Symphony

Encore of Revival: America, January 18, 2021

America is primed for a dictatorship. Trust in the legislature is at an all-time low. The proven-larger voter bloc feels disenfranchised. The proven-larger voter bloc has an undue, almost cult-like respect for the executive. In the minds of that voter bloc, once one election is allowed to be stolen, there will be no future elections. To the proven-larger voter bloc, this is a crisis.

The inauguration this week is set to be surrounded by a military under control of a disenfranchised president who will not be there. That’s not exactly a recipe for safety. The president made a major document dump, severely discrediting his opposition. Now, come reports of martial law in the planning. That may be necessary to undo a stolen election, but it is never best and is always dangerous.

Some of the demonstrators who broke into the Capitol now ask for a pardon from Trump—truly believing they were following what he wanted. They stand no chance of receiving a pardon. They allowed themselves to be led like sheep to the slaughter, merely used for political grandstanding. And, that president who won’t pardon them calls for more respect toward police, something else in a recipe for martial law. It would be surprising if we don’t end up there, and it will be dangerous either way.

Democratic voters have been set up for shock if Trump remained in office, no matter how it could happen. They have been told by the media that the election is finished merely on the basis of saying so—despite half of the country not being convinced. Conservatives recognize this recipe for danger; Liberals do not.

The blame for America’s situation falls on all of us. We failed to convince our neighbors that we can listen. If Trump is in the midst of any conspiracy, then both parties in Congress were in on it, along with the media. His own son-in-law doesn’t want him talking to his own supporters on Gab. If anyone is conspiring anything nefarious, it isn’t Trump, but someone close to him. If Biden could get into power, it would take a political miracle. Most importantly, this was all made possible by we, the American people—those of us who respected a fallible man too much, those of us who hated a mere man too much, those of us who thought rules could be broken without backlash, and those of us who failed to teach otherwise. We’ll start to figure it out in the days and months ahead.

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, January 11, 2021

Let’s look past the fact that Chinese state media doesn’t know what it means to be “cowardly”. Pompeo rejecting Chinese Communist preferences on US policy with Taiwan is not “cowardly”, at worst it would be “foolish” or “over-confidence”; but “cowardly” would mean letting someone else tell the US what to do. Likewise, China is not “cowardly” either; it is “foolish” and “over-confident”. But, the Chinese don’t know the difference, just how they don’t know this decision on Taiwan is meant to provoke China to commit strategic folly. Let’s look past all that.

What is Trump doing? Biden’s strings held by China were well known before they were secluded by the socialist-minded media in the US. By lacing up ties with Taiwan, Trump forces any future White House attempts to let China dictate policy to be seen for what they are. No president or secretary of state would be politically allowed to back down on Taiwan relations without being exposed as a Chinese manchurian candidate.

In the past, socialist media in the US—which is nearly all media in the US—acted as mouthpieces for Communist Russian propaganda. Now, they act as Communist Chinese tools to install a president owned by China—Biden—all the while publishing bad news about China. From the US perspective, there is a pregnant need to protect the US government from saboteurs—shoes which fit Biden and the primary failure Harris perfectly. Trump taking action that would force Chinese-owned saboteurs to tip their hands only makes sense. But, that still doesn’t explain what is going on.

We must not assume that America is in a peaceful transition from one undisputedly elected president to the next. But, of course China hoped for that. The bipartisan-orchestrated chaos in Washington and state capitals comes as a surprise to the Chinese. If they knew what was coming, they wouldn’t have wasted their time snuggling up to Biden last month. So, because they think this capital chaos was a surprise to them, it was therefore not part of a rouse to make them think America is weak. But, that still doesn’t explain what is going on.

Follow the money. Who makes money off China thinking America is vulnerable? Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics. They don’t need to be part of any conspiracy; only a few stakeholders do—perhaps not even shareholders, perhaps only suppliers of suppliers. However things play out in the dual-fated cities of Washington and Taipei, it will happen that American weapons contractors make the most profit. We are looking at a short and costly skirmish where neither those weapons contractors’ customers are defeated, nor are their profitable enemies. The South Sea is the perfect place. And, China is the perfect dupe to take the bait.

China

The Latest: Scores test positive in China’s Hebei province // AP

China orders military to be ready for war ‘at any second’ as Brit aircraft carrier prepares to sail to South China Sea // The Sun

WHO Covid team blocked from entering China to study origins of coronavirus // CNN

Chinese billionaire Jack Ma suspected missing after calling for economic reform: report // Fox Business

Taiwan

Chinese state media blast latest Pompeo move on Taiwan // AP

Officials welcome Pompeo’s decision to lift restrictions on contact with Taiwan // Taipei Times

US ends limits on Taiwan contact // Taipei Times

Korean Peninsula

South Korea New Aircraft Carrier: Looks Like Royal Navy Carrier // Popular Mechanics

Military Faceoff

UK says aircraft carrier strike group is ready to deploy. China’s already watching // CNN

Marines and Japanese troops train together to capture islands, coastal areas // Stripes

Symphony

Encore of Revival: America, January 11, 2021

The treachery of American political parties runs much deeper than any of us thought. There is nothing wrong with the Constitution, the problem lies within political parties that ignore their voters. Biden is the rightly-elected president because voters do not actually chose the president; they indicate their will to Congress, which is allowed to ignore the will of voters, which Congress just did. The Republican Party is finished; the Democratic Party is soon to be.

Trump was an outsider who actually took easy and necessary steps to stop the global breakdown caused by a selfish political class made of fake Republicans and fake Democrats. For this good he did, that political class attacked his unrelated character flaws. The system determined on its own self-destruction could not resist its neediness to attack anyone trying to save it. When push came to shove and the Capitol chamber was breached, the Washington worms retreated to their old belief that nice talk without right action calmes angry citizens. That’s what the Republicans did to their voters. Then again Republican voters have done the same to Democratic voters on police violence and racism for centuries.

Peter Drucker said, “Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.” Republicans have been good managers, doing things right without doing right things. Democrats pretend to do the right things, but always do things wrongly. Trump was loved for America’s brief moment of finally doing a few things right. Not one war started for the first time in decades. Allies cut the umbilical cord from dependence on American soldiers. Many troops were called home. Many jobs returned. But, Trump didn’t redress grievances, so in mainstream media he was criticized for his tone instead of grievances neglected.

The treachery is not in the Constitution, which rightly gave Democratic voters the stolen election they wanted. Republicans voters lost because they would not exit their complacency to create a third party and because they would not win the hearts of their Democrat-voting neighbors. Instead, they grew lazy and angry in their religious fallacy that Trump was some kind of heavenly savior, chosen by God to create a godly government within a system that rejects godliness.

Trump did not insight the Washington protestors to illegally enter the Capitol; Republican state legislators provoked them by not heeding the countless peaceful assemblies and petitions. The blood spilled and yet to be spilled is on their hands. Now, only Trump can reduce the rage that those Republican legislators certified when they certified an election they had a mandate not to.

Unless Trump has other plans, which he probably does, the next ordinary step would be for him to resign so Pence could pardon him from the politically-motivated assault he is under, then further his political movement to evict the establishment that rejected the majority of voters along with him. That would give his raging supporters a constructive way to direct their rage. The Washington worms would be wise to leave him alone if he does, lest things get even worse than Washington’s overuse of Delphi technique has already made them. However, that presumes we are in ordinary times, which we are not. Likelihood of “politics as usual” decreases with each news headline. Remember, Trump is full of surprises.

Our times are unprecedented. Banning millions of Twitter and Facebook users from following a president—even in his lame duck days—is like trying to stop the Mississippi River with a paper mache dam. It only creates a new and unpredictable river. Newsmax and Gab sure are making money, perhaps they are the real conspirators. This unabashed censorship and the Republican disdain for its own base indicates power mongers who fear something the public doesn’t know yet, but are convinced the public will soon learn anyway. Likelihood is high for martial law, followed by a new political party to rise, along with the return of another public figure betrayed by the RNC—Sara Palin.

We’ve seen angry Democrat-voter protests. Now, we will see what happens when the Republican base is enraged—something the political class undermined more than we thought. We don’t need to prove an election was fraudulent; we need to prove that each election wasn’t. In this election, proving fraud would be easier than proving accuracy. The Republican Party had a mandate to undo doubtful election results from its voters. They Constitutionally and legally ignored those voters, not knowing they ended their political futures when they did.

So, the greatest danger Trump posed from the beginning is no longer a threat: The Republican Party will not gain trust from Trump’s work done too well. The new danger is that treachery of the legislature often gives rise for the executive to declare martial law. If Trump is conspiring instead of merely salvaging, then the RNC and DNC are in on it too. If not, then those parties are the conspiracy. If Trump is bad, neither party is the solution. At least people are now awake to the depth of American treachery. The problem lies within political parties, locked in a charade like Chris and Ian pretending to be Saruman and Gandalf in a wizard dual. The DNC and RNC are not enemies; they are friends playing enemies on stage. Now, the Republican voters know. The Democratic voters will figure it out in a few years. The third party is on its way.

Trump

Trump Plans Defiant Final Week as Many Democrats Urge His Ouster // MSN News

You won’t see it on Twitter
Statement From President Trump January 7th, 2021 | Donald J Trump // Gab TV

Former Trump communications director says President lied about 2020 election and should consider resigning // CNN

Donald J Trump (@realdonaldtrump) // Gab

Twitter permanently suspends Trump’s account // CNBC

Donald Trump asking aides and lawyers about self-pardon power // CNN

Trump supporters hold ‘stop the steal’ protest in San Jose. Unlike the one in D.C., it didn’t turn into a riot. // San José Spotlight

Trump bans Pence chief of staff from White House as other aides resign // Axios

US allies say Trump attempted coup with help from federal law enforcement // Business Insider

Trump pressured Pence to engineer a coup, then put the VP in danger, source says // CNN

Cleta Mitchell, who assisted Trump on call with Georgia officials, resigns from law firm // CNN

Then what kind of trouble would Biden be in?
Trump’s call could put the president in jeopardy, legal experts say // CNN

Election

Rush Limbaugh: Democrats ‘Recoiling in Fear’ and ‘Quaking in their Boots’ that Donald Trump Will Unleash a Bevy of Damning Classified Documents // Gateway Pundit

The Swamp Is Scared of the Next 12 Days // Rush

THERE IT IS: Evil Pelosi Admits in ’60 Minutes’ Tongue-Bath Interview that Motivation for Impeachment Is To Ensure ‘He Never Runs Again’ (VIDEO) // Gateway Pundit

The Feds did nothing
Capitol siege was planned online. Trump supporters now planning the next one // Seattle Times

Democrats plan to introduce articles of impeachment as early as Monday // CNN

Trump commits to orderly transition after Congress confirms Biden’s win, mob’s assault on Capitol // NBC News

U.S. Capitol secured hours after pro-Trump rioters invade Congress // CNBC

Delay
What’s left to count in Georgia’s Senate runoffs // Politico

Georgia Election Official Gabe Sterling Claims Processing was ‘Normal’ At the State Farm Arena Election Night – Nothing Could Be Further from the Truth // Gateway Pundit

Georgia deciding US Senate control in election’s final day // AP

The senators who were expelled after refusing to accept Lincoln’s election // Stamford Advocate

House Republicans rush to Trump’s defense over Georgia call as Democrats prep censure resolution // CNN

Law

Liberals to Breyer: Time to retire // Politico

Activism, Unrest & Protests

Airlines, flight attendant unions concerned about security when pro-Trump rioters leave DC // CNN

Violence, Radicalism & Terrorism

Capitol mob brought raging collection of grievances, disillusionment // SF Gate

Amash’s Successor Peter Meijer: Trump’s Deceptions Are ‘Rankly Unfit’ // Reason

Human Rights, Civil Liberties & Privacy

Proud Boys leader arrested in the burning of Black Lives Matter banner, D.C. police say // NewsTimes

Security & Public Safety

Beck:
Our ‘Inner Capitol’ Was Breached Years Ago // Facebook

No charges filed against Kenosha officers in Jacob Blake shooting // NBC News

Mexico to Take Steps to Grant Assange Political Asylum, President Lopez Obrador Says // Sputnik News

UK judge refuses US extradition of WikiLeaks founder Assange // AP

Markets, Economy & GDP

Elon Musk is now the richest person in the world, passing Jeff Bezos // CNBC

Dow drops over 382 points with tight Georgia election ahead // Fox Business

Pandemic

South African Covid variant appears to ‘obviate’ antibody drugs, Dr. Scott Gottlieb says // CNBC

UK scientists worry vaccines may not protect against S.African coronavirus variant // Yahoo News

Anti-Mask Protesters Storm Century City Mall in Los Angeles // The Wrap

Mid East

Pentagon changes aircraft carrier’s orders, issues warning to Iran // Business Insider

Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, January 4, 2021

The Chinese make one huge gamble based on two doubtful conclusions. They think Biden will be inaugurated in January. They think they have deterred the US military in the Pacific. Both notions have been carefully feigned and crafted by the US. The pieces are in place and China moves its queen to attack the baiting pawn. The US wants China to initiate its own military embarrassment.

Over the years, America has stirred unneeded trouble throughout the world. America will pay the consequences for that, but not according to any itinerary set by China. Something similar could be said for Taiwan concerning its own internal systems of justice, both for the Taiwanese and for resident foreigners. Taiwan will pay the consequences, but not according to any itinerary set by China. We all answer to God, and God the Judge will not share space on His bench. If China—or anyone else—wants to take God’s bench, God may send in His bailiff.

China wants the results of innovation—which come from free thinking—which comes from free speech. But, free speech and rights respected are the two things China will not accept. So, China indirectly rejects the good results which only follow good choices. Trying to live without the very shame the continue to create—trying to defeat the countries with military technology they could only steal from those countries—trying to absorb economies with innovation that only thrived without their tyranny—China only knows how to miscalculate. The embarrassment China is about to bring upon itself is nothing any good person would wish for. That the Chinese wish for it says more on this matter than anything else.

Trade & Tech

Regulation of Ant Group is bad for China economy, fintech: analyst // CNBC

China

China’s Wang says US relations at ‘new crossroads’ // Taipei Times

Trump was briefed that China sought to pay non-state actors to attack US forces in Afghanistan // CNN

We Found The Factories Inside China’s Mass Internment Camps // BuzzFeed News

Taiwan

Chinese incursions highest since 1996 // Taipei Times

Bullish China Vows Continued Push for Taiwan ‘Unification’ in 2021 // Newsweek

Taiwan to bar entry to non-resident foreigners on Jan. 1 // Taiwan News

Symphony

Encore of Revival: America, January 4, 2021

Happy New Year!

Trump does not display the attitude of a man who intends to lose. Biden does not display the behavior of someone who can win. The equation to predicting a Trump victory is elementary: one candidate works for what will happen after the victory he takes as already guaranteed; the other works to attain that victory. Victory goes to the one who works for it.

For some reason, the need to work for victory sails past the thinking of too many people, not the least of which include members of the media.

Not only are election news articles conclusive when reporting events—in a sweeping trend yet unseen in the West—, now they use the same terms. Republican senators and representatives are reported as making a “last-ditch” effort (hyphenated across news platforms). This leads Pacific Daily Times to develop the “morning news memo” (MNM) theorem—that reporters, anchors, newswriters, and other such wordsmiths across the news industry receive some kind of [actual or theoretical] memorandum in the morning on which identical words to copy so that their content is less original from one news outlet to another. This may not actually happen, but the theorem merely states that news content can be better understood as if it happens. Accordingly, the PDT MNM theorem suggests that the MNM word for the day was “last-ditch”, (hyphenated).

Senators and representatives, headed by posy leader apparent Ted Cruz, propose an “Electoral Commission” to investigate the legality of all electoral votes in an emergency 10-day review. That would return results by January 16, which could then allow the electoral college to be certified before the January 18 deadline. If House Democrats and the Senate agreed, Biden could win. But, Democrats don’t want such a win, suggesting that they fear the results if an “Electoral Commission” were created as a “last-ditch” (hyphenated).

Without said commission, the posy will dispute the electoral college as not “regularly given” or not “lawfully certified”. Having neglected the need to gain the confidence of his own election, and with a clear and likely path to victory for Trump, it seems as if this entire election dispute was doctored from the get go. Biden may have already found himself in a ditch—the “last-ditch” (hyphenated).

Election

‘last-ditch… baseless’
GOP senators say they will reject election results unless commission is formed – CBS News // CBS News

‘last-ditch… efforts to undermine the vote’
Dozen US senators plan to oppose Biden certification // au.finance.yahoo.com

Trump:
JANUARY 6 – WASHINGTON D.C. // Facebook

Trump:
WE WILL WIN! // Facebook

Trump to return to Washington early ahead of Republican plan to disrupt certification of Biden’s win // CNN

Trump campaign asks Supreme Court to review Wisconsin challenge // The Hill

Sidney Powell Thinks Georgia Senate Runoff May Be ‘Rigged’ to Favor GOP // Newsweek

Rank & Defense

Military superiority made America less safe, says expert // Vox

Washington as Usual

McConnell and GOP reject House’s $2,000 stimulus checks // Politico

Donald Trump’s demands run into Mitch McConnell’s maneuvers // CNN

Last-minute stimulus checks set to juice US economy: Goldman Sachs // Fox Business

GOP pollster Luntz: Trump $2,000 stimulus check demand is nightmare for Republicans // CNBC

In final days, a weakened Trump faces first veto override // Yahoo News

Soc Media, Cybersecurity & Tech

Why the FTC’s anti-Facebook lawsuit stands a chance // Quartz

U.S. to allow small drones to fly over people and at night // Yahoo News

Pandemic

Louisiana Congressman-elect Luke Letlow dead from COVID-19 // AP

WHO says coronavirus pandemic is ‘not the big one’ the world needs to brace for // MarketWatch

God Is Near

A police officer bought a family’s Christmas dinner after a shoplifting call // CNN

Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, February 1, 2020

It’s happening. Biden is battening down on China. The Chinese still think they can push their diktat in the South Sea and the East Sea and the Taiwan Strait and the Indian Ocean. Rumors spread in America of China helping Biden steal the election. That won’t help China get the support of the American public. Quite opposite, as Americans turn on Biden, accusing him of his own diktat, he will feel the push to prove that he’s not afraid to hit China where it counts. So you see, China may have helped install the very president most likely to create the most trouble for China.

Evidence points that he’s already going there. While weapons deals halted toward the Saudis and the UAE, they are right on schedule for cute, adorable, cuddly, lovable Taiwan.

But, America is not Taiwan’s only friend. Nor, is Taiwan the only territory that doesn’t like China’s diktat. Vietnam, the Philippines, India, and Japan won’t ignore any Chinese aggression in their back yards. And, with the British all ready with their HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier group, they could sweep into a Chinese sea contest after everyone else is bloodied and give their own diktat.

Trade & Tech

Judge refuses to remove Meng Wanzhou’s security guards, who are tasked with preventing her escape // SCMP

China trade war is one thing Joe Biden won’t be rushing to fix // CNN

China

WHO team investigating pandemic visits wet market, receives flu data // CNN

US criticizes Chinese flights over South China Sea, but says they posed no threat // Taipei Times

Chinese Submariners Patrolling South China Sea Suffer ‘Serious’ Psych Problems, Study Finds // Military.com

US-China tensions: Military flashpoints in Taiwan, Japan and South China Sea that could shape Biden’s entire China strategy // CNN

China is rehearsing for when it overtakes America // CNN

Xi’s speech shows how Biden faces a very different China // CNBC

Taiwan

Sullivan hits at China over Taiwan // Taipei Times

US has not halted arms sales: MOFA // Taipei Times

China warns Taiwan independence ‘means war’ as US pledges support // BBC News

China tells Taiwan that independence ‘means war’: report // Fox News

Taiwanese man fined $47K for violating home quarantine 7 times // CNN

Taiwan air force flexes muscles after latest Chinese incursion // Aljazeera

The World Is Dangerously Dependent on Taiwan for Semiconductors // Bloomberg

Taiwan reports large incursion by Chinese warplanes for second day // Yahoo News

Hong Kong

Cathay Pacific Sends A Warning to Hong Kong SAR // LoyaltyLobby

India

India, China soldiers brawl again along disputed frontier // AP

Military Faceoff

Report on U.S.-China Competition in East, South China Sea // USNI News

Aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth becomes Royal Navy’s fleet flagship // Naval Today

The U.S. Navy Needs To Admit It Can’t Outbuild China // Real Clear Defense

Australia invests in advanced maritime weapons, minehunters // Defense News

Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, December 28, 2020

Anymore, it’s not only bad news about China, but continued action in both military and trade. The pressure Washington puts on Beijing keeps finding new ways to keep turning up. Sanctions continue to increase. Military attention rises. And, Japan puts pressure on Biden to decry the “aggressive China”, calling Taiwan the next, likely target.

Just the same, Taiwan continues as the poster boy, especially with the pandemic China takes the blame for. Just when the Chinese government thinks they get a break, the opposition simply moved and grew. Western powers have effectively sneaked up on the Chinese, whose policies isolate them from the experience necessary to understand Western thinking. Western news audiences are being conditioned to support military action against China, no matter which party advocates it. As news watchers, we must see this trend as it has snowballed over the last decade. The Western world is moving toward war against China as Russia remains safely out of the spotlight.

Trade & Tech

Alibaba U.S.-Listed Shares Tumble Most Ever on China Monopoly Probe // Bloomberg

US restrictions on SMIC will strike at the heart of China’s advanced chipmaking ambitions // CNN

China

Singaporean woman faces execution in China as family launches last desperate appeal // CNN

China forces firms like Alibaba to process stolen US data: Report // Business Insider

Taiwan

IHF praises Taiwan’s virus response // Taipei Times

Taiwan imposes new regulations after first Covid case since April // Guardian

China aircraft carrier sails through Taiwan Strait a day after US warship // SCMP

Military Faceoff

Report on Navy Laser, Railgun and Gun-Launched Guided Projectiles // USNI News

Symphony

Encore of Revival: America, December 28, 2020

Trump signed the $600 stimulus bill, but with a “rescission” order. In other words, he is forcing Congress to discuss and deliberate on spending certain items or else the bill won’t become law for another 45 days.

Trump’s method is ingenious, though many worms in Washington wrongly project their own motives of immaturity or ego. After all the squawk Trump gave about $2,000 checks, the people expect more money and Congress has an easy way to give more money. Either way, many Democratic voters will thank Trump. If the bill is not revised to give Americans more money, Congress will become very unpopular. Violence only increases; consider Nashville. At a time when Congress may need to choose the president due to a failed electoral college, Congress needs popularity anywhere it can get it.

Yes, Congress may indeed end up choosing the president. Senators and representatives from any of 18 likely states could easily dispute the electoral college. Then the Senate, led by the man running for Vice President, would oversee the discussion. If discussion delays, the electoral college fails and is no longer relevant. Senators and state delegates in the House, both dominant Republicans, would then have to choose Trump and Pence to avoid political suicide. With Trump having played his recent popularity game over the economic stimulus, things seem to trend in that direction.

Thanks to Trump, Congress has the power to increase spending and choose Trump as the next president, and Congress has such a mandate from the people. But, historically, consider the factor of surprise. History is always full of surprises and unexpected victories. By the expectations of conventional wisdom, which usually leads people to be surprised by reality, Biden’s victory seems too non-surprising not to not happen.

Trump

Trump’s grievances leave Americans in need in limbo // CNN

Americans suffer at Christmas while Trump golfs and sows chaos // CNN

Powell says White House aides won’t let her help Trump // The Hill

Election

Trump: ‘maybe the next administration will be me,’ denies election results // Business Insider

Radical Extremism & Terrorism

Sources refer to Nashville explosion as ‘suicide bombing,’ feds explore possible 5G motive // Fox Nashville

Soc Media, Cybersecurity & Tech

Biden team calls out Twitter over plan to wipe White House accounts’ followers // CNN

Pandemic

Trump signs massive measure funding government, COVID relief // AP

Like magic
The drug that gives ‘instant immunity’ to coronavirus? UK trials new antibody therapy // Daily Mail

Brooklyn clinics face criminal probe over unauthorized COVID-19 vaccines // NY Post

Trump demands Congress raise second stimulus check from $600 to $2,000 under new Covid relief bill // CNBC

Trump: I Want $2,000 Stimulus Checks // Forbes

Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, December 21, 2020

Readers still can’t get a break from bad news of China. More Chinese companies are added to the notorious “entities list”. The WHO sends a team to China, which isn’t exactly wonderful press. China is the biggest military threat. The US Navy along with the Coast Guard must reshape its strategy to protect against the Chinese. Trump even blames the Chinese for a recent cyber attack.

As China continues in headlines as the villain, Taiwan is evermore adorable. The Taiwanese plan to become their own military supplier and submarine maker, not as much dependent on the US. They hope to get so many awesome weapons of their own, other nations will want to buy weapons from the Taiwanese, who can defend themselves against the great China, after all. As if that’s not enough to irritate Beijing, Washington will start calling Taiwan’s not-embassy by “Taiwan” instead of “Taipei Economic and Cultural”.

But, how serious is Taiwan about its own defense? While Washington cozies up to Taiwan with somewhat more, semi-respectful names, America’s envoy to Taiwan is still called “American Institute in Taiwan”. And, as much as Taiwan claims to want technology and good relations with other nations, xenophobic immigration laws are still on the books. Immigrants to Taiwan vs immigrants from Taiwan have a much more difficult path and the ratios are insultingly low. Very few Westerners can contribute to Taiwan’s economy, technology, and goal of English as a second official language with these unchanged restrictions in Taiwan’s immigration policies. Nearly all changes in Taiwan and in Washington go little beyond symbolic.

Washington is mostly talk. Taiwan is too ambivalent to love actually. And, Beijing is easily insulted. The trends aren’t subtle anymore. They used to be five years ago, but they’re just not subtle anymore—quite the opposite.

Indo-Pacific

HK might cut off student exchanges // Taipei Times

Trade & Tech

US to blacklist dozens of Chinese firms including SMIC, sources say // Fox Business

China

Chinese drone maker says products to remain on sale despite U.S. restriction // Yahoo News

Zoom executive in China charged with disrupting Tiananmen videoconference commemorations // MarketWatch

Trump breaks his silence on huge cyber attack and says China may be responsible not Russia // Daily Mail

Macron infected; China to admit WHO team // Taipei Times

Revealed: China suspected of spying on Americans via Caribbean phone networks // Guardian

The Ghosts Who Haunt the South China Sea // The Atlantic

Taiwan

US warship sails through Taiwan Strait // Taipei Times

Taiwan wants Cathay Pacific to correct wording on documents // Taiwan News

Taiwan’s planned submarine fleet could forestall a potential Chinese invasion // CNN

US lawmakers call to rename TECRO // Taipei Times

Taiwan might be arms supplier: Tsai // Taipei Times

Australia

China-Australia trade tension: How Beijing will derail Canberra in 2021 // News.com.au

Military Faceoff

US Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard unveil maritime strategy // Naval Today

New Naval Strategy Zeroes in on China as Biggest Long-Term Threat to the US // Military.com

Symphony

Encore of Revival: America, December 21, 2020

Trump has a realistic path to the presidency. Rules for the electoral college allow for discussion and dispute which could delay finalization of the vote past January 18. If Congress has not approved the electoral college vote by then, the electoral college fails and the election defaults to Congress. Then, the Senate chooses the vice president and the House chooses the president by state delegates—of which there are more Republican. At that point, it would be political suicide for even Romney to vote against Trump. All that has to happen is delay in the Senate—something the Senate is very good at when it wants to be. With 18 states having filed a suit with the Supreme Court, such a delay is quite likely.

Far more interesting are the public narratives. All mainstream news, including Fox News, continue to push finality—the idea that the election is over and decided, when it is in fact in dispute and when it has not yet been finalized. The Trump team responds by pushing evidence—strangely changed rules, flagrantly broken rules, and endless testimonies. As a result, Biden voters are being conditioned to believe the election is over while Trump voters are being conditioned to believe it should not be over. The only assurance is limbo.

If Trump wins, the Democratic base is preconditioned for nation-wide meltdown while the Republican base is preconditioned for the in-your-face exhilaration worthy of a Rocky movie ending. That leads to the greatest danger: an overly-trusted Republican Party. That was Trump’s danger from the onset.

The suspicious part is how well the Democrats in Washington played along to make it all possible. Sooner or later, people will figure it out. Some are already starting to.

Trump

Heated Oval Office meeting included talk of special counsel, martial law as Trump advisers clash // CNN

Election

Trump:
WATCH OAN: Evidence of voter fraud is in our face! // Facebook

No, Biden hasn’t won yet — one more nightmare scenario // The Hill

Judge orders release of report examining Antrim Co. vote tabulators // Detroit Free Press

Michigan election officials slam report on votes in Antrim County // Detroit News

Trump falsely claims he won, as electoral college cements Joe Biden’s victory // WA Post

Trump refuses to concede after electoral college backs Biden // Daily Mail

McConnell warns GOP off Electoral College brawl in Congress // AP

Electoral College makes it official: Biden won, Trump lost // AP

Congress

Snags on COVID-19 relief may force weekend sessions // Las Vegas Review-Journal

White House

Attorney General William Barr to depart administration, Trump announces // NBC News

Democrats

Glenn Beck:
The Secular Democrats of America just released a TERRIFYING document, proposing to the Biden team several steps that directly target the rights of conservative, religious Americans // Facebook

Republicans

READ: Rep. Paul Mitchell’s letter quitting the GOP, fearing ‘long-term harm to our democracy’ with its support for Trump’s actions // CNN

Activism, Unrest & Protests

Public officials face personal threats as tensions flare // Houston Chronicle

Threats Lead to Closure of Michigan Legislative Offices // Mediaite

Scandal, Graft & White Collar Crime

Hunter Biden in 2017 sent ‘best wishes’ from ‘entire Biden family’ to China firm chairman, requested $10M wire // Fox News

Security & Public Safety

FBI says agent shot person aboard train outside Washington // AP

Soc Media, Cybersecurity & Tech

FTC orders to see Facebook, 8 others’ data tracking practices // Business Insider

Pandemic

Congress is set to pass new stimulus checks — here’s when to expect yours // Yahoo News

Bolsonaro claims COVID-19 vaccines could turn people into ‘crocodiles’ // Business Insider

FDA investigating allergic reactions to Pfizer vaccine reported in multiple states // The Hill

Chicago-area hospital halts COVID vaccinations after 4 workers have adverse reactions // Fox Chicago

Americans could get $600 direct payments, $300-a-week federal unemployment in next stimulus // Philadelphia Inquirer

Fox News personalities attack Bill Gates for pandemic comments on CNN // CNN

Hopeful sign: Midwestern states see drop in new virus cases // AP

Nation Of Islam Leader Louis Farrakhan Calls The Vaccine ‘Toxic Waste,’ Refers To White People As ‘Crackers’ // Daily Caller

Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, December 14, 2020

Hit pieces against China are coming out as if from an avalanche. More dangerous, they are coupled with Western plans of military expansion in China’s back yard. From Xinjiang teens to disappearing journalists to Australian wine to spies in America to colleges—to a global virus pandemic—Western readers have no rest from bad news of China.

The equation has been there and in play. America’s election appears stolen to 75% of Republican voters and 30% of Democrats. Elections require agreement on results in order to function. Lack of agreement on a trustworthy election is unusual as it is staggering. That’s a mandate for Trump to take drastic action, deny Biden’s inauguration, and take measures to remain in office that can’t avoid national inflammation.

As inevitable American conflict in January comes into closer view coupled with such bad press on China, the US strategy in the West Pacific is more and more difficult to deny. China was always the perfect distraction from the mess at home. The problem is that the American populous no longer responds as usual. A national attack may not have the uniting effect it once did—at least not uniting enough to keep any president in office in the face of an election so disputed.

Taiwan continues the role as the “China virus” poster boy. The Taiwanese handle things so well, don’t they. Strict rules on breaking quarantine—punishing a foreigner with thousands in fines for walking in the hallway outside his room for eight seconds—but Taiwanese officials forgot to lock the quarantine door because the world is supposed to believe Taiwan is so careful, right?

At some point, it should become obvious that we are playing a game of charades with who is good and bad—or at least on who is how good and how bad. As China’s role is to be the common enemy for divided Americans and a divided West to unite against, China’s big mistake—over decades and to this day—was to play that role all too gladly. A shoe was made and China chose to fit it.

Indo-Pacific

Britain to send largest warship, carrier strike group to Indian Ocean next year // Hindustan Times

China

Chinese authorities detain Bloomberg news assistant // Taiwan News

China replies over latest wine tariffs as Australia’s Trade Minister lashes out at Beijing // News.com.au

Chaguan – China is doubling down in Xinjiang // The Economist

Eric Swalwell says he did not share sensitive information with suspected Chinese spy // CNN

‘Being young’ leads to detention in China’s Xinjiang region // Guardian

Pompeo warns of Chinese threat to US colleges, says many ‘basically bought’ by Beijing // Fox News

South China Sea: Beijing’s military bases in disputed waters would be very difficult to defend, report claims // CNN

Taiwan

Man fined $3,500 for breaking Taiwan quarantine for 8 seconds // CNN

Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s Carrie Lam faces Japan bank freeze-out as Tokyo says it will abide by US sanctions // SCMP

Exiled Hong Kong legislator calls for action after HSBC bank accounts frozen // Guardian

Military Faceoff

Navy’s Future Light Amphibious Ships Will Be Designed to Operate Off China’s Coast // Military.com

Makin Island ARG Operating in the South China Sea While Beijing Claims U.S. ‘Muscle Flexing’ // USNI News

The US Navy wants to find ships to kill using aerial drones launched from submarines // Defense News

Symphony

Encore of Revival: America, December 14, 2020

And so, the crud hits the fan. Elections only work with a consensus of trust. A distrusted election result can’t work; the masses won’t allow it, even if the inaugural ceremonies continue. Neither Trump nor Biden can persist as president past January except in name only. This is how nations split every few centuries. We live to see historic times.

Eighteen states, including Texas, sued the four swing states for illegally changing election rules mid season. If we count the undisputed votes and Republican legislatures of those four states which heard the evidence, that would be twenty-two states for Trump. Twenty-two Democratic states filed to object. If results favor Republicans, the nation is split right down the middle. Each side is convinced it is in the right—Democrats because they saw it on the news—Republicans because they saw it at government hearings which were specifically not on the news. That’s all the reason either side has ever needed to believe anything they believe.

Neither side even tried to persuade the other in a way that could be heard. The news-Democrat side simply asserted a result, marginalizing questions as “atypical”, ignoring the fact that eighteen states can’t be atypical by definition and cannot become atypical by mere assertion. Conservatives and Republican voters argued “evidence” and “rules” after sewing distrust of rules through a century of refusing justice to Democratic voter needs.

Neither side was ever going to concede. The Supreme Court stayed out of it, arguing “lack of standing”. Democratic-run states answered with blanket denial one would expect from China—and it seemed to work on the Supreme Court, though it never works when China does it. With the Senate sending a blistering 83 votes against Trump’s veto promise on a military bill, Republican voters feel betrayed. Surely, the gun-owning Republicans are mulling over multiple militarized responses. Democrats would riot before conceding. If Trump ever does concede, it would indicate he has plans to eventually win by means more formidable than a militarized option. Concession from either side would be fake, indicating hidden danger to come.

Those eighteen states may boycott the electoral college, denying the two-thirds quorum; if they don’t then their lawsuit was only for show. If the Electoral College names Biden, he can rightly be called the “President-Elect” for the first time, even if in question. And, if he gets that title while in question, America will see Conservative rage—and Liberal riots in response—like never before. Liberals aren’t fond of following rules when they lose because the rules are unfair against them all too often. Lawless Liberals are somewhat common; lawless Conservatives are a bigger league altogether. God forbid that Liberals break enough rules to convince Conservatives to stop following their own rules. That is a wrath none could prepare for. There is no peaceful resolution, but at least Americans all agree on the depth of our long-neglected problems.

Election

Tempers flare as Trump supporters rally in Washington // AP

30% of Democrats Believe The Election Was Stolen From Trump // PJ Media

61% Dems say not stolen
61% Think Trump Should Concede to Biden // Rasmussen

WOW! 30% of Democrats Believe Election Stolen from Trump — 75% of Republicans Believe It Is Likely Election Was Stolen from Trump // Twitter @rasmussen_poll

Fury
Texas Republican chairman calls for SECESSION after Supreme Court rules against Trump // Daily Mail

Supreme Court rejects Trump’s bid to overturn election // CNN

Battleground states urge Supreme Court to reject Texas’ bid to overturn Biden wins // CNBC

Spin, spin, spin
The Trump team throws in the towel on proving voter fraud // WA Post

Spin claiming failure: it’s about obeying a state’s own laws
Explaining the Supreme Court lawsuit from Texas and Trump challenging Biden’s win // CNN

17 Republican States Sign Onto Texas Suit to Throw Out Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia Votes // Esquire

Money & mouth
Country singer John Rich bets journalist $10G Supreme Court will overturn election // Fox News

Anyone else?
States tell Supreme Court they support Texas bid to reverse Biden win // CNBC

2020 Election: GOP senators ready to acknowledge Biden won but struggle with Trump’s refusal to concede // CNN

Texas sues over election results in Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania // texastribune.org

WATCH: Mark Levin outlines illegal changes made to… // Facebook

GOP leadership rejects resolution acknowledging Biden as President-elect // CNN

Swalwell suggests Trump is behind blockbuster Axios report // Fox News

Supreme Court rejects Pennsylvania Republicans’ attempt to block election results // CNN

Reasons why the 2020 presidential election is deeply puzzling // The Spectator

Rising violence: Michigan Sec of State home (Democrat from Pennsylvania)
Jocelyn Benson: Armed protesters flock to Michigan official’s home // BBC News

Opinion: December 8 will put the nail in Trump’s unhinged effort to overturn the election // CNN

Biden picks retired Gen. Lloyd Austin to be his secretary of defense, sources say // CNN

Joe Biden’s already more popular than Trump’s ever been // CNN

Congress

Senate approves defense bill with veto-proof majority in rebuke to Trump // CNN

Scandal, Graft & White Collar Crime

Nothing burger
State Department watchdog steps down after Pompeo rails at report on investigation into wife’s travel // CNN

Soc Media, Cybersecurity & Tech

Oracle is moving its headquarters from Silicon Valley to Austin, Texas // CNBC

Facebook antitrust lawsuit: Dozens of states and the FTC sue company for alleged anticompetitive behavior // CNN

Prices, Rates, Oil & Food

Exxon Mobil Doubles Down On The Dividend (NYSE:XOM) // seekingalpha.com

Pandemic

Nothing burger
CDC’s Redfield told staff to delete email, official tells House watchdog // Politico

We Were Lied To About COVID // Facebook

Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, December 7, 2020

A date which will live in infamy, 79 years ago. The Chinese warned the Japanese not to attack America for fear of waking a sleeping giant. Now, the Chinese are speeding against their own advice. The move will likely be against Taiwan as a remote and indirect attack on the US. But, the fight between China and Taiwan could have been avoided. The wise can learn from foreseeable history, even when that history has not yet happened.

Taiwan and China are both run by governments with histories of cruelty, corruption, and incompetence. Taiwan is an emerging and aspiring democracy; China resists democracy. Taiwan is cleaning up its cruelty of the past; China increases cruelty today. Chinese Communist tanks killed thousands of unarmed protestors at Tienanmen Square in 1989; that party remains in power through today. Chiang Kai-shek led an even larger massacre in Taiwan in 1947; his party remained in power throughout Western trade and still exists today, though without total control. Now, these two face war. Would either have the money to bloody the other had the West simply demanded justice and order within their borders proportionate to any agreements of trade?

American Congress continues to push a bipartisan and unanimous agenda for Taiwan. The US wants Taiwan to import meat from livestock fed with ractopamine, something Taiwanese want no part of. The US sells weapons to Taiwan to defend against China—which builds its weapons with money made from exports to the US. Has the US been friend or enemy?

If we look at US and Western policy toward China and Taiwan over the last 70 years, we see pursuit of money, with a blind eye toward massacre of their own citizens, xenophobia toward their foreigners, all trailed by escalation toward war. That has improved, but only in the last 4 years and too little, too late.

From 1947 through 1989, Taiwan should have had limited trade, China none. Had that been Western policy, today both might be much more progressed in technology, just, orderly, wealthy, and most of all peaceful.

Taiwanese continue to grow and mature as a democracy. China continues to pursue control and alienate its neighbors. They each have their lessons to learn. But, not all help is helpful. It might not have come to war if the West had sooner insisted that nations learn a few lessons before bestowing wealth which Taiwan and China could have gained on their own with simple justice and order 70 years ago. Instead, we’re nearing the end of a path that started with greed and finishes in war.

Indo-Pacific

Japan, France, U.S. plan their first joint military drills in May: media // Yahoo News

Trade & Tech

China-US trade war: Beijing escalates tit-for-tat with Washington // BBC News

China Oil Giant CNOOC Targeted by U.S. After Years of South China Sea Tension // Bloomberg

Huawei hits 5G critical mass with Germany’s approval // Asia Times

Canadian Mountie at centre of Meng Wanzhou extradition storm was elite officer in Hong Kong // SCMP

China

Plans of UK, India to deploy aircraft carriers against China of ‘no military significance’ // Global Times (China Govt)

China’s ‘pure propaganda’ move to rewrite coronavirus history // Yahoo News

CNN exclusive: Vast trove of leaked documents shows China underreported Covid-19 numbers… // Twitter @TheLeadCNN

Taiwan

Taiwanese shut out of UNESCO events // Taipei Times

US, Taiwan join forces to launch education project // Taipei Times

Pork importers say no to ractopamine // Taipei Times

Hong Kong

Agnes Chow, known in Japan as ‘goddess of democracy,’ faces prison in Hong Kong // WA Post

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam is stockpiling cash because of US sanctions // CNN

India

How Beijing Has Adopted Its South China Sea Strategy In The Himalayas Resulting In A Massive India-China Clash // EurAsian Times

Military Faceoff

Run Silent, Run Deep: PM Meets the Deadly Seawolf Submarine // Popular Mechanics

Symphony

Encore of Revival: America, December 7, 2020

Testimony against the Democratic Party -controlled polling stations is, in a word: damning. Trump makes no noise of concession. In his recent Georgia rally, he even took a pot shot at the Republican governor, of whom Sidney Powell was “clarified” off the team after her own shot across his bow. It does look like the Pacific Daily Times theory that Trump holds a royal flush wasn’t far off the mark. Republicans—voters and elected officials alike—support Trump in not conceding. State legislatures hold hearings on evidence and testimony of election fraud. They wouldn’t do that if they had already decided to uphold a Biden victory.

While fraud appears to be at the hands of Democrats, the smoking gun sits in the hands of the news establishment. Fringe and startup news groups don’t appear to be in on the scandal. But, Chris Wallace insisting that Biden be called “president-elect” prior to the electoral college shows how far things have gone. Mass media, including news and social media, are censoring public opinion and ramming impossible narratives at a level that goes beyond shameless. Google, Twitter, Facebook, and possibly even Amazon and Microsoft are on a fast track to be regulated as public utilities. It has been long coming, but this disputed election will be the last straw to make it happen.

It doesn’t take clairvoyance to see where this election dispute is going. Whomever swing states choose, the loser will appeal to the Supreme Court. After the Supreme Court, Trump will win either through a court ruling or an armed revolt. Republican voters won’t have a Biden victory. They are the judge and jury in this. Legislatures and courts can only follow the lead of the people. Right now, legislatures and courts are learning that the Republican base is more fear-worthy than the Democratic base for a two-fold reason.

Evidence of fraud indicates that actual Republican support across the nation isn’t merely large; it is vast and intimidating. And, as legislatures hear testimony, outbreaks of applause show that this intimidatingly vast voter base is adamant and energized. Such popular energy scares lawmakers and judges. While they act calm and even-mannered in their hearings, and while they have no intention of going against this overwhelming will of the people, the lawmakers and judges are still shaking in their boots. America’s government fears its people once again. That’s the way a republic oughta be.