In his 2004 film, “Fahrenheit 9/11,” Michael Moore toured the Capitol asking members of Congress to enlist their children to fight in Iraq. It was a stunt, and critics accused Moore of editing members’ responses to make them look bad. Still, the scene rattled me, perhaps because I had a close relative then serving in that war. She was risking her life in a conflict I had wrongly supported yet wasn’t fighting in myself. I shuddered when I considered what I might say if Moore questioned me.
While I agree that Pelosi shouldn't go, to write an article like this and not make the point that China is 100% in the wrong here is ridiculous.
While our official support for Taiwan should continue to operate behind the scenes, journalists need to describe the situation for what it is. If Israel threatened to expel all Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza if Nancy Pelosi visited those places, do you agree she shouldn't go?
While I think you're a voice worth reading Peter, you're consistent only in your inability to approach problems in a balanced way. Twenty years ago you wrongly attacked the character of those opposing the invasion of Iraq. Now you're a voice who is just as one sided about the Middle East. While I am supporter of J Street's approach to the Middle East conflict, I have no illusions about the leadership of the Palestinians. The fact that you continue to write with so little nuance Peter is why folks will and should continue to doubt your judgment.
It seems inconsistent for someone who supports the rights of Palestinian people to have full citizenship in a single state - and I agree - not to support the rights of Taiwanese people to decide their own sovereignty. If they want to go with China, fine. If not, that's their choice too.
"By a nearly two-to-one margin, people in Taiwan rate the U.S. more favorably than mainland China. There is widespread support for increased economic and political ties with Washington; enthusiasm for similar relations with mainland China is much more muted. Still, even as people are skeptical about closer political relations, half would embrace closer economic ties with mainland China. Younger people are particularly likely to support closer relations with the U.S., and they are less likely to embrace closer relations with China."
As outlined in Admiral Stavridis 2034 which is clearly a test scenario from the Pentagon, any war between the US and China will be a tech war with quick and instantaneous damage to both countries that will be so sobering as to cause an instantaneous end to the war with both China and the US suffering severe civilian damage. I believe both countries know this and will avoid it.
That said there really was no reason for Nancy to go and pull on the tiger's tail. Particularly now when we want (although I note not everyone on this site) Putin's aggression stopped and reversed.
Not sure how this would work, but could it be legislated that members of congress and all elected officials must put their children and grandchildren on the front lines? Or we can reinstall the draft.
China has better options than starting a costly, dangerous military confrontation over Taiwan. It can increase its involvement in Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba. Ouch!
Which brain stem in the Democratic party decided it would be a swell idea for Nancy to go now????
Now isn't the time for the U.S. to be flexing it's international muscles. Way too many domestic problems, a growing white nationalism and much much more. Let us pick our battles. Putin is feeding off the chaos of the last four years. Let's pick our battles. Right now Ukraine is paramount.
"Chickenhawk" is the term coined to describe those who seek war but who also expect others to fight those wars: war for thee but not for me.
While I agree that Pelosi shouldn't go, to write an article like this and not make the point that China is 100% in the wrong here is ridiculous.
While our official support for Taiwan should continue to operate behind the scenes, journalists need to describe the situation for what it is. If Israel threatened to expel all Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza if Nancy Pelosi visited those places, do you agree she shouldn't go?
While I think you're a voice worth reading Peter, you're consistent only in your inability to approach problems in a balanced way. Twenty years ago you wrongly attacked the character of those opposing the invasion of Iraq. Now you're a voice who is just as one sided about the Middle East. While I am supporter of J Street's approach to the Middle East conflict, I have no illusions about the leadership of the Palestinians. The fact that you continue to write with so little nuance Peter is why folks will and should continue to doubt your judgment.
It seems inconsistent for someone who supports the rights of Palestinian people to have full citizenship in a single state - and I agree - not to support the rights of Taiwanese people to decide their own sovereignty. If they want to go with China, fine. If not, that's their choice too.
"By a nearly two-to-one margin, people in Taiwan rate the U.S. more favorably than mainland China. There is widespread support for increased economic and political ties with Washington; enthusiasm for similar relations with mainland China is much more muted. Still, even as people are skeptical about closer political relations, half would embrace closer economic ties with mainland China. Younger people are particularly likely to support closer relations with the U.S., and they are less likely to embrace closer relations with China."
https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2020/05/12/in-taiwan-views-of-mainland-china-mostly-negative/
Peter, I am with you for all time, Yshar Choach.
As outlined in Admiral Stavridis 2034 which is clearly a test scenario from the Pentagon, any war between the US and China will be a tech war with quick and instantaneous damage to both countries that will be so sobering as to cause an instantaneous end to the war with both China and the US suffering severe civilian damage. I believe both countries know this and will avoid it.
That said there really was no reason for Nancy to go and pull on the tiger's tail. Particularly now when we want (although I note not everyone on this site) Putin's aggression stopped and reversed.
If you think US politicians visit a free nation/Ally would provoke a war and it's US to blame rather than the invader, then it's your own problem.
Not sure how this would work, but could it be legislated that members of congress and all elected officials must put their children and grandchildren on the front lines? Or we can reinstall the draft.
China has better options than starting a costly, dangerous military confrontation over Taiwan. It can increase its involvement in Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba. Ouch!
Which brain stem in the Democratic party decided it would be a swell idea for Nancy to go now????
Now isn't the time for the U.S. to be flexing it's international muscles. Way too many domestic problems, a growing white nationalism and much much more. Let us pick our battles. Putin is feeding off the chaos of the last four years. Let's pick our battles. Right now Ukraine is paramount.