Can someone tell me why?

[bfp]

The United States is opposed to Independence within the Gov't of Taiwan, while we're steadfast to set-up a Democracy in Iraq? Bad move in my opinion. Siding with the Commie's.

[Ryan]

Originally posted by bfp
The United States is opposed to Independence within the Gov't of Taiwan, while we're steadfast to set-up a Democracy in Iraq? Bad move in my opinion. Siding with the Commie's.

No sir, I cannot for the life of me explain this. Actually, I can. Bush wants the support of China if he decides to attack N. Korea after the next election and he feels that this will help him earn it. I think it's simply another despicable display of how this president is willing to compromise the basic foundation of this country and of his own belief system for political gain. And we wonder why the world calls us hypocrites...

By the way, I was very proud of the many good conservatives who have already stood up to scream bloody murder about this. I'm glad some people have not completely lost their senses.

[Ash]

From what I can gather, the United States is dependent on Chinese imports and since Taiwan is seeking independence, they want to take the side of the more important country to them. It's a sticky situation because China is not going to let Taiwan gain independence without a fight.

[mc E]

Would you suggest getting into a big balls contest with
china (most favored trading nation) --- plus its not like chinese secret police are cracking foreheads on the streets of taiwan. This is all just political grandstanding. Niether China nor the USA is willing to risk the worldwide ramifications of being in a serious disagreement over taiwan

[Adam D]

It's an awkward situation, to say the least. Prior to this time (which I was shocked by myself) the US has held a tepid position of supporting Taiwainese independence, even so far as to threaten to provide military assistance to Taiwan. However, the US always backs off because China will set their navy out and point missiles at Taiwan and threaten hardcore military response.

My guess is that Bush doesn't want to upset relations with China right now, especially since China has been moving into a key spot in recent years. Their acceptance into the WTO means China can act as an offset of power against the EU if need be in WTO conflicts. Moreover, as China moves to be more "democratic" and more capitalist, it's easier to justify relations with China, and the US can use that to secure a joint relationship of hegemony over the region without the US having to worry about a China question.

Pragmatism....

We wish to develop China as a large trading partner more than we care about seeing a free and independent Taiwan.

The benefits of supporting China outweigh the benefits of supporting Taiwan and the costs to oppose China are huge.

China is more and more asserting its influence in the South China Sea and claims the area as part of its traditional sphere of influence.

Re N. Korea - our best, and I believe ultimate, stragtegy will be withdrawal from the peninsula with an agreemetnn from China to gaurantee South Korean soverignty - then let the Chinese put their thumb on the North Korea regime (This will get the US out of South Korea - their current President ran on a platform of oposing American presence in the country and piss of the North. Think China feels constrained by the rule of law and world opinion the way the US is?) This of course hinges on whether or not China can be trusted to do what they say they will do.

[bfp]

Originally posted by Ryan
And we wonder why the world calls us hypocrites...

I'm sorry Ryan, but I do not know if I can agree with that accusation. I'm sure that other Countries take part in this type of political hogwash as well, so do not try and say this is the main reason why we are "hated" around the world. I'm sure that this fits your agenda, and im sure that is circulating through what you may call your "Intellectual Circles" throughout the country. There are reasons other than political motives as to why we are hated around the world, even though the Bush Admin is taking this course to the status quo. Envy, Superpower Status, etc. The reason I am upset is because we are supposed to take a different course, setting a model for the rest of the world, especially Taiwan.

[Ryan]

Originally posted by bfp
I'm sorry Ryan, but I do not know if I can agree with that accusation. I'm sure that other Countries take part in this type of political hogwash as well, so do not try and say this is the main reason why we are "hated" around the world. I'm sure that this fits your agenda, and im sure that is circulating through what you may call your "Intellectual Circles" throughout the country. There are reasons other than political motives as to why we are hated around the world, even though the Bush Admin is taking this course to the status quo. Envy, Superpower Status, etc. The reason I am upset is because we are supposed to take a different course, setting a model for the rest of the world, especially Taiwan.

I'm not for one second implying that this is why we are "hated." The people who "hate" us and want to kill us are psychotic. I am not making excuses for Islamic fundamentalists. However, we do interfere (or "assist" depending on who you talk to) in world politics far more than any other nation. How is it that the weapons given to Saddam by Reagan are now being used to kill our soldiers? Why is oppression in Iraq punishable by war while it's perfectly acceptable to our numerous allies around the world? Why do we fund crimes against humanity and allow the disobedience of UN resolutions when it's Israel in question, then we use the same offenses as criterion for starting wars in other countries? It all sounds pretty hypocritical to me.

[Dionysos]

Originally posted by Ryan
How is it that the weapons given to Saddam by Reagan are now being used to kill our soldiers?

I imagine if Reagan knew how world events would unfold 20 years after he made this decision he may not have done this. Unfortunately the White House does not come equipped with a crystal ball, so there was little reason to suspect his VP's son would end up invading the country he was supplying. It's easy to look at the situation now with 20/20 vision, but at the time Iran & the Soviet Union were a much bigger concern than Iraq.

[bfp]

Originally posted by Dionysos
I imagine if Reagan knew how world events would unfold 20 years after he made this decision he may not have done this. Unfortunately the White House does not come equipped with a crystal ball, so there was little reason to suspect his VP's son would end up invading the country he was supplying. It's easy to look at the situation now with 20/20 vision, but at the time Iran & the Soviet Union were a much bigger concern than Iraq.

People do not take into consideration- the view of world politics as it were 20+ years ago. Countries throughout the Middle-East as well as countries all-throughout Europe worked in conjunction with the United States when we were meeting with Saddam Hussein to try to take care of Iran. It's as if they believe we knew what kind of monster we were creating in the Middle-East.

[Ryan]

Originally posted by bfp
It's as if they believe we knew what kind of monster we were creating in the Middle-East.

Uhm, I think we had some sort of idea. Do you think the Iraqi people were treated well back then? Do you think we had no idea what a maniac he was? Kinda reminds me of the numerous reports about murder, rape, and torture among the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan, who we are currently funding, training, and arming. Who will be president 20 years from now when we have to stomp them out?

[bfp]

Originally posted by Ryan
Uhm, I think we had some sort of idea. Do you think the Iraqi people were treated well back then? Do you think we had no idea what a maniac he was? Kinda reminds me of the numerous reports about murder, rape, and torture among the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan, who we are currently funding, training, and arming. Who will be president 20 years from now when we have to stomp them out?

Let us remember that Countries such as France, The Soviet Union, China, Germany and Brazil gave MUCH more assistance to Iraq than the United States did in the 80's. These other countries are just as guilty as working with Iraq than we were. We were literally pressured by the Gulf States to show assistance to the Iraq/Iran issue.

[USAcommitteeX]

We have pledged to protect/defend Taiwan if attacked by China.