This diary is going to come straight from the heart because I am one who lives with my wife and her family in an area where a “managed calm” exists.
I am not talking about the Middle-East, of course. I live in the far-East. Specifically, Taiwan.
However, a catastrophic event like the one we are seeing in Lebanon & Israel may take place soon in this very region. A military regional superpower called China is very much poised to destroy a young thriving democracy — a beacon of hope for your blessed “freedom” you so cherish. It will destroy it either militarily or with the help of nations that don’t give a rat’s ass about the “F” word.
In fact, I call your bluff on this word you use so often.
“Freedom” is the furthest thing from your mind. For, you pay very little attention to shining jewels that hold relatively little economic interest to you — such as Taiwan — that has proudly overcome 40+ years of brutal authoritarian one-party rule. Ironically, this “managed calm” is your fucking policy for this country that deserves so much more recognition than you are willing to give.
Allow me to pull apart this pathetic response to David Gregory, rightly questioning America’s clout in the world. Allow me to shovel this bullshit onto your forked tongue — with an east-Asian flavour. I must warn you, though. It may not taste as good as your Texas burger and freedom fries.
And so what you’re seeing is, a clash of governing styles for example, you know, the, the, the, notion of democracy beginning to emerge scares the ideo, ideologues, the totalitarians, those that who want to impose their vision. It just frightens them and so they respond. They’ve always been violent.
No shit. China is no different. Any true attempts at dissent or at a freer style of government is quickly put in it’s place — usually behind bars.
FACT: China has 800+ missiles pointed at Taiwan and it is growing at an alarming rate. China has also passed legislation in 2005, called “the Anti-Secession Law”, which requires the PRC military to attack this democratic nation if it feels it has crossed a boundary (determined by China) that permanently violates their “One-China” principle — such as declaring official independence. Let’s call this China’s version of “pre-emption”.
FACT: Taiwan is a nation of 23 million + citizens which has democratically elected it’s officials since 1991. It has its own constitution, pays no taxes to China and creates its own foreign and domestic policy.
REALITY: “Managed Calm”. It has been the United States policy to promote diplomatic ambiguity with respect to these two nations. The U.S. is committed to upholding the “One-China Policy” (although it is interpreted differently than in China), and it is against an officially “de-jure” independent Taiwan — although Taiwan is “de-facto” independent. The U.S., however, has promised to help Taiwan defend itself militarily in order to keep this status-quo, although it is probably unwilling to fight China if it launches a invasion tomorrow.
So you see, Mr. Bush, a “Managed Calm” has been the sacred policy of the U.S. with Taiwan for many many years. And, if I may add, the U.S. has gone to ridiculous lengths to uphold this neutrality.
You know, that there’s other people other than people in Britain and America that would like to be free in the world. There’s this, kind of, almost, a weird kind of elitism that says maybe, maybe certain people in certain parts of the world shouldn’t be free. Maybe it’s best just to let them sit in these tyranical societies and our foreign policy rejects that concept. We don’t accept it.
Really?! And you want us to believe that you’re not part of this “elite”?! LOL!!
China is one of the worst human-rights violators in the world. They are also still one of the most brutal authoritarian regimes in the world. And yet, here is President Hu Jian-tao being given the red carpet treatment by your administration.
And what happens when an exiled citizen of China confronts both of you on this issue on your own “freedom-loving” soil?
She is charged with a felony and you apologize to this leader of this authoritarian regime. I guess I shouldn’t be suprised, however, since the U.S., thanks to you, is now also a hi-profile human-rights abuser in the world.
I said this should be a moment of clarity for people to see the stakes in the twenty-first century. I mean, now there’s an unprovoked attack on a democracy. Why? I happen to believe because progress is being made toward democracies.
Oh, there’s a lot of clarity by intelligent “reality-based” people on this issue, Mr. Bush.
The simple fact of the matter is that you are a lying hypocrite of the highest magnitude. You are correct, however,with respect to this area of the world in which I live. Taiwan’s peaceful democracy and freedom is a very big threat. It is a threat to China who wants nothing of these values. And allow me to respond to Gregory’s question for you:
China is a nation that is quickly eclipsing your clout in the world.
And yet, you preach in such a simple generalized way — with such bravado.
Do you seriously believe your own cowboy bullshit, Mr. Bush?
Do you seriously want us to believe your own bullshit, Mr. Bush?
Let me let you in on a secret.
The Taiwanese understand this hypocrisy very well, for they are a pragmatic “reality-based” nation. It is clear to them that the U.S. won’t protect this peaceful freedom-loving state as it will Israel. I’m sure other “low-profile” nations agree.
Your words are hollow — all over the world.
And that, Mr. President, is not healthy for either freedom or peace.