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Can
The United States Make China Behave? (By R.A. Pearson)
The recent incident between the American and Chinese aircraft
off the Chinese coast has highlighted the tensions that
still exist between these two world powers. While many
Americans still want to see the open growth of trade and
investments between the two nations, Americans are asking
if China is willing to act in accordance with a free and
open World Trade Organization. The hard line response
of both countries at the start of this unfortunate incident
only served to magnify the hard feeling between the two
nations.
Students of Chinese History agree that China has been
dealt a tough hand by the western powers since the 1850s.
Western powers crashed in China's doors in 1840 and 1857
during the British Opium Wars. By 1890 Germany, France,
Russia, and even Japan created exclusive trade zones in
China known as "Spheres of Influence". In these
zones western laws governed the conduct of trade, business,
and the behavior of foreign nationals. The western repression
of the "Boxer Rebellion", an expression of Chinese
nationalism and in 1900, caused China to cede even more
territory and national integrity to the western powers.
The failure of the Chinese Republic, created by Sun Yat-Sen
in 1911 and continued by Chiang Kai-shek, caused the rise
of a Communist Party, led by Mao Tse-tung, during the
1930s. The Chinese Civil War was put on hold during World
War II while Mao and Chiang fought the Japanese. Chiang,
however, stockpiled American lend-lease weapons to use
against the Communist after the Japanese defeat. Mao never
forgot that American weapons were used against him, and
the Chinese peasants never forgot that Chiang's government
was corrupt. Mao defeated Chiang in 1949, and Chiang fled
to Taiwan. The United States still backed Chiang and his
Republic of China. Chiang kept the Chinese seat in the
United Nations.
The United States refused to recognize Mao and the Peoples
Republic of China and blocked the representation of one-third
of the world's people in the UN.
During the Korean War (1950-1953) the United States fought
the Chinese (Mao's son was killed in Korea). The United
States negotiated with the Chinese to end the Korean War
and again at Geneva in 1954 over the partition of Vietnam.
The United States continued to diplomatically ignore China
until President Nixon reopened relations in the 1970s.
The Peoples Republic of China finally received American
recognition and the Chinese people's seat at the UN and
on the UN Security Council. The United States continued
to recognize Taiwan as a separate state and here lies
one of the major problems.
The Peoples Republic of China has never renounced its
claim to Taiwan. The EP-3E spy plane flights over this
area are designed to gather intelligence over the sensitive
area of the Straits of Formosa. The recent incident occurred
at a time when the United States will consider selling
Taiwan several new and advanced destroyers equipped with
the latest Aegis radar and other technological advances.
On April 23, the Bush Administration released information
that the sale of the Aegis destroyers would not take place
in the near future; however, it left open the possibility
of the sell at a later date. When the Bush Administration
elected to sell Taiwan older weapons, China protested
even these sells. There is also a United States fear that
Taiwan might declare its independence from China. This
action would provoke a war in the area. The United States
must walk a tight rope on these issues.
The Chinese are hoping to host the 2008 Olympic Games
at Beijing. In order to do this the Chinese must persuade
the world that it is willing to abide by the established
rules of diplomacy and international behavior. The Chinese
recognize that they must overcome the world reaction to
their recent crack down on the religious group known as
Falun Gong. Many Americans felt that pressure could be
put on the Olympic Selection Committee to refuse the Chinese
the Olympic Games; however, America is low on the Olympic
Committees " to appease" list. The Atlanta Olympics
were considered "tacky" by many around the world,
and the recent airing of the Olympic Selection Committee's
dirty laundry over the Salt Lake City selection has damaged
the United States credibility with the Olympic organizers.
The Committee could select Beijing just to spite the United
States.
China probably hurt itself on an important trade issue
being considered later in the year by the United States
Congress. If Congress follows the harsh rhetoric handed
out by several Congressmen, China could face trade sanctions
and be denied entrance into the World Trade Organization.
This action would raise trade barriers such as tariffs
and stifle investments in Chinese industries. China would
find it harder to move from a command economy (one based
on government needs) to a market economy (one based on
consumer demand).
The Chinese response to the spy plane incident was to
intern the American crew and demand a US apology. The
"accident" occurred in international airspace
and the American crew landed in accordance with established
and recognized international procedure. The pilot and
crew are to be applauded for landing of the plane. When
Chinese leader Jiang Zemin (party chief, president, and
leader of the Central Military Commission) left China
for a previously scheduled trip to Latin America, the
hard line military leadership began to influence negotiations.
This hard line stance and President Bush's initial hard
line rhetoric created a stand off for several days.
America and the world agree the spy plane incident was
caused by a hot shot Chinese pilot "buzzing"
an American EP-3E spy plane. The initial Bush Administration's
hard-line comments created a standoff
for several days as the 24 American crewmen and women
were detained on Hainan island where the plane had landed.
Only after the cooler voices of Secretary of State Colin
Powell and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice
began to tone down the hard line rhetoric did the negotiations
began to move in a more positive direction.
The US Ambassador to China, Retired Admiral Joseph Prueher
(a Clinton appointee) aided American efforts by working
out acceptable language to be used in the American note
regarding the incident. The note allowed the Unites States
to say we were sorry without really saying we were sorry.
Once the language was agreed to by both nations, the crew
was allowed to return to the United States. Diplomacy
had overcome saber rattling, an important lesson for President
Bush.
The Bush Administration needs to work more on its "Asian
Team" which is well stocked with experts on Japan
but lacking on experts on China, Korea, India, and Pakistan.
The Chinese are still seething over the 1999 American
bombing of its Belgrade Embassy. The problems on the Indian-Pakistani
border could cause a war at any time. North Korea can
not feed its population. These hot spots and hurt feelings
need more attention than business relations with Japan
do.
The United States cannot browbeat China into accepting
our style of democracy, our economic philosophy or our
concept of human rights. We can allow China to move toward
these at its own pace. Perhaps the answer to questions
posed by the latest spy plane incident is to let it pass
into history. China once again is facing a secession problem
as older leaders like Jaing Zemin give up their positions
in the government, party, and military. China observers
believe that the Communist Party has lost all vestiges
of legitimacy, and now it must appeal to nationalism to
unite its people. China wants the Olympics. There is a
rising middle class in China. The Internet, cell phones,
and satellite television make Chinese isolation impossible.
World trade will move China toward a market economy, human
rights, and democracy. Change will come to China. Perhaps
a million pairs of blue jeans will deliver what a thousand
bombs could not - help China forgive and find a way to
behave.
Bob
Kerrey: Under Fire Once Again (By Sam Merier) 
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The
recent 60 MINUTES (CBS) report concerning Senator Bob
Kerrey (D.-Neb.) has opened a yet another controversy
concerning America's conduct of the Vietnam War. The 60
MINUTES report centered around Bob Kerrey, then a 25 year
old Navy SEAL officer, who later became a US Senator from
Nebraska. During the war Kerrey won the Bronze Star, the
Congressional Medal of Honor, and the Purple Heart loosing
part of a leg in the action where he won the Medal of
Honor. It was the engagement in which he won the Bronze
Star that the 60 MINUTES report covered.
The action occurred on 25 February 1969 at the village
of Thang Phong, South Vietnam, a known Viet Cong Hamlet
in the delta of the Mekong River. The SEALs' mission that
night was to abduct or kill a VC chieftain in the area.
The area was designated a free fire zone. Kerrey led his
SEAL squad in the raid and was awarded the Bronze Star
afterwards.
According to Kerrey and the entire squad, the enemy opened
fire on them outside the village. The SEALs returned fire
and pressed on through the village killing about 21 people
assumed to be Viet Cong. One team member, Gerhard Klann,
alleged and 60 MINUTES reported that the team intentionally
killed at least 12 civilians including women and children.
Senator Kerrey now admits that mistakes were made and
women and children were killed, but that these deaths
were not intentional. Another SEAL team member, Mike Ambrose,
verifies Kerrey's recollection of the incident.
The great-unasked question continues to be "Why blame
Kerrey?" When asked by a young reporter if Kerrey
would give back the Bronze Star awarded for the Thang
Phong action he replied he would not. Several reporters
and commentators have even indicated that he should return
the Medal of Honor won in another action where he lost
part of his leg. It may even be possible that the press
may ask him if he thinks he should return his Purple Heart!
Unfortunately, the media did not consider Kerrey's orders,
to abduct (kill) the VC chieftain in a free fire zone,
whey they criticized his conduct of the raid. In his after
action report Kerrey was required to give a body count,
a very important part of the military procedure at the
time and reported once a week on the network news. Kerrey
was responsible for carrying out his orders and the lives
of the men on the SEAL team. It was a dark night. The
way in was possibly mined, rigged with booby traps, and
full of snakes, insects, and VC. The enemy was courageous,
dedicated, and deceitful. The enemy never failed to use
women and children as human shields or as soldiers. There
were few non-combatants in a free fire zone.
Perhaps
the real villains in the Bob Kerrey story are policy makers
who sent American youths to a war that we could not win.
Business leaders and politicians had investments they
would loose if South Vietnam fell. The political leaders
refused to bomb or attack important civilian or military
targets in North Vietnam. The political-military-industrial
complex lined their pockets with profits while young men
like Bob Kerrey fought an impossible war. Blame LBJ, Nixon,
and the members of Congress who voted the funds for the
war. We can point our fingers at the entire system that
gave ambiguous orders to a 25 year old who led 19 and
20 year olds into combat. But let's not blame Bob Kerrey
for following orders.
Perhaps Senator Kerrey cannot return his medals even if
required to do so. Perhaps (and this is pure speculation)
he left them at the "Wall". Kerrey has spent
30+ years trying to deal with a 3-month tour in "Nam".
He has worked hard to make America and the world a better
place. The American people and media forgave President
Clinton, a coward who dodged the draft, who admittedly
loathed the military, and as President sold American secrets
to the Chinese. Surely the American people will allow
an honorable man like Senator Kerrey who fought for, bled
for, and gave part of his limb for our country, to continue
to serve in any and all elected positions he may obtain.
Speakin'
Southern: Stump Slung Chit'lens (Chitterlings)
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Stump
Slung Chit'lens- Chitterlings (hog intestines) cleaned
by standing on a 3 foot high stump and being slung around
the head until all the inside matter has been slung out.
The chitterlings are then thoroughly washed and squeezed
out by hand. They are then boiled or fried and served
with pure cane syrup.
Usage-
Woody- "Hay ma. These here chit'lens stump slung?"
Ma- "I don't know, Woody. Why?"
Woody- " I don't reckon so. I just got a san' spur
stuck in my gum."
VISIT
SWINE TIME COUNRTY FESTIVAL IN CLIMAX, GA., ON THE SATURDAY
AFTER THANKSGIVING. EVENTS INCLUDE A 5-K RUN, COUNTRY
GAMES, CRAFTS, PARADE, FOOD, AND… PLENTY OF CHIT'LENS.
Gun
Enthuestics Aim For A Patron Saint
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John Snyder, a former editor of the National Rifle Association's
magazine, The American Rifleman, is leading the
push to have St. Gabriel Possenti proclaimed as the Patron
Saint of gun owners and self-defense. St. Gabriel Possenti,
already canonized in 1920 by Pope Benedict XV, is reported
to have defended an Italian village against a marauding
band of mercenaries in 1860.
Church authorities indicate that while St. Gabriel Possenti
lived a life "renowned for sanctity and miracles",
no evidence exists to substantiate his defense of the
village. However the book One Year Book of Saints,
by Reverend Clifford Stevens, relates this account of
the incident:
"On
a summer day a little over a hundred years ago, a slim
figure in a black cassock
stood facing a gang of mercenaries in a small town in
Piedmont, Italy. He had just disarmed
one of the soldiers who was attacking a young girl, had
faced the rest of the band fearlessly,
then drove them out of the village at the point of a gun."
According
to the story when the leader of the band scoffed at the
Priest's ability with a gun, Possenti pointed the firearm
at a lizard running across the road and shot the unlucky
reptile clean through the head.
St. Gabriel Possenti died of tuberculosis at the age of
24 before his abilities with a firearm could be proven
and verified.
There are many Patron Saints in the Church today. St.
Thomas Moore is the Patron Saint of politicians. St. George
is the Patron Saint of soldiers, and St. Jude is the Patron
Saint of lost causes. Gun owners feel they need a Patron
Saint also.
The St. Gabriel Possenti Society is located in Arlington,
Virginia, and is headed by John Snyder. The feast day
of St. Gabriel Possenti is February 27th.
Free
E-Mail: News From www.Southerndomains.Com
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The web site http://www.southerndomains.com
announces free e-mail service to people who wish to express
their southern identity by using a southern e-mail address.
The selections include over 60 names with a southern flavor
including: SouthernFemme, LadiesSouth, SportsSouth, SouthenTruckers,
SouthernWriter, SouthernGrits, and SouthernRednecks. The
unique setup of this e-mail system allows the user to
access their e-mail from any Internet location on the
globe. The e-mail system allows for total privacy for
the user of the service.
To sign up for free southern e-mail, log on to the http://www.southerndomains.com
home page and go to the e-mail service page. There you
will find easy to follow instructions on how to become
a southern e-mail user. Simply select the name you wish
to receive your free southern e-mail under and sign on.
Southerndomains also offers southerndomain names for sell
for people interested in establishing southern oriented
web sites.
The CLARION ISSUE is the official newspaper of
southerndomains.com. While there you can view the CLARION
ISSUE archives including all the "dog gone"
wisdom dispersed by our most popular columnist 'Cluny'.
Check it out. We'll see ya'll on the World Wide Web.
A
Little Souther Humor: Duck Hunting-Alabama Style
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A
big-city lawyer, from Washington, D.C., went duck hunting
in the Alabama low country. He shot and dropped a bird,
but it fell into a farmer's field on the other side of
a fence. As the lawyer climbed over the fence, an elderly
farmer drove up on his tractor and asked him what he was
doing. The lawyer responded, "I shot a duck and it
fell in this field, and now I'm going in to retrieve it."
The old farmer replied, "This is my property, and
you are not coming over here." The indignant lawyer
said, "I am one of the best trial attorneys in the
U.S. If you don't let me get that duck, I'll sue you and
take everything you own."
The old farmer smiled and said, "Apparently, you
don't know how we do things in Alabama. Down here we settle
small disagreements like this with the three-kick-rule."
The lawyer asked, "The three-kick-rule-what is the
three-kick-rule?"
The farmer replied, "Well, first I kick you three
times, and then you kick me three times, and so on, back
and forth, until someone gives up."
The attorney quickly thought about the proposed contest
and decided that he could easily take the old codger.
He agreed to abide by the local custom.
The old farmer slowly climbed down from the tractor and
walked up to the city feller. His first kick planted the
toe of his heavy work boot into the lawyer's groin and
dropped him to his knees. His second kick nearly wiped
the man's nose off his face. The attorney was flat on
his belly when the farmer's third kick to the kidney area
nearly caused him to give up.
The lawyer summoned every bit of his will, managed to
get to is feet, and said, "Okay, you old coot, now
it's my turn."
The old farmer smiled and said, "Naw, I give up.
You can have the duck."
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