World War Three?

[NorrinRadd]

Supposedly old Joe and Xi are supposed to be talking today. Hopefully this comes up and its one of Joe's better days and he understands what's going on around him and doesn't start regalling everyone about one of his made up adventures. I mean, this is how wars start.

Hey, man, I'm not kidding! I told Rice-Pop...

[Mountain Man]

I didn't say they were 'identical' - seems you're the one pulling the H_A nonsense. But they are on par, when your 'visit' is nothing more than a photo op dolled up in expensive designer clothes. But we both know that no matter what example I supply, your hypocrisy (and your hatred of Zelensky and love of Putin) won't allow you to accept it.

No, they're not even on par. Visiting the troops and visiting the southern border are not remotely similar to posing for glamour photos for a fashion magazine. Sorry, H_A, but your trollish attempt at moral equivalence has fallen flat.

[Gondwanaland]

No, they're not even on par. Visiting the troops and visiting the southern border are not remotely similar to posing for glamour photos for a fashion magazine. Sorry, H_A, but your trollish attempt at moral equivalence has fallen flat.

Again, very much on par, all three are photo ops with designer clothes, etc.. Sorry you don't like that, but as I said, we both know that no matter what example I supply, your hypocrisy (and your hatred of Zelensky and love of Putin) won't allow you to accept it.

[Mountain Man]

Again, very much on par, all three are photo ops with designer clothes, etc.. Sorry you don't like that, but as I said, we both know that no matter what example I supply, your hypocrisy (and your hatred of Zelensky and love of Putin) won't allow you to accept it.

[seer]

I'm so confused! Who do I believe? China, Biden, Biden, China, China, Biden... My head is going to explode!

China accuses White House of lying about Biden bringing up genocide, forced labor with Xi

President Biden and President Xi Jinping spoke by phone for more than two hours Thursday

https://www.foxnews.com/world/china-...orced-labor-xi

[Mountain Man]

At this point, I'm more willing to believe China. The fact is, you don't need to lie about Joe to make him look bad. You just need to tell the truth.

[seanD]

I'm not sure why it's so important for Pelosi to go to Taiwan. To do what exactly? It looks like US intentionally put us in this position that we can't back down from now.

China's Army Posts "Get Ready For War!" Message On Social Media, State Mouthpiece Says PLA Has "Right" To Intercept Pelosi's Plane


Perhaps the Dems are trying to distract away from the recession, or from this?

House to vote on assault-style weapons ban Friday


In any event If Pelosi doesn't go, it will look like we backed down from china, so she has to go. And if china doesn't respond, it'll look like china backed down.

[Sparko]

I'm not sure why it's so important for Pelosi to go to Taiwan. To do what exactly? It looks like US intentionally put us in this position that we can't back down from now.

China's Army Posts "Get Ready For War!" Message On Social Media, State Mouthpiece Says PLA Has "Right" To Intercept Pelosi's Plane


Perhaps the Dems are trying to distract away from the recession, or from this?

House to vote on assault-style weapons ban Friday


In any event If Pelosi doesn't go, it will look like we backed down from china, so she has to go. And if china doesn't respond, it'll look like china backed down.

Dang. I have mixed feelings about this.

[seer]

I'm not sure why it's so important for Pelosi to go to Taiwan. To do what exactly? It looks like US intentionally put us in this position that we can't back down from now.

China's Army Posts "Get Ready For War!" Message On Social Media, State Mouthpiece Says PLA Has "Right" To Intercept Pelosi's Plane


Perhaps the Dems are trying to distract away from the recession, or from this?

House to vote on assault-style weapons ban Friday


In any event If Pelosi doesn't go, it will look like we backed down from china, so she has to go. And if china doesn't respond, it'll look like china backed down.

Hu Xijin 胡锡进

@HuXijin_GT

China state-affiliated media
If US fighter jets escort Pelosi’s plane into Taiwan, it is invasion. The PLA has the right to forcibly dispel Pelosi’s plane and the US fighter jets, including firing warning shots and making tactical movement of obstruction. If ineffective, then shoot them down.

[seanD]

Dang. I have mixed feelings about this.

My instinct tells me we'll back down, because Pelosi, being a wealthy elitist, won't willingly risk her cushy privileged lifestyle this way. Or, perhaps, that's what this was all along. Just a momentary distraction, and she had no real plans to go in the first place.

Or maybe I'm being too optimistic.

[Mountain Man]

I'm not sure why it's so important for Pelosi to go to Taiwan. To do what exactly? It looks like US intentionally put us in this position that we can't back down from now.

China's Army Posts "Get Ready For War!" Message On Social Media, State Mouthpiece Says PLA Has "Right" To Intercept Pelosi's Plane


Perhaps the Dems are trying to distract away from the recession, or from this?

House to vote on assault-style weapons ban Friday


In any event If Pelosi doesn't go, it will look like we backed down from china, so she has to go. And if china doesn't respond, it'll look like china backed down.

If China makes good on their threat to intercept Pelosi's plane, then we will inevitably be at full scale war with China. I can't see our Washington war hawks backing down from that.

[seanD]

If China makes good on their threat to intercept Pelosi's plane, then we will inevitably be at full scale war with China. I can't see our Washington war hawks backing down from that.

I see no reason for Pelosi to make the trip other than it just being symbolic, so I guess it depends on what the real intent is. Is the intent to look tough and risk provocation?

Or is the intent something else:

i) Political distraction.
ii) Force Biden to look even weaker and feckless than he is to get rid of him sooner.
iii) Both the above.

Looking at things the Dems would want to distract from, to me it looks like a political distraction.

[NorrinRadd]

The way I heard it...

It's normal for U.S. politicos to visit Taiwan. Usually it's no big deal because it's done relatively quietly (but not secretly). This time someone puffed up the story -- I heard one assertion that it was originally the Administration that made noise -- and now it's a cluster-flop.

I vote that she goes, and takes a bipartisan group with her, and if the Chicoms intercept her, we move immediately to declared war. Light this candle and get it over with.

[Mountain Man]

The way I heard it...

It's normal for U.S. politicos to visit Taiwan. Usually it's no big deal because it's done relatively quietly (but not secretly). This time someone puffed up the story -- I heard one assertion that it was originally the Administration that made noise -- and now it's a cluster-flop.

I vote that she goes, and takes a bipartisan group with her, and if the Chicoms intercept her, we move immediately to declared war. Light this candle and get it over with.

Better yet, take a team of top Democrat congressmen, let them get captured by China, say, "Ah, gee, that's too bad," and then immediately hold a special election to replace them.

[Ronson]

I seriously doubt China would try to intercept an official US aircraft. It could easily go awry and send it into a nosedive and kill those on board. Extremely, extremely risky stunt.

And yes, as much as I detest Pelosi, I think that would necessitate war.