interesting read about China's mobilization after the quake

[m21sniper]

How many children are you allowed to have in China?

Yeah, clearly we have it all wrong here...

But yeah, sure, let the light of capitalism in, it can only help. Cause if they've gone far, they still have far to go.

Originally Posted by imcarthur

I think that we will see them move a bit faster.

Totalitarian rule is real good for speeding processes.

[Rick Lee]

I hear they're rescinding the one child policy for familes who lost a kid in the quake. BTW, how would you suggest population control for a place with 5x our population, way less arable land and plenty of history of famine?

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

Totalitarian rule is real good for speeding processes.

Yes, they are politically totalitarian. Nasty, nasty country. We will see where they are in 20 years.

And yes, the pollution is very real. I was in a town near the Shijiazhuang airport where 1/2 the people on the street wore facemasks. The air was gray. It was a very depressing place. The restaurant was good though - very dirty, but good.

Ian

[nostatic]

China is actively pursuing "green" development of new cities. They are compressing an incredible amount of economic development into a short timespan. It is rather unprecedented. Of course if one blindly hates "communism" then it all just looks like one big red mess.

I think it is amazing to watch, and if circumstances were different I would move there for a few years to be in the thick of it. Yes, there are certainly issues. I know my emails were being monitored when I was there (we were guests of the Ministry of Education for two of the trips), and the growing pains of the country are evident. But the heart and soul of the people is stunning.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I hear they're rescinding the one child policy for familes who lost a kid in the quake. BTW, how would you suggest population control for a place with 5x our population, way less arable land and plenty of history of famine?

With draconian governmental policies, of course!

[alf]

I repeat, it is distasteful to use this human tragedy to spout xenophobic ideas. If you have nothing positive or constructive to add, just shut up.

[m21sniper]

No can do jabu.

No one here has taken any jabs at the quake victims, so don't get your panties all in a bunch.