In the Navy; you can spend a pretty dime; In the ...

[Griff]

I should be using a narrower brush. Folks like Limburger and Helms are talking a lot of smack. Bush seems to be maintaining a concilliatory tone and he is the one who counts. I am a free trader myself, so I appreciate it when folks in the GOP go out on a limb for improved economic relations. There is also an anti-China cliche who exposed themselves when Clinton committed his treason with Loral. Some horrible things go on in China but its getting so we actually hear about some of the abuses and screwups which to me seems for the better. I worry that there are some cold warriors who find relief in having one evil empire to focus on and who get great pleasure ratcheting up the military spending and increasing our committment overseas.

It might be instructive to consider our reaction if we traded places with the Chinese. We know that if China had a bird off our coast and one of our F-18 pilots killed himself trying to keep it away from our latest boat he would be a national hero, no matter whose waters he was over. We know from past experience we wouldn't return the plane but it is fair to say we'd probably have returned the crew by now. China seems to have much to learn about p.r. which is to be expected from a closed society. Having listened to a little too much talk radio last week, I can see how easily our people get worked into a lather, why should the chinese reaction be any different.

Random thought for the day: Maybe the Japanese economy could use a good old fashioned fascist pick me up. They could take their place as regional counter balance to Red China by pumping up their military. I know its constitutionally prohibited but it might give us the space to reconsider what level of military committment is in our best national interest. MacArthur would probably approve. I'm only half kidding.