Now let us ask ourselves why is ole Demo Senatator Charlie Schummer talking trash about passing trade legislation aimed against China. Do U think he wants to roil the waters to creat some economic uncertainity so that the economy falters just in time for election season.

maybe a good time to reread my earlier missive on my trip to India.

The only reason the US $$$ is so stable is that everyone in the world is willing to keep so many of them in their pockets. If they should all decide that it wasn't in their best interest to keep them there, the US $$$ would be in a world of hurt. However as the $$$ goes so goes the world economy, so to dump $$$ would be like shooting yourself in the foot just to spite your toes.

Are U suggesting that ole Charlie Schummer knows and likes the people from the India Lobby.

U have to remember that the Clintons are in bed with Walmart..and whats good for Wallmart is good for China or vicey versey...I get those confused.

One question is Charlie Schummer in the Hillary camp? Or is he still trying to decide who to sell his soul to? Or whats left of it...for as much influence with the next Demo Prez.

While Tabs' grammar and punctuation are particularly good, his analysis of the issue is completely correct. I hate it when I have to say things like that.

The people who think the Chinese (and before that the Japanese, Arabs, French, Germans, etc.) are about to take over the US economy have never been there. Or if they have, they've never strayed far from the Beijing Crowne Plaza. (Sorry Todd, I know you stay there but it's the only good Chinese hotel I've stayed at recently). When I go to China I don't stay at a hotel unless the Crowne Plaza comes as a package with my airline ticket. I stay at my in-laws' apartment in what passes in China for an upper middle class apartment. That means it is poured concrete with no finishing other than the coat of military green the builders left on the walls, a bathroom that includes a sink, toilet and a drain over which you can hang a hose as a shower, and that it has both electricity and running water. Hot water requires an aftermarket gas hot water heater that is too complex to describe.

This is a middle class to upper middle class apartment that was built in the late 1980s. To put it in perspective, Chinese are awarded housing based on their employment. My grandfather in law was the head of the Chinese import/export house in the pre-communist government. He was the Chinese signatory to the General Agreement on Tarrifs and Trade (GATT - rememeber that term?) in 1949. A direct ancestor was Chen Bao Shen, the tutor to the last emperor of China as seen in the movie. He was a big deal in China. The apartment my in-laws have came from him and was awarded to him in the 1980s to replace the apartments that were confiscated from the family in 1966 when the family was banished to the edges of Beijing where my wife grew up. I've seen that apartment; it still stands. All I can say is I was appalled.

Anyway, this is the apartment a man of his statuture was given. It compares favorably with Apalachia, but not much else in the US. A relative recently bought it for about $65,000 USD because the in-laws don't need it anymore. That's a fortune in China for an apartment that US authorities would condem. About 90% of all Chinese would kill to live there. Did I mention you can't drink the water?

China recently figured out how to feed most of its popoulation. That is a huge development because it is the first time in a millenia that starvation is not a way of life in China. China has not figured out how to employ or house its population. A short walk from the Beijing Crowne Plaza will bring you to parks where able bodied young men from the country sides sleep as they compete for day labor jobs. The subways are filled with mothers who thrust children with horrible tumors at you and regular beggars who merely thrust missing limbs in your face as they ask for a few Yuan.

The Chinese population is mostly underemployed and underfed. The entire population is either ill-housed or housed in substandard conditions. While the progress in the past 20 years is breathtaking, I won't worry about China taking over the world until they have figured out how to feed, clothe, educate, employ and house their population - not just the few who make it to the US or who run the government.

And that ain't happening any time soon.

Though I have never been there, your story jibes with those I have heard from manufacturing execs that have visited outside tourist areas. In fact their stories were a little more brutal than yours. Just the maintenance costs of their population is staggering.

[QUOTE=MRM;3416950]While Tabs' grammar and punctuation are particularly good, his analysis of the issue is completely correct. I hate it when I have to say things like that.

QUOTE]

Let me say it now, and for all to hear, Shaun is completely wrong about you MRM.

[QUOTE=tabs;3416981] Um, Tabs, Shawn was saying good things about me, wasn't he?

A good show for the 08 Olympics is a must. Pride. Will be curious how Darfur and human rights affects a govt. response but I don't see them dumping US dollars.

87 blk coupe

[QUOTE=MRM;3416986] It really depends upon you definition of "good." If running around yelling shrilly is your definition of a "good" thing who am I to argue with you?

The Chinese are very subtle and quiet about the way they handle things. No fuss, no muss just move the ball from here to there pulling the necessary levers of power. For them to threaten publically is more of a shot across the bow type of warning to GET Congress' attention.

The Chinese have this inward looking (domestic) point of view. As they have developed their economy they have found themselves having to deal with issues and problems on the world stage.

Wow MRM.

Are you so sure we are allowed to be so brutally honest? I mean, this is OT - home of hyperbole, little first-hand experience and regurgitation of well worn antidotal tidbits that fit a particular world view..

[QUOTE=tabs;3417082] Surely shrilly isn't a word. of course I have good things to say about MRM, he's from MN. One-time Stillwater resident myself.

[QUOTE=Shaun 84 Targa;3417103][QUOTE=tabs;3417082]

Surely shrilly isn't a word. QUOTE]


Why of course not I just make things up as I go.....

Stillwater is the center of the universe, for anyone who hasn't been there.

An open call for all Pelicans: the Moline Law Firm is holding an open house on August 23, begnining at 4 pm on the deck of the Freighthouse in Stillwater, overlooking the clear waters of the St. Croix River. Those who are invited include employees of the largest manufacturer of residential windows and glass doors in the US (coincidentally headquartered in lovely Bayport, Minnesota) all other clients of the Moline Law Firm, and anyone who happens to hear about it from any source whatsoever. Beer, beer and ribs are on the menu, with anything else you want to order also available.

Shawn and Tabs, heck, even Mule are most welcome. If you can't be there, I will hoist a glass to you and all sensible people who wish they too were spending a weekday afternoon in paradise. I mean drinking free beer.

I wish I could be there and even had plans to take the E across country with a stop up to see friends in Eagan, but I'm a little behind on the restoration. Stillwater is the best place I've ever lived. Whole block would take to the river every weekend and go camping on a sandbar upstream, catch some walleye for dinner and rope swing from a 300 foot railroad bridge into the river. I think the rope was probably 50 feet up, but the arc was forever, the drop stung hitting the water. Lumberjack Days were the best. Brats soaked in beer at Brines, when it was still just a regular old meet market. In the 70s - 80s, Stillwater was the center of the universe because it hadn't been spoiled tourists. Too kitchy for me now, and Brine's upstairs was remade sadly. Never did get that 1920s nickel glued to the floor.

I'm back every year for Thanksgiving with friends, a ritual I cherish the whole year prior.

Thanks, Gajin. That's just scratching the surface. Brutally honest would require confession that the sickest I ever got was the first time I traveled to China and did try to drink the water, and other, less palatable information.

China has made vast strides in 20 years. They have now developed to the point that they have become players on the world stage. They have world influence for the first time, probably since our country was founded. Vast progress, even world influence does not equal world domination. Tune in next year for the next installement of "____ country is about to take over the US".

Shawn, I know of what you speak. Was there last weekend on a friend's boat. We sold our boat a few years ago but spent many a summer day as you describe. Winters are long and hard here, but the summers are glorious.

The U.S. economy is the Russian Winter of economies.