Today there was some pretty emotional postings about things we ought to do to China. Pretty much everything short of Nuking them was included, and I'm pretty sure that's a thought that has crossed a lot of minds as well. I feel all those same emotions, too. But most of us have been screaming loudly, to anyone who would listen, for years while every step of this process has been completed. The ignoring of human rights abuses, the expansion of trade, the movement of our factories, the opening of THEIR factories here, the takeover of Panama, Permanent Normal Trade Relations, the Klinton Technology Giveaway, and NOW THIS! Yes, we screamed every step of the way, hating all of it, and exactly how many of the above did we prevent? What's that? Did I hear, NONE?!

So what makes any of you think we can do any of those things you called for in your postings today? Seize their assets,etc?
That stuff isn't going to happen. And there are people, regular people, on both sides of the Pacific saying essentially the same thing. The difference? Here, they're being laughed at on Nightline, and in Beijing they are being arrested. I guess we can be thankful for that!

If you look over recent postings carefully, including that excellent e-mail exchange posted by Rayelan yesterday, the pattern that's emerging is that this incident is one of two things: either a flat-out giveaway, or a complex op that will plant disinformation into Chinese radar systems, which may aid Taiwan if (when) they are attacked. Or, as I said in an earlier posting, a Trojan Horse, to put it simply. These really look to be the most likely scenarios, seeing that the plane didn't follow known procedures and destruct. One must therefore assume it was ORDERED to land. Your various calls for hard, swift action will certainly fall on deaf ears, because whichever plan they're following, it's THEIR plan, and they'll follow it no matter what you say.

Now, having said all that, what can we ourselves really do to throw a wrench in the works? Well, I heard a local congressman from the neighboring district on the radio this morning. I'm friends with this guy's brother, and I can tell you he is a patriot, and an honorable man. His name is Richard Pombo, and he has a good voting record, constitutionally speaking. (Not as good as Ron Paul's, but who's perfect besides him?) He indicated that he would be checking into turning all Chinese ships around that are heading into our ports, or are currently there. I think it's a great idea, but it's no more likely to wash than any of the other things suggested today. But maybe we can try another tact. Do any of you out there live in Port Cities? Why don't all of us who live in or near Port Cities make an effort to contact an official from the Local Longshoremen's Union, and try to convince him that it would be very patriotic to help speed up the negotiation process by refusing to unload any Chinese ships until the hostages are released?

This is something I think we could actually accomplish. It would tick off a lot of people that need ticking off. It might give us a way to convey the message that we don't like all these foreign entanglements. And regardless of what arrangements were made for the plane and its goodies, it might speed up the return of our people, most of whom no doubt are clueless as to the true nature of the operation. I know a longshoreman or three down in the Port of Stockton. I'm going to try to reach one of them tomorrow.

As to some of the personal and racist derision I saw heaped on Chinese people, we should stay clear of that, even when the apology is included. People are always too ready to get panicky and xenophobic at the drop of a hat. Remember what happenned to the Japanese Americans during WWII? Ever ask yourself why there weren't camps filled with German Americans, and Italian Americans? Beware, lest the name of the next group to be interred is "People Who Look and/or Think Like You Do!"
Chuck