As Bush Burns the US, the China Threat Grows

China to 'boost' military spending

Hu Warns Against Independence

With Bush rapidly grinding down US power and influence in the world, here in Taiwan we face an increasingly uncertain future. China's formal double digit defense spending growth masks much greater real military spending growth, and its swelling hegemonic drive in Asia that can only portend bad news for the Beautiful Island. Should you come here to teach English? Sure. By the time Bush is through with the US, we won't have enough power to frighten a Haitian crime gang, let alone the PRC military. There shouldn't be much of a fight. At the moment, between the sleepwalking Taiwanese populace, the weakness of the DPP, the venality of the pro-Chinese mainlander cliques -- which, I hasten to add, do not include all mainlanders -- and the accelerating decline of the US, Taiwan's future as an independent political entity has never looked so grim.

Overheard on the Net: From a Poster at Internet Infidels

One of Darth Bush's military advisors, who is losing faith in Bush:
"Any attack made by the Iraqi insurgents against us would be a useless gesture, no matter what primitive tactics they use against us. Our military machine is supreme!"

Darth Bush:
"Don't be too proud of our military machine. The ability to bomb a country into oblivion is nothing compared the power of God to wipe these brown skinned terrorists from the face of the Earth."

Darth Bush's Advisor:
"Don't try to frighten us with your religious ways, Bush. Your sad devotion to that ancient religion has not helped you conjure up the supposed Weapons of Mass Destruction, or given you clairvoyance enough to find Osama Bin Laden."

Darth Bush:
"I find your lack of faith... disturbing".