Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, November 30, 2020

America has China fooled yet again. It isn’t hard to figure out, but still ingenious. Whatever strategist first learned it from a convenient mistake that happened with Taiwan. Taiwan’s current president, Tsai Ing-Wen, had previously endorsed Hillary, for 2016—a mistake she didn’t repeat in the 2020 election. When Trump was elected, Taiwan’s government was heavily concerned about retaliation from the Trump administration. But, Americans don’t hold grudges nor do we hold high regard for the opinions of foreign world leaders. Tsai reached out to Trump and they soon developed one of the best relationships heads of state ever shared.

China’s president, Xi Jinping, doesn’t seem to have learned that lesson, however. While many world leaders congratulated Biden when the news industry decided what the future should be, China waited until the GSA got the green light for transition steps. Then, he congratulated Biden on his victory. Taiwan still has not made any move since the electoral college has not convened and remains neutral and welcoming toward whomever the American president will be in January. China’s position shows worry mixed with miscalculation.

When Trump’s lawsuits, appeal to state legislatures, and near 80% support from his suspecting base land him a second term, China will be in for a shock. They will fear retaliation just as Taiwan did, no matter how unwarranted. This will drive China to take defensive measures without need and appear as the provocateur of the coming US-China conflict. Having served its purpose, US ambiguity over the election will quickly pass, and China’s leadership will begin to socially self destruct. Then hold on; things will be furious as they will be fast.

Indo-Pacific

To be taken seriously, Quad needs military heft, not desultory naval exercises // India Express

Navy sends aircraft carrier USS Nimitz back to Persian Gulf // NY Post

Trade & Tech

Trump to add China’s SMIC and CNOOC to defense blacklist: Reuters // CNBC

Huawei founder says American politicians wants to kill the company // Android Authority

TSMC Reveals a Major Breakthrough Process coming to their 2024 2nm Processors that will Power Future Apple Devices // Patently Apple

China

Exiled bookseller: ‘If they can take Hong Kong back, the next place is Taiwan’ // Guardian

Beijing takes its South China Sea strategy to the Himalayas // Economic Times

Beijing Takes Its South China Sea Strategy to the Himalayas // Hindia News

China’s Xi Jinping Congratulates Biden On Election Win, Urges Cooperation // NPR

Xi Jinping calls to congratulate Joe Biden on election win // Guardian

Taiwan

Usage of hotline for foreigners takes off amid pandemic // Taipei Times

Fists and pig guts fly in Taiwan parliament debate on U.S. pork // Yahoo News

Taiwan starts submarine production // Taipei Times

Korean Peninsula

North Korea Covid: Why Kim Jong Un is cutting off China // CNN

India

China responds to India banning 43 additional Chinese apps // CNBC

Military Faceoff

Aboard USS Ford: More Weapons, More Launches, Faster & Safer // Breaking Defense

Naval Group Opens Office in Philippines with Submarine Deal in Sight // Naval News

Iran launches unconventional aircraft carrier against US threat // FleetMon

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Encore of Revival: America, November 30, 2020

Left wing and Right wing voters are worlds apart.

The Left are adamant and energized; the Right are as quiet and introspective as America was after Pearl Harbor. The Left believe they have already won an election that hasn’t finished; the Right are determined to prevent certain outcomes at any cost. The Left believe that asserting claims that the election is over makes it so; the Right know that results and actions make a thing so. The Right believe Trump acts like he holds a royal flush and will soon bust “the bold move”; the Left think Trump is already neutralized and acts like he’s lost. The Left are not armed and trained; the Right have been for eons. The Left know the Right will be angry, but think themselves more powerful; the Right know how dangerous the Left are in riots, yet quietly understand that they themselves would be the more formidable in conflict.

But, the biggest difference is their understanding of sowing and reaping: The Left do not understand how wealth, tax dollars, strength, peace, victory, and justice are cultivated, but take these for granted; the Right know how these are cultivated and that these will cease without correct action. Biden should not be selecting a cabinet for his evermore doubtful presidency; he should be making his seemingly dubious election look less dubious for when it is challenged in court. But not understanding sowing and reaping, Biden and his Left supporters take his victory for granted just as they do tax revenue; the Right know better and are putting their effort where it will make the difference.

News companies, such as CNN, use descriptive terms like “unfounded conspiracy theories” and “insidious claims” in reporting accusation of election fraud. But, these terms imply verdict and opinion, having no place in reporting of mere facts and claims prior to court rulings. The Right see that; the Left don’t see the difference. A cross-industry attempt at pushing an agenda is unabashed. The Right feel backed into a corner, believing if they concede this election, there will be no fair elections in the future and that the cost of civil war to restore elections will only increase with time, so they feel compelled to action now; the Left think the Right are not any threat worth notice.

The Right view claims of fraud as plausible and worth investigating; the Left already think the claims are a hoax because they don’t understand how accurate investigation works. While the Right reflectively wait for evidence to be shown in court, they see a Left wing agenda that would sow the seeds of destruction which Left wing voters don’t believe will happen. Biden’s decisions would give rise to Eastern communism and Middle Eastern terrorism, as happened with Obama; the Right think so and the Left do not because the Left do not understand how global results are created. The Right will rise up with its various powers to successfully stop Biden’s decisions—one way or another, preferably peacefully—, but the Left do not believe the Right can succeed because the Left do not understand how conflicts are waged and won.

The Right created their own enemies on the Left by refusing to give justice to problems they would not acknowledge. They have not punished “bad cops” enough to restore faith in law enforcement, yet they demand action to restore faith in elections. The Right are competent, but selective with justice; the Left fail at things when refused help and fail more at things they try on their own because they don’t know how things work. Both are being conditioned for genocidal thoughts against the other; one is stronger, the other only thinks it is. While the long term danger is an over reverence for a fake Republican party, which cares nothing for the values of its base, a more immanent dilemma is before us. America cannot deal with its own national transgressions if it is taken over by foreign communists and foreign terrorists who are far more unjust in every way. We are in a conflict of competence—the need for policies that will build rather than destroy, even if selective in its justice; only one group understands that, the other only sees injustice.

One way or another, Biden and Harris will not get their way, but they don’t know that—they can’t know that. Fortunately, there are those who do.

Trump

Trump was convinced election night would be a repeat of 2016: Report // Business Insider

Trump pardons Flynn despite guilty plea in Russia probe // AP

Trump’s effort to steal the election is done // CNN

Fot what?
Pardons: Trump probably can’t pardon himself. He may still try // CNN

Trump pops into White House briefing room for one-minute impromptu speech // Politico

Election

‘TRUMP WILL WIN’ President Trump Legal Team Hearing On Pennsylvania Ballots | NewsNOW From FOX // YouTube @ NewsNOW from FOX

Trump falls short in Wisconsin recount he paid $3 million for // NBC News

5:2 Dem:Rep
Pennsylvania supreme court throws out Republican bid to reject 2.5m mail-in votes // Guardian

True the Vote Update on Litigation and Ongoing Fight for Election Integrity // True the Vote

Trump supporter who gave $2.5m to fight election fraud wants money back // Guardian

Biden transition adds new members to coronavirus task force // The Hill

Sidney Powell files ‘massive election fraud’ lawsuits in Georgia, Michigan; SCOTUS blocks NY order // YouTube @ NTD

TRUMP TAKES QUESTIONS: President Trump Answers Reporter Questions for First Time Since Election Day // YouTube @ NewsNOW from FOX

Attorney Sidney Powell files lawsuit seeking Georgia election results be decertified, awarded to Trump // Fox News

‘Fantasy world’: Pompeo knocks Biden administration picks as out of touch on foreign policy // Politico

Still asserting “no evidence” prior to court rulings
Opinion: It’s time to stand behind election results and move on // Detroit News

Law

Supreme Court ruling doesn’t have ‘any practical effect,’ Cuomo says // Politico

Washington as Usual

Republicans

Bernstein names 21 Republican senators who privately expressed contempt for Trump // Guardian

You’re Kidding

Mystery metal monolith vanishes from Utah desert // Guardian

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Cadence of Conflict: Asia, November 23, 2020

“Prematurely shredded”—that’s how the “Five Eyes” alliance described the treaty allowing Hong Kong to be ruled by China. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Britain, and the United States have decided that China broke the deal, referring to the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration. The danger is in how much China can’t understand what this means.

Accusing Confucian-Communists of breaking a promise is like accusing a pig of rooting in its own feces; it doesn’t know, it doesn’t understand, it can’t do differently, and it only feels insulted. The Chinese don’t know what a promise is because they never keep them—ever. They only know what they want and that they want it now. They were never going to keep their end of the deal, and Britain knew that, and China played right along.

Broken treaties are no small matter. In a sense, Western nations see it as a blaring stain on a nation’s permanent record. Far worse than financial bankruptcy is moral bankruptcy. The West played its hand well, waiting until China overreached time and again, to a point where the evidence was overwhelming, past the point where the people had come to the same conclusion long ago. Western governments can’t operate without the will of their people, which is another thing China doesn’t understand.

In its attempt at a hostile takeover of the world, China needed the goodwill of the masses. It’s action in Hong Kong over the past year stirred anything but goodwill. Western governments will be in trouble with their taxpayers if they don’t take action against China.

So, one more stone falls into the arch of Western action against China. With a declared-broken treaty on record, once the Chinese gets their ass handed to them, permanent surrender of Hong Kong—including the New Territories—will be in the growing list of the West’s unconditional terms. And, China made it all possible.

Trade & Tech

Samsung Intensifies Chip Wars With Bet It Can Catch TSMC by 2022 // Bloomberg

Retired Canadian police officer refuses to testify at Meng Wanzhou’s extradition hearing // SCMP

Trump Administration Lets Qualcomm Sell Huawei 4G Mobile Chips // Gizmodo

China

Chinese Missile Launch in South China Sea // YouTube @ China Uncensored

China borrows at negative rates for the first time // CNN

Ex-Raytheon engineer sentenced to prison for giving China military technology secrets // Fox Business

Taiwan

Phoenix approves development deal with TSMC for $12 billion fab // Taiwan News

TSMC could have 2nm process ready for mass production by 2024 // TechSpot

Costco’s planned central Taiwan store will open this month // Taiwan News

Hong Kong

Western allies say China broke Hong Kong deal by ousting lawmakers // Yahoo News

‘Five Eyes’ alliance demands China end crackdown on Hong Kong legislators // Japan Times

Broken treaty!
China broke HK deal by ousting lawmakers: Five Eyes // Taipei Times

Vietnam

Chinese drone flying app includes 9-dash line, angering Vietnamese // Taiwan News

Military Faceoff

Navy Destroyer Shoots Down ICBM: Watch the Historic Test // Popular Mechanics

The US Navy is moving to put more ship-killer missiles on submarines // Defense News

Navy plans 1st submarine dry dock at Pearl Harbor since World War II // Star Advertiser

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Encore of Revival: America, November 23, 2020

Friday, Sidney Powell said she will present legal evidence in court within two weeks. Her claims of evidence and testimony for vote fraud far surpass the never-proven claims of the Russianewsgategate scandal. The catch is in the process; evidence in serious court cases is best presented first in court, not first to the press. While interviews and lists of court rulings surface, we can’t know the truth of her claims one way or another, yet. Only two weeks will tell.

In the meanwhile, things look grim for anti-Trumpists. While Trump plays golf and Powell behaves as if her claims are the most legit they can be, Giuliani made a statement that Powell is not officially on the Trump legal team per se. Why play golf and clarify that the loudest voice of defense is not on your team? Trump’s actions are not those of the Democrats who lost in 2016 nor Bush who lost in 1992. Whatever he’s up to, it looks like he is playing it cool with a royal flush in his hand. Whether Trump and Powell are bluffing remains to be seen, but they haven’t folded. And, their actions are not those of a loser; Democrats and mainstream media think they are.

Far more important than Trump winning in court are the developments within the Republican base. They are irate with the Republican Party’s inaction. Perhaps the RNC hopes to manipulate them into support for Powell’s “big reveal” at the end; they are irate nonetheless. They are a quiet people, not always prone to shout for Trump at every moment. And, they are fierce when roused to wrath. More than these, they have a strange love for each other.

The Sunflower students who took Taiwan’s Legislature in 2014 had the same mutual love, and with it came “political electricity”. Nothing could stop them.

Neither the Republican nor Democratic parties can ignore their respective bases. The DNC is doing the will of its base, even in what Powell portrays as an attempt to, more or less, institute a nation-wide political machine. Democratic voters still support their party. Neither the DNC nor its base can accept a Trump victory.

The Republican base cares nothing for the Republican Party, but they will not accept a Trump loss either. They differ from the DNC base, however, in their calmness and strange, mutual love. Democratic voters will be furious and dangerous; Republican voters will be deadly. Both are being conditioned for genocidal thoughts against the other. Republican voters would win that brawl. The least destructive solution is that Powell calmly wins her case in court and the RNC takes supportive action accordingly, but post-election months still won’t be fun.

Trump

Analysis: Notoriously noisy president goes (relatively) quiet in wake of election defeat // SF Gate

New York authorities investigating millions in tax write-offs from the Trump Organization // CNN

Election

Sidney Powell: Will Prove Case ‘Within Next Two Weeks’ in Court // newsmax.com

The official statement on Sidney Powell:
Trump Campaign Statement on Legal Team // donaldjtrump.com

Rudy Giuliani and Jenna Ellis Throw Sidney Powell Under Bus // Mediaite

Trump campaign cuts Sidney Powell from president’s legal team // Politico

Senator or Capitulator? What does this accomplish?
GOP senator congratulates Biden, says Trump should accept results // The Hill

Michigan should delay election certification, GOP Senate candidate says // Fox News

Biden’s margin of victory widens as Trump’s subversion efforts grow more frantic // CNN

Same video
LIVE: Rudy Giuliani and Trump Campaign Officials Hold News Conference at the RNC // YouTube @ Bloomberg Quicktake: Now

WATCH | President Trump’s attorneys hold news conference on the election // YouTube @ WKYC Channel 3

Gathering election fraud cases, evidence, et cetera
Here Is The Evidence – Crowdsourcing Evidence For Journalists // hereistheevidence.com

US President Trump’s attorney Sidney Powell: ‘We’re preparing to overturn the results of the election in multiple states’ // Remix (Europe)

Million MAGA March: Thousands of pro-Trump protesters rally in Washington DC // BBC News

Michigan Republicans Backtrack After Refusing to Certify Election Results // NY Times

F-16 Disappears off Taiwan’s East Coast, Fate Still Unclear // Bloomberg

Wisconsin recount would cost Trump campaign $7.9 million // CNN

Snore
Joe Biden says Trump is helping the middle class amid pandemic // NY Post

Pandemic

The Covid Cult | Thomas E. Woods, Jr. // YouTube @ misesmedia

With Vaccines, the End of the COVID-19 Pandemic Is in Sight // The Atlantic

Something must not be working
Bill Gates on anti-maskers: ‘What are these, like nudists?’ // Business Insider

Scott Atlas urges people to ‘rise up’ against Michigan shutdowns // NY Post

Thousands of cars form lines to collect food in Covid-hit Texas // CNN

 

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Cadence of Conflict: Asia, November 16, 2020

America is one of the most cunning nations, almost as much so as Britain. Chinese are known for signing contracts early, then negotiating after—something the West calls “reneging”, which breaks the contract. London always knew China wouldn’t be able to keep a promise, let alone a promise to not control and interfere.

But, almost as cunning is the appearance of election-based chaos stirring in America. Republican and Democratic voters have been building mutual hatred for a long time. Fighting within the country is real and believable. It was sparked by ambiguity, the cause of which is easily explained by what appears, for all intents and purposes, as vote fraud. That doesn’t take much manipulation of the masses, only a small push to send society tumbling over the ledge of insanity. And, China was sure to believe it.

But, there is a difference between America and China which the Chinese cannot understand: centralized power. Chinese-based governments, including democratic Taiwan, struggle to think outside the box of micromanagement. China doesn’t know that the US Navy in the Indo-Pacific region is capable of operating and responding, even if all communication is cut off from Washington. That was the purpose of the “boomer” submarines.

The Chinese people are beaten down. It’s a culture-wide mental state akin to groupthink Stockholm syndrome. The Beijing government truly believes the Chinese people will never rebel. So, when they see America in disorder, they will think democracy itself has failed. But, they don’t understand that the people of a nation are always stronger than the institutions they create, including government, which only derives its power from the people who allow it to be so powerful. Not only can America’s government continue to function with American society in a level of chaos, China’s government cannot be stronger than its own beaten-down people.

If China wanted to be strong enough to stand against America, it could have started by living up to the name of its army and actually “liberating” its people from a culture in which everyone is an oppressed-oppressing slave. Yes, America can deal with riots at home and kick China’s ass in the Pacific at the same time. China doesn’t think so; that’s exactly what the Pentagon hopes.

Indo-Pacific

Faulty Chinese Military Hardware Is Paving Way For India To Emerge As A Global Weapons Exporter // EurAsian Times

Trade & Tech

World’s largest free trade agreement signed in coup for China // Yahoo News

Taiwan

Taiwan’s Buckskin beer bags 16 gold and silver medals in 2020 // Taiwan News

Approved! AMD and Nvidia foundry will make tiny things in Arizona desert // pcgamer.com

TSMC to spend US$3.5b on Arizona subsidiary // Focus Taiwan

How post-election US-China ties may affect Taiwan semiconductor sector // DigiTimes

Tainan, Taiwan
Uni-President Lions clinch Taiwan Series title in 7-4 win // Taiwan News

Horde of earthworms scare in eastern Taiwan // Taiwan News

US Marines officially training in Taiwan for 1st time since 1979 // Taiwan News

Hong Kong

Swire’s dilemma over Cathay as China tightens grip on Hong Kong // Financial Times

India

Visual explainer: Who has the upper hand in China-India border dispute? // SCMP

Military Faceoff

Ford Carrier Strike Group Commences First-ever Integrated Operations // Naval News

The Air Force Is Putting Death Rays on Fighter Jets. Yes, Death Rays. // Yahoo News

Royal Australian Navy hosts French Navy Submarine and Support Vessel // Naval News

USS Nimitz Leaves Persian Gulf Headed to Exercise with Indian Aircraft Carrier // USNI News

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Encore of Revival: America, November 16, 2020

Elections are not decided by news desks. They are decided by the electoral college, which meets in mid December. Electors sent there are chosen by the State based on election results certified by each State. If an election is in doubt, the decision goes to State legislatures, pursuant to the Electoral Count Act (1887) and a Supreme Court interpretation from Bush v Gore (2000).

Judges don’t decide whether election results are certifiable; State legislatures do. The burden is not on the Trump campaign to prove vote fraud to judges. The burden is on the polling stations to prove there was no fraud to State legislatures.

Right now, five key states are in severe doubt concerning polling credibility: Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia. Republicans control the legislatures of all five. And, Trump just backed McDaniel to continue as RNC chair. Perhaps she will have some sway over those Republican legislatures.

Republicans don’t have an option. Gross suspicions of election cheating have caused the Republican base to turn away from Fox News to Newsmax. News networks wouldn’t call Georgia or North Carolina, even though it looked long past the time it seemed reasonable. To Republicans, this is a conspiracy to institute nation-wide political machines, which they can’t accept. In their minds, if they let Democrats steal this election, there will be no more fair elections, and the only way to escape would be an armed revolution. There is no scenario in which the Republican base allows Trump to lose. If Trump gave in, they would turn against him also.

Democratic voters aren’t about to tuck tail and turn. Emboldened by a news industry, that insists on its own ability to declare an election outcome, the DNC base only builds for greater disappointment. They don’t have the power to decide disputed elections, but they think they do. They haven’t already won, but they think they have. Note cautiously, the media does not hope to sway the election outcome, but to sway a revolt for when Trump inevitably wins—a revolt from, of all people, the gun haters.

In order for Trump to lose, he would have to bow out, then Republican voters would take up arms and the RNC, seen as an obstruction, would be dissolved by its base. When he does win, Democrats voters will riot. In either scenario, we are looking at martial law in the coming weeks and months.

But, the question remains: Why was there such gross election ambiguity specifically in states with Republican-controlled legislatures? It’s almost as if the entire election controversy were staged. But, the reason remains yet to be seen, unless the answer is: China.

Trump

Trump Faces Legal Cases After White House Departure // WSJ

Trump CFO’s Family Tax Records Reviewed by New York Authorities // MSN News

Election

Cruz insists Trump ‘still has a path to victory,’ vote count lawsuits could ‘easily’ reach Supreme Court // Fox News

Rudy Giuliani says Trump will not concede election // CBS News

BUSH v. GORE // Cornell Law School

The law is clear: If an election is stolen State legislature can restore the will of the people // Sott.net

Susan Rice: Trump administration not helping Biden transition poses national security threat // The Hill

Trump endorses McDaniel to remain RNC chair, ponders 2024 run // Yahoo News

Chinese yuan after Biden election win, Trump’s trade war // CNBC

Biden carries Arizona, flipping a longtime Republican stronghold // CNN

Trump is reportedly ‘very aware’ he lost the election but is putting up a fight as ‘theater’ // The Week

Republican state AGs ask U.S. Supreme Court to hear mail-in ballot dispute // Yahoo News

Georgia Republican Party head casts new doubt on election transparency // Fox News

GOP backs Trump as he fights election results, transition // AP

After $15 billion and 450 miles, Joe Biden will halt border wall, Trump’s signature project // Seattle Times

Senior Republican senators say Biden should have access to classified briefings // CNN

Republican senator says he will step in if Biden doesn’t have access to intelligence briefings by Friday // CNN

The ‘nonsense’ narrative
Fox News’s Daytime-Primetime Divide on Election Fraud // The Intercept

Top Republicans line up behind Trump election fight, as Biden rips president for not conceding // Fox News

Still this nareative, no mention of vote fraud reports
Donald Trump’s ‘dictator moves’ spark growing alarm as he denies election defeat // CNN

Pompeo doubles down on refusing to acknowledge Biden win // The Hill

Trump allies brace for 30-day legal war as Senate hangs in the balance // Axios

Biden transition team announces coronavirus advisers, including whistleblower Rick Bright // CNN

Donald Trump’s refusal to concede sparks transition sabotage fears // Guardian

Law

Thomas poses mask mandate question during Supreme Court ACA hearing // NBC News

Supreme Court Justice Alito weighs in on Pennsylvania mail-in ballot case // NBC News

Justice Alito: Mail-in ballots received after Election Day in Pennsylvania must be kept separate // Fox News

Justice Alito orders Pennsylvania officials to separate ballots that arrived after Election Day // PBS

News Media, Journalism & Free speech

Glenn Greenwald tears into media, Schiff, other Dems for dismissing Hunter Biden controversy // Fox News

Tucker Carlson SLAMS His Own FOX Network after they Hit ROCK Bottom with their Election Coverage // YouTube @ The Next News Network

Trump eyes starting his own digital media empire to take on Fox News // Axios

Newsmax TV: Trump voters are flocking to a channel that claims Biden is not president-elect // CNN

Fox News cuts away from Trump campaign briefing over election fraud claims // YouTube @ The Sun

Human Rights, Civil Liberties & Privacy

Flashback
One in 11 black residents were evicted from the Seattle area since 2004, researchers say // KUOW-NPR

Science, Weather & Health

US Coronavirus: Expert predicts US could soon hit 200,000 daily cases as the country tops 10 million infections // CNN

Pandemic

Thanksgiving 2020: How to say no in the name of Covid // CNN

San Francisco, long hailed for beating COVID-19, now faces a spike in cases // Yahoo News

Chicago issues stay-home ‘advisory,’ 10-person limit on social gatherings // Chicago Sun Times

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Cadence of Conflict: Asia, November 9, 2020

China and Taiwan are in a military face-off for a singular reason: xenophobia. Taiwan had everything it needed to counter China without help from the US, but it snubbed foreigners and still continues to do so today. Were it not for the US, neither China nor Taiwan would have limped so far along. China’s “miracle” economy was made of money from the US. Taiwan’s weapons use technology developed primarily by the US.

As much as both China and Taiwan have benefited from the US, these two countries have some of the most strict laws against naturalizing foreigners. That doesn’t include a serious lack of protection against intrusion of immigrants’ rights. When Americans—or any other Westerner—or any other foreigner for that matter—finds work in Taiwan or China, companies impose extra rules to take away what few legal rights they have as foreign employees; then government does nothing, it just sits there and watches. In Taiwan, this largely happens with employment. In China, it happens with entire companies.

Even if foreign workers can find a way to survive the onslaught of attacks against their rights, the most they could expect in the end is an elevated residence status—if they are rich. If they aren’t wealthy, no chance. Without citizenship, foreigners in Taiwan have few rights—they aren’t even allowed a phone and landlords can reject them merely on the basis of being a foreigner.

China aside, if Taiwan allowed, then protected a path to citizenship for Westerners working in Taiwan, those naturalized citizens would have had more rights to work and contribute to Taiwan’s culture, language, economy, and technology. If that had happened, it very well could be the US seeking to buy weapons from Taiwan, and China might be more inclined to behave.

The same could be said of China, which has made itself so desperately dependent on US money by keeping foreigners within their own borders at an arm’s length.

This conflict between Taiwan and China was caused by xenophobia from both sides. By not demanding equal respect toward Americans in their borders, but engaging in trade and weapons sales anyway, the US allowed two kittens to grow into a bobcat and a tiger. And, now the whole world faces a huge cat fight—whenever China decides to take advantage of the election ambiguity in the US and bust a foolish move against Taiwan.

Indo-Pacific

US Super-Carrier Nimitz To Join INS VikramAditya For Next QUAD Drills As Beijing Laments Anti-China Grouping // EurAsian Times

The Philippines Could Start Oil Drilling In South China Sea Without China // OilPrice.com

China

Jack Ma and Ant Financial Are In Trouble! // YouTube @ China Uncensored

China Is TERRIFIED of Economic Decoupling // YouTube @ China Uncensored

China’s yuan has its worst fall in years on fears of renewed US tension // CNN

Taiwan

The Truth in Taiwan by CJayride // YouTube @ cjayride

Most positive over US ties, whoever wins, survey says // Taipei Times

US urges the WHO to invite Taiwan // Taipei Times

National security fears raised over seizure of bullets // Taipei Times

Taiwan TSMC begins hiring campaign in preparation for U.S. fab // Taiwan News

Hong Kong

PLA video shows armoured personnel carriers driving through streets of Hong Kong before conducting live-fire exercise // SCMP

Grandma Wong was a key figure in Hong Kong’s protest movement — until she disappeared // CNN

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Encore of Revival: America, November 9, 2020

America faces a reckoning. The same quiet giant that awoke at Pearl Harbor and 9/11 now wakes inside the Republican voter base. They rise to stop a problem they created for themselves, still without admitting it. While Republicans will win this round, both sides are right and wrong, and this won’t be the final round.

Blacks have not received justice from police killings—which should be at the rate of zero. Republicans could have solved the problem by a simple law: what happened to George Floyd should result in death by public hanging for both police officers in a public square within one week of the incident. Republicans could have rammed through such a law—just like they rammed through the approval of Justice Amy Coney Barrett. Both would have been good; they only did one.

Democratic voters can’t win this one—not because they aren’t in the White House, but because of the difference in battle cries. Democrats have been protesting for years, then many have been looting and rioting in their name. Republicans are weary. Calling to defund police rather than immediately reform can’t solve the problem and was never going to garner respect. Republican voters won’t allow a mob to burn the neighborhood to the ground because of murders on the loose. Republicans refused to stop the murders because none of their families were victims, yet. That would have stopped the mob. Democrats won’t trust them.

So, Republicans have a calm, cool, apathetic irritation toward the extremists on the Democratic end. Patrick Elkins, also at the Times, calls them “Ravens”. Democrats cry victim, then pour gas on the flames of the duplex next door.

Indeed, the nation wreaks of mass voter fraud from Democrats. Former and disenfranchised Democratic Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich said election fraud was common among Democrats in cities. That may not indicate Democratic ethics, just that both Democratic ideals and political machines seem attracted to cities, allowing the DNC to get practiced and build up a habit. The media is in on it, sending now-proven wrong polls before the election, now forecasting a Biden victory on an election to be decided in court. Fake news coupled with vote fraud is all part of how political machines work. They thought they’d get away with it on a national level. They were wrong.

Republicans are in the wrong for failing to be Good Samaritans to Blacks. They didn’t stop systemic injustice because they don’t see it themselves—they can’t; but Westerners see systemic injustice in Taiwan. We can only see systemic injustice when it happens to us personally. That has injured and insulted the minorities Democrats promise and fail to help.

However justified, crying victim and marching to burn down the neighborhood cannot prevail against an aloof, collected, apathetic giant who stays laced when roused to wrath. That giant rose against Japan to stop Germany; now it’s rising against the Democratic political machine, but that doesn’t make it Jesus Christ. He’s not back yet, if you haven’t read the news.

Election

Wishful thinking
Goodbye, Ivanka. I will never think of you again. // Slate

Still playing games
Election reaction: World leaders congratulate Biden on U.S. election win // CNBC

BREAKING: BATTLE LINES ARE DRAWN, TRUMP’S WAR TO KEEP THE WHITE HOUSE HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN // YouTube @ The Next News Network

Watch: Joe Biden Is President-Elect, NBC News Projects | 2020 Election Analysis // YouTube @ NBC News

President Trump discusses vote counting at the White House // YouTube @ ABC News

This just got real
Trump warns Dems aiming to take the Senate, doubles down on final victory // Fox News

Wednesday recap
Biden takes big stride to winning presidency, Trump claims fraud // Yahoo News

‘The math is pretty simple’: Trump’s lead shrinks in Pennsylvania // Politico

Error in Arizona Vote Count Estimate Revives Trump Campaign’s Hopes for State // Newsweek

President Trump will win Arizona then Pennsylvania and he will be re-elected // YouTube @ Donald J Trump

Trump campaign: Lawsuit filed in Michigan Court of Claims to halt vote // Detroit Free Press

Trump sues in Pennsylvania, Michigan; asks for Wis. recount // AP

Biden has now received more votes for president than any other candidate in U.S. history // The Week

President Donald Trump & Vice President Mike Pence Election Night Remarks // YouTube @ C-SPAN

No Winner Tonight As Election Race Tightens Between Biden & Trump // Deadline

White House press secretary predicts Trump ‘landslide’ // The Hill

Rank & Defense

USS Kennedy: New Aircraft Carrier Will Operate F-35s Right Away // Popular Mechanics

Soldiers are finally about to receive the Army’s replacement for its Vietnam-era armored personnel carriers // Task & Purpose

Navy To Congress: Here’s Your F-35C Carrier — How Do We Pay For It // Breaking Defense

Markets, Economy & GDP

Bezos sells more than $3 billion worth of Amazon shares // CNBC

Science, Weather & Health

Anthony Fauci: Trump suggests he might fire infectious disease expert after election // CNN

Culture & People

New Political Distinction Rising – Introducing the RAVENS // patrickelkins.pdt.news

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Cadence of Conflict: Asia, November 2, 2020

China, China, China. What is the world to think? As a condition of formalizing relations between the United States and Communist-controlled China, US law mandated weapons sales to Taiwan. Now, China is angry that the US upheld this law. Would they prefer the US to break the agreement and shift formal relations back to Taiwan?

In response to the required weapons sales, China sanctioned Boeing’s weapons sector, which China buys nothing from. The sanctions did not cover the sector of Boeing where China buys the planes that its Confucian-Communist-oppressed culture does not know how to build. Now, Beijing argues that military planes must fly through Taiwan-controlled airspace and over the island of Taiwan. And, if Taiwan were to fire upon these planes, it would mean war. Do the Chinese believe that the world believes that?

If two countries have a territory dispute, but are not engaged in an armed conflict, then one side of the dispute sends military equipment and personnel into territory controlled by the other side of the dispute, the rest of the world will see the invader as the perpetrator and villain of any armed contest that ensues. If China doesn’t back off, the world will blame China. This is not an opinion or preference; it is a fact of the future based on history, but Confucian-Communists can’t see the difference between history, opinion, and propaganda. And, that makes anticipating the future nearly impossible for them. China will be shocked by what was obvious to everyone else. It has always been that way.

China is not only fighting Taiwan nor only India nor only Japan. China is fighting the world. And, China doesn’t know China can’t win against the world. These are dangerous times. That’s the one thing everyone knows.

Trade & Tech

Huawei develops plan for chip plant to help beat US sanctions // Financial Times

Huawei Q3 smartphone shipments plunge as US sanctions continue to bite // CNBC

Canada judge blocks attorney general’s attempt to dismiss Meng Wanzhou’s arguments // Guardian

UMC agrees deal that helps US pursue Chinese firm // Taipei Times

China

China now waging ‘gray zone’ war to enforce claim of South China Sea through PH, says ex-AFP chief // INQUIRER (Philippines)

Fabulous 20 year recap
How China’s Xi Jinping blew a golden opportunity with US President Donald Trump // CNN

Chinese Database Tracks US Nuclear Scientists, Military Officers // Popular Mechanics

FBI, DOJ announce indictment against 8 Chinese operatives // Fox News

Taiwan

EU lawmakers back Taiwan WHA bid // Taipei Times

Improved defense, US ties needed: Tsai // Taipei Times

Taiwan Arms Sale Could ‘Destroy Half of Any Chinese Invasion Force’ // YouTube @ China Uncensored

Record 200 Days With No Local Case Makes Taiwan World’s Envy // Bloomberg

Taiwan aims missiles at China to foil invasion plans // Taiwan News

China says ‘fighter jets of the PLA must fly over the island of Taiwan’ // Taiwan News

China sanctions major US defence companies after arms sales to Taiwan // Guardian

China threatens to send warplanes over Taiwan if USAF flies over country // Taiwan News

Hong Kong

Hong Kong teenage activist detained after reportedly planning to claim asylum at US consulate // CNN

 

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Encore of Revival: America, November 2, 2020

In the final week before the election, polls and mainstream news articles made every effort to paint a Trump victory as a bigger surprise than his first. He is an incumbent who kept campaign promises and wasn’t a failure in the minds of his own supporters. Historically, his defeat is impossible. Mail-in ballots being favored by one party—the losing party—wouldn’t ring of fairness. If the incumbent doesn’t win, it’s a shoe-in coordinated fraud case between both Democrats and their loud supporters in the news industry.

This election will be contested by the losing party’s supporters. The media will be part and parcel to any Democratic Party efforts, largely evidenced by attempts to dampen the story of Hunter Biden’s laptop. Glenn Greenwald resigned from the news company he helped found. Twitter censored link sharing for the story. Being Democratic-leaning, such institutions can’t present the defense that they are without allegiances in an election dispute.

Mail-in ballots are a great idea, not insecure or unsolicited mail-in ballots as we have seen. But, these mail-in ballots have been used and promoted heavily and only by Democrats. That betrays their purpose. If mail-in ballots are responsible for tipping the election against Trump, any fraud case would also include a smoking gun. In that event, the Supreme Court would play an important role.

The Constitution defines Election Day so that everyone knows when it happens. If voters need to mail-in ballots for any reason, they have no excuse to be late. Collecting mail-in ballots after Election Day can’t serve any fair purpose and only stinks of mischief.

Recently appointed Justice Barrett abstained from a ruling that would have decided that Election Day happens on Election Day, and Chief Justice Roberts can always be counted on to vote with Democratic prerogatives when it matters. This happens not because justices are Democratic or Republican, but because the Court always rules in favor of the Court. Via split vote, SCOTUS continued election chaos, thereby reminding the nation of the power it wields.

Still, the Supreme Court now seats 6-3 in favor of Republican-appointees. Barrett abstained, claiming she lacked sufficient time to review an expedited case. She can’t be counted on to abstain in a post-election dispute. Republicans are growing in power. And, power corrupts.

The RNC spent extra money on the Michigan Senator race—a state where the Democratic Governor is highly controversial. A general election—combined with a Senate election—is a likely place for voters to lash out against the current controlling party. Something similar happened when Republicans lost the House in 2018. If Michigan goes Republican again, it would indicate a strong turn for other states, including Pennsylvania.

No matter the election outcome, Republican voters will argue legitimacy and Democrat voters will cry injustice. The nation will soon spiral into chaos as this is the hottest time and the hottest election in American history. We will come out the other side, having dealt with many submerged problems which have finally surfaced.

Election

So now the Constitutionally defined election day is ‘premature’
Trump plans to declare premature victory if he appears ahead on election night // Axios

Trump supporters gather in front of AG Barr’s home to demand he ‘lock up’ Biden // Fox News

‘People are scared’: Politics pit neighbor against neighbor // Houston Chronicle

Biden campaign cancels Texas event after Trump supporters surround bus on interstate // CNN

Critical mail delays hit swing states ahead of US election // Guardian

Could be a game changer in State of anti-Whitmer
Top Senate GOP super PAC makes final $4.6M investment in Michigan Senate race // The Hill

Poll: Biden leads Trump in North Carolina // Politico

They call this a story
With Senate at risk, Trump focuses on himself // CNN

Election poll: Biden continues to hold nationwide advantage in final days of 2020 race // CNN

Desperate spin
Trump’s unhappy warrior pitch to voters includes insults and highly specific grievances // CNN

Cook Political Report editor: Time to ‘sound the alarm’ on Biden’s likely victory // Fox News

US election polls tracker: who is leading in the swing states, Trump or Biden? // Guardian

Still selling Russian conspiracy theory
Biden says Russia is the biggest threat to America’s security // Fox Business

Donald Trump’s last push for reelection is being overshadowed by White House admission on pandemic // CNN

Law

Amy Coney Barrett confirmed to supreme court in major victory for US conservatives // Guardian

Barrett confirmed as Supreme Court justice in partisan vote // AP

Amy Coney Barrett Confirmed To Supreme Court // NPR

Barrett abstains
Supreme Court won’t expedite latest GOP challenge to Pennsylvania mail-in ballot rules // CNN

Rank & Defense

Another littoral combat ship breaks down on deployment // Defense News

Army fires tank-killing robots armed with Javelin missiles // Fox News

News Media, Journalism & Free speech

Glenn Greenwald leaves The Intercept, claiming he was ‘censored’ over an article he wrote on Joe Biden // Capital Gazette

Human Rights, Civil Liberties & Privacy

Walmart reverses decision to remove guns and ammo from store shelves // NBC News

Security & Public Safety

This just happened in Philadelphia, PA. // Instagram

Soc Media, Cybersecurity & Tech

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz rips Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey: ‘Who the hell elected you?’ // Dallas Morning News

Prices, Rates, Oil & Food

The Exxon oil empire has crumbled after once being the world’s biggest company // Axios

Exxon Pays Off Shareholders, Lays Off Workers // Gizmodo

Markets, Economy & GDP

10 wealthiest in US reportedly lose combined $14 billion in one day // Business Insider

‘It’s not just a trade war’: Ray Dalio on why China’s rise means big headaches for US, the world // Yahoo News

Science, Weather & Health

Israel launches coronavirus vaccine human trials // Jerusalem Post

Who thinks he really controls the game
Fauci warns of covid-19 surge, offers blunt assessment of Trump’s response // Houston Chronicle

Coronavirus: Moderna says it is actively preparing for launch of vaccine // CNBC

Elon Musk’s SpaceX will ‘make its own laws on Mars’ // Independent

Immunity to Covid-19 wanes, British study finds // CNN

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Cadence of Conflict: Asia, October 26, 2020

The flashpoint of Taiwan has become a pregnant possibility. Reportedly, a US military jet flew across Taiwan, and no one is fully certain over who claimed what and why. Taiwan’s government said something after the US government said something about the mission. Then the US government said that they weren’t saying what the mission was. So, the Taiwan government said that they weren’t saying what the US government wasn’t saying about what the US government said about why what happened happened. And, we’re not even sure what happened because the identifier tags could have been spoofed.

In the end, China fell for the bait as if on cue. The Chinese State-run Global Times then published a story sometimes written in the first-person stating that the US isn’t allowed to fly military operations over Taiwan and that China would send its military planes over Taiwan if the US did. The story went on to speculate that Taiwan didn’t have the unction—more or less—to fire the first shot at a Chinese plane in Taiwan sovereign airspace. That proves what China is really thinking about: pushing and pushing, trying to call Taiwan’s bluff, wondering who will fire the first shot—because China is hoping someone will fire the first shot.

After all the information China gave away about its intentions—after what seemed like a fluke between Washington and Taipei—don’t think for a second that said fluke was not a well-calculated fluke. The bigger takeaway is that China keeps falling for the bait while Washington learns to anticipate China enough to lead the Chinese Communist military right into its own defeat—and China shows the learning curve of a cat chasing a laser dot.

Trade & Tech

China Reconsiders Its Global Strategy for the Yuan // Bloomberg

Italy vetoes 5G deal between Fastweb and China’s Huawei: sources // Yahoo News

U.S.-China tensions could split the internet — and data will play a key role // CNBC

China

India Captures Chinese Soldier on Disputed Border // YouTube @ China Uncensored

China failing to fill global leadership void left by US // Taiwan News

Analysis: China struggles to fill Trump’s ‘America First’ leadership void // Yahoo News

US designates six more Chinese media firms as foreign missions | China // Guardian

China to Sweden: drop Huawei ban, or face fallout // Yahoo News

Trump or Biden will need support from allies to keep China in check, H.R. McMaster says // CNBC

Taiwan

Whether Trump or Biden wins, US-China relations look set to worsen // Guardian

PLA could send jets over Taiwan to defend sovereignty if US military jets fly over island // Global Times (China Govt)

If US stations troops in Taiwan, China may sever diplomatic ties: Scholar // Taiwan News

Air Force Confirms, Then Retracts Statement That One Of Its RC-135W Spy Planes Flew Over Taiwan // The Drive

China threatens retaliation after new U.S. arms sales to Taiwan // Yahoo News

South China Sea missile drills to blame for Taiwanese plane being turned back at Hong Kong, source says // SCMP

US approves $1.8bn weapons sale to Taiwan // BBC News

Export orders soar on smartphone, 5G demand: MOEA // Taipei Times

UPDATE 2-Taiwan says diplomat sent to hospital after China spat in Fiji // MSN News

Grow up
Taiwan official in hospital after alleged ‘violent attack’ by Chinese diplomats in Fiji // Guardian

Military Faceoff

The A-10 Warthog Is Preparing For Its Biggest Upgrade In Over A Decade // The Drive

After Stealth Jets, US Equips Its Herculean Navy With The ‘Stealthiest Submarine Ever Built’ // EurAsian Times

All Of The Navy’s Arleigh Burke Destroyers Will Get Hypersonic Missiles Top Official Says // The Drive

Watch the Navy’s beleaguered new stealth destroyer finally loose off a missile for the first time // Task & Purpose

 

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Encore of Revival: America, October 26, 2020

Media and analysts miss the greatest takeaways from the debate. Arguments were based on who did what while already in office: All of the problems Trump solved and Biden didn’t, but says he will. And, their positions were radically different: Biden appealed to need for help while Trump appeared in-control at the helm.

The only times incumbents lose reelections are in the wake of gross incompetence (not seen since Carter) or gross broken campaign promises (not seen since HW Bush). If anything, Biden appears to already have broken the promises he is now making. That will not be enough to eject a promise-keeping incumbent.

In our last week before the election, polls have gone on record for predicting Biden as voices in media shifted their tone to a non-answer over who will win. Trump already won 2020 in 2015 when he announced. Many people don’t understand that. Many in media believe they decide election outcomes, not voters, so they don’t understand it either.

The greatest danger Trump always posed was that he would do too good of a job. He is the leader the Republican Party doesn’t deserve. They denounced him. He delivered the promised results they wouldn’t. Now, they will have respect they didn’t earn, plus a near supermajority in the Senate, control of the house, and overwhelming control of the Supreme Court. Power unchecked corrupts. Trump’s awesome work will get him reelected where he will continue more awesome work, but awesomeness can destroy us where it is unearned. And, that shadow is where the RNC stands.

The country will likely destabilize over the coming weeks. Americans will fight from anger on all sides. War with China could be seen as a convenient distraction from domestic dysfunction at a time when the US needs an excuse to put an unchecked Asian bully in its place. But, China doesn’t need to be embarrassed; it needs to be discipled. But, the US won’t be ready to disciple anyone until the US recovers its lost neighborly conscience. The US will find its conscience again, but it appears that we will only learn through trouble.

Russianewsgategate

FBI in possession of Hunter Biden’s purported laptop, sources say // Fox News

Trump

Trump has bank account in China, pursued hotel deals for a decade: Report // Fox News

Election

Is that true?
Trump’s SECRET China Bank Account // YouTube @ America Uncovered

Second 2020 Presidential Debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden // YouTube @ C-SPAN

At final debate, Biden shows Trump what it means to be a politician // NBC News

Detroit News backs John James, Republican challenger to Democrat Gary Peters, in Michigan Senate race // Fox News

Presidential debate: Key takeaways from the Trump-Biden showdown // BBC News

Careful of those polls
2020 polls: Biden leads in Pennsylvania and tight race remains in Florida // CNN

DNI Ratcliffe, FBI say Iran, Russia attempting to interfere with 2020 election // Fox News

Biden faces backlash for saying ‘America was an idea’ that ‘we’ve never lived up to’ // Fox News

Biden backers have looming sense of deja vu // Fox News

Congress

‘She represents the past’: a Senate hug symbolizes California’s Dianne Feinstein fatigue // Guardian

White House

Diversity and inclusion training suspended at State Department // The Hill

News Media, Journalism & Free speech

Cancer-stricken Rush Limbaugh says he can no longer deny he’s ‘under a death sentence’ // Fox News

Soc Media, Cybersecurity & Tech

Lawmakers hail DOJ antitrust lawsuit against Google as ‘long overdue’ // Fox News

Markets, Economy & GDP

‘Black Swan’ author Nassim Taleb cheered capitalism, championed entrepreneurs, and recommended adapting to the pandemic at the BI Global Trends Festival. Here are his 8 best quotes from the interview. // Markets Insider

That is power
Warren Buffett may have slashed his Wells Fargo stake because the bank ignored his advice and hired a Wall Street CEO // Markets Insider

You’re Kidding

President Trump’s Twitter accessed by security expert who guessed password ‘maga2020!’ // TechCrunch

 

 

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Cadence of Conflict: Asia, October 19, 2020

The new global trend is hit pieces against China; even a Taiwanese rapper is on the bandwagon. China’s solution to lack of technology is to take over countries that have enough freedom to create technology, then deprive those countries of their freedom in order to get their technology. It’s clear China thinks innovation is a commodity rather than an indication of an already liberated people.

Taiwan doesn’t need liberated by China; it already has been liberated from China. While the Chinese think that intimidation has driven the Taiwanese into fear, it hasn’t. As Taiwanese carry on with life as usual, the word on the street has nothing to do with fear of invasion; the Taiwanese are simply waiting for the Chinese to ask to get their ass handed to them.

The Philippine government wants to drill for oil in the South Sea. China was supposed to do that in cooperation, an old promise that still hasn’t materialized. From Xinjiang, we learn that children of detained Uyghurs are being orphaned, and China is now sending them to Confucian brainwashing school. Perhaps that was China’s goal in detaining their parents; it certainly worked out that way.

The US is pursuing charges against Chinese espionage in America. China threatens to detain Americans in retaliation. But, that misses the whole point. If China knows about American spies in China, then China should have already taken action anyway. It makes a country look weak to not stop crime except in retaliation. Does China want to send the message that American spies can spy unchecked in China as long as America’s government doesn’t prosecute Chinese spies caught in America? The world wonders what China wants. Maybe China wants the world.

But, the world doesn’t want China’s low-tech industry, repulsive actions, controlling conduct, retaliatory justice, Confucian indoctrination, nor forced language. Nations and peoples of the world will use their ability to invent to overcome China’s low-tech weapons and easily-offended, easily-intimidated culture. Of course, the Chinese don’t know when they are out-teched, out-matched, out-willed, undesired, and surrounded. They already are, but they don’t know. The only ones who know are everyone else.

Indo-Pacific

Philippines to restart oil and gas exploration in South China Sea // Financial Times

China tells Indian media not to call Taiwan a country, Taiwan says ‘get lost’ // Yahoo News

Pompeo Rails Against China At ‘Quad’ Meeting With Foreign Ministers In Tokyo // NPR

Cambodia confirms US-funded defence facility has been razed // Yahoo News

Trade & Tech

Huawei Besieged on New European Front After U.S. Targets Cloud // Bloomberg

NVIDIA will shift over to TSMC for new 7nm Ampere GPUs in 2021 // TweakTown

SMIC achieves breakthrough in ‘7nm process’ // cnTechPost (China)

China’s semiconductor quest is likely to fail, leaving rapprochement with US the only way out // SCMP

TSMC reportedly obtains license to ship to Huawei – there’s a catch – // GizChina (China)

Huawei CFO Dealt Fresh Setback in Fight Against Extradition // Bloomberg

Huawei: MPs claim ‘clear evidence of collusion’ with Chinese Communist Party // BBC News

Six of China’s largest semiconductor projects now halted // Taiwan News

China technology companies face geopolitical, coronavirus changes // CNBC

SMIC Says U.S. Is Placing Export Restrictions on Suppliers // Bloomberg

China

China warns U.S. it may detain Americans over prosecutions: WSJ // MSN News

China angered as U.S. names human rights envoy for Tibet // Taiwan News

Chinese detention ‘leaving thousands of Uighur children without parents’ // Guardian

For WWIII
China sees Germany, Europe as entryway to continue march for global supremacy, report says // Fox News

‘Warn US To Stop…’: China After Warship Sails Through Taiwan Strait // New Delhi TV

What the reaction to Chinese President Xi Jinping coughing during a speech says about East Asia right now // CNN

China insists Genghis Khan exhibit not use words ‘Genghis Khan’ // Guardian

Xi Jinping tells Chinese marines to focus on ‘preparing to go to war’ // Business Insider

China censored Pence’s comments on China. Signal returned when Harris began talking again. // Twitter @nvanderklippe

China-US relations: PLA slams ‘provocative action’ as US warship sails through South China Sea // SCMP

Censored!
Why did China censor Pence during the VP debate? // YouTube @ Fox Business

Pew survey on negative sentiment toward China, Xi Jinping, coronavirus // CNBC

US warns China against Taiwan attack, stresses US ‘ambiguity’ // Aljazeera

More anti-China sentiment
Stolen Mao Zedong calligraphy said to be worth billions torn in half by unwitting Hong Kong buyer // SCMP

Negative views of China and Xi Jinping at record levels: international survey // SCMP

Negative views of China soar in western countries, poll finds // Guardian

Taiwan

US official says amphibious assault of Taiwan difficult for China // Taiwan News

Taiwan rapper: 大支/Dwagie【霸凌王/Tryna Bully】 // YouTube @ 人人有功練

But no changes to laws preventing much good work
Foreigners can apply for work permits in Taiwan via new website // Taiwan News

US has altered its Taiwan arms sales policy: Military analyst // Taiwan News

Tussle over Taiwanese group raises fears over Chinese infiltration // Financial Times

Taiwan claims entrapment after China shows spy ‘confession’ // Yahoo News

White House moves forward on three arms sales to Taiwan: sources // Yahoo News

China’s Insistence That Taiwan Isn’t a Country Starts Backfiring // Bloomberg

Taiwan’s president calls for less tension with China in annual address // Guardian

What Taiwan needs to defend itself from a Chinese invasion // Business Insider

US warplane appears to ‘draw’ median line between Taiwan and China // Taiwan News

White House has more coronavirus cases than Taiwan, New Zealand, and Vietnam // Taiwan News

With China’s jets repeatedly buzzing Taiwan, here’s what could happen if Beijing attacked the island, East Asia News & Top Stories // Straits Times

China Threatens War Over New Taiwan Independence Proposal: State Media // US News

The more trouble Taiwan creates, the sooner the mainland will teach them a lesson // Global Times (China Govt)

Taiwan says military under pressure from China as missions mount // Deccan Chronicle

Hong Kong

Taiwan and HK apparently in this together
Taipei restaurant supporting Hong Kong protesters trashed // HKFP

Photo of the Day: ‘Save 12’ signs for HK activists seen in Taipei // Taiwan News

Assistants to former Hong Kong lawmakers among nine arrested on suspicion of helping fugitives flee to Taiwan // SCMP

Korean Peninsula

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un sheds tears in emotional apology speech // Fox News

North Korea Workers’ Party anniversary: Kim Jong Un faces his most daunting challenges to date // CNN

Military Faceoff

Army’s 1,000 Mile Cannon: Strategic Long Range Cannon Details // Popular Mechanics

How China’s aircraft carriers compare with US Navy flattops // Business Insider

The Air Force is experimenting with a brand new way to put warheads on foreheads // Task & Purpose

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Encore of Revival: America, October 19, 2020

TV numbers and ratings tricks are all the Left has left. While one October surprise after another surfaces, they mostly favor Republicans. The Left’s work is in ratings. It seems to some that Liberals double and triple-up on media devices to give artificial boost to Biden ratings. And, it doesn’t seem out of character for Liberals, but the question is: Why?

The Leftist mind believes that people believe what they believe for a combination of two reasons: 1. because people were told to believe a thing and 2. because other people believe a thing. It’s almost as if Liberals see themselves as a permanent majority by voluntary opinion—an opinion they chose to adopt because everyone else is doing it. That also explains why Liberals believe Trump stole the election—they believe they are the assumed and permanent majority, so any opposition must therefore be very small and even more so rare. If TV numbers favor Trump, they must lie to create false TV numbers to accurately reflect the truth—because the truth needs their help—everyone needs their help.

By presenting falsely-inflated ratings in favor of Biden, Far Left voters believe they are making Conservatives feel like “the minority they always were and always will be”, which the Far Left thinks of as an insult, even though the Left campaigns on the platform of defending minorities. Think about it, if Conservatives really were the minority the Left thinks they are, wouldn’t the party that defends minority rights want to stand up for them?

If Liberals scorn Conservatives for being a supposed minority, what does that say about what Liberals think about all the “minorities” they claim to try to help?

Then again, maybe the Leftist mind isn’t thinking at all; it’s just failing and doesn’t know what to do other than keep pretending.

Russianewsgategate

After Trump criticism, Pompeo says he will release Clinton emails // CNN

US attorney tapped by Barr to review process of ‘unmasking’ resigns from DOJ // Fox News

Trump

Pompeo defends Trump push to release Hillary Clinton emails weeks before election // ABC News America

Top general did not give his consent to be used in Trump political ad // Politico

Justice Department sues Melania Trump tell-all book author // CNBC

White House physician says Trump no longer considered transmission risk // CNBC

Bob Dole claims no Republicans on debate commission support Trump // The Hill

Election

‘Shy Trump voter’ explained
Your Host Breaks Down Early Voting Numbers and Tightening Polls // Rush

My Theory on Biden’s Town Hall Ratings Win // Rush

On the defensive
Biden lashes out at CBS reporter when asked about NY Post report: ‘I have no response, another smear campaign’ // Fox News

REAL October surprise:
Hunter Biden email story: Computer repair store owner describes handing over laptop to FBI // Fox News

Glenn Beck VIDEO: Election Hijacking // Facebook

Vice Presidential Debate between Mike Pence and Kamala Harris // YouTube @ C-SPAN

Biden says voters don’t deserve to know his stance on packing Supreme Court // Fox News

South Carolina Senate debate scrapped after Harrison calls for Graham to get COVID-19 test // The Hill

U.S.-China relations will ‘reset’ if Biden wins election: Max Baucus // CNBC

Analysis: Hits and misses from the vice presidential debate // CNN

Taylor Swift endorses Joe Biden for president: ‘The change we need most’ // Yahoo News

Biden receives a nationally televised, hourlong infomercial // Politico

Opinion: Kamala Harris faces unique challenges in the VP debate // CNN

Rudy Giuliani’s cough kept interrupting him while he tried to attack Biden on Fox News // Yahoo News

US election: Joe Biden unlikely to give Boris Johnson ‘warm, welcoming embrace’ says former ambassador // Independent

New Senate map shows Republicans are increasingly vulnerable // NBC News

Law

Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation hearing: Live updates // CNN

Photos: Inside Amy Coney Barrett’s White House reception // CNN

White House

2 more White House residence staff tested positive for the coronavirus // NBC News

Trump press secretary Kayleigh McEnany tests positive for coronavirus // CNBC

Stephen Miller: Top White House aide tests positive for Covid-19 // CNN

Rank & Defense

US Marine Corps assistant commandant tests positive for Covid-19 // CNN

Top military leaders quarantining after Coast Guard admiral tests positive // CBS News

All but one of military’s Joint Chiefs of Staff quarantine after admiral tests positive // NBC News

Washington as Usual

State & Local

FBI busts militia ‘plot’ to abduct Michigan Gov Gretchen Whitmer // BBC News

Condescending, no ‘thank you’ for FBI who discovered it
Gov. Whitmer issues scathing rebuke to Trump // CNN

FBI uncovers plot to kidnap Michigan governor: Live updates // CNN

Democrats

Democrats unveil bill creating panel to gauge president’s ‘capacity’ // The Hill

Republicans

Stretch: It was worse in his first election
Republicans are finally ready to diss Don // Politico

Scandal, Graft & White Collar Crime

Senate committee investigating Hunter Biden hard drive, email // NY Post

Soc Media, Cybersecurity & Tech

SpaceX’s Starman and Elon Musk’s Tesla just made their 1st Mars flyby // Space.com

House antitrust committee: Facebook ‘monopoly’ buys, kills competitors // CNBC

Big tech blows a collective raspberry at the House’s antitrust report // TechCrunch

Education & Placement

The battle over what US children learn about American history // BBC News

Science, Weather & Health

Trump announces CVS, Walgreens free coronavirus vaccines deal to help seniors // Fox Business

Chris Christie remains hospitalized with COVID-19 in New Jersey // NY Post

You’re Kidding

Flashback to Darwin Awards
Taiwan’s China Airlines encounters man flying with jet pack in Los Angeles skies // Taiwan News

Europe

Sweden to increase military spending by 40% as tension with Russia grows // Guardian

NATO Focus

Russian space corporation unveils planned ‘Amur’ rocket—and it looks familiar // Ars Technica

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