Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, November 15, 2021

Taiwan is a peaceful island of peaceful people. The Taiwanese calm demeanor often plays tricks on the minds of Americans and Chinese. Every day, Taiwanese put up with enormous nonsense and harassment, yet manage to carry on with an authentic smile. They don’t just putt-putt forward, they charge forward with energy, even in the face of disquieting conflict. Their solution to conflict is to “ignore” it away; and that is the Taiwanese daily story.

And, that should put fear into any enemy with half a brain.

When roused to anger, the Taiwanese are more fierce and more dangerous than Americans. That is admittedly a large claim, but the world is about to witness. Their strength and willingness to fight can be seen in schoolyard spats. The calm, carry-on manners are enforced only by a monstrous willpower. Once peace is rejected by an opponent, that same great monster that held near impossible peace rages to war. That someone has the stamina to maintain peace so long should terrify anyone with half a brain.

But, it doesn’t even phase the Chinese. There’s your investment clue.

Nonetheless, Silicon Valley continues to seek investment in China, despite unified opposition from the two most controversial Republican and Democratic presidents ever, Trump then Biden. Even the US Chamber of Commerce lobbies for American companies to invest more money into China, according to Wall Street Journal.

It seems as the US brings manufacturing back home, China offers more candy to hypnotize the children of the Valley. Without any parents around it seems like it would work, were it not for Uncle Sam.

Indo-Pacific

Xi warns against new ‘cold war’ in Asia-Pacific region // Taipei Times

China THREATENS Australia if forces defend Taiwan after remarks from Defence Minister Peter Dutton // Daily Mail

Trade & Tech

TSMC’s global expansion will chip away at its edge // Taiwan News

U.S. Companies Aid China’s Bid for Chip Dominance Despite Security Concerns – Exclusive // WSJ

White House Spurns Intel Plan to Boost Chip Production in China // Bloomberg

TSMC stock jumps on news Meta buying AMD chips to power metaverse // Taiwan News

China

US extends ban on PRC military-linked securities // Taipei Times

China’s new high-tech aircraft carrier could launch as soon as February 2022 // CNN

Taiwan

‘Australia would help US defend Taiwan’ // Taipei Times

Representative says the US would not risk Taiwan in its contest with China // Taipei Times

US delegation signals ‘clarity’: expert // Taipei Times

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Symphony

Encore of Revival: America, September 3, 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKaL5b75V3A

It's all seen in his funeral. John McCain's death, more and more, seems destined to symbolize the death of the Washington "establishment". Put less friendlily, the death of McCain was the death of the swamp. More respectfully, and how things out to be, we mourn the loss of a senator while we move on with our convictions.

The Trump electorate, finally gaining the cooperation of the GOP, is proving more and more to be a valid and clear and enduring majority. They wanted Obama's health care law repealed; only McCain—from their own political party—stopped them. They wanted to be descent and quiet at the funeral of the man who despised them. John McCain found Sarah Palin, then put her on a leash. She respected him and only spoke respectfully of him, then he put a muzzle on her. Now, he's dead and she continues to respect him in her silence. Meghan McCain had a right to say whatever she wanted and her words agreed with her father's sentiment; Trumpists didn't like her words, but she stayed right on topic. Thank you Meghan. Trump would not attend, but his daughter did, a most appropriate discretion. Trump had more respect in his absence than in Obama's venomous distraction toward the man who would not crash a funeral. Bush and Biden gave good and respectful speeches, celebrating and mourning him.

The Trump electorate lives on and they are growing in number. Now, with Kevin McCarthy calling an inquisition into the Silicon Valley tech giants, who have harassed the controlling votership for two years, Republicans are moving away from the maverick-moderate tactics of McCain—which did work in his day. Insulting and muffling public expression, including the Declaration of Independence, was a foolish error. If their defense is true—that they "didn't know"—then they should have at least studied the electorate rather than despised it and known their own history well enough not to flag key words from our nation's heritage. At least, Silicon Valley is guilty of not caring enough about what they should. They are already paying a punishment through the markets. Now, they will answer to Congress.

McCarthy's move will energize the base—the one thing that the losing moderates of 2014 feared—the one thing that helps Republicans win elections. The Republican base is energized and we are now no longer looking at a possible and unusual midterm victory for Republicans; we are now looking at a likely and unusual midterm victory for Republicans.

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Symphony

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Videos, reports: Kelly on Fox GOP debate was wrong, BBB faxed truth, Trump-U had ‘A’ rating (News Ninja)

Contested convention in prep (WA Post)

Cleveland to get riot gear ahead of GOP Conv (Cleveland.com)

Ohio Dems switch parties for Trump primary (GP)

Trump rattles diplomatic cages (Reuters)

Cruz smile lies? The ‘Duchenne smile’ explaind (Quartz)

Study: Silicon Valley is broken and heading for social unrest, argues media theorist | Quartz

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