Free Republic

All Apple iOS devices (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch) contain heavy rare earth elements. Obama recently filed suit against China regarding abuse of their heavy rare earths monopoly. China restricts and taxes rare earth exports, making it more attractive to manufactures to relocate inside China. The NYTimes article never mentioned REEs (Rare Earth Elements). Only light rare earths are available in USA, it is the heavy that are needed. While it may not be the only factor in Apple's mind when constructing iPads with Foxconn in China, it must be a consideration. Video - Obama, China, Rare Earths - Can WTO...

Have noticed this topic mentioned previously ( http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2793363/posts ) and was hoping to engage people to determine HOW MUCH of a role thorium regulation plays in China's manufacturing advantage over USA (and Canada). I've heard conflicting opinions on this, and am looking for more to help clarify. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkC8kItzdZI I am new here. Ain't right wing. Am Canadian. Am curious if folks on the American right are familiar with Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactor (LFTR), and the energy/security implications stemming from thorium regulation? Because I don't believe it is common knowledge on American left. And it is not common knowledge in Canada....