Is China a Paper Tiger?

[Carborendum]

On 8/27/2024 at 11:34 AM, Traveler said:

It is my opinion that neither Korea nor Vietnam ought to be considered a war any more than the current handling of antisemitic riots at liberal universities.

Tread lightly.  My birth parents grew up during the Korean War. 

It was a war whether you say it is or not.  They experienced bullets, grenades, mortors, artillery, tanks, and rockets.  About 4 MILLION people were killed (half of which were civiians) by war's end.

You're comparing that to riots that could easily be squelched by police if there were a political will to do so?

[LDSGator]

33 minutes ago, Carborendum said:

It was a war whether you say it is or not.  They experienced bullets, grenades, mortors, artillery, tanks, and rockets.  About 4 MILLION people were killed (half of which were civiians) by war's end.

Exactly. To call it anything but a war is so ridiculous that it borders on unbelievable.      

[Traveler]

7 hours ago, Carborendum said:

Tread lightly.  My birth parents grew up during the Korean War. 

It was a war whether you say it is or not.  They experienced bullets, grenades, mortors, artillery, tanks, and rockets.  About 4 MILLION people were killed (half of which were civiians) by war's end.

You're comparing that to riots that could easily be squelched by police if there were a political will to do so?

I am well aware that those directly involved in the Korean conflict experienced and endured the horrors of combat.  However, for a reason that I do not understand, why our politicians never declared war and were perfectly content to sacrifice our young men as well as vast populations of Koreans – both military and civilians without the proper support and preparations. 

I believed that history would well document (of the Korean and Vietnam undeclared war) why no one should be called upon to enter into combat in behalf of their country or under orders from their country’s leaders without a declaration of war.  I have greatly underestimated how blindly, and apathetic a careless and uninformed population can become when they are not directly engaged or are required to sacrifice to ensure that wars are ended with the complete overwhelming of the enemy.

Obviously, wars cannot be won by those unwilling to engage.

Sorry for the problems your family endured.  I compared it to the riots because the same kind of politicians are unwilling to even call such criminal and unacceptable.  A conflict will never be resolved by those unwilling to engage with the intent to end it.

For many decades I believed that if idiots and fools were allowed to have their way in politics – that the public would realize how sick and wrong things can become.  But I was wrong – politicians can stand in the bright sun on a cloudless noon day and declare it night and their party faithful will believe it and hate anyone that says the sun is shining.  

 

The Traveler

[Vort]

7 hours ago, Traveler said:

However, for a reason that I do not understand, why our politicians never declared war

A war declaration is an act of Congress.

[Traveler]

12 hours ago, Vort said:

A war declaration is an act of Congress.

Every one of which is a politician by definition.

 

The Traveler

[Vort]

On 8/29/2024 at 3:55 PM, Traveler said:

Every one of which is a politician by definition.

Which is the point, the answer to your question. Politicians didn't declare war because they are politicians. For most of them, that means their primary goal is to get re-elected. War declarations tend to lose you votes.

[Vort]

2 hours ago, Vort said:

Which is the point, the answer to your question. Politicians didn't declare war because they are politicians. For most of them, that means their primary goal is to get re-elected. War declarations tend to lose you votes.

Incidentally, this is not meant as a cynical observation. I struggle mightily not to succumb to cynicism, and sometimes fail. But in this case, I'm not being cynical, just realistic. It's a jaded view, I suppose, but not cynical.

[zil2]

21 minutes ago, Vort said:

Incidentally....

Nice to see you back, @Vort.

[Vort]

1 minute ago, zil2 said:

Nice to see you back, @Vort.

Thank you. I plan to be rare, like my steaks. If I find the courage and good sense, I will be absent.

[Traveler]

I have thought about this thread I started several times since my visit to China.  I am of the mind that China is not a paper tiger – that China is not a tiger at all.  I am thinking China is more of an anaconda.  Symbolically a tiger is more of a stock, then attack with overwhelming force kind of creature.  An anaconda is more of a patiently wait and take advantages of weaknesses in prey and the use of cleverness in stealth and misdirection to hide the fatal attack.

I do not think China will ever invade Tiawan.  I do not believe that it would be necessary.  I think their approach is that of baby steps (perhaps as slow as one in a generation) to control elements of critical importance and maintain a non-threatening appearance.

 

The Traveler