[juanvaldes]

LOL!! ****ing bush.
ABCnews.com article

[Jim Paradise]

Seriously, the only *good* thing about Bush is that every week he does something to make me laugh.

[juanvaldes]

Originally posted by Jim Paradise:
<STRONG>Seriously, the only *good* thing about Bush is that every week he does something to make me laugh.</STRONG>

indeed

but you gotta admit the whole soap opera of the clinton admin was quite entertaining as well

[Sealobo]

He is picking fight around the world.

[lenkman]

Originally posted by juanvaldes:
<STRONG>LOL!! ****ing bush.
ABCnews.com article</STRONG>

Yeah, how dare he declare Taiwan a country? After all, they are clearly a part of the mainland. (except for that whole democratic, free, self-determination thing. But hey! That's water under the bridge, isn't it?) Official policy or not, he at least had the guts to speak his mind (of course, he probably didn't know the policy in any event).

[dgs212]

Originally posted by lenkman:
<STRONG>
Official policy or not, he at least had the guts to speak his mind (of course, he probably didn't know the policy in any event).</STRONG>

You're probably right, and that's what worries me. It's the president's job to know stuff like that. It's what being president is about. In one sense, it's amusing to have such a bumbling fool in the national spotlight. In another sense, it's very disheartening.

[juanvaldes]

Originally posted by dgs212:
<STRONG>

You're probably right, and that's what worries me. It's the president's job to know stuff like that. It's what being president is about. In one sense, it's amusing to have such a bumbling fool in the national spotlight. In another sense, it's very disheartening.</STRONG>

indeed. Personally I think Taiwan should be it's own free country. but it's not up to me so eh.

[Jim Paradise]

Originally posted by juanvaldes:
<STRONG>

indeed

but you gotta admit the whole soap opera of the clinton admin was quite entertaining as well </STRONG>

Actually, not really to be honest. I was kinda annoyed with the whole Clinton thing because I found it to be *extremely* stupid and not funny due to its unnecessariness whereas Bush just dumb things weekly and they're *always* golden! Bush says "great" stuff weekly and sends out *the* dumbest vibes. heh

[eep!]

ever get the impression that politicians are the dumbest, most arrogant selve serving sh*t heads the world over?

what qualifications do you need to run a country (any country, let-a-lone a 'superpower')?

[lenkman]

Originally posted by dgs212:
<STRONG>

You're probably right, and that's what worries me. It's the president's job to know stuff like that. It's what being president is about. In one sense, it's amusing to have such a bumbling fool in the national spotlight. In another sense, it's very disheartening.</STRONG>

Not quite. Do you actually believe that the President should know every single policy of the US? That's completely impossible. There is simply too much. Are you up to date on your knowledge of America's agrictultural trade policy with Uruguay, for instance? In any event, even if he knew everything, America's policy has this nasty habit of contradicting itself. For instance, we don't recognize Taiwan, yet we are prepared to send our military to defend them against attack from mainland China? Huh? That's completely illogical.

Bush probably has never been briefed on the Taiwan "issue" because it has not really been a major issue he has faced in office. With only 24 hours per day, its a fairly good idea to brief on issues as needed. And until China or Taiwan start acting up, Bush won't be focusing on it, so why bother? As long as there are people on hand whom the Prez trusts who do know the facts and policy, that's probably good enough.

Anyway, natonal pols have a long tradition of making themselves look like idiots. Remember "potatoe?" How about Carter and the swimming, killer rabbit? And if you prefer something more modern, look up James "Hair worse than Bill Gates" Traficant.

[OldManMac]

It may have been a slip of the tongue on Bush's part, and, even as much as I dislike the man, I'll admit that can happen and is no big deal. The real sad thing is that we used to have full diplomatic relations with Taiwan, and we sh!t on the Taiwanese a long time ago when we got into bed with the mainland Chinese, simply for the sake of political and economic expediency. We now want to cater to the Chinese so we can keep buying their $100 sneakers, which are made by people working in inhumane conditions, and for substandard wages, while a few get rich and the rest get poorer!

[glideslope]

KarlG,

Just to help you out, I've never paid more than $95.00 for a pair of sneakers.

[ringo]

I doubt the slip was an accident, just part of the Bush China policy.

Don't let this man get away with playing dumb. Your inability to take him seriously gives him a freedom of action that would not be given to someone more scholarly.

[xi_hyperon]

Originally posted by ringo:
<STRONG>I doubt the slip was an accident, just part of the Bush China policy.

Don't let this man get away with playing dumb. Your inability to take him seriously gives him a freedom of action that would not be given to someone more scholarly.</STRONG>

Exactly!! The guy knows the policy on Tiawan, believe it.

[Patrick]

In situations like this, it's good to say the right things. It's especially good not to say something erroneous that might cause an international dispute. If Bush knew he screwed up, he should have at least corrected himself. If he didn't know, then shouldn't there be someone in his administration responsible for educating him on such issues?

He really needs to hire a new speech writer.

[CRASH HARDDRIVE]

What amazes me is how dumb many of Bush's detractors are, and so woefully uninformed. Bush has been a major player lately on the issue of Taiwan.

First off: Taiwan is a self proclaimed sovereign independent nation. Bush's 'mistake' was referring to it as the Republic of Taiwan. It's the Republic of China.

Official US policy (which Bush is well aware of) is in recognizing the 'One China' policy (wherein the mainland loosely tolerates the existence of the ROC, yet considers it a rouge state that they will eventually �reunify� ) as well as the Taiwan Relations Act (basically declaring that we will use military force if needed to protect Taiwan from said 'reunification'). The US doesn�t officially challenge the issue of Taiwan sovereignty with the mainland, claiming to let both sides deal with it themselves- yet anyone but a blind jackass could see that we unofficially recognize Taiwan as it's own entity and our support of Taiwan is well spelled out.

Bush has been over this issue with China already this year, both during Taiwan's bid for World Trade Organization membership (which it got) and during his visit to Bejing when he referred to Taiwan, the US and China as an 'equal triangle' a clear message that he recognizes and agrees with Taiwan's sovereignty. Bush also stated openly that the US will 'do what it takes' to defend Taiwan, a show of support no US president has ever offered. (Much to the delight of Taiwan�s government and to the ire of mainland China).

[ 04-07-2002: Message edited by: CRASH HARDDRIVE ]

[spb]

bush spelt backwards is ****

[M�lum]

Originally posted by lenkman:
<STRONG>

Not quite. Do you actually believe that the President should know every single policy of the US? That's completely impossible. There is simply too much. Are you up to date on your knowledge of America's agrictultural trade policy with Uruguay, for instance? In any event, even if he knew everything, America's policy has this nasty habit of contradicting itself. For instance, we don't recognize Taiwan, yet we are prepared to send our military to defend them against attack from mainland China? Huh? That's completely illogical.

Bush probably has never been briefed on the Taiwan "issue" because it has not really been a major issue he has faced in office. With only 24 hours per day, its a fairly good idea to brief on issues as needed. And until China or Taiwan start acting up, Bush won't be focusing on it, so why bother? As long as there are people on hand whom the Prez trusts who do know the facts and policy, that's probably good enough.

Anyway, natonal pols have a long tradition of making themselves look like idiots. Remember "potatoe?" How about Carter and the swimming, killer rabbit? And if you prefer something more modern, look up James "Hair worse than Bill Gates" Traficant.</STRONG>

Ofcourse. Taiwan is just a small detail. Funny though that EVERYBODY (including my 12 year old niece) seems to know about it, besides Bush then.

I mean Taiwan hasn't been in the news the last decennia, hasn't it?
Besides the war training in front of it's coast by Chineses battleships about 2 years ago. But don't tell Bush.

[fulmer]

thanks for explaing the one china policy CRASH HD. I was hoping someone would put that in. it's been the us policy for a long time now--regardless of administration. the us believes china and taiwan should be united but not at this point in time. when china isn't a potential threat to us asia power (not that it could beat us by any means) or the taiwanese start calling for unification, then I think we'll see unification. until then the us likes having an ally in the region so close to china--someplace where the 7th Fleet can play.

[MacGorilla]

I lived in Taiwan and it's a place that really defies description in the matters of statehood. Taiwan acts likes a nation but it's people....they really don't care in any passionate way one way or the other. What they want is respect from other nations, respect for them as an island full of people concerned with their future. They don't get this kind of respect from anyone.