OPINION

 

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi decided to stopover in Taiwan, which China viewed as a violation of its “One China” policy. It was an act of selfishness, one that grew out of her own desire to leave a legacy. Eventually, her action will bring all kinds of intended and unintended consequences.

 

The intended consequence of her visit was clear for all to see. She knows that her time as the house speaker is ending this year. The mid-term elections in November are almost certain to result in defeat for the Democrats, according to American political pundits. So, it is better to do it now than later. Otherwise, her visit would not be as “special”.

 

The unintended consequence is potentially enormous, because it will impact relations between the US and China in the months and years to come. First of all, the credibility of President Joe Biden has been ruined. In his marathon phone call recently, he pledged to Xi that the US respects the One China policy. He also said that the US does not support an independent Taiwan.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/pelosis-disastrous-legacy/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-08-04

 

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Politicians like Pelosi, Biden, McConnell are perfect poster children for the need for two things;

 

a/ Mandatory retirement ages

b/ Mandatory term limits

 

in the US goernment.    There is no reason on God's green earth why dinosaurs like this need to linger in Washington for decades.  They need to find gainful employment that doesn't involve sticking their collective snouts into the huge slopping trough of money known as Washington.

 

I propose: retirement at 70, or at the end of your current term of office if already 70. Max service of one re-election at each level. This would give a max possible time in Washington of 24 years.  Surely that is enough.

25 minutes ago, webfact said:

It was an act of selfishness

Oh! Should she have bowed to the Emperor? ????

Nancy Pelosi is far from being the first politician to make an official visit to Taiwan (since 1976).  

In all liklihood, the US is going to supply Taiwan with weapons that would help repel a Chinese invasion.  That won't go over well in Beijing.....but then, a Chinese invasion of an advanced, democratic country probably won't go over well in the US either.

38 minutes ago, 2baht said:

Oh! Should she have bowed to the Emperor? ????

She already did, but had some difficulty getting up again.

The author, I believe, is a well known mouthpiece for authoritarian dictators and is hostile to anything American. Pelosi did the right thing, here. I hope China-US relations have been upset permanently, because China is an enemy. If so, Pelosi will have been instrumental in turning policy away from American surrender to the dictator, Xi. There needs to be an accounting in the US for all those alive and dead who were responsible for this disastrous policy. I don't care how old and feeble he is, Kissinger should be in prison, along with the Bushes, especially George W., and the Clintons, especially Bill. 

Several off-topic comments about Trump have been removed.

6 minutes ago, John Drake said:

The author, I believe, is a well known mouthpiece for authoritarian dictators and is hostile to anything American. Pelosi did the right thing, here. I hope China-US relations have been upset permanently, because China is an enemy. If so, Pelosi will have been instrumental in turning policy away from American surrender to the dictator, Xi. There needs to be an accounting in the US for all those alive and dead who were responsible for this disastrous policy. I don't care how old and feeble he is, Kissinger should be in prison, along with the Bushes, especially George W., and the Clintons, especially Bill. 

You're right, just read up on him, anything this propaganda writer churns out should be taken knowing exactly who he is.

Excellent article. An accurate, well researched and thought out piece of work, instead of the usual puff piece propaganda essays we are used to.

 The author should have included in a footnote about her legacy as an unusually well informed stock trader, and also her husbands recent DUI car crash, foot dragging by authorities over releasing mugshots and info, and Paul's attempt to bribe the arresting officer by giving his police donor card instead of his driving license. An incredibly brazen effort, and disasterous for Pelosi's legacy.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/paul-pelosi-allegedly-slurred-speech-drug-system-handed-police-privilege-card-dui-bust

 

I am 50 50. Stand up to China but the position is well known and no need to rattle the cage just for the sake of it. 

2 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Excellent article. An accurate, well researched and thought out piece of work, instead of the usual puff piece propaganda essays we are used to.

 The author should have included in a footnote about her legacy as an unusually well informed stock trader, and also her husbands recent DUI car crash, foot dragging by authorities over releasing mugshots and info, and Paul's attempt to bribe the arresting officer by giving his police donor card instead of his driving license. An incredibly brazen effort, and disasterous for Pelosi's legacy.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/paul-pelosi-allegedly-slurred-speech-drug-system-handed-police-privilege-card-dui-bust

 

All good points.

 

Also, just as an aside, has Speaker P ever had a job outside of politics? I was reading her bio, she has been in Congress for 34 years, hasn't participated in a candidates' debate in nearly all that time, runs unopposed... the classic politician's politician.  But no experience outside of politics that I can see. 

The one country two systems worked out well for HK - not!

You can't trust the Chinese and Xi wants his legacy. Pelosi did the right thing reminding China that the USA and majority of the rest of world will not be blindsided by Putin. Well known they are in league with each other and if Putin had been successful in Ukraine chances are Xi would have already attacked Taiwan.

Interesting scary times!

9 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Excellent article. An accurate, well researched and thought out piece of work, instead of the usual puff piece propaganda essays we are used to.

 The author should have included in a footnote about her legacy as an unusually well informed stock trader, and also her husbands recent DUI car crash, foot dragging by authorities over releasing mugshots and info, and Paul's attempt to bribe the arresting officer by giving his police donor card instead of his driving license. An incredibly brazen effort, and disasterous for Pelosi's legacy.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/paul-pelosi-allegedly-slurred-speech-drug-system-handed-police-privilege-card-dui-bust

 

Not that well researched though is it, published 2nd Aug and stating that:

 

"Paul Pelosi allegedly slurred speech, had drug in system and handed over police privilege card during DUI bust"

 

Yet he was charged on July 1st, a month ago for driving under the influence causing injury and driving with a .08% blood alcohol level or higher causing injury.

 

He has also pleaded not guilty in the trial happening now.

 

Nothing to do with his wife and her legacy either

It is amazing to see people cheer for China just because it's Pelosi who has belled the cat. 

Pelosi is an ignorant buffoon, in the early stages of dementia.  (Well, maybe not "early").

But compared to Congressman Jerry Nadler (aged 75, who burbled on today about how he had taken part in the impeachment of two (2!!!) Bushes [sic]), she is an Einstein of an intellectual.

 

Her narcissism makes Trump seem like the Archbishop of Canterbury.

It seems that THIS TIME the US took a stand against a bullying super power, unlike their washy-wishy response to another bully, Putin....

Her stand in Tianmen Square in 1991 is pretty legendary.

 

Pretty weak op-ed piece.

 

Kavi carying Xi's water?

 

 

 

5 minutes ago, ezzra said:

It seems that THIS TIME the US took a stand against a bullying super power, unlike their washy-wishy response to another bully, Putin....

China has aided Russia against Ukraine. When asked, China also refused to use its influence to keep Myanmar from executing pro democracy activists. There is no need any longer to maintain the fiction that China can be a partner in anything. Flood Taiwan with weapons, kick Chinese companies from listing on Wall Street, indict Americans who have in the past and who are now serving PRC interests.

Quote

The unintended consequence is potentially enormous, because it will impact relations between the US and China in the months and years to come.

Not to mention the already negative impact the Taiwanese now have to endure:  

 

"On Monday, prior to Pelosi's visit, a ban was placed on more than 100 Taiwanese food brands, including tea, honey and seafood producers. According to Beijing, all of them had failed to renew their export registrations and would be allowed to sell their products only until the end of July."

 

My source is not allowed to be linked, but simple G search will bring up plenty of news-blips with same info.

 

China being Taiwan's main trading partner, for export & import, so the Taiwanese are getting screwed royally. 

 

THANK YOU USA ... making a world a better place.

They'll even make it safer for you if you buy their war toys ...

... on sale now while supplies last

 

Hold on ... another sale coming in ... cha - ching

https://edition.cnn.com/2022/08/02/politics/us-saudi-uae-proposed-arms-deal/index.html

 

 

 

45 minutes ago, Hanaguma said:

All good points.

 

Also, just as an aside, has Speaker P ever had a job outside of politics? I was reading her bio, she has been in Congress for 34 years, hasn't participated in a candidates' debate in nearly all that time, runs unopposed... the classic politician's politician.  But no experience outside of politics that I can see. 

She has the instincts of a politician.

Like Slick Willy she moved in the right circles from the get-go.

 

53 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Excellent article. An accurate, well researched and thought out piece of work, instead of the usual puff piece propaganda essays we are used to.

 The author should have included in a footnote about her legacy as an unusually well informed stock trader, and also her husbands recent DUI car crash, foot dragging by authorities over releasing mugshots and info, and Paul's attempt to bribe the arresting officer by giving his police donor card instead of his driving license. An incredibly brazen effort, and disasterous for Pelosi's legacy.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/paul-pelosi-allegedly-slurred-speech-drug-system-handed-police-privilege-card-dui-bust

 

How is her husband's DUI charge relevant to her or this topic?

 

Pelosi will go down in history as one of the greatest statesmen the US has even had. She has the guts to make to clear to China that Taiwan is and always will be a sovereign nation. That she does this at her age speaks volumes and condemns those weak politicians who don't have what it takes.

21 minutes ago, John Drake said:

indict Americans who have in the past and who are now serving PRC interests.

Oh dear: bad news for Hunter and the Big Guy....

1 minute ago, blazes said:

Oh dear: bad news for Hunter and the Big Guy....

How? He could have directed Pelosi not to visit Taiwan. He chose not to do so. Exactly how is that pro PRC?

1 minute ago, blazes said:

Oh dear: bad news for Hunter and the Big Guy....

Yes. Could well be. I have no political party preference in any of this. Speculators and profiteers on both sides are guilty, including Mitch McConnell, btw. As long as people defend "their" party and "their" favorite politicians for the roles they've taken on China, the more the US loses the war that is going on right now.

20 minutes ago, ozimoron said:

How is her husband's DUI charge relevant to her or this topic?

 

Pelosi will go down in history as one of the greatest statesmen the US has even had. She has the guts to make to clear to China that Taiwan is and always will be a sovereign nation. That she does this at her age speaks volumes and condemns those weak politicians who don't have what it takes.

As per https://www.foxnews.com/media/house-speaker-nancy-pelosi-husband-paul-dui-trial-rigged-beset-deck-stacking-jesse-watters the judge was removed from the case in favor of a democrat fan judge. Normal folk don't get such treatment. This case highlights the double standards, conflicts of interest(Nancy has some sway over Californias civil service and police), and an unshakeable aura of corruption that Ms Pelosi's world consists of, and her legacy will be tinged by.

As the article is covering her "legacy" not any specific event, like this Taiwan ego trip, it is wholly relevant.

"he pledged to Xi that the US respects the One China policy. He also said that the US does not support an independent Taiwan."

 

Old sleepy Joe pretty much signed a death wish for Taiwan.

Who writes this BS? given the fact a deeply conservative state ( Kansas ) has just voted to preserve abortion, the results of the mid-term elections in November could well be the opposite of the author's predictions.

3 minutes ago, John Drake said:

Yes. Could well be. I have no political party preference in any of this. Speculators and profiteers on both sides are guilty, including Mitch McConnell, btw. As long as people defend "their" party and "their" favorite politicians for the roles they've taken on China, the more the US loses the war that is going on right now.

I absolutely agree that sleazebags of both parties (with all too few honorable exceptions) are interested only in lining their own nests, but other than Trump I am not aware of American politicians (surely there ARE some) who have actually done something to resist Chinese domination of Western economies.

So, now we are criticizing Pelosi for standing up to Communist China, something that, if ex-President Trump had done, would have received universal praise from the Republican side,

 

In fact, Pelosi’s trip was made possible by the Taiwan Travel Act of 2018, a law passed by Republicans and signed into law by Trump. The reaction from China in 2018 was along the same belligerent lines as their reaction now.

 

Personally I have no objection to either Trump’s action in 2018 or Pelosi’s now.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiwan_Travel_Act

1 minute ago, blazes said:

I absolutely agree that sleazebags of both parties (with all too few honorable exceptions) are interested only in lining their own nests, but other than Trump I am not aware of American politicians (surely there ARE some) who have actually done something to resist Chinese domination of Western economies.

Trump seemed to be doing something, but he caved into Xi because he didn't want "his" stock market to go down. I supported Trump's early China stances and actions (btw, remember the export agreements that China signed and never delivered on?), including sanctions and tariffs. But it was all empty air when it came time to act and Trump ended up almost begging Xi to buy American soybeans. That said, Biden's failure to delist Chinese PLA stocks from American exchanges, ban things like Tik Tok, and let Meng Wanzhou go free from extradition show weakness. Biden is a weak and corrupt man. Trump is a corrupt bully with a huge yellow streak. Members of congress are on the PRC payroll too. There simply needs to be an accounting. As far as Pelosi, she did the right thing and has showed up China for what it is, a country going into hysterics over a 24 hour visit by an 83 year old woman. Pelosi comes out strong and Xi looks weak. Frankly, she boxed him in. Had xi done nothing, he loses. But doing what he has done with a blockade of Taiwan makes him look like an impulsive nutcase. I don't side much with Pelosi on domestic matters, but she was masterful in this case.