Symphony – Page 126 – Pacific Daily Times Editorials

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, September 14, 2015

China managed to stay out of the lime light this week, while its satellites shined. There seemed to be some chest thumping. Chinese police ordered local Taiwanese police to investigate a Taiwanese suspect without going through their normal international channels.

According to a statement from Zhang Xiaoming, chief of the Hong Kong liaison office from Beijing, the Hong Kong CEO has supremacy over the other branches, which have separation of powers “under the leadership of the executive”. On the surface this seems to run contrary to HK’s Basic Law as well as other statements from Beijing officials. HK remains under Beijing ultimately and there doesn’t seem to be much evidence of power abuse. But, they are thumping their chests.

Singapore remains free and independent, with more seats up for grabs and more voters than any time in history. Japan is having a bad year with a flood; 3,000 evacuated. North Korea thinks it is humanitarian and that the UN is wrong. · · · →

In Encore

Encore of Revival: America, September 14, 2015

SymphonySeptember 14, 2015

On the eve of 9/11, Republican leadership passed up a strong legal argument to keep money away from Iran. The GOP seems bent on making the case for the third party in elections after 2016. The House, by some contrast, made a symbolic move, but with no power. Republican politicians are a lot better at powerless symbolism than a Kentucky County Clerk is. Kim Davis did something very good, yet no one seems to be saying the real reason why. Right or wrong, she was politically incorrect, something the country needs.

No, she’s not slacking off on her job. But the bigger issue is how various social causes have been pushing their goals and expecting everyone else to instantly get out of the way. They don’t know how to deal with opposition, as if they are entitled to victory without a fight. You should always expect resistance, especially if you’re in the right. · · · →

In Cadence

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, September 7, 2015

SymphonySeptember 7, 2015January 31, 2019

China’s pushing into the water. Beijing celebrated America’s victory over Japan in 1945. The Communists who took over China four years later seemed to take much of the credit. And, they are still angry that, even after 66 years, they don’t control Taiwan. A “victim of its own propaganda”, Beijing believes Taiwan doesn’t want to fly the Communist flag from lack of “communication” rather than, perhaps, Communism being communicated all to well. So, Communist China’s PLAN (People’s Liberation Army Navy) is going to Alaska where Russia has more interests than China. So, is China a victim of it’s own propaganda—or of someone else working behind the scene?

China also seems to be having trouble on the money front. Even as its currency plummets, the world’s currency doesn’t. G-20 only loses trust in China.

Respect for Russia, however, is unchanged. Russia is playing some of its own games that will echo in the Pacific waters. · · · →

In Encore

Encore of Revival: America, September 7, 2015

SymphonySeptember 7, 2015January 31, 2019

The counterintuitive results from Trump are not only a critique on American politics, but on the management style taught in corporate America. And, this has serious implications for the Church since seminaries teach pastors from much of the same management style. Of course the establishment is surprised that a self-made success has the support of Blacks and Hispanics. It would be wise if the establishment gave the public more credit than to be so surprised all the time.

The forgiveness of abortions from the Catholic Church will initiate widespread repentance over the abortion issue. It is one more step along the way to revival. Reform always trails repentance.

Tebow is out of football. He just didn’t make it this year. Maybe Christians will follow his lead. A next career is foreseeable, as with many acclaimed, retired athletes. Moreover, it seems almost to be a symbolic foreshadowing—if you can’t do the work, you can’t play in the big leagues. · · · →

In Encore

Encore of Revival: America, August 31

SymphonyAugust 31, 2015

Trump is the father America never had. More every day, slams and smears resemble an angry 16 year old trying to get back the keys to the car. Trump answers like a dad who says, “If you want to drive the car, you have to wash it and change the oil.” Americans who grew up in single-family homes and with disrespected fathers don’t know how to respond.

The spy who hacked the Clinton’s is found dead. The Clinton’s are almost as angry about the hacking as MI6—which raises its own questions. When did the Clinton’s and MI6 agree about anything? Not to worry, the British government is investigating whether the spy was able to lock himself in the bag he was found in. A yoga expert was brought in to try, though he failed. Does this foreshadow that Hillary’s ability to lock-in her own election has been hacked?

Ben Carson closes-in, but not against Trump; against the other hopefuls. · · · →

In Cadence

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, August 31

SymphonyAugust 31, 2015

Kim’s dismissal of top military leaders mirrors the downfalls of history. Top leaders are Kim’s strongest supporters. North Korea’s power could be imploding. “One Korea” could happen peacefully.

Japan prepares to make it’s military more deployable. The US gave the nod in recent months. Now, the Japanese government is ready to follow suit. Japan has maintained a “defense-only” military as a condition of the WWII surrender. Soon, Japan will be able to aid in regional conflict, such as with Korea or, say, Taiwan and Beijing.

China’s spotlight is more of a laser. Taiwanese officials take domestic flack over attending a Chinese V-Day celebration. The US isn’t happy about spying. China isn’t happy about reporting. Sanctions are on the way.

China

U.S. developing sanctions against China over cyberthefts

China says 197 punished in crackdown on online rumors

Japan

Thousands protest Abe, security bills at Diet rally

…Soon to be allowed to deploy troops for wider range of reasons

Korea

North, South Korea agree to defuse crisis after marathon talks

North Korea’s Kim ousts top officials, credits nuclear weapons with securing deal

South Korea Red Cross proposes family reunion talks with North

North Korea agrees to talks with South on family reunions

Taiwan