All groups have their “fanatics” who take the PR as the gospel truth. This why some Republicans do not want the government (a.k.a the taxpayers) to bail out the private sector banks – to the dismay of the bankers, who know which side of their bread is buttered. The Wolfowitzs are working for a cause for which they need to stir up the neo-cold war fanatics.

Take Joe Biden at the debate last Thursday. The pitiful man earnestly proclaimed that the Administration should have taken his advice and not supported free elections in Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza. “See,” he lamented, “the people voted for Hamas!” His contempt for democracy and free choice is breathtaking.

Beijing’s official Xinhua news agency reported today that Hu and Pres. Bush conferred thusly about the crisis yesterday evening (Washington time):

Bush briefed Hu on the latest development of the U.S. financial market, saying his government was well aware of the scope of the problem, and had taken and would continue to take necessary measures to stabilize the domestic and world financial markets.

Hu [said he] hoped the measures would soon take effect and lead to a gradual recovery of the financial market, which he said not only serves the interests of the United States, but also those of China, and benefits the stability of the world financial market and the sound development of the world economy.

… He said China is ready to work with the U.S. side to intensify dialogue, exchanges and cooperation, and properly handle issues concerning mutual interests and of major concern, particularly the Taiwan question, in a bid to push forward the sustained and steady development of the Sino-U.S. constructive and cooperative ties.

A big, Renaissance-style flourish of the chapeau to Bernhard of MoA for picking up this very significant news item. Bernhard, not unreasonably, compared the prospect of a this deal-in-the-possible-making to the 1803 Louisiana Purchase (and thereby also, perhaps less plausibly, Bush to Napoleon. But oh yes, Napoleon did launch that mad, very destructive military adventure into Russia, didn’t he.)

I see no mention of this crucial phone call at the White House’s website. I wonder why not? All the WH has on the financial crisis today is this extremely contentless little statement.

On Saturday, I noted that China’s current investment in/exposure to the US markets includes around $900 billion held in T-bills and Fannie and Freddie stock. They also have substantial holdings in privately owned US financial entities.

I do not know of all the connections, whereabouts, of all these brilliant people, but I thought that it could be interesting to put the Taiwan story in perspective

I read with interest your post on the ongoing issue surrounding 8 Congressional notifications awaiting Congressional review at the U.S. Department of State.

There is no value in writing a critique of your rant but simply to draw out an example of your cavalier attitude toward your profession.

In your article you note, “some of those same arms manufacturers were behind Wolfowitz’s selection as the (well-paid) chairman of the Business Council.”

We have no defense contractors on our executive committee that selects our chairmen. In addition, the position is honorary and comes with zero compensation. You just made the above sentence up.

You must be very proud Mr. Lobe, you stand as a near perfect example of the state of modern journalism. While I have not had the pleasure of reading other reports generated by your pen, I can imagine they offer the same degree of insight and professionalism.

Sincerely yours,

Rupert Hammond-Chambers

Rupert Hammond-Chambers
President
US-Taiwan Business Council

Also somehow, despite teaching at the Naval College, he seems to think submarines are useless because they’re slow and thus cannot hunt other submarines. Clearly he forgets that they can also be used to attack a potential invasion fleet or surface vessels enforcing a blockade. Their lack of range is irrelevant as they would be used for coastal patrol only.

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rdow, Ma has said he support their purchase. Submarines can be used offensively, but there is no benefit for Taiwan to do that. Apart from that everything else is defensive, either used to protect against air attacks or an invasion on land.

I am a bit rusty on what is transpiring on Taiwan.

They are making a killing as investors in the mainland and buying up part interests in all sorts of enclaves.

The main demand of the Taiwanese politicians is that any henosis with the mainland involve the Communists giving up their monopoly as the only National Party (not counting front groups).

Eventually this will probably play in whatever the combined Chinese Peoria is.

The role of the Americans as supposedly and alternately defending and leashing Taiwan is over.

Wolfowitz’s and Israel’s provocations likely fall on inscrutably deaf ears.

The other undercurrent, which may well be the more difficult to resolve, is Taiwan’s close relationship to Japan.

Thanks for your article on 《Wolfowitz Up to More Mischief?》.
Your article on the subject mentioned above is evry comprehensive and I am higly obliged.

Looking forward to read your articles on Chaina and Korea.

Thanks and regards

Yours sincerely.

This is just the calm before the storm. Once the next decider is christened it will be more war to keep the masses distracted. Can’t have them thinking too much about the economy you know… Shoot, they might actually wake up.