From: pianoforte109@yahoo.com   
      
   On 9/12/23 10:53 AM, ScottW wrote:   
   > On Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at 5:53:57 AM UTC-7, mINE109 wrote:   
   >> On 9/11/23 9:22 PM, ScottW wrote:   
   >>> President Joe Biden's approval rating with independent voters, a   
   >>> critical bloc ahead of the 2024 election, is at 31%, while 80%   
   >>> of them say things in America are going "somewhat" or "very"   
   >>> badly, according to a new poll.   
   >>>   
   >>> Cue the music as Joe gets the hook....at his press conference   
   >>> and his reelection campaign.   
   >> You're generating clickbait from the DailyKos story you mentioned   
   >> with links to CNN?   
   >   
   > Get Kos off your brain.   They'd never allow that poll to be posted.   
      
   It was linked and discussed in the story you cited.   
      
   >> If you want to understand what's really going on, as opposed to   
   >> cheerleading, ask yourself why Biden is getting the "But her   
   >> emails" media approach over his age.   
   >   
   > You expect me to defend media?  LoL.   You're just upset that your   
   > usual media defenders have changed their behavior.   
      
   It's not the seventies anymore. Corporate media bends over backwards to   
   privilege the right wing: "But her emails."   
      
   >> I see Republicans are criticizing Biden for being in Alaska on   
   >> 9/11. I guess being en route returning from a foreign trip   
   >> strengthening US bonds with India and Vietnam as a counter to China   
   >> isn't a good enough excuse for them.   
   >   
   > Do you really think Joe's stumbling and mumbling strengthened   
   > anything?   
      
   Yes. Inviting India to the US Security Council is a big deal. So is the   
   proposed Vietnam strategic partnership. Biden got deals done.   
      
   > And face reality....this scramble for allies around China is pretty   
   > much a friggin joke. These "allies" can't do much of anything that   
   > would matter beyond hosting US forces and none are doing that.   
      
   Well, what a waste of time then. Wasn't there a China-Vietnam war a   
   while back? How'd that go?   
      
   India is a huge population center and a growing economic force already   
   in conflict with China.   
      
   > Here's the conundrum we face and it's not pretty.   We can't   
   > militarily stop a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. If we try, we get   
   > slaughtered.  But if we admit that and begin to openly and rapidly   
   > move to replace dependence on Taiwan goods (TSMC being the most known   
   > but there are many others) and all Chinese goods (because economic   
   > sanctions is all we'll be able to muster to oppose the invasion) than   
   > we're signaling China that we're preparing for their takeover of   
   > Taiwan and we either won't militarily oppose it or know we would fail   
   > which may hasten their plans. I really don't have a good answer but I   
   > would pursue aggressive preparations for a complete shut down of   
   > trade with China and Taiwan even if it means signaling China that   
   > Taiwan is lost.  We might have 5 years and the Chips act isn't nearly   
   > enough. I just don't see a choice. In back channel I would tell   
   > Taiwan they need to seek peaceful reunification or face annihilation   
   > and we won't be sending our Navy to slaughter with them.  Considering   
   > how the Hong Kong deal went....that prospect has gotta suck for   
   > Taiwan leaders.   
      
   Great, I woke up the military "expert." I wonder what people who   
   considered the Ukraine situation a test for Taiwan would think of your   
   views.   
      
   I also wonder if China's growing economic problems make them more or   
   less vulnerable to financial pressure.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)