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Thu 31 Jan, 2008 09:21 pm
Formosa, the ROC, Taiwan. We were with 'em till the peanut farmer sold them out for the PRC in 1979. We still sell them what they need to keep Red China away and they still make money for us. The national history of Taiwan is one of unprecedented economic, social, and military success. Until the late 70's the stated purpose of their army was 'to retake the mainland'. What magnificent stones.
And the PRC, who keeps the shelves on your local Wal-Mart stocked with poorly manufactured foodstuffs and toys is breathing down their neck. See, you can't have socialism unless everyones on the same page. If the ROC ever declares independence from the PRC, the status quo for the last 60 years, formally, the PRC guarantees invasion. And if we intervene? They've got something for us too.
Europe needed us in WWII. Korea? Maybe. Vietnam? maybe, but we screwed it up. Iraq? maybe, but they might've been a threat/economic interest too. One way or the other, Taiwan doesn't need our support, they deserve and warrant it. They made their own way in the world like we did, and now they're getting bullied by a force that finds freedom threatening. If we don't support 'em I say we're hypocrites.
So far it has been more or less low-key in the news, since Taiwan is being very cool about it, but I think this is something the average American may like to be cognizant of. Thoughts?
Maybe they should make their independence announcement just before or during the Olympics.
In any event, China won't do anything until after then.
Maybe we could park a couple task forces off the coast of Taiwan with a squadron or two of F-22s?
I like it. Stand off and slap leather when the torch goes out. Taiwan could beat 'em in a naval battle, with our help there'd be no question about it, and I think their missiles could be deterred adequately without US forces touching their mainland. We might lose a ship, invariably a few planes, that would be bad news, but I don't think it's avoidable relative to the PRC even if we let Taiwan fall.
I don't think China would declare war on us over it, yet, but they'd get the international community angry at us and try to wreck our economy. By then, however, we'd be so riled up nobody would be thinking about the car they might be able to buy in 2 years or retirement - we'd end up making more GDP just to spite 'em. Meanwhile we cut off their precious supply of tiny Buicks...
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