China Law Blog

Today,history has been made as we have the first black to be the president of the United States.

Hi Dan,

I've never bought into the "tearing the world down" rhetoric about countries that don't see eye to eye with the Western powers.

In my opinion, even Iran and North Korea are operating along lines of their own self-interests and they are only trying to leverage their nuclear ambitions to have more control over their fate in the international stage.

It's just that they've taken a different approach from countries like China.

Who's CLB?

Exactly how is North Korea "committed to destruction"? They just want to keep eating their own cake and the United States wants to come in to spoil their fun.

To those too young, and not taught about the Korean War, here is a simple background. North Korea tried to invade a democratic South Korea to claim it for Communism. It was mainly thanks to the United States that they failed to do so giving South Korea a chance at democracy, which they are thriving whereas the north is failing. I don't think North Korea would ever do something as dumb as nuke South Korea as they are too close for starters, but with someone like Jung Il in charge, you never know.

As far as Iran goes we all know that they have hostilities towards Israel and America. I could definitely see them launching a nuclear attack against Israel, and starting another World War. Those in favor of the west and Israel (US, Britain, Italy, Germany, and France) v. the Middle East and possibly Russia.

The problem is not that other countries have sought to tear the US down. (That is a nice line to feed to the media and a generally not very sharp audience, but it does not reflect reality. All countries seek to further their own interests, and that is the way it should be.)

The issue is that many in the US have pursued self-destructive policies. They have done far more damage than others could have possibly hoped to do to the US. To get an idea of what Wall St. has done, just read this: http://www.portfolio.com/news-markets/national-news/portfolio/2008/11/11/The-End-of-Wall-Streets-Boom

When you read this, please keep in mind that none of this was technically illegal. Nevertheless, it happened.

Paul,

I'm glad you told me this, as I thought Iran was out to get us, but now that I know they are not, I just feel so much better. Oh, and I'm guessing we should do a big Kumbaya thing with North Korea also.

I guess it all depends on what you consider "tearing down". There are more ways to tear down others than physical destruction.

If you think for one minute, that China isn't the same Oligarchy it was in 1949, you are fooling yourself.

Prime example... Merkle referring to China's need to step up during this global financial crisis, and China giving the world the "screw you, we are watching our own back" reply.

This, from a government that still locks its trade value below that of its leading trading partner, while enjoying the fact that 50% of its economic growth comes from foreign trade. The same country in which the government ignores the financial revenues of other countries, by allowing (and sponsoring) the wholesale piracy of technology and intellectual property.

The "Security threat" coming from China today is not ARMS, it is economic.

While Obama speaks of working together (as you pointed out), the end goal is a shared, mutually beneficial goal. China wishes to benefit, but it does not care if it comes at the detriment of another.