Post by AztecWilliam on Aug 17, 2021 12:25:39 GMT -8
We can all agree that Afghanistan is a disaster. I won't bother to make a list of all the mistakes made.
What really bothers me is how the situation will be seen around the world. I am really afraid that China, eager to invade Taiwan, will interpret our stumble in Afghanistan as giving them a green light to do so. Remember that the Korean War and the Persian Gulf War were started as a result of miscalculations resulting from unwise statements made by U.S. government officials.
Politically, an invasion of Taiwan by China will be so serious for the U.S. in general and the Democratic Party in particular that I cannot think of an adjective strong enough to describe it. Catastrophe is probably not strong enough.
If China moves on Taiwan either before the 2022 midterms or before the 2024 presidential election, the Dems will suffer losses similar to 1938 (about 80 seats in the House) or 1972 (GOP won all but one state). One does not have to be a Trumpist (which I am definitely not one) to see that Biden already gives the impression that he will be seen as another Carter. Maybe worse.
Afghanistan and then an invasion of Taiwan would far overwhelm any damage done by any POTUS in my lifetime. And that goes back to FDR (well, back to Truman in terms of being old enough to know what was going on).
Some are calling for impeachment or the 25th Amendment. I strongly oppose both ideas. But Biden should as soon as possible make it clear to China that we will not sit idly by if they go for Taiwan. That will not be easy. Nor without great risks. But we cannot afford to allow China to do what they already are really eager to do anyway.
We in America have enjoyed three-quarters of a Century of being the leading nation in the world. China seeks to replace us. They have already made a good start in making that happen. Some of us think badly of the U.S. and, I suppose, would not mind seeing us knocked off our perch. Well, if we are kicked aside internationally, we will be able to decide whether no longer being #1 is so pleasant after all.
AzWm
What really bothers me is how the situation will be seen around the world. I am really afraid that China, eager to invade Taiwan, will interpret our stumble in Afghanistan as giving them a green light to do so. Remember that the Korean War and the Persian Gulf War were started as a result of miscalculations resulting from unwise statements made by U.S. government officials.
Politically, an invasion of Taiwan by China will be so serious for the U.S. in general and the Democratic Party in particular that I cannot think of an adjective strong enough to describe it. Catastrophe is probably not strong enough.
If China moves on Taiwan either before the 2022 midterms or before the 2024 presidential election, the Dems will suffer losses similar to 1938 (about 80 seats in the House) or 1972 (GOP won all but one state). One does not have to be a Trumpist (which I am definitely not one) to see that Biden already gives the impression that he will be seen as another Carter. Maybe worse.
Afghanistan and then an invasion of Taiwan would far overwhelm any damage done by any POTUS in my lifetime. And that goes back to FDR (well, back to Truman in terms of being old enough to know what was going on).
Some are calling for impeachment or the 25th Amendment. I strongly oppose both ideas. But Biden should as soon as possible make it clear to China that we will not sit idly by if they go for Taiwan. That will not be easy. Nor without great risks. But we cannot afford to allow China to do what they already are really eager to do anyway.
We in America have enjoyed three-quarters of a Century of being the leading nation in the world. China seeks to replace us. They have already made a good start in making that happen. Some of us think badly of the U.S. and, I suppose, would not mind seeing us knocked off our perch. Well, if we are kicked aside internationally, we will be able to decide whether no longer being #1 is so pleasant after all.
AzWm
