Daily News 110-6

Ladies and Gentlemen, some daily fodder for this, the 110th day of 2006.

Hu's The Boss
Iran So Far Away
Proud to be an Unemployed American

Hu Jintao in the House

The Chinese are more than happy to offer help in defusing Iran and North Korea, but President Hu Jintao is recommending a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the problems. In the meantime, many nations from the EU are expressing concerns about Iran's nuclear program, concerns that are bordering on classical American paranoia.

China seems to be in a very cool position lately, an economic powerhouse with few worries about military and industrial strength. China has been reforming and restructuring heavily since the mid-1990's especially, and has taken a progressive stance on economics while keeping sight on socialist tradition by maintaining their grip on social outlets.

We whine about civil liberties and human rights issues in China, but in the past 5 years or so, our record with prisoners, domestic spying, executive power, and political organization have not fared so well as we'd like to believe. Part of having pride about one's own country is having pride enough to admit weaknesses so that they can be corrected.

China isn't a pet of Western Trade any longer. Hu Jintao has made it clear that while China is more than happy to moderate discussions and help to reach diplomatic resolutions, it will not be taking orders from outsiders any longer. The most fascinating part of this message is how it was delivered-- calmly and matter of fact. The aggression of China will not make itself known with guns and bombs, but instead with stocks, corporations, and currency.

Iran's Pre-Game

Let's say you're any small country which a large super-powered country has labeled part of an "axis of evil." Let's also say that this large super-powered country has a very recent record of entering a country, knocking out what little infrastructure is there, eradicating the organization of any existing security forces, and held ground to oversee the rebuilding of that country. Let's say that one of its recent targets was your next door neighbor.

Now let's also say that as a small country, you're trying to modernize technology, communication, and other infrastructures for your people while trying to maintain tradition and a unique way of life.

NOW, let's say that the super-powered country and all its friends are threatening to halt trade with you if you don't allow them to take part in augmenting your energy infrastructure. Let's add the fact that the U.N. is actually swaying to the side of the super-powered country this time.

Read all of the above again in quick review, and then decide-- what would you do?

1) Adhere to what the outsiders tell you, let them influence your people with cross-culture and anti-establishment propaganda, allowing them to take an interest in the resources your country has,

2) Resist the outsiders and politely tell them that your energy infrastrcture is none of thier damn business, but that you would be happy to offer open inspections and communications to discuss any doubts,

3) Keep from directly dealing with the outsiders and trust in your few allies to help you reach a diplomatic solution that's acceptable to the interests of your country and its people,

4) Let the world know with strong words that you are dedicated to peace, but that you will not respond to threats, nor will you compromise your way of life to those who seek to erode it. Let your enemies know that you will brook no aggression, but also that you will fight to the bitter end no matter the odds if you are invaded.

5) Start slinging sticks and stones and guarantee that your enemies will revisit you with 10 times worse.

I don't know about anyone else, but it seems like 4 is the most probable position. Iran doesn't want to go to war. It doesn't want to prove its determination and faith through blood, but it has made its point clear that if circumstances call for it, the proof will be assured through its actions.

If bomb matches bomb, we'll wipe out the ORGANIZED military of Iran just as quickly as we wiped out the ORGANIZED military of Iraq. But organized military resistance hasn't really ever been a problem in the Middle East, has it?

Let me put it this way. How many American Soldiers were killed by the Iraqi Republican Guard during our invasion? Now compare that number to those who were killed by unaligned insurgents...

These colors may not run, but they also don't listen, they don't logic, and they don't respect cultural differences within or without the country. Bravery doesn't mean shit if you're a bigoted dumbass with a sense of nationalism so vivid that makes you blind and deaf.

Automotiv-ation and Self-Help

Unions don't help if your company is losing money. Unions don't help when your company is moving its jobs to another country. Unions really don't help the workers when a company is struggling for survival.

GM isn't doing too well lately, other American Automotive industries are cutting back production and variety, and the Federal Government cares about GM as much as it cares about national education.

Everytime a U.S. plant gets shut down, it's rarely because the company is doing poorly--or so we're told. The reason behind plant closings usually comes down to "restructuring."

Well, guess when you need to restructure? When you're not making as much money as you used to. When people aren't buying your prodcuts as much. When people are realizing the quality and efficiency of your components and products are being swallowed up by the great American Mediocrity.

Attention Wal-Mart shoppers--find the item in Wal-Mart that's still actually manufactured in America, and you get the Sam Walton medal of industrial morality.

Next week, this Blog will not be written by me--we're outsourcing the authorship to someone with a better education, work ethic, personal sense of pride, professionalism, and experience with English.

Next week we come live to you from Hyderabad...and don't blame the outsourced employees. Blame the dollar, because that's what employment comes down to.

This has been your daily news for the 110th day of 2006.