Trump now tied with Clition nationally according to Real Clear Poltics average

[CapnAwesome]

People shouldn't confuse strength with war-mongering. If anything, weakness is what gets you into conflict. It's a sad consequence of human failings. If you are weak, others will fall to temptation and take advantage of your weakness. This is especially true if you happen to be the richest, most influential power on the planet. As Mel Brooks said, "It's good to be King." But it also paints a big target on your back. You can't afford to be weak if you're the top dog. You must be strong or you must give up your position at the top.

If you're one of these non-Americans taking such a keen interest in our election, perhaps you want us to relinquish our position at the top. But who takes over for us? Do you want China as the top dog? Because that's what you're looking at. Who else is going to take over?

If you think if the US stopped messing around and killing thousands and thousands of people in the middle east they would suddenly be 'weak', think again. What do you think is going to happen? We have a massive nuclear arsenal. We are the third most populated country. We have the world's strongest economy and we are the cultural center of the world, with hollywood, music, clothing, etc. We don't need to be killing peasants in foreign countries to be 'strong' and have influence.

[CapnAwesome]

China has done more wrong.  Just look at what they fucking did to their own people in Tiananmen Square.  Their record on human rights is downright atrocious.   And Russia isn't any goddamn better.

Are you sure about that? Pretty sure many more people died as a result of the transatlantic slave trade. Vietnam War was a disaster too. What treat has Vietnam ever posed to the United States?

The transatlantic trade slave was largely done by the British, not the United States. Just to be technically correct. I don't know how far you want to go back in history to compare wrong-doing though. The idea that China is going to take over the world if we stop bombing people in the middle east is a silly one anyway.

[KUSA]

This seems to be a predominant feeling these days.

[Thumpalumpacus]

I agree, China does not have good intentions in some areas. But I'm asking people to compare China to the United States. Which country has done more wrong?

And before America was top dog, which country had the most interventions/colonial policing actions/meddling in the affairs of others? That's right, the UK. It is not a coincidence that the UK was top dog at the time. Spain, ditto.

The point is that unchallenged power tends to be abused, and we here in America are no exception to that historical trend. More to the point, neither is China. And China is bound by fewer international ties to play nice, meaning that like most other countries, they bow to main force.

That force is built, funded, and maintained by America. Like it or not, the world benefits from it in many ways that aren't a result of our misdeeds in the Middle East.

I personally think, given it's shortly to be bigger population, India will become more powerful than China at some point. But let's not get sidetracked on that.

Actually, I find that point interesting ... it's something I've been thinking about lately. I think India should be the focus of America's policy in Asia, precisely be they are a democracy with so much potential and a natural counterbalance to China. I don't think India will get near to equaling China in the next couple of generations, but partnered with America can be part of a bloc powerful enough to deter open war from the Chinese.

The point is, the United States government is full of hypocrites.

Of course. Thank you for taking the time to distinguish between the government and us citizens. As I wrote in a book years ago (never published, unsubmittted):

I'm still of the opinion that if we as a country truly desire peace for that troubled part of the world -- or any other -- then we should export democratic principles and respect for human rights along with missile batteries and the jet fighters that they shoot down. As trite and simplistic as that may read, I firmly believe that a major reason for the terrorism directed against us is the fact that our high words and ideals rarely are matched by our deeds. We talk a great deal about freedom, equality, and the rule of law, and we point to the ideals ensconced in our Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights; but when these principles collide with our economic or geopolitical goals, they are invariably shunted aside in favor of a convenient alliance with a tyrant, who ends up in the scrap-heap of history along with our long-term goals. This is borne out with dismaying frequency in our history.

[Thumpalumpacus]

That would play right into his hands. He would have his opponents admitting that Bill is a rapist.

That argument has already been laid, and dismissed:

I wasn't aware that he called Bill a rapist. But to use such an argument would mean admitting Bill Clinton is a rapist.

No, it doesn't.  All she has to say is, "If he thought my husband was a rapist, why did he invite us at all?" No admission is necessary to skewer him on that.

It's a wash.

It pays to read before you post, y'know?

[Thumpalumpacus]

China has done more wrong.  Just look at what they fucking did to their own people in Tiananmen Square.  Their record on human rights is downright atrocious.   And Russia isn't any goddamn better.

Are you sure about that? Pretty sure many more people died as a result of the transatlantic slave trade. Vietnam War was a disaster too. What treat has Vietnam ever posed to the United States?

Well, hey, are you digging up centuries of Chinese misdeeds? No? Why not? Vietnam posed no threat to China in 1979, yet the Chinese invaded them -- a fact you conveniently don't mention.

I somehow think that Tibetans would disagree with your Pollyanna-ish view of Beijing, too.

This post has the reek of bias on your part. If you're going to discuss this issue, discuss it with integrity.

[ReptilianPeon]

---

Are you sure about that? Pretty sure many more people died as a result of the transatlantic slave trade. Vietnam War was a disaster too. What treat has Vietnam ever posed to the United States?

Well, hey, are you digging up centuries of Chinese misdeeds? No?  Why not? Vietnam posed no threat to China in 1979, yet the Chinese invaded them -- a fact you conveniently don't mention.

I somehow think that Tibetans would disagree with your Pollyanna-ish view of Beijing, too.

This post has the reek of bias on your part. If you're going to discuss this issue, discuss it with integrity.

---

China invaded Vietnam because Vietnam invaded their friend Cambodia first. China tried to mediate peace talks - but they failed. So, in the end, they invaded Vietnam (which had already invaded Cambodia which they saw as being too pro-China; this being the time of the beginning of the market reforms in China). Pol Pot was an opportunist and noob, so he gets no sympathy from me. But if your friend was being bullied, wouldn't you want to protect them? Are you seriously suggesting you wouldn't protect a friend who was being beaten up?

Neither the United States or China has ever really adhered to the Geneva Convention. And if we're to bring up centuries worth of misdeeds then we can talk about the American Indians, the Philippines and Banana Wars, etc. What I'm saying is the United States has killed more people than China - especially if we limit ourselves to the post Cold War period.

There is a long list of countries that have done nothing to deserve being interfered with by the United States - far longer than any list of Chinese interference. Call me a Chinese apologist if you want - I will proudly endorse that title - but the United States is a country of never ending war. Obama has been ordering so many bombs to be dropped the military has been running out of bombs in recent months. You have to admit the Oval Office think lives of the people of the third world are worth less than those of Americans.

[downbeatplumb]

Look how happy they all are at Trump's wedding. And yet people still wonder why people hate Hilary so much. Hilary has no principles. She will endorse the positions of whomever gives her the most money.

Actually, you can just as well turn the tables on this one. Dump called Bill a rapist. So one may ask what is he doing with a rapist at his wedding.

Well Trump was accused of rape by Ivana Trump, so strictly speaking there were two rapists at that wedding if you go by accusation.

[ReptilianPeon]

To be honest MNMP, I think they all belong and work for the same people, serve the same interest, and all enslaving the American people and fool them with the comedy show they call "elections".

After the advent of the new 9/11 evidence, it's all clear that the public is being played with.

There are three sets of rules in our world: One set for the elites, another set for the ordinary people of developed countries and the final set used to beat up the poor people of the developing with.

[Divinity]

China invaded Vietnam because Vietnam invaded their friend Cambodia first. China tried to mediate peace talks - but they failed. So, in the end, they invaded Vietnam (which had already invaded Cambodia which they saw as being too pro-China; this being the time of the beginning of the market reforms in China). Pol Pot was an opportunist and noob, so he gets no sympathy from me. But if your friend was being bullied, wouldn't you want to protect them? Are you seriously suggesting you wouldn't protect a friend who was being beaten up?

Neither the United States or China has ever really adhered to the Geneva Convention. And if we're to bring up centuries worth of misdeeds then we can talk about the American Indians, the Philippines and Banana Wars, etc. What I'm saying is the United States has killed more people than China - especially if we limit ourselves to the post Cold War period.

There is a long list of countries that have done nothing to deserve being interfered with by the United States - far longer than any list of Chinese interference. Call me a Chinese apologist if you want - I will proudly endorse that title - but the United States is a country of never ending war. Obama has been ordering so many bombs to be dropped the military has been running out of bombs in recent months. You have to admit the Oval Office think lives of the people of the third world are worth less than those of Americans.

Are we counting the Great Leap Forward here?  I mean let's not forget Mao Zedong Mr. Chinese Apologist.