Behind the Hype of China's Military Capability

I'm not gonna say it's IMPOSSIBLE that China does have a nuclear capability that is far above what we have in the USA.

But, it sure is unlikely.

Think about skirmishes on the China-India border in 2020-2021. Troops of both countries fought to defend their own country's claim to territory. As you can see from the video, it was a no-guns battle that showed how clubs, swords, and spears still have a use in border disputes (as they do in many neighborhood brawls).

Why no guns?

Neither China nor India want a "hot" war. Such a conflict level would be hugely damaging to their economies. Even though both countries have extensive land armies, they do not want that conflict to turn so kinetic as to trigger all-out war.

Now, with that in mind, I'm gonna go out on a limb and state that I don't believe China is eager for, nor prepared for, an actual war. The "news" about their hypersonic capabilities, and the belligerence they have recently shown towards both America, and their allies in the South Pacific, is merely designed to influence the Nervous Nellies in the Biden administration.

IRL, China is weak. They have real opposition, both with their own people, and with Taiwan and Hong Kong, as well. When protests start up, China will step in and threaten, use stealth methods for eliminating opponents, and use technological means to cut off communications. All of which can be done at little cost, and low risk of tipping off a kinetic action.

But, America's Left being, well, LEFT, the Biden-Harris administration will likely fold quickly, and put the USA in a bad position.

Same Old, Same Old.

Now, THAT'S What a Brave Athlete Looks Like

He is Enes Kanter, a Turkish-born NBA player (Celtics), who has publicly criticized China's Human Rights abuses. Click here for a variety of links to news about him (from Bing).

In addition to personally calling out Xi and China's treatment of the Tibetan people, he did not fail to criticize Ergodan, the leader of Turkey.

Naturally, China responded as they always do, blocking the Chinese people from accessing the media coverage of his action, and blocking the Celtics' NBA games in China (thereby depriving the team from getting their share of the loot from the NBA agreement with China).

That general region of Europe (Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, and Turkey) has contributed most of the non-POC players on professional basketball teams. I say non-POC, although many of them are fairly swarthy, because their heritage is generally European/Asia Minor.

That heritage group includes some unusually tall people (as I understand it, they may have some DNA in common with the also-tall Afghanis). Melania Trump is from that region, too.

Many of them have lived in countries with a history of repressive leadership, and are not inclined to fall in line with Leftist groupthink.

Can't wait to see him on the cover of Sports Illustrated!

/sarc

Chinese Economic Disaster - How Will That Affect US?

Quite a lot, apparently.

The real estate market in China is THIRTY PERCENT of their GDP (Gross Domestic Product). That's HUGE. For comparison, the housing meltdown that was explained in The Big Short composed considerably less of our total economy. Currently, the real estate industry is a smidge over 22% of the GDP in the United States.

And, that is not including the heavy investment of the Chinese government into EVERY facet of the economy. It's safe to say that the margin of error is razor-thin in China - they cannot afford a meltdown of 1/3 of their economy.

The Chinese economy has, for some time, been heavily dependent on exports to the USA and other countries. They depend on the regular payments to keep their country afloat. The economic contraction of COVID was short, and largely offset by the boom China experienced when other 1st World economies cratered.

As so much of the stuff delivered by Amazon was from China, you might even say that they boosted their economy, while delivering a death blow to many American industries.

I was never all that terrified about the "sudden death" propaganda that was coming out in the early days of the COVID Terror. Sudden collapse in the streets? ONLY happened in China, and - amazingly - always seemed to be caught on camera.

But, the death rate, as measured by cremations, didn't fall in line with the scary reports. They just were not losing population in the numbers suggested by the reports. All of which makes me conclude that the virulence of COVID was largely a hoax. Except for the elderly and medically fragile, it was no more than a bad year's flu.

But, back to the Chinese economy. At the above link, one of the commenters posted a staggering statistic:

"To put things into perspective – Real Estate in the USA is worth about the sum total of the entire economy. Western European Real estate is worth about 1.2 times their entire economy.

Real Estate in China is valued at 12 TIMES the entire Chinese economy.

Their subprime collapse is literally going to be at a level that has never been scene in the history of the planet."

I knew that the Chinese Real Estate was overpriced, but this is at a level that will CRUSH China. I would not be surprised at a revolution (because, given that level of a cash flow crisis, there are going to be a LOT of unemployed government functionaries, including their military).

What does that mean for us?

Well, for a while, you are going to have trouble getting your high-tech toys (actual toys, as well as adult gadgets). Vehicle repairs are going to suffer, as will production of new cars, trucks, and farm and industrial equipment.

However, Americans are pretty handy, and I expect that - with a little Redneck engineering - they will manage to bypass the e-sensors and chip control of their vehicles. That will go a long way towards offsetting the damage caused by Chinese collapse.

India and other nearby economies will pick up some of the slack. American companies SHOULD take advantage of this to 'Build Back Better', but I would bet against that, given the hostile forces that have taken over the Federal government.

We will lose a major market for our food, but - what the hell - the world is filled with hungry people. We'll do all right, and should be able to ship overland to American markets with little difficulty. It will cost more, but we can pick up the slack and keep Americans eating 3 squares a day.

I saw this, and just HAD to add a link. Sometimes, I'm still surprised at how Incredibly Stupid people can be.

How about a new animation flick - The Incredibly Stoopids?

Once More, Into Data Analysis to Counter the Left

I actually do "follow the science" - which, the early speculation and numbers cloud the true situation.

I don't mean that as a slam - one of the hallmarks of a sudden crisis is that there WILL be confusion. In the case of a new/emerging disease, that includes:

• What actually caused the outbreak - was it a natural event, or - as we have to consider these days - was it a manipulated or man-caused event?
• A man-caused event is not necessarily one that was created deliberately. It might include disease outbreaks that follow wars, for example. It might include outbreaks that follow politically-motivated reductions of food, or water shortages that follow re-direction of water sources (dam building, siphoning off of an aquifer without regard for normal water usage).
• Was this part of a politically motivated attack? Did a nation/region/power base simply take advantage of an already existing situation, and fail to take steps to damp down the outbreak?
• What steps will reduce incidence? Quarantine is not always the correct solution, but it may be ONE of the methods tried out. Others include looking at sanitation, testing the water supply, and examining the nursing of the ill and disposal of bodies (that last may account for the majority of Ebola spread, due to existing customs).
• What treatments will affect the outcome/duration? Simple good home nursing is a major factor in recovery from many major illnesses:
• Isolate the affected separately in the home, if possible.
• Those that tend the sick wash their hands and clothing after being in contact with them - yes, I know this is an impossible standard for most of the world.
• Nourishing  food and clean water for the ill AND their families.
• Watch the patients to keep their fevers from exceeding a few degrees - administer cool compresses as needed. Watch use of aspirin for extended periods of time - that can lead to other problems. Alcohol rubs in moderation - they work, but the alcohol can also be absorbed through the skin, a problem with the elderly, particularly if thin, and with children.
• Clean up bodily soiling, both in patient and those who provide care. Dispose of waste carefully.
• For many, time and rest are significant factors in healing. Don't rush people back to work or school.

In other "science-related" news, it appears that recycling may be virtually kaput.

Savannah's recycling program is not the only one that continues, but does not actually recycle at all. I'm told by some Cleveland residents that the recycling program just dumps it all into the landfill. For that reason, some are skipping the extra steps, and just dumping it all together.

It can be difficult to find out that the programs are fake. The pro-recycle advocates don't want to discuss it publicly. It's only when you know some people actually working in the field that you can find out that it's all an elaborate fraud.

Fortunately, the news team I-Team was willing to do some actual journalism (how rare these days!).

NO facility takes the plastic bags. so get in the habit of re-using them for lining trash containers, groceries/other purchases, and putting your lunch items into for transport to school/work. There are a few groceries that will collect those flimsy bags, so if you can find one, that's a good alternative.

In most stores, I use insulated bags to transport food, particularly when it will have to stay in the car for an extended period of time. You might want to use those old bags to line such a container, to prevent contamination.

Is Jen Psaki correct in defending Pete Buttigieg's parental leave?

No.

Look, the whole rationale for Parental Leave is that carrying, and giving birth to a human being is exhausting. And, I would personally know.

There is the whole thing of carrying around that increasing weight - anywhere from 25-50 extra pounds of baby, placenta, and fluids. By the 7th month or so, most mothers are finding it necessary to take naps and put their swollen feet up.

It's not just the extra weight. The mother is also needing to consume extra calories for that cute little symbiote. The nutritional demands are 24/7, but Mum can only eat so much, particularly after the growing baby starts crowding her digestive system.

There is loss of sleep, caused by need to urinate more often, difficulty finding a comfortable position in bed, and the fact that SOME of the babies are both nocturnal and energetic. Yes, son, I'm talking to you.

There is the whole birth process - truly called Labor. It can range from barely giving Mum and Dad time to get to the hospital, to 24 hours or more of hard work. What is that like?

Look, the average vagina is easily able to accommodate a male part that is considerably smaller than a cucumber. The infant head ranges from around 4-5 inches in diameter.

Go ahead, check it. There are NO cucumbers that big. Go to a sporting goods store, and find a ball 4-1/2 to 5 inches across. That's what is coming out of that vagina, and IT'S NOT EASY! 

Naturally, after all that (I'm not even going to go into the work involved in breast-feeding), the new Mum will need a little time to recover. The standard is from 6 weeks to 3 months of time off full-time work, and - trust me - it really is needed. Many women have cesareans, which roughly double the time needed to recover.

That's the process that Parental Leave was intended for - to allow that person whose body underwent such an amazing change to heal and rest up. I did it 3 times, and it still took a lot of time to recover.

Eventually, those families that adopted children squawked until the Leave was extended to include them, too. But, honestly, that wasn't the point of the time off. There is no physical reason that the new parent who didn't give birth needs more than a week or two for the transition.

In the case of two men, neither of whom did ANY of the childbirth thing, anything more than a couple of weeks is ridiculously self-indulgent. Buttigieg has a 'husband', and could turn the job over to him, since the transportation system is truly in a crisis state. The American taxpayer has no need to give a fig for whether or not he and his 'husband' bond with the two new kids.

Manufacturing Consent

I was alerted to this book by some noted Leftists - Link Here.

You should click on it, and Share that Link on not-so-social media, if you are still using it.

If you are not, then check out the link anyway, and do as I will to do later today. I will be buying it (although I am generally opposed on principle to direct any of my money in that direction, sometimes knowing what your enemy is up to is critical) - here is the Kindle Link on Amazon.

Oh, wait! I checked with the Library Extension (works with Chrome and the Chrome-like Opera), and, if I'm willing to wait, I can borrow it at my local library.

That's an easy choice!

You may want to buy an actual copy (paperback prices aren't bad at Thriftbooks). It does make it easier to pass it along to others.

That's my plan for the next few years - to begin curating a library of used books related to politics, governance, culture, and history, that I can lend out - whether physical books, or e-books with lending privileges. I anticipate having a lending library for friends and family, and encouraging others to donate books - of ANY persuasion - to the collection.

The more you know...

High Tide is Here - and it Will Continue Until it Floods the Job Market

Not enough is said about the distortions on the job market by illegal immigrants, fake "refugees" that are given priority for admittance, and the foreign-born children of the 'shouldn't even BE here' occupants of this country.

Every time the job market gets a little tight, leading salaries to rise, the reputably-GOP-backing corporate interests start the drumbeat for increased entrance of foreigners. The gates open, the job market is overwhelmed, and it's back to peon wages for Americans.

In many of the tech professions, it's actually worse. Many Americans have spent considerable money to educate themselves to take advantage of STEM job opportunities, only to find that the market is crammed with Asians, and that the managers (often Indian) are not disposed to hire native Americans. Some industries have found that kickbacks from the workers to their managers are common.

The American Mind, a Claremont publication, does a stellar job of outlining the situation, and asking questions that the Biden administration, and the Left, are reluctant to answer (other than to accuse any interrogator of being irredeemably racist).

I've not been posting much lately -either here, or on Liberty's Torch. That is mostly due to the massive amount of work involved in a recent move back to OH. I'm not grudging the work - it was necessary - but will be bogged down in that effort for some time to come.

On top of that, I'm in the beginning of AEP, the Annual Enrollment Period for health insurance (Medicare, Medicaid, and ACA - also known as Marketplace or Obamacare). A lot of my business is conducted by video/audio conferencing, which cuts down on the travel, but also keeps me tied to my phone.

I'll work on posting at least twice a week - maybe Tuesday and Thursday?

I'm working on getting back into touch with friends, online and offline. I've missed a few connections (I tend to get DEEP into projects, and just lose track of time. I did so today, when I plumb forgot a book club meeting.)

I pulled out my handheld radio, and got it charged and set up. I had to print out another copy of my HT manual, but I was able to get it back in operation (I think). No traffic right now - it tends to be heavier during morning and evening rush hours. But, I'll be monitoring it over the next few days, and hope I will begin to make some local contacts.

The house is slowly - VERY slowly - taking shape. It has been complicated by:

• Not being able to quickly plan out trips - I have no knowledge of where things might be found. Several times, I traveled to a store, only to find out that it is now closed - often, a 'COVID casualty'.
• Fatigue - I'm not sleeping well. When I do get up, I'm often still tired.
• The weather is playing hell with my joints. Today is the first day that I haven't been in major pain.

It will get better. It is just taking a lot longer than I would like.

Waving the Bloody Shirt

It's a long tradition in American politics - in fact, it was used in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War (mostly by Republicans, although by Democrats, as well), and only stopped because the North needed Southern votes to avoid a stalemate. In that instance, the North could not get sufficient votes to elect a president - Rutherford Hayes. The South shrewdly played politics, and only agreed to permit the electoral college to declare a clear 'winner' when the North agreed to end Reconstruction.

The Left/Progressives/Dems are using the Alleged Insurrection as a Bloody Shirt (ironically, the only death due to enemy action - as opposed to from medical issues - was that of the Pro-Trump Ashli Babbitt, who was gunned down in cold blood by Michael Leroy Byrd, a Capitol Police officer).

But, the facts won't stop the transparent attempts to whip up partisan hysteria. The Left has declared that the "Insurrection" was a violent attack on the Dems, and, like the Captain of Star Trek, they have waved their hands and declared, "Make it so."

The complete collapse of any pretense of abiding by long-established rules of Congress, the Judicial branch, and the Executive branch is accelerating. People are trying to avoid seeing what is plainly before them, and focusing on other things - ANY other thing - to avoid a terrible choice:

Either make a stand NOW, or live as a slave forever.