Lando 
Posted on 03/13/2005 6:25:39 AM PST by Lando Lincoln
Lando
Why don't we just equip Taiwan with nukes? Let the Chinese have their own N. Korean problem...
"democratic Taiwan" what a joke.
Chang was as dictatorial as any mainland despot. He just wasn't a commie.
Since North Korea borders on China....one would say that they ALREADY have the problem.
Besides, if the U.S. had wanted Taiwan to have nukes, Taiwan would already have nukes. I think the U.S. trusts Taiwan as much as it trusts Russia.
because China could turn around and give them to Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Lybia, etc ...
Will the US be willing to take on today's China (as opposed to the Korean War era China) to take a stand? We've been having a very uneasy relationship with China the last few decades and neither one will want to back down and lose face.
Let's hope this can be resolved peacefully.
But the real question is: What would Wal-Mart do?
Actually, he got most of his military training from the Soviets, just he was more interested in unifying China than he was in spreading the "joys" of communism.
I assume you are speaking of Mao Tse Tung? He was interested in unifying China too. I was referring to the equally despotic General Chang. I think he was interested in power too.
They were flip sides of the same coin.
Why don't we just equip Taiwan with nukes? Let the Chinese have their own N. Korean problem...
>>>
Who said Taiwan doesn't have a nuclear capability? lol
Nope. General Chaing Kai-shek (sp) received his military in the USSR.
That's exactly the sort of beligerant statement I expect to hear from a Democrat. Beligerance is not a sign of intelligence.
War in our lifetime is not beyond possibility. And if it is war, this one will be hard.
"But the real question is: What would Wal-Mart do?"
Yeah, the business community is so intertwined in China that I really wonder if we can (literally) afford to stand up to China. And I'm not just talking about the fortunes of rich people here. Business does tend to employ most people, and most businesses have some sort of economic dependence on China. And I can guarantee trouble with China will therefore hit everyone in the pocketbook to some extent. Then there is all of those bonds we sold them. (Whoops.)
If I were leader of Taiwan, I would definitely be worried that the US isn't going to do much if the Chinese come knocking.
Taiwan has not demonstrated a willingness to sacrifice for its independence and freedom unlike, say, Israel. Have they acted yet on the $18 billion arms package that U.S. defense experts say is the minimum they need to protect themselves from PLA assault?
That was over 50 years ago man. Do you deny that Taiwan is a democracy today?
From the CIA China country analysis website:
Population: 1,298,847,624 (July 2004 est.)
Military manpower availability: males age 15-49: 379,524,688 (2004 est.)
From 80 to 120 million surplus rural workers are adrift between the villages and the cities, many subsisting through part-time, low-paying jobs.
Growing shortages of electric power and raw materials will hold back the expansion of industrial output in 2004.
#2 world economy behind US with GDP +$7-tril, growing at +9%
"then again, who really wanted war in Europe in 1914?"
Beware of entangling alliances eh? Or is this a necessary one?
This latest ratcheting up by PRC may appear to be more saber rattling rhetoric in response to the new reality of US/Japan cooperation but it is also giving them the political framework to QUICKLY implement direct action against a hypothetical Taiwanese 'Declaration Of Independence', as they saber rattled about after last years elections, which may be an ominous development considering their simultaneous military preparations...they arent building dozens of amphibious assault vessels to invade MARS eh? ;-)
The Japan gambit was a very smart one for the U.S. but this kind of response had to be respected so now what? A formal end to U.S. support of the One China policy?? More 'subtle' [and 'sensitive'] preparations with the Japanese??? ;-)
'Interesting' [in the ancient Chinese curse sense of the term] moves on the chessboard...
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