Mrs. Pelosi Goes To Taiwan
[guest post by Dana]
In a Washington Post op-ed, Nancy Pelosi offered her reasons for going to Taiwan, despite warnings from China:
Thirty years ago, I traveled in a bipartisan congressional delegation to China, where, in Tiananmen Square, we unfurled a black-and-white banner that read, “To those who died for democracy in China.” Uniformed police pursued us as we left the square. Since then, Beijing’s abysmal human rights record and disregard for the rule of law continue, as President Xi Jinping tightens his grip on power.
The CCP’s brutal crackdown against Hong Kong’s political freedoms and human rights — even arresting Catholic Cardinal Joseph Zen — cast the promises of “one-country, two-systems” into the dustbin. In Tibet, the CCP has long led a campaign to erase the Tibetan people’s language, culture, religion and identity. In Xinjiang, Beijing is perpetrating genocide against Muslim Uyghurs and other minorities. And throughout the mainland, the CCP continues to target and arrest activists, religious-freedom leaders and others who dare to defy the regime.
We cannot stand by as the CCP proceeds to threaten Taiwan — and democracy itself.
As the Speaker arrived in Taiwan, China flexed :
Twenty-one Chinese warplanes flew into Taiwan’s air defense zone on Tuesday, the day House Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived in Taipei, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense.
The People’s Liberation Army Air Force planes — which included ten of its newer J-16 fighters, eight J-11 fighter jets, one KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft, one Y-9 electronic warfare plane, and one Y-8 transport aircraft — entered Taiwan’s air defense identification zone.
[…]
After her arrival late Tuesday night, China announced that the PLA will hold “targeted military operations” around the island in response. The Chinese military will hold hold live-fire drills in six areas surrounding Taiwan from August 4 to 7, according to the state-run Xinhua News Agency and state-affiliated Global Times.
Chinese media indicated that the drills, which began Tuesday night, would not only involve air and maritime exercises, but also the firing of conventional missiles and long-range artillery.
Meanwhile, China’s Foreign Ministry continued to denounce Pelosi’s trip
…saying that it “seriously undermines China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, seriously undermines the political foundation of Sino-U.S. relations and sends a seriously wrong signal to the ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces.”
A separate statement issued by the Chinese Communist Party’s Taiwan Affairs Office said any attempt to seek independence by Taiwan would be “shattered by the powerful force of the Chinese people.”
While President Biden has said that the U.S. would defend Taiwan if a conflict arose with China, the White House has repeatedly said, uh, no so fast there, Mr. President:
White House officials repeatedly say[ing] a longstanding policy of “strategic ambiguity” on the defense of Taiwan remains in place.
Publicly, senior White House officials have said that Ms. Pelosi’s visit does not indicate any change in official policy, and should be viewed by China as no different than any other visit to Taiwan by members of Congress.
“There is no reason for Beijing to turn a potential visit consistent with longstanding U.S. policy into some sort of crisis or conflict, or use it as a pretext to increase aggressive military activity in or around the Taiwan Strait,” John F. Kirby, a National Security Council spokesman, told reporters.
Taiwan’s tallest building and most iconic landmark, Taipei 101, lit up at 9pm tonight, welcoming @SpeakerPelosi’s visit to Taiwan. Words include “Speaker Pelosi”, “Welcome to TW”, “Thank you”, “TW ❤️ US” (1/2) pic.twitter.com/q0aFEjqGZl
— Tingting Liu 劉亭廷 (@tingtingliuTVBS) August 2, 2022
Good on Nancy Pelosi. Well done.
–Dana
Hello.
Dana (1225fc) — 8/2/2022 @ 12:49 pmhttps://www.theonion.com/china-threatens-to-retaliate-for-pelosi-s-taiwan-trip-b-1849343979
Didn’t think they had an humor left in them. Good job.
NJRob (fbe422) — 8/2/2022 @ 1:10 pmThis reminds me a little of when, not long after Arafat blew up peace negotiations at Camp David in 2000, the Palestinian terrorist triggered an intifada, using the excuse that Ariel Sharon had the audacity to visit the Temple Mount.
Paul Montagu (062b7e) — 8/2/2022 @ 1:12 pmIf West Taiwan, er, China, gets violent, then Ms. Pelosi would be the Sharon in this scenario, and China is of course the bad faith Arafat.
The Xi regime could’ve just shut their piehole and not made a stink about an American visiting the Republic of China on Taiwan, but no, they made their choice, and it’s not a good practice for Americans to capitulate to authoritarian communist bullies, so f-ck Xi and the virus he rode in on. Don’t buy “Made in China”.
The game that Taiwan is/isn’t it’s own separate country isn’t going to do anyone any good in the short to medium run and might only benefit China in the long run. They say that the government of China has a thousand ways to say no and only one way to say yes, maybe we ought to acquire some of those thousand ways when dealing with the government of China.
Nic (896fdf) — 8/2/2022 @ 1:12 pmThirty years ago, I traveled in a bipartisan congressional delegation to China, where, in Tiananmen Square, we unfurled a black-and-white banner that read, “To those who died for democracy in China.” Uniformed police pursued us as we left the square. Since then, Beijing’s abysmal human rights record and disregard for the rule of law continue, as President Xi Jinping tightens his grip on power.
1992. She was 52 w/a 20th century mindset. It’s 2022; she’s 82– well into the 21st century and the world- as well as China- has changed, and not the advantage of the U.S. Ego is a poor rationale for rubbing the nose of your chief adversary into the dirt. At 82, soon she’ll finally be out of office- and in a few years, dead; but any damage done lives on for the kids to clean up. There’s no fool like an old fool, eh Nancy.
https://www.cfr.org/timeline/us-relations-china
U.S. Debt to China: How Much Is It, and Why?
‘China’s low-cost competitive strategy seems to be working. Its economy grew more than 10% for the three decades before the 2008 recession. In 2019, it grew at 6.1%, an even more sustainable rate.
China has become one of the largest economies in the world. And if you measure it by gross domestic product (GDP) and consider purchasing power parity (PPP), China is seen as the world’s largest economy. China also became the world’s biggest exporter in 2009. China needs this growth to raise its low standard of living. For these reasons, we’ll likely see China remain one of the world’s largest holders of U.S. national debt.’
https://www.thebalance.com/u-s-debt-to-china-how-much-does-it-own-3306355
DCSCA (e8134b) — 8/2/2022 @ 1:23 pmGrandma Whiskey goes chop-sticks
mg (8cbc69) — 8/2/2022 @ 1:28 pmTaiwan is a gem. I’ve been there seven times.
It’s wonderful to see traditional Chinese culture flourish in a free society.
norcal (da5491) — 8/2/2022 @ 1:31 pm@3. This reminds me of every grandstanding politician who shows up for an ego-driven photo op, leaves, heads back to the safety of the sU.S. and those left behind are forced to suffer the slings and arrows of the wreckage they’ve caused. It won’t be the Pelosi estate that rocked by live fire exercises– or potentially- if not eventually liberated/occupied/invaded.
DCSCA (e8134b) — 8/2/2022 @ 1:35 pm@6.
“It’s little old lady from San-Fran-cisco
DCSCA (e8134b) — 8/2/2022 @ 1:38 pmThe little old lady from San-Fran-cisco
(Go granny, go granny, go granny, go)
Has a DUI hubby fat from inside trading
(Go granny, go granny, go granny, go)
But parked on the tarmac is a government jet
It’s a brand new shiny Boeing airliner, yet!
And everybody’s sayin’ she’s got quite the ego
That little old lady from San-Fran-cisco
(She talks real fast, waves her hands real hard)
She’s the terror of Market Street through Chinatown
It’s the little old lady from San-Fran-cisco…”
DCSCA (e8134b) — 8/2/2022 @ 1:23 pm
We don’t know that.
But in 2018, (or was that 2020?) she promised that she would return as Speaker after the 2022 election n order to get re-elected, bt if the Democrats lose controll of the House of Representatives that promise might not come into play.
It is speculated that Joe Biden is keeping the Ambassadorship to Italy open for her, and also that if the Democrats lose more than 25 seats she will quit.
She’s very pro Taiwan because of the large number of people from Taiwan (and other Chinese against the CCP) in her district.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 8/2/2022 @ 1:41 pm@10. She’s very pro Taiwan because of the large number of people from Taiwan (and other Chinese against the CCP) in her district.
Nancy Pelosi’s Taiwan Trip Sparks Protest in Her Hometown
“House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s planned controversial stop in Taiwan prompted protests in her hometown of San Francisco, where anti-war activists and leaders of the city’s Chinese community demonstrated against the Democratic congresswoman’s trip.
On Monday, ahead of the visit, roughly 100 people gathered outside Pelosi’s office at the San Francisco Federal Building to urge her to cancel the stop on her Asia trip, which protesters said would unnecessarily inflame a “potential war” with China. Demonstrators—who were seen holding signs that read “U.S. hands off Taiwan,” “Stop the provocations,” and “No war on China”—urged Pelosi to cancel the trip to Taiwan, which had not been confirmed at the time of the protest. They asked her to, instead, “focus on the real challenges of inflation, climate crisis and economic distress facing the American People.” However, the pressure from American protesters did apparent little to change Pelosi’s mind. The House Speaker touched down in the capital of Taipei on Tuesday morning…
Although Pelosi’s visit has drawn bipartisan support from lawmakers who want to see the Democrat defend Taiwan, President Joe Biden has cautioned that the stopover is “not a good idea.” And China has warned that it would respond with “forceful measures” if she goes through with the trip. Tuesday’s stopover makes Pelosi, an outspoken critic of China’s human rights abuses, the first House Speaker to visit Taiwan since Newt Gingrich went in 1997. Pelosi traveled to the island nation in 1999 but did not hold her leadership post at the time…
Julie Tang, a retired San Fransisco Supreme Court judge, told the San Francisco Standard that, as a longtime supporter of the House Speaker, she was “disappointed” about Pelosi’s trip. “We have donated to her, we’ve supported her throughout these years, but we are so disappointed that what she’s doing is totally against the welfare and the well-being of the community—in particular Chinese Americans,” Tang said.
Tang added: “She does not listen to us. She’s going with the flow, going with pushing U.S. hegemony to contain China. For what? We don’t get anything out of it.” -newsweek.com
She’s 82, as senile- if not more- as Joe is and once gone the long term wreckage will be left for the young to clean up, Samnmy.
DCSCA (e8134b) — 8/2/2022 @ 1:52 pmMrs. Pelosi Goes To Taiwan
Mr. Pelosi Goes To Court:
Nancy Pelosi’s husband Paul charged with DUI causing injury, could face jail time
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband was charged with DUI causing injury and could face jail time for alleged drunk driving at the end of May, officials said… If convicted of the new charges, the California Democrat’s husband could face up to five years of probation, a minimum of five days in jail, the installation of an ignition interlock device and other terms such as completing a court-ordered drinking driver class. Pelosi is due back in court on Aug. 3.
https://nypost.com/2022/06/23/paul-pelosi-charged-with-dui-causing-injury-could-face-jail-time/
DCSCA (e8134b) — 8/2/2022 @ 2:01 pmChip stocks plunge as Nancy Pelosi lands in Taiwan—Here’s why the chip sector in particular could lose big if China follows through on its threat of ‘strong countermeasures’
https://fortune.com/2022/08/02/nancy-pelosi-taiwan-chip-stocks-us-china-fallout/
Attagirl, Nancy!
Confucius say Speaker on top of Hill not on level.
DCSCA (e8134b) — 8/2/2022 @ 2:07 pmGrandma Whiskey does this right before the collapse of a country.
mg (8cbc69) — 8/2/2022 @ 2:07 pmShe did this same thing right before Syrian civil war. She did this before the Ukraine dog wagging. And she’s doing it now.
If I was a citizen of Taiwan I’d be digging my bunker at break neck speed. Actually I’d be building a big old boat so I could head to the middle of the ocean. Seriously, there is nowhere left on earth to go. I’d be arming myself at break neck speed, preparing to defend my land.
I think she makes these visits to bribe the host country. Tells them if you give me and my fellow congressmen and women billions we will do our best to fend off China. Look how I just defied China and came here. We have the nerve to stand up to them and will continue to do so.
The poor country does as told and is probably destroyed in a couple months or a few years later.
@14. Grandma Whiskey does this right before the collapse of a country…
Has she been to California lately??
Maybe she outta visit Moscow. 😉
DCSCA (e8134b) — 8/2/2022 @ 2:09 pmDid Feinsteins driver tag along?
mg (8cbc69) — 8/2/2022 @ 2:13 pmIndeed, DCSCA.😎
mg (8cbc69) — 8/2/2022 @ 2:14 pmThe beauty part for China is now all these military assets have been advanced to new positions and will stay in their new forward oppsitions. Why send a drunken hack congress critter when you have a state department? Loading up on duty free booze on the return?
mg (8cbc69) — 8/2/2022 @ 2:24 pmI’m not tracking why the Speaker of the House needs to go to Taiwan…especially not as part of a larger delegation that has actual foreign policy responsibilities. If we want to tweak the Chi-coms, we could send the Sec of State or Sec of Defense. It’s just odd to me that Pelosi is going. Now maybe there is a growing situation that demands a highly visible statement…and this is what they came up with…and we will learn that in time. But for now, I’m not seeing it….
AJ_Liberty (5f05c3) — 8/2/2022 @ 2:41 pmNot going is appeasement. That’s no way to win. Caving in reduces deterrence.
Basically, I think this is like Ariel Sharon’s visit to the Temple Mount. If China wants a war, it will do it and if it doesn’t want one it will not, and it doesn’t.
I think the war in Ukraine has shown China that military plans don’t always work out as promoted, and the effects on trade might be bigger than expected.
Now when the Pentagon conducts war games the U.S. always loses but that’s probably because they assume everything the enemy might try works and is executed flawlessly while the U.S. side is not prepared.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 8/2/2022 @ 2:42 pm@13: That article is wrong in several respects, notably saying that Intel )which has 13 fabs in the US, 2 in Ireland and 3 in Israel) is dependent on manufacturing in Taiwan and/or China. In actual fact, they would do very well if their competitors (which have huge exposure to Taiwan) were cut off from Taipei.
Kevin M (eeb9e9) — 8/2/2022 @ 2:46 pmI’m not tracking why the Speaker of the House needs to go to Taiwan…especially not as part of a larger delegation that has actual foreign policy responsibilities. If we want to tweak the Chi-coms, we could send the Sec of State or Sec of Defense. It’s just odd to me that Pelosi is going.
It’s simple. She wants to rain on Xi’s parade. Xi wants to be crowned emperor and Pelosi is making him lose face. This is a problem after all the face he’s lost over Covid, trying to hide Covid, internal Covid shutdowns, the Uyghurs genocide, American tariffs and disinvestment, the real estate and banking collapse, being Putin’s BFF, and having to use force in Hong Kong.
So now Xi has to react and the scope of reaction is very limited. I still expect an invasion of Kinmen Island, which is both forceful and meaningless.
Kevin M (eeb9e9) — 8/2/2022 @ 2:54 pm21 Chinese warplanes, including more than a dozen fighter aircraft, flew through Taiwan’s air defense zone on the day of Pelosi’s visit
‘Twenty-one Chinese warplanes flew into Taiwan’s air defense zone on Tuesday, the day House Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived in Taipei, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense. he People’s Liberation Army Air Force planes — which included ten of its newer J-16 fighters, eight J-11 fighter jets, one KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft, one Y-9 electronic warfare plane, and one Y-8 transport aircraft — entered Taiwan’s air defense identification zone.
The Shenyang J-16 is an advanced fourth-generation fighter based on the Russian Sukhoi-30 fighter jet. The twin-jet, tandem-set fighter carries a 30 mm cannon, 12 air-to-air missiles, rockets and satellite-guided bombs, and anti-ship and anti-radiation missiles. A China-based military analyst previously told the South China Morning Post that the jet had “surely been primarily developed for assaults on Taiwan.” The aircraft flew through the southwestern corner of the ADIZ, according to flight path maps posted on Twitter by Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense.
On Monday, four J-16’s flew along the line dividing the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan’s defense ministry said that patrol aircraft were tasked to respond, radio warnings were issued, and air- and missile-defense systems monitored the situation. The warplanes entry into the ADIZ came the same day Pelosi visited Taiwan for a historic visit. She is the highest ranking US official to visit the self-governed island democracy in 25 years. Prior to her visit, China, which has long claimed Taiwan as an inseparable part of Chinese territory, repeatedly warned it would take some form of military action if she visited the island, saying the People’s Liberation Army would “not sit idly by.”
After her arrival late Tuesday night, China announced that the PLA will hold “targeted military operations” around the island in response. The Chinese military will hold hold live-fire drills in six areas surrounding Taiwan from August 4 to 7, according to the state-run Xinhua News Agency and state-affiliated Global Times. Chinese media indicated that the drills, which began Tuesday night, would not only involve air and maritime exercises, but also the firing of conventional missiles and long-range artillery.’
https://www.businessinsider.com/china-military-exercises-around-taiwan-nancy-pelosi-visit-2022-8
There’s a Chinese Maverick w/a Polaroid just itching to snap some photo keepsakes of her.
DCSCA (e8134b) — 8/2/2022 @ 3:02 pmMama Dingbat should go to Moscow? I tell ya, Moscow Idaho doesn’t want her either.
Comanche Voter (a15ae2) — 8/2/2022 @ 3:24 pm“Strategic ambiguity” is a hollow concept. The domestic political pressures would be too great on any administration not to defend Taiwan, or at least that is what the Taiwanese people themselves believe.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 8/2/2022 @ 3:26 pmI read that there’s actually a crucial facility for chips – the only one in the world – in the Netherlands.
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/23/inside-asml-the-company-advanced-chipmakers-use-for-euv-lithography.html
It’s the tool to make tools.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 8/2/2022 @ 3:28 pm22… the only thing delaying Peloski’s loss of face is all teh Botox…
Colonel Haiku (ea1c88) — 8/2/2022 @ 3:46 pm@27. Meanwhile, Mr. Pelosi is merely sh-t-faced. 😉
DCSCA (9344d5) — 8/2/2022 @ 4:05 pmhttps://www.newser.com/story/323705/pelosi-writes-of-reason-for-her-taiwan-visit.html
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 8/2/2022 @ 4:13 pmShow of hands! If Xi Jinping, whose name means “Beautiful Deal” in Pekinese, told you not to go somewhere, would you not go?
nk (aa192f) — 8/2/2022 @ 4:29 pm“Rules For Thee But Not For Me”, eh Nancy?!
August, 2022:
‘Thirty years ago, I traveled in a bipartisan congressional delegation to China, where, in Tiananmen Square, we unfurled a black-and-white banner that read, “To those who died for democracy in China.” Uniformed police pursued us as we left the square. Since then, Beijing’s abysmal human rights record and disregard for the rule of law continue, as President Xi Jinping tightens his grip on power.
The CCP’s brutal crackdown against Hong Kong’s political freedoms and human rights — even arresting Catholic Cardinal Joseph Zen — cast the promises of “one-country, two-systems” into the dustbin. In Tibet, the CCP has long led a campaign to erase the Tibetan people’s language, culture, religion and identity. In Xinjiang, Beijing is perpetrating genocide against Muslim Uyghurs and other minorities. And throughout the mainland, the CCP continues to target and arrest activists, religious-freedom leaders and others who dare to defy the regime. We cannot stand by as the CCP proceeds to threaten Taiwan — and democracy itself.’
February, 2022
Pelosi again warns US athletes to not speak out against China during Olympics
According to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the motto of the Beijing Winter Olympics should be “Faster, Higher, Stronger — and Silent.” The California Democrat reiterated Friday that American athletes should keep any unkind word about China’s repressive Communist government to themselves, repeating an admonition from the previous day. “As I wish the athletes well, I do not encourage them to speak out against the Chinese government there because I fear for their safety if they do,” Pelosi said Friday, hours after the opening ceremony. “[To] remove all doubt about why I said they shouldn’t speak out, it’s because I fear for their safety.”
https://nypost.com/2022/02/04/pelosi-tells-us-olympic-athletes-not-to-criticize-china/
Grandstanding old hypocrite:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQZmCJUSC6g
“You’re so vain; you probably thing this song is about you…
DCSCA (9344d5) — 8/2/2022 @ 4:29 pmShow of hands! If Xi Jinping, whose name means “Beautiful Deal” in Pekinese, told you not to go somewhere, would you not go?
nk (aa192f) — 8/2/2022 @ 4:29 pm
If it were a place in mainland China, I would not go.
norcal (da5491) — 8/2/2022 @ 4:35 pmFlight tracker says its site is crashing because of an ‘unprecedented’ flood of users watching Pelosi’s supposed flight to Taiwan
‘A popular flight-tracking site said its server was under strain on Tuesday morning because so many people were watching House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s flight to Taiwan. Flightradar24 said on Twitter that there was “unprecedented sustained tracking interest” in SPAR19 — the call sign of a US Air Force plane carrying Pelosi en route from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Taipei City, Taiwan.
“Flightradar24 services are under extremely heavy load,” the site said. “Some users may currently experience issues accessing the site, our teams are working on restoring full functionality to all users as quickly as possible.” At the time of the tweet, 345,000 people were tracking the flight. Later, when the plane entered Taiwan’s airspace, Flightradar24 said 632,000 people were watching. At the time of publication, it was unclear how many people were watching the plane as it made its final descent. Flightradar24 later said in a statement that SPAR19 was the “most tracked live flight” in the site’s history by the time it landed, being watched by over 708,000 people.’ – https://www.businessinsider.com/flight-tracking-site-strain-users-watch-possible-pelosi-taiwan-flight-2022-8
DCSCA (9344d5) — 8/2/2022 @ 4:37 pmI get the feeling that DCSCA would be ecstatic if China shot down Pelosi’s plane.
norcal (da5491) — 8/2/2022 @ 4:43 pm“I would say to our [Olympic] athletes: You’re there [in China] to compete. Do not risk incurring the anger of the Chinese government because they are ruthless.” – Nancy Pelosi 2/3/2022
“Rules for thee but not for me.” Hypocrite.
“We’re all out of corn flakes. F.U.” – Oscar Madison [Walter Matthau] ‘The Odd Couple’ 1968
DCSCA (9344d5) — 8/2/2022 @ 4:45 pm@34. On the contrary, norcal. America and certainly the United States Air Force would mourn the loss of a fine and expensive Boeing C-40C aircraft 😉
https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/31796-boeing-c-40-carrying-nancy-pelosi-lands-safely-in-taiwan
DCSCA (9344d5) — 8/2/2022 @ 4:50 pmjudging by the reactions to the ukraine mess:
if China does nothing except fume, tweaking their nose was a genius move
if China invades Taiwan, sending the world into an economic tailspin, tweaking their nose was a genius move
it must be nice to be a democrat president
JF (ee1a8a) — 8/2/2022 @ 4:55 pmI read that there’s actually a crucial facility for chips – the only one in the world – in the Netherlands.
The makers of the advanced fab equipment (Nasdaq:ASML) are indeed in the Netherlands. But the first-rate the fabs themselves are in Taiwan, for the most part. Samsung makes some 5nm devices in SK — mostly memories at and other step-and-repeat devices like camera sensors and displays, but nothing complex. ASML cannot fill the orders they have NOW. The output to replace existing fabs in a hurry would be an order of magnitude, maybe two, over what they can do now.
Building a fab takes years. It’s like building a ship. Your comment is like saying that the best ship-building companies are in _____, so it’s OK to sink the Navy.
Kevin M (eeb9e9) — 8/2/2022 @ 4:57 pmit must be nice to be a democrat president
JF (ee1a8a) — 8/2/2022 @ 4:55 pm
Step back from the poo-flinging contest, and you might see that both sides have problems.
norcal (da5491) — 8/2/2022 @ 5:02 pmElection fraud in arizona! Republicans in scottsdale told to steal marking pens in democrat precincts so democrats can’t vote! Republican county attorney orders them to stop!
asset (ec8c01) — 8/2/2022 @ 5:03 pmShow of hands! If Xi Jinping, whose name means “Beautiful Deal” in Pekinese, told you not to go somewhere, would you not go?
Let’s turn this around. If the leader of one branch of the US Government wanted to visit another country and some dictator said she’d better not, what response would you give?
My thoughts start at “Nuts!”
Kevin M (eeb9e9) — 8/2/2022 @ 5:07 pmPelosi again warns US athletes to not speak out against China during Olympics
You are either a government official, or you aren’t. How is this hard to understand?
Kevin M (eeb9e9) — 8/2/2022 @ 5:09 pm@38. An economic blockade would constrict chip flow- certainly by sea- and it’s likely the control of same is the easiest route. Though air transport may be an alternative, but even that would limit product flow out. How they’re managing issues w/Hong Kong should be a tipoff of how they’re going to manage Taiwan. Certainly not the way Putin is turning Ukraine into Rubbleland. But there will likely be some kinetic show of strength someplace for worldwide media consumption.
DCSCA (9344d5) — 8/2/2022 @ 5:09 pm@42. Vain hypocrisy is as clear as glass. Hope she remembers to bring home corn flakes.
DCSCA (9344d5) — 8/2/2022 @ 5:11 pmElection fraud in arizona! Republicans in scottsdale told to steal marking pens in democrat precincts so democrats can’t vote! Republican county attorney orders them to stop!
In a primary election? They are stealing pens from Republican booths. This is pretty stupid, and likely untrue.
Kevin M (eeb9e9) — 8/2/2022 @ 5:13 pmChicken:
The U.S. Air Force plane carrying House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan took a three-hour detour to avoid potential military conflicts in the South China Sea.
Kevin M (eeb9e9) — 8/2/2022 @ 5:16 pmIf McConnell goes to Taiwan, it’s a dutiful visit to the in-laws.
Paul Montagu (062b7e) — 8/2/2022 @ 5:18 pmIf McConnell goes to Taiwan, it’s a dutiful visit to the in-laws.
Paul Montagu (062b7e) — 8/2/2022 @ 5:18 pm
If I go to Taiwan, it’s a dutiful visit to my ex-in-laws.
norcal (da5491) — 8/2/2022 @ 5:22 pm@46. CluckForce One:
Guess the Chinese AF scrambled eggs– instead of fighters, as a welcome. In the Biden years, Kabul won’t be Saigon, the virus will be shutdown, there is no recession, inflation is transitory, Ukraine ain’t corrupt, hot fudge sundaes aren’t fattening… and chickens can fly. 😉
DCSCA (9344d5) — 8/2/2022 @ 5:25 pm@45 check it out its on the news county attorney orders them to stop staling pens so people can vote.
asset (ec8c01) — 8/2/2022 @ 5:27 pmLet’s turn this around. If the leader of one branch of the U.S. Government wanted to visit another country and some dictator said she’d better not, what response would you give? My thoughts start at “Nuts!”
Perhaps ‘water chestnuts’is more apt; the Big Dick’s trip to China in ’72 wasn’t- popular w/t ‘dick-tates’ from the conservatives in his own party:
‘The sharpest criticism of the visit didn’t come from Nixon’s liberal opposition, but from conservatives from his own party who thought it was a betrayal of Taiwan, where the anti-communist Chinese government had fled after losing the civil war.’
https://www.history.com/news/nixon-china-visit-cold-war
And this:
“According to declassified U.S. documents, during Kissinger’s first meeting with Zhou Enlai in 1971, discussions focused largely on Taiwan and Vietnam. Zhou emphasized that, “it is quite clear that in the relations between our two countries… Taiwan is the crucial issue”. In response, Kissinger pledged that the U.S. does not support “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan”. When asked whether Washington supported “Taiwan independence”, Kissinger said, “we would not support this”. When asked if the CIA supported Taiwan independence, Kissinger joked that the agency’s power was exaggerated. And after Zhou Enlai complained that some US bureaucrats described Taiwan’s status as “undetermined”, Kissinger pledged that it wouldn’t happen again.
In fact, Kissinger appeared to concede that Taiwan would eventually become a part of the People’s Republic of China. He assured Zhou that Taiwan’s “political evolution is likely to be in the direction which Prime Minister Zhou Enlai indicated”. When Nixon arrived in Beijing on Feb 21, 1972, he was prepared to discuss Taiwan. In his handwritten notes, Nixon described Taiwan as an “irritant” standing “in the way of the new course”. He had also scribbled the US position as “one China, Taiwan is part of China”, “won’t support Taiwan independence”, and “will seek normalization”. At Nixon’s meeting with Chairman Mao on Feb 21, Taiwan was the first matter raised. Mao pointedly reminded Nixon that he had known Chiang Kai-shek much longer than the Americans.
On Feb 22, Taiwan was the first matter Nixon discussed with Zhou Enlai. The US president outlined “Five Principles” of US policy that Zhou “could count on no matter what we say on other topics”. The first was “there is one China and Taiwan is a part of China”. The second was “we have not and will not support any Taiwan independence movement”. Third, Nixon promised the US would “discourage Japan moving into Taiwan”. Fourth, he pledged the US would support “any peaceful resolution of the Taiwan issue” and “not support” any military moves by Taiwan to retake the mainland. And fifth, the U.S. president pledged that “we seek the normalization of relations with the People’s Republic”.
Before shifting to other topics, Nixon warned Zhou that the Taiwan issue represented “a danger to the whole initiative”. He advised that any agreements must be drafted carefully because “our problem is to be clever enough to find language which will meet your need yet does not stir up the animals so much that they gang up on Taiwan (policy) and thereby torpedo our initiative”.
So, how did Nixon’s trip to China influence the US’ Taiwan policy? It is noteworthy that Nixon unequivocally agreed that “Taiwan is a part of China”. This position is “acknowledged” in US versions of the three US-China communiques. Also, in 1998, Bill Clinton became the first (not the last) president to declare that, “We don’t support independence for Taiwan, or ‘two Chinas,’ or ‘one Taiwan, one China’.” When criticized, he explained that he was reiterating a longstanding policy.
Besides, Nixon not only promised to support “any peaceful resolution of the Taiwan issue”, but also asserted on Feb 23, 1972, that he was serious about the matter. When Zhou said that “we are not asking you to remove Chiang Kai-shek. We will do that ourselves”, Nixon replied, “peacefully.” In response, Zhou said, “yes, we have self-confidence.” The US remains committed to a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan question.
In conclusion, Nixon’s trip to China provided the foundation for the eventual establishment of diplomatic relations and shaped the broad contours of the US’ policy toward Taiwan. And while there are many contentious issues that appear to divide Washington and Beijing today, only one holds the potential to cause relations to hit rock bottom and turn a “war of words” into a “shooting war”－and that is the Taiwan question. It is for this reason that Washington ought to refrain from using Taiwan as a “poker chip” in disputes with Beijing.’ – https://asianews.network/nixons-historic-trip-and-the-taiwan-question/
DCSCA (9344d5) — 8/2/2022 @ 5:44 pmChina storms beach near Taiwan and vows to ‘fight to the death’ amid US tensions
‘China piled a beach opposite Taiwan with tanks and vowed to fight ‘to the death’ as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi touched down in the self-ruled island for the highest-level visit by a U.S. official in a quarter century. Tanks lined the Fujian coast by the Taiwan Strait in dramatic video shared on the Chinese social network Weibo, and it appeared military equipment was being transferred in Xiamen. Chinese warplanes jetted along the Taiwan Strait. The setup for a standoff unfolded as Pelosi landed in Taiwan’s capital of Taipei on Tuesday, despite strong objections and warnings from the Chinese government. Shortly after touching down, Pelosi stated that her visit ‘honors America’s unwavering commitment to supporting Taiwan’s vibrant democracy’.‘ – webnews@metro.co.uk
Earth to Nancy: you are not the Secretary of State of the United States.
DCSCA (9344d5) — 8/2/2022 @ 6:12 pmIt’s not as if Pelosi is the first or only member of Congress to visit Taiwan this year. A quick Google search showed a few Senators visited Taiwan in April and that Sen. Duckworth of Illinois visited there in May or June. So why now is Pelosi’s visit such a big deal? Could it be Mr. Xi is testing the US?
I’m no fan of Pelosi at any time, but the old adage about politics stopping at the water’s edge applies here. Maybe she should never have planned the trip there in the first place, but I’m glad she didn’t back down once the Chinese decided to pressure her.
RL formerly in Glendale (48bc71) — 8/2/2022 @ 6:13 pm@53. Even an 82 year old should know if you kick a hornet nest, might be wise to consider the possibility getting stung.
DCSCA (9344d5) — 8/2/2022 @ 6:16 pm“Maybe she should never have planned the trip there in the first place, but I’m glad she didn’t back down once the Chinese decided to pressure her.”
I would agree with that.
AJ_Liberty (dfbf73) — 8/2/2022 @ 6:18 pmPelosi is second in line to succeed the President, after VP. It’s a big deal.
Dana (1225fc) — 8/2/2022 @ 6:19 pmIt’s a poor decision given the status of ‘strategic ambiguity.’ But at 82, what does she care about the future.
DCSCA (9344d5) — 8/2/2022 @ 6:31 pmNewt Gingrich says “Emperor” Xi’s threats over Pelosi’s visit are a “bluff”.
(Gingrich was the last Speaker to visit Taiwan.)
Jim Miller (406a93) — 8/2/2022 @ 6:34 pm@58. Gingrich: I was wrong about China
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) admitted Friday that his stance toward China was wrong.
https://thehill.com/hilltv/rising/467516-gingrich-i-was-wrong-about-china/
Newt Gingrich, “Moon President” is 79– and been out of government over 23 years ago. He’s a source for the problem- not the solution.
DCSCA (9344d5) — 8/2/2022 @ 6:45 pmPelosi Diplomacy:
Pelosi rips up Trump speech at conclusion of State of the Union
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/481540-pelosi-rips-up-trump-speech-at-conclusion-of-state-of-the-union/
Jesus. Wouldn’t let her near a gas station w/a pack of wet matches.
DCSCA (9344d5) — 8/2/2022 @ 7:04 pm#59 DCCCP relies on people not actually checking its claims:
I agree with Gingrich that it was a mistake to let China join the WTO. What is not entirely clear to me is what we should do as a nation, now. (As individuals, we should, whenever possible, avoid buying Chinese-made products. And, of course, not pass on “Emperor” Xi’s propaganda, and “Czar” Putin’s efforts to divide us.)
Jim Miller (406a93) — 8/2/2022 @ 7:26 pm@61. Newt Gingrich, ‘Moon President’ is irrelevant, Jimbo.
Unless you live in 1990– or 2014:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35n6Ya-dW-4
“May Divorce be with you!”
DCSCA (9344d5) — 8/2/2022 @ 7:32 pmAs individuals, we should, whenever possible, avoid buying Chinese-made products.
That’s just silly. Back in the day, ’round 1970/71 so, was living in a city on an English speaking island nation that once ruled the world and they tried to push ‘Buy British’ as the Common Market trade wars were coalescing. They even had parades! It failed miserably.
DCSCA (9344d5) — 8/2/2022 @ 7:41 pm63 comments in a thread, 40% or 25 by one guy, and it’s 24 too many.
Paul Montagu (062b7e) — 8/2/2022 @ 8:46 pmThe DC Deluge is upon us. Sigh.
Nancy Pelosi’s plane took a roundabout route to Taiwan. Unlike commercial flights, which fly between Mainland China and Taiwan, her plane crossed Borneo (he part that is in Indonesia) and skirted round the Philippines on its east.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 8/3/2022 @ 12:28 pm“We need to beat the Russians in Ukraine.”– Senator Turtle Poup (R) Kentucky
Beat the Russians?
Tell us, Mitch, when did Congress declare war on Russia and when do you plan to stop giving away tax dollars borrowed from China to a corrupt regime and start selling Ukraine Freedom War Bonds to pay for it?
DCSCA (6fe35f) — 8/3/2022 @ 3:28 pm@64. … and the RINO blows his horn.
DCSCA (6fe35f) — 8/3/2022 @ 3:30 pmNancy flees to safety. Live fire ‘”rain” of terror’ falls all around the Taiwan she left behind.
As expected.
DCSCA (c6b10d) — 8/4/2022 @ 10:24 am