Posted on 03/12/2009 5:22:43 PM PDT by Las Vegas Ron
From The TimesMarch 12, 2009
US warships head for South China Sea after standoffTim Reid in Washington A potential conflict was brewing last night in the South China Sea after President Obama dispatched heavily armed American destroyers to the scene of a naval standoff between the US and China at the weekend.
Mr Obama’s decision to send an armed escort for US surveillance ships in the area follows the aggressive and co-ordinated manoeuvres of five Chinese boats on Sunday. They harassed and nearly collided with an unarmed American vessel.
(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...
#23 — we have a winnahhhhh!!!!
maybe its been purged from the net
I know that a number of previous posters have said that he wouldn’t take strong action — but it’s happening and that’s positive. Don’t let those Chinese run us out of International waters....
I'll believe it's happening when he forces China to back down. Pulling back your coat to reveal your gun, even drawing your gun, doesn't do a damn bit of good unless you are fully ready and willing to pull the trigger if necessary.
Personally, I have no confidence that he is willing to pull the trigger. My guess is that there will be a mid-stakes showdown, a lot of sabre rattling, then a behind the scenes aquiecense (sp?) that lets both sides walk away with their own talking points about how they won.
Problem is, that China need not win outright - they win with a draw. If they sucessfully stare us down and walk away without a black eye they have won, plain and simple.
They know that, O doesn't get it. He won't even learn from GW's mistake (my opinion) with the air crew.
My guess is that Obama is not “micromanaging” this thing. I would imagine that the military is handling it about now...
No better way for a politician to get the economy 'going.'
Although, China is no Iraq or Afghanistan.
Because they, like every other nation on this planet are looking out for number one - themselves.
Until the nitwits in currently in charge get the memo that everyone else on the planet is playing king of the mountain, and that we are currently on top and as a result the target, our world will be much more dangerous than it was six month ago.
Personal opinion.
Because in March, 2007, the United States of America oozes weakness. They smell the blood in the water. They're not stupid, they won't miscalculate. But if they do, or Iran does, or Putin does, that's where wars come from. This guy is clueless. If pushed, America's reaction may not be well thought out, he may cower, but he may strike out. This is probably nothing, but in the foreign sphere I hope he receives good advice.
That interpreter chick behind the Chinese poo-bah has possibilities, IMHO.
He wasn't prophetic in any way, just a realism. Test the new kid and see where his stones are. Nothing new there, just always seems tense when it is nations playing with really big sticks.
As for it being a stupid idea to pick a fight with China, my opinion is that it would be a much more problematic matter should we back down, or in fact not force them to back down.
I know they have a billion people so they have a huge army, but they are stuck there so that is useless right now. They have missles, we have more with bigger firecrackers on top. They own a huge chunk of our debt, we own a huge chunk of their employment potential, blah blah blah.
China is a third world country, giving them the respect of a mighty military or economic power aids and abets them. Mao's group won't last long if they can't export lead filled kids toys to the west and maintain at least an 8% annual growth rate...
You said — “Because they, like every other nation on this planet are looking out for number one - themselves.”
—
Yes, that’s certainly correct (in your understanding). Furthermore, China has wanted for a long time to make a large portion of International waters their own *private sea*. They’ve been aggressively trying to do this for a very long time. The U.S. keeps patrols going in these areas where China wants to make it their own “private domain” so that it’s *established* by the U.S. that these are *indeed* International waters...
You said — “As for it being a stupid idea to pick a fight with China, my opinion is that it would be a much more problematic matter should we back down, or in fact not force them to back down.”
Absolutely and 100% correct. And I’m sure that the military let Obama know this in no uncertain terms. The good thing is that he’s listening to them...
It was on a thread here earlier this morning....wait a minute, I saved it...be right back
Besides, a war with China would certainly give the green light to N. Korea to invade S. Korea...and there is very little we could do to counter that with a war with China and our commitments in Afghanistan and Iraq. It would totally destabilize that entire region. At the same time, Russia would probably see a golden opportunity to 'take back' some regional satellites (ex. Georgia or possibly even Ukraine).
Chinese are already out of the area. Our ships will go there and the Chines subs will follow them.
You said — “Chinese are already out of the area. Our ships will go there and the Chines subs will follow them.”
Well, I hope they keep dragging that sonar unit then, and listen to those Chinese subs... :-)
Now it makes sense why the economic crisis was cancelled.
You know, normally I would agree with you, but if some guerilla warfare in Afghanistan is causing Obama to negotiate a surrender, are you confidant in his ability to go to war with CHINA? Who has Russia in it’s back pocket? The Russia who has Iran in it’s back pocket?
We will virtually be the only continent on our side because Russia will block oil to Europe, they’ll be begging us to surrender. Iran will have the middle east in a frenzy against us and China is just HUGE.
Not a war I want him to get ballsy in, you know?
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