Here is my take on the debate last night: Warren was attacked like she was the front runner. She did ok in response to the attacks but she did not do as well as she did in the other debates. It is tough to be the target, just ask Biden.
Sanders was actually better than in the other debates. I guess heart attack helps! Actually I think he was having problem with his heart and so was affecting him previously. Now that he is treated and has better blood flow, he is better!
It was the best debate for Biden but then he was not the main target this time. He still needs to get better and will see if holds the top spot after this.
I think everybody who has been around has improved. So despite the worry that the debates cause the Democrats to make each other look bad, I think the debates make everybody better. The question is will it make the eventual nominee great at debates.
I thought Steyer did all right. I expected a half crazy billionaire who just talks about impeachment. But for a political neophyte, he was not bad.
I think Klobuchar and Pete did the best, meaning the moderates are making some inroads against the liberals. But it is unlikely that they can hold the moderate torch should Biden falters.
So here are my ratings: Top quarter Klobuchar, Pete, Gabbard. Second quarter: Booker, Yang, and Steyer. Third quarter: Sanders, Warren, Biden. Last quarter: O'Rourke, Harris, Castro.
So the good news is that just about everybody has improved. The bad news is that the three who are most likely to be nominated are only in the third quarter. But they are the ones who are being attacked the most, so maybe whoever wins will be able to withstand the attacks of Trump and the GOP.
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Monday, October 14, 2019
Came across on YouTube an interview by Shaun Ley of the BBC to Alvin Yeung, the leader of the Civic Party of Hong Kong. I think it was a balance interview by a respected Western broadcast network. I would have asked similar questions as Ley did if I was the journalist.
An article in the LA Times today said that there are more people applying to emigrate out of the city. This is totally expected given the situation there. What is not expected is that the U.S. is no where near the top of the destinations for Hong Kong people. If you see the American and British flags being waved during the protests, you would think the people in Hong Kong have great confidence in the U.S. That apparently is not the case.
In the past the U.S. have always been the top country the Hong Kong people want to emigrate to. In the last couple of years, Australia has passed the U.S. and Canada is not far behind. The survey now reveals that Canada and Australia are the top destinations. Taiwan and Singapore are also ahead of the U.S. In fact the U.S. was the top choice in only 2.9% of those survey.
Keep in mind that those who apply to the U.S. and elsewhere usually have money to invest in the target country or have high education level. So they are older and richer than most of those protesting. Still, the anti-immigrant rhetoric from the Trump administration, gun violence in the U.S. and changes in immigration policies all contributed to the decline in the desirability of the U.S. The people in Hong Kong are very sophisticated in their understanding of the politics of the U.S. and elsewhere. I am sure they understand more about the Brexit or the abandonment of the Kurds in northern Syria by Trump than most people in the U.S. and U.K.
I think deep down the people in Hong Kong know they can't count on the U.S. or U.K. to rescue them. The situation in Hong Kong will lead to a brain drain out of the city. That is bad news for Hong Kong. It is also bad news for the U.S. that they will not benefit from the transfer of talent as she had in the past.
An article in the LA Times today said that there are more people applying to emigrate out of the city. This is totally expected given the situation there. What is not expected is that the U.S. is no where near the top of the destinations for Hong Kong people. If you see the American and British flags being waved during the protests, you would think the people in Hong Kong have great confidence in the U.S. That apparently is not the case.
In the past the U.S. have always been the top country the Hong Kong people want to emigrate to. In the last couple of years, Australia has passed the U.S. and Canada is not far behind. The survey now reveals that Canada and Australia are the top destinations. Taiwan and Singapore are also ahead of the U.S. In fact the U.S. was the top choice in only 2.9% of those survey.
Keep in mind that those who apply to the U.S. and elsewhere usually have money to invest in the target country or have high education level. So they are older and richer than most of those protesting. Still, the anti-immigrant rhetoric from the Trump administration, gun violence in the U.S. and changes in immigration policies all contributed to the decline in the desirability of the U.S. The people in Hong Kong are very sophisticated in their understanding of the politics of the U.S. and elsewhere. I am sure they understand more about the Brexit or the abandonment of the Kurds in northern Syria by Trump than most people in the U.S. and U.K.
I think deep down the people in Hong Kong know they can't count on the U.S. or U.K. to rescue them. The situation in Hong Kong will lead to a brain drain out of the city. That is bad news for Hong Kong. It is also bad news for the U.S. that they will not benefit from the transfer of talent as she had in the past.
Wednesday, October 02, 2019
As promised I am writing an open letter to the president of China after having written an open letter to the protesters in Hong Kong. Unfortunately since then a protester was shot and in critical condition. This was predictable and could have been prevented. As I mentioned before, neither side would likely listen to what I have to say. But having said my piece to the protesters, I am going to say my piece to the president of China.
Dear President Xi
The display of the celebration of the 70th founding of the PRC was very impressive. A lot have been accomplished by China during these 70 years. But most of it has been done since Deng Xiaoping changed the system in China. I think it is obvious that the old communist system under Mao Zedong was an abject failure. If China wants to move toward becoming the greatest power on earth, it is essential that the Chinese government continues to open its system toward more democracy and more freedom and do not revert to the past.
President Xi, you said in your speech yesterday that the Chinese people are a great people, the Chinese nation is a great nation and the Chinese civilization is a great civilization. Well, two out of three ain't bad! China is not yet a great nation. Great economic progress have been made but there are still lots of people in poverty. But worse, are the policies in Xinjiang and Tibet. I understand your desire to keep the country united. But by putting so many people in internment camps and jails, you lose credibility all over the world. I am sure most of the people who are detained are not threats to a great military power like China. Start releasing some of them, it would be good publicity.
In the matter of Hong Kong, I say you must take the young people seriously. Listen to their concerns both politically and economically. Give the Hong Kong people the freedom to vote for their chief executive. What have you got to lose? Whoever is voted in cannot declare independence. Hong Kong depends on China for so many things, it cannot stand alone. But China also needs Hong Kong for its business know how and connection to the Western world. If you let them choose their leader, you would have outdone the British over their entire colonial rule of Hong Kong as they never let Hong Kong choose their leader. Again, it would make China look like a great nation.
President Xi, you have done a great job with the Belt and Road Initiative. A great use of soft power. You are right to say that "China used to send people all over the world because it was weak, but we send aid all over the world today because we are strong." But the policies closer at home make people all over the world question your motives in sending the aid. By making changes in Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong, China can look like a benevolent power that a great nation should be.
During the Ming Dynasty, Admiral Zheng He took the greatest navy the world had known up to that time and for couple centuries after that on seven voyages. Zheng went south and then west across the Indian Ocean all the way to Africa. Along the way they were attacked a few times but easily defeated their attackers each time. Zheng showed off the brilliance of the Chinese civilization and nation. But unlike the Europeans later, the Chinese did not take any slaves nor did they take treasures from other countries. Many countries paid tributes to the Chinese emperor after that.
I think it is possible for China to become that great military power again. But can it be a kind power like it was in the days of Zheng He? Mr. President, you have the power to point China in that direction. You can start that by being more kind at home. I believe your legacy will be enhanced if you change some of your stances regarding Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong. As you know soft power is much better than hard power in the 21st century.
AYM
Dear President Xi
The display of the celebration of the 70th founding of the PRC was very impressive. A lot have been accomplished by China during these 70 years. But most of it has been done since Deng Xiaoping changed the system in China. I think it is obvious that the old communist system under Mao Zedong was an abject failure. If China wants to move toward becoming the greatest power on earth, it is essential that the Chinese government continues to open its system toward more democracy and more freedom and do not revert to the past.
President Xi, you said in your speech yesterday that the Chinese people are a great people, the Chinese nation is a great nation and the Chinese civilization is a great civilization. Well, two out of three ain't bad! China is not yet a great nation. Great economic progress have been made but there are still lots of people in poverty. But worse, are the policies in Xinjiang and Tibet. I understand your desire to keep the country united. But by putting so many people in internment camps and jails, you lose credibility all over the world. I am sure most of the people who are detained are not threats to a great military power like China. Start releasing some of them, it would be good publicity.
In the matter of Hong Kong, I say you must take the young people seriously. Listen to their concerns both politically and economically. Give the Hong Kong people the freedom to vote for their chief executive. What have you got to lose? Whoever is voted in cannot declare independence. Hong Kong depends on China for so many things, it cannot stand alone. But China also needs Hong Kong for its business know how and connection to the Western world. If you let them choose their leader, you would have outdone the British over their entire colonial rule of Hong Kong as they never let Hong Kong choose their leader. Again, it would make China look like a great nation.
President Xi, you have done a great job with the Belt and Road Initiative. A great use of soft power. You are right to say that "China used to send people all over the world because it was weak, but we send aid all over the world today because we are strong." But the policies closer at home make people all over the world question your motives in sending the aid. By making changes in Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong, China can look like a benevolent power that a great nation should be.
During the Ming Dynasty, Admiral Zheng He took the greatest navy the world had known up to that time and for couple centuries after that on seven voyages. Zheng went south and then west across the Indian Ocean all the way to Africa. Along the way they were attacked a few times but easily defeated their attackers each time. Zheng showed off the brilliance of the Chinese civilization and nation. But unlike the Europeans later, the Chinese did not take any slaves nor did they take treasures from other countries. Many countries paid tributes to the Chinese emperor after that.
I think it is possible for China to become that great military power again. But can it be a kind power like it was in the days of Zheng He? Mr. President, you have the power to point China in that direction. You can start that by being more kind at home. I believe your legacy will be enhanced if you change some of your stances regarding Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong. As you know soft power is much better than hard power in the 21st century.
AYM