Sat Thoughts

I see Tom Watkins is at it again.  "The Chinese are coming, The Chinese are coming" echoes many of his previous and incessant views that the Chinese are our "friends."  Well, at least he talks about his "friends" the Chinese.  I will admit I didn't finish the article--I couldn't.  But I wonder why in the world would Americans trade, have any commercial relations with the Chinese?

Think of the glee US companies (think US carmakers) exhibit when they announce new factories in China.  Think of the accolades our state governors have received for opening trade with the Chinese and Michigan.  Money means more than anything.  (I'm still glad it doesn't to me.)

OK, call me naive (I've been called worse, much worse, and likely deservedly so in some instances).  I know it's about money.  People make money by investing.  People pay less for goods made in China, although the quality reflects the lower price in most cases.  And, I'm sure I also buy, knowingly or not, Chinese goods.

Still, it rankles me to see Watkins shilling for his "friends."  Don't the Chinese cheat?  Don't they steal our ideas, industrial espionage or whatever it's called?  Don't they hack into our computers, our commercial ones, our government/defense ones?  Don't the Chinese have one of the worst records toward human rights? (As Casey Stengel used to say, "You could look it up.")  Don't those nefarious actions mean anything?  I know, I know...money.

Whatever happened to "the city on the hill?"  What about "the last best hope of mankind?"  OK, I guess I am naive for still thinking that ideas and principles still should mean something.  How can anyone call "friends" those who treat their people the way China treats its people?  Maybe there's a reason Watkins is a former state superintendent of schools, disregarding my disdain for anyone who has risen to such a position.

So, the President is defending, even justifying the telephone and e-mail surveillance the federal government has been conducting on us, US citizens.  Where is the "outrage?"  Oh, I forgot.  When we claim to be "outraged," we are just kidding or, at most, "outraged" for only a few days.  The government which has made nice with nations that sponsor and support Islamic terrorism is more worried about me and about my fellow Americans.  Haven't Americans read Brave New World, 1984, It Can't Happen Here?  No, those aren't video games.

I know, I know..."But Bush lied."