tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855856123871700301.post4115509986163519568..comments2023-06-10T20:22:01.348+08:00Comments on The Society of Honor by Joe America: Is China Stupid? Subtitled "America, the Spinach" The Society of Honorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02536906267332687130noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855856123871700301.post-45944589416892100772013-02-08T05:21:17.246+08:002013-02-08T05:21:17.246+08:00Damn, I wondered when I was going to get discovere...Damn, I wondered when I was going to get discovered. The Society of Honorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02536906267332687130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855856123871700301.post-45192185066402324502013-02-07T23:09:25.654+08:002013-02-07T23:09:25.654+08:00Was interested at first but then I realized it was...Was interested at first but then I realized it was just some silly old man ranting. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855856123871700301.post-77454866160474651102012-08-26T13:05:56.931+08:002012-08-26T13:05:56.931+08:00"Popeye the Sailor Man" has spent a life..."Popeye the Sailor Man" has spent a lifetime at sea, squinting into the bright sunlight on the lookout for white whales and other assorted ocean-going creatures.The Society of Honorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02536906267332687130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855856123871700301.post-80476872153292362952012-08-26T12:25:29.952+08:002012-08-26T12:25:29.952+08:00Joe, I forgot to state how uproariously fitting an...Joe, I forgot to state how uproariously fitting and funny the Popeye analogy is. Not only Oyl equals oil, but also the alliteration of Popeye and the Philippines. There is one other element in the analogy that can be made about the characteristics of eyes, but I refuse to be a racist. Edgar Loreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13363554010485644899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855856123871700301.post-62866781455726595152012-08-26T06:22:47.455+08:002012-08-26T06:22:47.455+08:00You are more cynical than me, Doc. Historically, w...You are more cynical than me, Doc. Historically, war is the great patriot-maker, the occasion for rallying around the community and the flag. That's why Rizal is a hero, and why Ramon Magsaysay is among the most revered of Philippine presidents. At some point, we cross over from being ego-patriots to being sacrificial-patriots, and Filipinos do that as well as anybody. Maybe better because of that hard-headedness which, converted to determination, provides a kind of relentless drive to win.<br /><br />ps erratum, on my remark to Edgar: I meant "insecurities" not "securities". Stupid Chinese keyboard here . . .The Society of Honorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02536906267332687130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855856123871700301.post-27303078358467035402012-08-25T23:40:27.027+08:002012-08-25T23:40:27.027+08:00I wouldn't worry much if PLA come knockin'...I wouldn't worry much if PLA come knockin'. This is not going to be Divisoria 168. Nothing like a big Chinese ship firing a round against a puny Pinoy ship in the West Philippine Sea to incite the oxymoron of a Pinoy patriot. Rizal's words exhorting us in the background:"I die without seeing the dawn brighthen over my native land but you who have it to see forget not those who have fallen over the night."<br /><br /><br />DocBAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855856123871700301.post-2900239104064066482012-08-25T20:45:52.668+08:002012-08-25T20:45:52.668+08:00Very nice synthesis, with which I agree 100%. And ...Very nice synthesis, with which I agree 100%. And your last paragraph is indeed the hope, that the securities would diminish with education, along with the need to be belligerent to claim a place among the large group of harmonious nations (Europe, U.S., most of Asia, Australia, Canada, much of South America, a little of Africa).The Society of Honorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02536906267332687130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855856123871700301.post-2184867947090066082012-08-25T18:39:33.158+08:002012-08-25T18:39:33.158+08:00China has always been autocratic. The image I hav...China has always been autocratic. The image I have in mind is that of the Empress Dowager looking daggers at a wayward minister, who is helplessly trembling in fear.<br /><br />Behind the autocratic rigidity, of course, is insecurity. Externally, this insecurity is manifested in the Great Wall, a useless defence against invasion. Internally, it is manifested in the iron grip it exercises over its citizens. The country is huge, and power must be used ruthlessly and cruelly to prevent it from fragmentation or descending into chaos.<br /><br />Another reason for its worship of power, I think, is its counter reaction against the abuse it suffered from foreign invasion by Western powers and Japan in the 19th century.<br /><br />China seeks – if not world – then at least Asian domination. It is driven, as you say, by the need for resources. In this need, it has spread its tentacles to Africa, South America and some Asian countries like Cambodia.<br /><br />Geopolitically, China is aligned with North Korea and Russia. The latter is an uneasy coalition intended to counter and frustrate the dominance of Western powers. The checks to Chinese power lie primarily in America and its multilateral alliances with Japan, South Korea, Oceania, Taiwan and other Asian countries. A secondary check is India. <br /><br />I do not like China as a power. It does not have the right stuff. In human terms, it is more than a bully with idle threats; it has inflicted harm and does not seem to have any compunction from continuing to do so. Its occupation of Tibet and cruel suppression of Tibetan culture must be condemned. The only silver lining of this inroad is the exile of the Dalai Lama and the consequent spread of Buddhism.<br /><br />In its crass attempts to claim and seize the South China Sea islands, China must be treated firmly, and recourse must be sought from international institutions and neighboring countries with identical national interests.<br /><br />As China progresses and living standards rise, the hope is that its citizenry will attempt to loosen the iron grip - and breath the slight but tantalizing air of freedom that their Hong Kong cousins enjoy.<br />Edgar Loreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13363554010485644899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855856123871700301.post-5886830978097579782012-08-25T18:10:47.653+08:002012-08-25T18:10:47.653+08:00Yes, quite a circus: environmental-resources-water...Yes, quite a circus: environmental-resources-water-energy-population and hahahahaha ego to keep us entertained.<br /><br />I agree with your point 4, but think the oil potential in the Spratleys is large, and it could do a lot to help with the infrastructure. So it is a big deal to define and defend what is rightly the territory of the Philippines.The Society of Honorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02536906267332687130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855856123871700301.post-41157863501560750892012-08-25T14:58:40.783+08:002012-08-25T14:58:40.783+08:00From: Island Jim-e (aka "The Cricket"_...From: Island Jim-e (aka "The Cricket"_<br /><br />1. My wife (aka: Dragon heart) has made many<br />interesting observations regarding the "China"!<br /><br />a. That it has many problems, issues, and has<br />made a lot of mistakes which the leadership<br />is trying to cover up by making "fire" on<br />external issues. There are many comparisons<br />and contrasts between the neighborhood and the<br />"great dragon"! <br />b. The Ph by accepted maritime and civil legal<br />governmental courts of bother European, American<br />and Philippine jurisdiction recognizes that the<br />islands/terroritial waters of the PH is under a<br />mutual defence treaty dating back to the early<br />1800s (I think). Even dating back to 1200 the<br />rulers of China were not chinese, so any so-called<br />explorations by sea that may have been carried out<br />by mainlanders were probably Mongal.<br />2. The common person on any Chinese owned street<br />probably does not really care, it is the business<br />persons who are waging the tail of the "great <br />dragon" and are playing the "tune"--greed as the<br />theme! The military puppet masters are just looking<br />for ways and means to pump up their chests, beat <br />the drums--show that they are worthly of their pay-<br />checks! The elite government officals are very<br />envious of the North Koreans who goose step on the<br />slaves, (wear 100 medals on their dress uniforms,<br />keep a 10 story graphic display picture of their<br />"august-super-supreme-dear" leader -Orwell re-<br />visited- and enjoy playing out a sequel to the<br />"mouse that roard"!<br /><br />3. Popeye yes--but more like "Alice in Wonderland",<br />(www.squidoo.com)...the world is really becoming<br />more like a circus with 3 to 6 rings:<br />environmental-resources-water-energy-population-<br />and ego to keep us entertained!<br /><br />4. The truth and focus for the Philippines should <br />keep REFORM in our own cirus Middle-center-ring!<br />We need to keep our "center" on:<br />a. Promotion and employment of qualified, educated-<br />informed, engaged,experienced governmental people.<br />b. Re-building the manufatue and infastructure base-<br />continue land reform and put people back into the<br />rural farm areas to produce a new-educated generation<br />of farmers.<br />c. Power transfer from the few-privledged dynastic<br />families (monopoly) and open the Philippines to<br />world commerce-occupation-manufacturing-growth<br />opportunities and land ownership!<br />d. Build island infastructure to support transp-<br />ortation, flooding, rain, storm, volcanic-earth-<br />quake damage,damage.<br /><br />Chirp, chirp!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855856123871700301.post-29548424328985214452012-08-25T14:32:12.064+08:002012-08-25T14:32:12.064+08:00Ah, it would never work. China has more witches an...Ah, it would never work. China has more witches and hobgoblins and spirits than any nation in the world. Superstition I think is actually a Chinese word. That's why they are out harvesting clam dicks and turtle nuts, to enhance their supernatural powers.The Society of Honorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02536906267332687130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855856123871700301.post-61624968255065542662012-08-25T13:12:13.351+08:002012-08-25T13:12:13.351+08:00Some wise ass suggested our mangkukulam, barang, s...Some wise ass suggested our mangkukulam, barang, sorcerers, and assorted witches work up some magic spell or your version of Popeye spinach to fight these chinese SOBs.<br /><br />DocBAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855856123871700301.post-67675345565288692782012-08-25T13:05:00.818+08:002012-08-25T13:05:00.818+08:00No wonder Ambassador to China Sonia Brady suffered...No wonder Ambassador to China Sonia Brady suffered a stroke.<br /><br />DocBAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855856123871700301.post-25012197606067466372012-08-25T12:43:23.211+08:002012-08-25T12:43:23.211+08:00Yes, I think so, and the process has already start...Yes, I think so, and the process has already started with boycotts in both nations. I wonder who has the most to lose. The Philippines is already looking for substitute markets for goods. China has more investments in the Philippines than the Philippines does in China I would guess. If it got gruesome, I suppose those could be nationalized. I just don't get the sense that the Philippine economic stability is dependent on China. Sting, yes. Enduring damage, no.<br /><br />I also suspect there will be tussles in the seas. It will be interesting to watch as the Philippines continues with oil exploration in the Spratleys. Will China interfere physically?<br /><br />I know I get upset knowing Chinese boats are taking coral and giant clams and other sea goods out of the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone. All under the eyes of Chinese military boats. It smacks of sanctioned rape to me.The Society of Honorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02536906267332687130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855856123871700301.post-53852316274171366032012-08-25T11:07:09.223+08:002012-08-25T11:07:09.223+08:00I think this battle with China is shaping up to be...I think this battle with China is shaping up to being fought in the economic trenches, money wire transfers whizzing by like bullets and rockets, and not in the diplomatic arena with saliva and ink.<br /><br />DocBAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855856123871700301.post-87085090303455069102012-08-25T10:34:57.336+08:002012-08-25T10:34:57.336+08:00I think it is more than just posturing. China has ...I think it is more than just posturing. China has cornered the market on rare earth metals, is aggressively mining in South America, and has laid claim to a broad expanse of the West Philippine Sea. I'm reminded of Japan, pre-WWII, seeking to corner the Asian market to assure sustainable economic growth. Or Germany finally declaring war on Russia during WWII because Germany needed oil to fuel her war machine. Resources are the raw product of wealth and power. China's appetite is huge. Gigantic.The Society of Honorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02536906267332687130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855856123871700301.post-65295908433588821422012-08-25T10:25:17.449+08:002012-08-25T10:25:17.449+08:00Isn't China's bullying just a PR job by th...Isn't China's bullying just a PR job by the Party and the PLA to unite and rally its people? <br /><br />DocBAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com