Back during the period of Soviet-Chinese hostilities, “Chinese Final Warning no. 133” was a running gag.
“Wolf warrior diplomacy” is nothing new and the Chicom presentation tends to be heavy on intimidation and threats. That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be worried about China, but that neither should we be rattled every time Beijing barks.
In today’s article on the nothingburger visit, I wrote that, “China was not threatened by Pelosi’s visit. It chose to exploit it as an opportunity to intimidate the Biden administration” and that, “China chose to pick this fight over Pelosi because it could make Biden blink. And he blinked.”
This is nothing new.
What is new is that American politics is in a perpetual state of social media freakout, often fed by grifters who need something to drive their followers crazy with today.
Remember when Russia invading Ukraine meant WWIII? It’s months later and there’s no world war.
I spent a few weeks telling people to calm down, but it’s much more exciting to let the reptile brain run and freak out. The Pelosi WWIII freakout has a shorter lifespan because she’s gone.
The visit was not a big deal. China chose to make it one to see if our buttons could be pushed. And they can.
If you believe the Biden administration and its media allies, members of congress visiting Taiwan is a shocking and unprecedented event. Except that Senator Tammy Duckworth visited Taiwan in May. Senator Richard Burr, Robert Menendez, Lindsey Graham, Ben Sasse and Robert Portman came in April. Along with Rep. Ronny Jackson
Senator Dan Sullivan and Chris Coons flew over last summer. In the fall, Rep. Nancy Mace, Sarah Jacobs, Mark Takano, Elissa Slotkin and Colin Allred saw the sights.
WWIII did not break out. And it’s not going to because we’re not going to defend Taiwan. Just like we didn’t defend Ukraine. And if Putin is emboldened enough to invade a NATO member, we’re not going to defend it either.
There are serious conversations to be had about our foreign policy, The constant freakouts just make us look like a weak and unstable third-world country.
China will at some point likely try to take Taiwan. Reacting to Chinese threats by running around like headless chickens makes that more likely, not less.
Kipling’s If begins with the basic truths that have become all but completely lost to our politics.
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
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