tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post2573421184487731734..comments2023-10-22T18:25:39.688+08:00Comments on The View from Taiwan: "Cornyn, Menendez Push to Mandate Sale of F-16 Fighters to Taiwan"Michael Turtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974403961870976346noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-15373859524583283612011-09-13T14:46:55.447+08:002011-09-13T14:46:55.447+08:00Scary to think that the best argument US pols have...Scary to think that the best argument US pols have to create jobs is to revive the military-industrial complex.Marcnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10698887.post-10803343859779901682011-09-13T13:30:22.469+08:002011-09-13T13:30:22.469+08:00How wonderful that Taiwan has become not only a pa...How wonderful that Taiwan has become not only a pawn in international politics, but American domestic politics as well. <br /><br />The whole back-story to the administrations heal-dragging on the arms sale is a good speculation. Coming at the same time (more or less) that the PRC has increased its naval presence in the South China sea and harassing vessels from the Philippines and Vietnam for violating what it (and only it) claims as their territory. Of note is SoS Clintons downplaying of the whole fracas and waging a motherly finger at the PRC stating "now, you just behave yourself" while at the same time reassuring the wary leaders of Vietnam, the Philippines and others that she has been reassured that the PRC means no aggression. At around the same time, the Taipei Times was reporting on reports from various departments in the US government as saying they were told to halt all discussions on the arms sale and more or less it was effectively dead and blaming the Taiwanese government as killing it. Personally, I would love to know how much money the PRC gives or gave to her husbands foundation.<br /><br />It is all but a given that the current American administration has given up on Taiwan, and by extension all nations in the Western Pacific and is leaving them to their fate at the hands of the PRC. Anyone can preach all they want about the PRC claiming to be a "peaceful power" but anyone who has spent a few hours reading the Art of War knows that to be complete hogwash. <br /><br />Exactly how and why the PRC has become so effective in controlling American policy making needs to be a part of a congressional hearing. Spare me the "trillion dollar investment" in the US economy or the cheap goods. If those are indeed the key reasons, then the PRC, the Americans, and the EU need to ask each other and themselves who needs who the most? and can we live without each other? When those questions get answered, then and only then will Taiwan's fate be decided. If it has not already.<br /><br />Sorry for the long-winded comment.<br /><br />Respectfully.<br /><br />JamesBohlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08971885629720229355noreply@blogger.com