ruthless ambition unrestrained by compassion or conscience.
Spot on, J.L. Graham! Especially your last paragraph about evil. Cults usually don’t end well.
Jenn, let’s hope so! Plenty of dead cults around to prove your point.
Evil speaks with the power of the common man with the integrity of the devil.
.....a combination of "predatory sociopathy" and narcissism...
J L, thank you! Brilliant analysis. We’ll have to deprogram them all, I’m afraid.
As to your one sentence concept and definition of human evil: I’m stealing it!
I guess I’m just evil……
I agree that the loss of public service and diplomatic expertise and talent was a huge set back for our nation. I’m glad to read about Nick Burns as not only the diplomat, but as a person. Character matters!
❤️ I heartily agree Janet. Once I recognized that Biden would be our Dem candidate I thought to myself, he will know and recruit the very best people for important leadership positions creating a government for the ages. I have not been disappointed.
So true! Biden was not my first choice for president for several reasons but compared to the actual insiders and knowledgeable, smart people who are totally immersed like Nick Burns, I knew absolutely nothing, but I did know who to listen to! However, I understood Biden's vast experience (as well his being Obama's wingman for 8 years), connections, his moral and ethical compass all would be incredible strengths to draw upon a deep bench of talent that was ready to serve for all the correct reasons.
Having said that, I do wish the dems would step up to the podium a lot more often to tout the incredible successes that have been accomplished by this administration. And, done so under the most difficult times in modern history (domestically and around the world). The repugs are still consuming all the oxygen in the room and it's long overdue for that to change!
So agree.
Your last sentence should make our blood run cold…
Janet, 100%!
Sooooo many….
Wow, Dr. R! Thank you, as always! for such a succinct explanation of why it was important we went to Taiwan and what this means in the larger political picture!
Thank you! Really. Thank you, Professor! Once again, stunning writing about stunning developments as democratic principles are encouraged and supported by the Biden administration. I just wish these achievements could get as much press as Trump’s scurrilous behavior. Your letters should be read by every American. Thank you!
I wish the press educated us as well as Heather does.
Sigh….
That's our call. Take a look at Heather's citations. She's putting the pieces together. It's the press's job to provide the info.
And that, dear friends is the problem. MAGAts have no eyes or ears, and the Republican leaders have no integrity and will hide logic and reason from the MAGAts with all their might.
Not only did your letter focus on the positive steps the Biden administration and members of Congress have take to reestablish positive relationships with Asian nations, but you did so by mentioning the former guy’s name only once. Bravo!
Thank you HCR. This important connection with the Asian Pacific countries, beyond the historical exploitation for corporations and cheap consumer goods is a step that shows we value the governments and people of the Southeast Asian nations. Your note: “…But with no guaranteed access to U.S. markets, there was uncertainty about how effective the administration’s calls for better labor and environmental standards would be.” I hope Humanitarian standards will be part of the deal, at least with long term planning. And with Climate Change and human rights front and center.
A friend of mine is a member of a non-profit org working on exactly those kind of issues through talks on trade issues. Nor is his the only one.
Annie, that’s good to hear. The concern of work conditions for workers in foreign countries who produce the products we buy in USA is critical. I think there have been inspections and standards but they may not be as rigorous as in the states. It’s something we need to care about. The price differences between Made in USA and imported goods is often a condition of lower pay and fewer benefits and safety conditions.
Wow, that's quite the rabbit hole!
Thank you!
My thoughts exactly. Excellent.
Thank you.
Definitely worth waiting for.
Xi Jinping has himself to blame, having decided he will become the second Mao (as if the first one wasn't bad enough). I have friends in Hong Kong, and when one of them was here on business and we had lunch, he curled my ears, telling me what has happened to that once great and free place under the Chinese Communists. So far as I am concerned, China needs containment like the USSR did. If you read Asian history, you will find that when the Chinese Empire was great, it was not loved by any of its neighbors.
My neighbor was a CIA operative in China before, during, and after WWII. He offered a scathing view of U.S. policy in all of Indo-China as communism took hold. His words were particularly unkind towards our policy of refusing Ho Che Minh’s requests for help, forcing him to get in bed with the communists. It seems to me that this period of our history politically helped shape the trouble we have now.???
Your neighbor was exactly right. Ho and the Viet Minh were the only indigenous indepence force in Asia that fought on our side, due to the USSR position. Ho as a young man went to the Versailles Conference to petition Wilson to implement the self-determination of the 14 Points for colonies, but found that Wilson the bigot was only interested in helping white people. The Bolsheviks being the only force that was anti-colonial...
Had we kept the French out in 1946 and recognized Ho's government, the result would be we would have a relationship with Vietnam much like we have now, only for 77 years - 58,000 Americans would not have died and would have accomplished other things, and who knows how many Asians wouldn't have died and would have contributed to that very different world.
In fact, if FDR had lived, that was what he wanted to do: keep the Europeans from returning to their colonial empires, and making the original anti-colonial country the leader of anti-colonialism. Things could have been very, very different...
"58,000 Americans would not have died "
I never understood why the Vietnam War was ever considered worth that. I know why we fought in WWII, but not there. I heard a lot of talk about "The Domino Theory" but it never seemed credible on it's face.
Nobody else did, either. Other than JFK, who had been humiliated by Kruschchev at the Vienna Summit in April 1961. That summer, he heard of Krushchev's speech saying the USSR would support "wars of national liberation," and decided to test that in the guerilla war going on in Vietnam that the National Liberation Front was winning. The first American was killed there in December 1961. We had begun supporting the French in the First Indochina War in 1950 as part of the "global st struggle against world communism" after Korea began.
(Shameless personal plug, go get my two Vietnam books, "The Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club" and "Going Downtown" - Vietnam Veterans of America has called them Best Vietnam History of 2021 and 2022 respectively.
Your expertise is invaluable. I had no idea, just blamed McNamara for the debacle.
FDR knew taking the French side in Vietnam was wrong and would have stopped it if he hadn’t been so busy fighting Nazis. I don’t know what Truman thought (if if, for that matter, but suspect he was in league with red-scarists like the evil Dulles brothers), but JFK, McNamara, and LBJ knew the Vietnam war was unwinninle. Johnson thought losing it would sink his legislative programs to promote human rights and reduce poverty in the US. He was probably right about that. LBJ’s political skills were probably the best of his generation, and the US electorate has been dominated by warmongering rabble for a long time, especially during Vietnam. Too bad Truman of Eisenhower failed to get us on the right side in Vietnam when it was possible to do so.
Want to encourage those of us with 20+ aged relatives interested in the history of WWII and Vietnam-- connected it seems to their budding interest in their family histories and their relatives who served during wars-- to suggest they read TC's books. My nephew Colin, 25, is a big fan of TC's writing and accessible style. Sometimes we forget that these kids do not have the memories of those years.
Oh.
It made sense to me at the time, thought for years that our intervention there stopped communism in the area to a great extent. But blamed tricky dick for interfering in 1968, even though the extent of his efforts were not known at the time. Maybe I was like the Foxers of today, thinking I knew when I had no clue.
These are the first two paragraphs of the historical background chapter of "Going Downtown":
One cannot begin to either comprehend or understand anything that happened during America’s involvement in the Southeast Asian wars of the 1960s without understanding that those events did not arise de novo with the election of John F. Kennedy as president in 1960. America’s wars in Southeast Asia were a long time coming. The United States had been effectively at war in Southeast Asia since 1950, and in many ways for much longer than that. Perhaps the best description of what Americans would bring to the region is the famous line in Graham Greene’s novel of the First Indochina War, “The Quiet American,” in which the novel’s protagonist, cynical British journalist Thomas Fowler - a stand-in for Greene, who wrote the novel from experience - describes the title character, Alden Pyle: “I never knew a man who had better motives for all the trouble he caused... impregnably armored by his good intentions and his ignorance.” At the same time, the Americans who came to Southeast Asia to fight could be compared with another fictional character, the detective Jake Gittes of Chinatown, who only gradually gains the terrible awareness of his own helplessness in the face of the omnipresence of power and abuse, “the futility of good intentions.”
John F. Kennedy, who could well be seen as the embodiment of Alden Pyle, and was perhaps more responsible than any other American for the wartime involvement of his country in Southeast Asia, visited South Vietnam as a young congressman on a fact-finding investigation in 1952. After two weeks of meetings with officials and dinner conversations with French colons in Saigon, and after receiving a quick tour of the countryside, he returned to the United States and wrote presciently of the trip in his diary: “We are more and more becoming colonialists in the minds of the people. Because everyone believes that we control the U.N. and because our wealth is supposedly inexhaustible, we will be damned if we don’t do what the new nations want.” Ten years later, one could argue he had forgotten every moment of his visit, every sight seen, every conversation engaged in.
❤️ so wish I had known all this, Wilson was the harbinger of so much that turned out to be so chaotic and just wrong. But chump is our modern version and people do know, or should….
have never heard this before.. makes so much sense thank you, TC
Here's our first involvement with Vietnam (From my book "Going Downtown: The US Air Force in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia 1961-75")
American Marines first arrived in Vietnam on May 10, 1845 - 120 years before they landed on Da Nang’s White Beach in March 1965 - when Captain John “Mad Jack” Percival, commanding officer of USS Constitution, “Old Ironsides,” then on a Far Eastern show-the-flag tour, dropped anchor in Da Nang harbor and landed a detachment of the ship’s Marines in the closest port to Hue, the Vietnamese imperial capital. “Mad Jack” was responding to information he had received that the Vietnamese were about to execute French bishop Dominic Lefebvre, the Catholic religious leader in Viet-Nam, as part of an ongoing persecution of native Catholics carried out by order of Emperor Trinh, son of Emperor Gia Long who had considered Christianity subversive to the nation he was building in the years before his death in 1832, Vietnam was in the midst of a persecution begun in 1827 that would be the greatest since Nero, with 130,000 Vietnamese Catholics murdered by 1856.
The American Marines quickly took several local Vietnamese officials - who had never heard of the United States of America - captive and held them as hostages for four days until Emperor Trinh gave assurances that the bishop would not be harmed. Satisfied, “Mad Jack” sailed away and matters remained quiet until the government in Washington finally heard of the event and sent the American Consul at Singapore to apologize to the Emperor for the audacious behavior in 1849. Similar to events 120 years later, “Mad Jack” Percival and his Marines had never heard of Vietnam until two weeks before they landed, when they learned of the Christian persecution while in Singapore and the captain decided unilaterally that he would intervene.
Thank you.
TC: “Things could have been very, very different...” a million stars for your comment. So much loss and pain for what? Power and greed?
And hubris?
Yes, hubris!
VERY different.
"IFs," though, aren't worth considering; instead, best to look and work for improvement.
Absolute our path leads forward, yet the "what if" question can be the key to improvement and discovery. That's why investigative team gather every available shard of a plane crash, to see what might be done to prevent such a scene in the future. "If only" is less productive, but we still may need to comprehend and grieve it, and then move on forearmed.
Ok, a good thing in considering after all.
I see your point too. Up to a point every hand's a winner and every hand's a loser. We won't benefit to stay too long in "might have been".
Doesn’t it always, our lack of foresight bites us for generations. I never had the foresight, but my hindsight is awesome. Wish those in the know did better.
Then your Neighbor would know that the OSS ( precursor of CIA) did in fact support Ho Chi Minh's cadres & others in WWII to attack Japanese Imperial forces. ( Footage still available of Ho doing Tai Chi at his Camp). After the devastating Anti- Fascist WWII battles, the US supported the doomed French re-colonization of Vietnam. The Colonial French collapsed in 1956. One of the first Americans killed was in 1957 in Saigon. Yes, historical sins writ latge are still with us in 2022.
Reminds me of James Bradley and his writing of The China Mirage. A feckless misadventure was our China policy.
OH!
Always the long view with real-world connections. Invaluable, and hard to find
So this Letter was the mysterious rabbit hole? A huge amount of research went into it, judging by the number of notes. I am so grateful to understand better all the background and reasoning for our involvement in the region. Now Pelosi’s visit makes sense to me. I couldn’t understand the timing of it until now. Thank you, thank you yet again Prof.. Richardson!
Somehow I knew Pelosi's visit to Taiwan was not a vanity trip. Ms Richardson's pulling the facts together confirmed it for me.
Thank you for this summary of our relationship with Taiwan and other countries and also how China is being affected. It is nice to know that the Biden administration is doing well in this area as well after death star put us at a disadvantage with these countries.
Today’s summary proves Rick Wilson’s point-everything t**** touches dies. The toxicity of tfg is evidence that he is the human version of Agent Orange.
death star. Yes, I like it! Fits 'it' very well.
I do too. My other is mafia don.
The dons are insulted….
“Death Star,” how fitting. Come on Rupert, tell the magats
A brilliant piece, Heather! Thank you for bringing all the players together with such clarity and élan. Nancy Pelosi’s role makes so much more sense now.
“The U.S. and Taiwan, which was not included in the earlier economic organization, will start formal trade talks in the fall.”