Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, November 30, 2015

Strength against China grows. The people of Taiwan don’t hate China; they want friendship with China. This makes them stronger than people who want subordinates and acquisitions. Communist Beijing and pro-China-control Taipei seem out of touch.

Research consistently demonstrates that a sizable majority of Taiwanese identify themselves as quite distinct from China. The KMT-Nationalist establishment views national sentiment as a result of opposition party propaganda rather than the opposition party’s power being an expression of national sentiment. The Nationalists don’t seem to understand that their policies help their opposition more than any campaign strategy could.

China rejected the entry of the young Miss World Canada winner. She wanted to participate in the global contest in Hainan. She spoke out on Human Rights and was turned away at her connection terminal. This put her in the global spotlight. Yet, it is doubtful that Beijing will be able to recognize, let alone accept, the power they gave this young girl. · · · →

Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, November 23, 2015

In the recently reported war games, the Pentagon probably did not consider the largest army in the world: America’s hunters. Most States have an army of hunters larger than most countries. And, if we combine that with all the bullets owned by the Weather Channel (pork-barrel spending?) and all the location data provided by the Weather Channel apps, there should be no problem defeating the Russians or any other military if they come into America, which is probably why the Russians won’t come to America, which is probably why no scenario ends with us defeating the Russians… because in those scenarios, they never actually collide with the US citizens anyway.

Hong Kong held an election. Chinese troops rehearsed with Americans for the first time—a sign that the masses are expected to take to mean all is well. Obama, reportedly, doesn’t like China’s territorial claims. And, now, ISIL managed to get on China’s laundry list; that just might have bought world peace for another decade, though minor conflicts can’t be avoided, such as the Pacific conflict already brewing. · · · →

Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, November 16, 2015

The week buzzed about China’s currency while the US spotlight made an unusual stop on Taiwan.

Marco Rubio mentioned Taiwan, something significant for an experienced Senator and presidential candidate on the campaign trail. Quartz gave a shout over Taiwanese presidential hopeful, Tsai, in her response to the negative Facebook comments from China (where Facebook happens to be banned). The US State Department even commented about Taiwan as a “beacon of truly representative government”, signifying as proof that Asia is not entirely inept on the matter of Human Rights.

China, by contrasting reports and comment, is the economic dirt devil, so goes the spotlight this week anyhow. China’s money is about to dominate the IMF. Northern China must choose between either cold winters or toxic air. And China continues to meddle with its own currency.

And, by the way, the Pentagon doesn’t seem to get much support from the current White House concerning China. · · · →

Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, November 9, 2015

The two presidents of the two governments of China met in Singapore. The exiled government was protested on the island where it remains in exile. It was a wild week. Taiwan’s president, Ma, defended the importance of dialog while nearly every branch of his government clashed with protests.

The meeting comes at the brink of significant change. Taiwan is about to undergo a historic turnover of political powers. This may be the last chance the fading KMT-Nationalist establishment has for high-profile dialog with their Communist arch enemy in Beijing.

While China appears as strong as it is controversial, the US whispers about undisclosed technologies that the Communists will not want to encounter in the Pacific. Everyone has his story.

China

A Day After Summit, China Again Warns Taiwan Against Independence

US defense chief warns of conflict in S. China Sea

…”‘Surprising’ new technologies”

Goldman’s BRIC Era Ends as Fund Folds After Years of Losses

…”The excitement came from the rapid growth from China…”

Taiwan

Ma defends significance of meeting with Xi

Protesters, police injured in overnight demonstrations

…Sunflower students return, stormed military base, college official arrested, police clash at legislature and presidential palace

Meeting limits Taiwan’s cross-strait options: Tsai

November 4, 2015

Carson leads (Bloomberg) (Full WSJ/NBC poll)

$339B one day (WA Examiner)

Russian airbus crash at Sini (RT) (Telegraph) (CNN)

EPA targets air conditioner juice (HFCs) (DC)

Marijuana stays outlawed in Ohio: 65-35% vote (RT)

Mexico v China: manufacturing (QZ)

For color geeks: Pantone: How the world authority on color became a pop culture icon · · · →

Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, November 2, 2015

In pre-WWII terms, last week, North Korea tried a “Hitler” in Southern seas and got sent home running. This week, the US did a sail by and China pulled a “France”. It’s clear who’s boss of the Pacific.

At least that’s what the Pentagon will think.

China’s response, though proof that it lacks strength, neither proves weakness nor will. Chinese are calculating and polite. Chinese conflicts do not escalate slowly; the pressure builds slowly, then the conflict erupts faster than American’s can blink.

But there is more going on with indirect communication, and Beijing is learning, for better or worse. In all likelihood, Beijing expected the US to react like most Chinese do to new power’s assertion. Specifically, they expected either silence or some kind of neighboring buildup. Remember, China is the land of the Great Wall. They built the islands with a fleet, they probably expected the US to confront them either with a fleet or not at all. · · · →

Symphony

October 27, 2015

Koch bro. holding off on campaign donations, insider history (WSJ)

Bushes opine on Trump (USA Today)

Jeb targets Marco (TIME)

India & China v West: Who defines ‘Climate change’? (THE WEEK)

Afghan 7.5 quake: 300+ dead and counting (CNN)

USS Lassen sailed China’s new islands, no incident (QZ)

More to the story: Why ‘Follow Your Passion’ Is the World’s Worst Career Advice (Inc.) · · · →

Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, October 12, 2015

China didn’t make any friends this week. Beijing spies on every street corner with a service literally named “Skynet”.

The Pentagon wants a strong Taiwan. The US Navy plans to challenge China’s man-made military airport-seaport islands. Most people don’t know exactly where the islands are since they aren’t listed on many maps. But if you happen to have a recent Chinese passport, the islands would fall within the nine-dash line, along with Taiwan, parts of the Philippines, and a number of other territories we thought belonged to other countries.

Local Pacific politics are another big question mark this week. Malaysia’s PM is having “royal” trouble, literally. Taiwan’s failing KMT-Nationalist party seems to be cannibalizing their own Presidential front-runner. Who knows what will happen or even if it will matter.

Old guard and Establishment parties are facing the masses en masse. It’s not just happening in the Pacific, but also in the Americas and Europe. · · · →

Symphony

October 9, 2015

Jerusalem Post says CNN says Ben Carson says: Hitler took Jews’ guns first

Media reports media’s report that DHS investigates DHS’ IP Wiki edit, McCarthy quits Speaker race

Hannity viz Newt on Speakership (2min Audio)

New, stark & on sale now: anti-drone radio gun ‘death ray’ (story & Video)

‘Game of Islams’: ‘The Bulldozer’ meat cleavers 14 yr old hand and and foot

…China & Russia to the rescue!

Innovation history: Why The Car Industry Needs To Rethink The Dashboard User Interface Design · · · →

Symphony

October 8, 2015

Record gun sales September: 1,795,102 applications

NPR releases the new Confederate flag (Audio, Images)

Royal trouble in Malaysia

Obama taunted by “ISIS kid” (Video)

Stepped up: Russian cruise missiles in Syria

…one week: Russia did the job for US

Clinton email hackers: China, S Korea, Germany · · · →

Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, October 5, 2015

A report came in: Taiwan is tied with Israel for the world’s 13th most powerful military. It will be interesting to see whether China discusses this over tea with the Britons next week.

Bon Jovi had been booted from China for paying homage to the Dalai Lama when they added Taiwan to their itinerary, only to get booted from Taipei by a typhoon that never arrived. A presidential hopeful in Taiwan may get booted from her own party. Internal politics plague Taiwan’s pro-Beijing KMT-Nationalist party one quarter before the presidential election. Food and auto issues plague TPP in Japan. China simmers.

Though more Mezzo Piano Adagio this week than previous, the Cadence continues. China is probably busy after all it learned from meeting the enemy and its funding enterprises face-to-face.

China

Britain to host Chinese leader on first state visit

Taiwan

HUGE BREAKING: Hung to be pulled in favor of Chu

Taiwan has world’s 13th strongest military: report

Farglory, Taipei Dome architects to face committees

…Symbol of Taiwan’s failed KMT-Nationalist party: an arena with no foundation, about to have licenses revoked

Storm brews over second typhoon day

…The storm that cancelled Bon Jovi’s concert in Taiwan

Bon Jovi press statement (video)

Japan

TPP talks stuck on auto, drug and dairy issues

Four months until Taiwan Vote: A change of government very likely (ajw.asahi.com)
Red Dot Gives Taipei a Black Eye (core77.com)
Hung floats proposals to alleviate overwork issues (chinapost.com.tw)
Taiwan ruling party’s presidential candidate takes leave from campaign (english.kyodonews.jp)
Beijing trying to manipulate WWII history: US experts (wantchinatimes.com)
Xi Calls for Mainland-Taiwan Unity Ties Over War Anniversary (newsghana.com.gh)
Bon Jovi Adds Taiwan Show After China Cancellations (sinosphere.blogs.nytimes.com)

· · · → continue reading

Symphony

October 1, 2015

USS Reagan arrives in Japan

First of his name: Xi to visit UK, first in 10 yrs

Congress’ civil war explained…

Russia winning Syria for West

Not gonna’ take it anymore: New Labor Rules Have Business Owners Mad as Hell · · · →

Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, September 28, 2015

The unstated reason Chinese Pres. Xi snubbed Zuckerberg is probably for his age. Chinese think a man can’t do business until he’s at least in his 40’s and “is old enough to grow a mustache”. Whatever the reason, China having a Facebook page that Chinese can’t see, arriving in America with CEO’s fawning over him, it’s clear that China’s culture hasn’t changed and Xi is deeply entrenched in it. That should scare Americans because Chinese friendships can easily be used as fronts to get what they want, with unapologetic and total deception.

Zuckerberg’s Mandarin has terrible pronunciation. The crowd that applauds him is not giving a warm affirmation of quality and appreciation as an American audience would, but are “being polite”, giving the response they “should” when someone displays even the smallest attempt at their mother language. The more “happy” the crowd seems, actually, the worse his performance. If Zuck’s Mandarin was really good, the crowd would have been silent and wide-eyed. · · · →

Symphony