Cadence of Conflict: Asia, January 11, 2016

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, January 11, 2016

China’s economic shaking may have had more of a placebo than newspapers let on. Devalued Chinese yuan does not contribute to lower oil prices as much as the decisions of the Arabs. Even if it has a factor, lower oil prices are healthier for economies as it keeps costs lower. Perhaps China’s slowdown is good for everyone except China, and of course, Africa.

The disappearance of Hong Kong bookseller, Lee Bo, has Hong Kongers in a tizzy, still not as severe as the Umbrella Movement that ended just over a year ago. Much like the Umbrella Movement, while protests will result in little change concerning Beijing’s Hong Kong SAR policy, the world is evermore aware that there is not change.

Taiwan is set for a historic election. The opposition DPP is likely to win the presidency and likely the legislature, which would be a first. Wanting to be “friends” with Beijing has so far been the goal of the DPP and the Taiwanese, but would be seen as an insult of Beijing which wants “reunification” instead. The consequences could echo Taiwan’s first presidential election in 1996 when China shot a missile across the island.

With the tensions in the area, particularly the flyovers and bomb testing in the Koreas and protests in Hong Kong, the foreseeable diplomatic response of the White House would be in spite of an American public that is evermore aware of China’s methods and nonetheless more determined to answer.

Read More

January 7, 2016

Russia, EU, and US troops only 30K from Cold War 300K (Free Beacon)

China sell-off, 29 min of chaos (Bloomberg)

Oregon militia standoff’s long history, Feds fencing, death threat reports (Oregonian)

US Intel: N Korea may have tested nuke underground (Free Beacon)

Saudi Arabia v Iran, and the world… (CNN)

Can’t question Hillary (Gateway Pundit)

Merkel ‘We Must Accept Migrants Are More Criminal’ (Gateway Pundit)

Shooting at the Pyramids (Gateway Pundit)

Strengthen: 5 Things Mentally Tough People Do Every Day (Inc)

 

   · · · →

Encore of Revival: America, January 5, 2016

Encore of Revival: America, January 5, 2016

Obama’s speech was quite long-winded as he rebutted strong arguments he knows are coming against him. He also used the old Harvard debate tactic of claiming that his opponents agree with him, but of course not giving them the microphone. He is using executive order to make laws that Congress has already rejected. He is trying to make guns traceable through technology.

Individual ability to sell guns is in question and may not hold up in court. Imagine not being able to sell a car without a dealer license. There must be another way. Among those “better” ways includes enforcing laws already on the books, which he apparently hasn’t been doing. If Obama enforces his own executive orders as well as he enforces gun control laws already on the books, then there won’t be anything for gun advocates to worry about.

The bigger problem with restricting guns is China. No one is happier than Beijing. Not even the most radical Democrats and Liberals are as pleased with Obama’s gun laws as the Chinese Communists. Perhaps being in the direct line of sight for China’s attack has some bearing on why Oregonians have taken over a federal building.

Read More

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, January 5, 2016

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, January 5, 2016

No one is happier today than Beijing. More hoops for law-abiding gun owners to hop through means an easier cakewalk if China invaded it’s number one enemy. Without the logistic ability to invade the US, all of China’s antics in the Pacific, including landing the first plane on their man-made military islands, are dead in the water. Fortunately for Beijing, Obama is doing his part and with more persuasive words.

Perhaps Beijing could learn from Obama. Never argue with people who buy ink by the barrel. Apprehending Hong Kong publishers who speak out against you isn’t exactly the way to convince their readers that you don’t over-reach. While Obama introduced more background checks on guns, Beijing might consider background checks on books.

Read More

Encore of Revival: America, December 28, 2015

Encore of Revival: America, December 28, 2015

The trouble with so-called “sovereign citizens” seems to be spreading from America to Canada. It’s no longer able to be blamed on people who merely believe that the US Constitution is the Constitution of the US. But, the elaborate and well-researched KC Star article seems to miss one point: The connection between angry citizens and angry terrorists is anger, more specifically, anger against Israel.

If we consider all the information, Trump shouldn’t just try to stop Muslims from coming into the country; he should stop Israel-haters from coming into the country because they have the stronger history of violence. This is probably why Trump still can’t defeat Hillary hands-down in the Rasmussen polls. Trump to Hillary decisions don’t seem to have changed since October. It’s still too far out and too hard to tell whether 2016 will be showing a blue or red November.

Obama’s administration is planning to deport about 100k illegally immigrated families it deems dangerous, and giving plenty of notice. The press can’t stop talking about it and the stories are consistent. Many of these families already have court orders that they leave the country. Whether or not this is just a publicity stunt, whether Obama is doing a 180-turn, or whether he only thinks there are 100k dangerous Latin Americans in America, his new policy indicates that he knows that the people know that he knows that he needs to listen to the people.

Immigration is not the only storm in the Americas. Water and wind are wreaking havoc in North and South America.

And, the Southern Baptist President addressed an audience of 15,000 young people in Kansas City at IHOPKC’s annual OneThing conference. He made it abundantly clear that he did not agree with them on theology, but that he agreed with them on prayer and that he was there because the nation needs prayer so badly. His charge was to lead with hope. The audience welcomed him and his message with open arms.

Read More

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, December 28, 2015

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, December 28, 2015

China steps up its game again. While companies won’t be required to give Beijing power to indiscriminately snoop the web, they are on notice to cooperate with coming procedures if they are asked. This time wasn’t the first, but it’s a little more clear, a little more friendly, and a little more toothy than the last.

Taiwan’s likely Presidential victor party, the DPP, has adopted a policy effectively outlawing the KMT-Nationalist party practice of owning for-profit businesses. The policy is wise by many measures, respect from the US and an even greater increase in voter support notwithstanding.

Since the US stepped up its own game, $1.8B to Taiwan, China is not happy.

Read More