You are dreaming if you think September 11 did anything to bolster our image in China. Remember a little spy plane incident prior to 911? Do you think they forgot the huge whoopin they over that one? I would laugh if it weren't so sad.
While China is not likely to attack us directly, Taiwan is an inviting target—especially if we are "engaged" somewhere else.
They can try to retake Taiwan--in the absence of sealift assets, they are going to fail badly.
America's foreign enemies were understandably emboldened by undeniable currents of decadence and moral weakness, including the election twice to the presidency of a man who is obviously psychopathic; widespread contempt for truthfulness, honor, and law in the American intelligentsia--academia, celebrities, journalists and the newmedia, attorneys, and notably the president of the United States and most importantly the tolerance of such by large numbers of Americans; and the weakening of the military and apparantly Americans' resolve to survive.
The response of Americans to the Sept. 11 massacre and the expert leadership of President Bush proved that this decadence and moral weakness have by no means permeated the American Heartland.
America's foreign enemies have taken note. They are still watching.
If the American resolve continues, if Americans repudiate the decadent "Liberalism" that weakened her and emboldened her enemies, no foreign power can or would dare to provoke the U.S.
(Unfortunately for the foolish Islamic fundamentalists, they already have. They will be crushed.)