THOUGHT FOR THE DAY!

"The Guatemalan revolution is entering its third decade. Ever since the government of Jacobo Arbenz was overthrown in 1954, the majority of the Guatemalan people have been seeking a way to move the country towards solving the same problems which were present then and have only worsened over time. The counterrevolution, put in motion by the U.S. Government and those domestic sectors committed to retaining every single one of their privileges, dispersed and disorganized the popular and democratic forces. However, it did not resolve any of the problems which had first given rise to demands for economic, social and political change. These demands have been raised again and again in the last quarter century, by any means that seemed appropriate at the time, and have received each time the same repressive response as in 1954." -- Statement by the Guatemalan Army of the Poor, 1981

 

CHINA

Dec 01 08:48

China's currency falls by record against U.S. dollar

China's currency staged a record loss against the U.S. dollar Monday, falling to the lower end of its daily trading limit, in what some analysts said is a policy shift as authorities let the yuan depreciate against the greenback in an effort to help bolster the decelerating economy.

Nov 30 09:07

China official daily says don’t rule out Hindu radicals

The Chinese Communist party’s mouthpiece — the People’s Daily — has carried a news article, indicating involvement of Hindu radicals in the Mumbai Terror attacks. The article has based its argument on a “red thread” worn by the attackers on their wrists.

Nov 23 08:43

Buddha's sarira cranium believed to be in discovered pagoda

The pagoda is believed to contain a sarira of Sakyamuni Buddha, a bone section of Buddha's cranium.

Webmaster's Commentary: 

Dead-beat dad!

Nov 23 07:54

2 engineers sentenced for espionage

Two Silicon Valley engineers from China have been sentenced to prison for stealing chip designs and attempting to smuggle them back into their native country

Nov 21 07:37

China's hackers stealing US defence secrets, says congressional panel

Webmaster's Commentary: 

The servers used may be in China, but that does not mean the hackers are all Chinese.

PS This is what happens when you send all your IT work to India.

Nov 20 09:55

Chinese Automakers may buy GM and Chrysler

A take-over of a large overseas auto maker would fit perfectly into China’s plans. As reported before, China has realized that its export chances are slim without unfettered access to foreign technology. The brand cachet of Chinese cars abroad is, shall we say, challenged. The Chinese could easily export Made-in-China VWs, Toyotas, Buicks. If their joint venture partner would let them. The solution: Buy the joint venture partner. Especially, when he’s in deep trouble.

Webmaster's Commentary: 

If the US Congress allows such a deal to move forward, it would be a another example of China's "horizontalization" of its economy, as was the move of Hutchinson/Whampoa taking over the management of the Panama Canal some years ago.

And with China propping up so much of America's debt at this point, one has to wonder just how Congress could say no to this deal, were it to be consummated.

Nov 19 09:40

Chinese Automakers May Buy GM and Chrysler

Nov 19 09:26

China Passes Japan as Biggest U.S. Treasuries Holder

China surpassed Japan in September to become the biggest foreign holder of U.S. Treasuries, as foreign investors sought the relative safety of government debt as stocks plunged 9.1 percent that month.

Nov 18 09:15

China's Hu strikes deals in Cuba

President Hu Jintao of China is set to meet Cuban leader Raul Castro later in the day as part of his multi-stop tour of the US and Latin America.

The two nations are agreeing multiple deals on trade and loans as China bid to strengthen its links with Latin American and Caribbean nations.

Nov 17 09:29

US's road to recovery runs through Beijing

English author G K Chesterton rhymed about "the night we went to Bannockburn by way of Brighton Pier", and it may seem no less whimsical to argue that the United States' road to recovery, as well as Barack Obama's path to presidential greatness, run through China.

Nov 14 10:08

As factories close, Chinese workers suffer

Wang Denggui, father of three, arrived more than a year ago in the palm-lined streets of this southern Chinese town with a single goal: toil in a factory to save for his children's school tuition.

But the plans of Wang and thousands of co-workers unraveled at noon on Nov. 1, when the Taiwan chairman of their ailing shoe factory climbed over a factory wall to flee the country and his debts. That left several U.S. shoe companies with unfilled orders and 2,000 workers without jobs.

"He just ran without telling anyone," Wang said.

Nov 12 08:52

Iraq Signs $3.5 Billion Deal for China to Develop Oil Field

North Oil, an Iraqi-owned company, has signed a contract with a Chinese state-owned oil corporation, CNPC, that was first negotiated during Saddam Hussein’s government, an official in Iraq’s Oil Ministry said Tuesday.

Webmaster's Commentary: 

"But, but, but, that's OUR oil, dammit! Why do you think we invaded? Why do you think we killed Saddam? Yeah, Israel told us to, but we also did it to grab your damned oil, and now you guys are NOT COOPERATING!!!" -- Official White Horse Souse

Nov 10 09:01

China's stimulus package to be felt worldwide

China's announcement of a stimulus package that will pour more than half a trillion dollars into its economy will have repercussions far beyond its borders in a time of global crisis, economists say.

Nov 10 07:24

China announces $586 billion stimulus plan

China unveiled a $586 billion stimulus package Sunday in its biggest move to inoculate the world’s fourth-largest economy against the global financial crisis.

Nov 09 09:46

Hu, Obama discuss China-US relations: state media

Beijing and Washington should "accommodate each other's concerns," Chinese President Hu Jintao told US president-elect Barack Obama in a phonecall that stressed good Sino-US ties, state media said Sunday.

Nov 06 09:07

China - Instead of Decoupling - is Crashing, Further Hurting World Economy

Many people argued that China would "decouple" from Western economies, weather the financial crisis relatively unscathed, and thus help to give the world economy some stability.

Nov 04 08:17

Some owners deserting factories in China

Tao Shoulong burned his company's financial books. He then sold his private golf club memberships and disposed of his Mercedes S-600 sedan.

And then he was gone.

And just like that, China's biggest textile dye operation -- with four factories, a campus the size of 31 football fields, 4,000 workers and debts of at least $200 million -- was history.

Nov 01 12:46

Chinese news exposes the Rand Corporations plans to start World War III

Chinese news outlets are frantically discussing a recent meeting between the Rand Corporation and the Pentagon.

The Rockefeller - Ford/Carnegie Foundation controlled Rand Corp. suggests that a war with a major world power will revitalize the economy helping the current banking elite to maintain their control over America.

Nov 01 08:39

China And Russia Hint At Dropping US Dollar

Reports from the Russian media suggest that the country is on the verge of an agreement with China to renounce the US dollar and stop using it in international settlements.

“The recent meeting between Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart, Wen Jiabao, created a financial sensation,” reports RIA Novosti.

“Wen said that the two nations could withstand the global financial crisis if they joined forces; Putin urged him to go farther and stop using U.S. dollars in Russian-Chinese settlements.”

Oct 31 20:32

Watch out for bad Choco-coins

Pirate’s Gold Milk Chocolate Coins, made by Sherwood Brands, have just joined the ever-expanding list of recalled, made-in-China products containing the contaminant melamine.

Oct 29 08:59

Bailouts Continue; China Does It Differently

Alan Greenspan and Ben Bernanke will go down in history as two of the most incompetent Federal Reserve chairmen our country has ever had. Like Mr. Magoo, they blindly drove the stock market and then the real estate market into some of the biggest bubbles our world has ever seen.

Oct 28 14:27

USA Food Supply TAINTED? . . . . .Halloween Candy? Melamine + Toxins?

Oct 26 07:33

China gets a jump on US in space

While Western space experts may be divided over the exact purpose of the BX-1 mission, it is clear that China has every intention of driving its dynamic "dual use" space agenda as far as it will go. BX-1 could well be little more than a peaceful probe merely engaged in "close proximity" operations with cameras and transmission equipment aboard. Or it could be a prototype satellite attack dog, a space surveillance and Space Situational Awareness (SSA) platform with anti-satellite (ASAT) capabilities, all rolled into a single menacing platform ready to pounce.

Oct 24 12:31

U.S. has plundered world wealth with dollar: China paper

Oct 24 11:58

Taiwan Dumps Fannie, Freddie. And Uncle Sam?

Oct 24 08:57

Southern China to shed millions of jobs as economic crisis bites

At least 2.7 million factory workers in southern China could lose their jobs as the global economic crisis hits demand for electronics, toys and clothes, according to industry estimates.

Oct 22 07:47

China less likely to buffer world crisis as its economy slows

China's powerful economic machine is losing steam, raising significant concerns for many businesses that are counting on the Asian nation to help them ride out the global financial crisis.

Oct 21 10:50

US irked by China, Pakistan nuclear ties

The US says it has discussed NPT issues with China and Pakistan amid reports that Beijing is aiding Islamabad in building new nuclear reactors.

Oct 21 09:34

China Shipping's Traffic May Plunge as Exports Slow

China Shipping Container Lines Co. forecast traffic will decline for the first time in at least four years as the global economic slowdown and a stronger yuan curb demand for Chinese-made toys, electronics and clothing in North America and Europe.

Oct 16 09:40

House demands DOJ probe

At issue in the lawmakers' demands was the DEA's operation where 147 of 187 arriving passengers on a Shanghai Airlines flight were subjected to intensive body searches at the Saipan International Airport. Tour operators report that agents corralled the passengers-all Chinese-into a small room and searched even the most private parts of their bodies, in addition to checking every piece of luggage they carried.

Webmaster's Commentary: 

This obviously comes from the "You Can't Make This Stuff Up" Department of US Governmental Blunders"

One has to wonder whether the DEA was simply trying to create a nasty international incident, or if they were simply honing their skills on foreign nationals to use on each and every air passenger flying in the US.

Oct 11 08:26

China’s Central Bank Denies Plan to Buy U.S. Treasury Bonds

According to a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) report, China denied reports that it would buy up to $200 billion worth of U.S. Treasury bonds to partially finance the Bush Administration’s $700 billion rescue package.

Webmaster's Commentary: 

Why would anyone buy t-bills when the rate of inflation exceeds the rate of return?

Oct 11 07:45

China stiffing America for $100 billion in debt

While Chinese companies are in line to benefit directly from U.S. taxpayers' $700 billion-plus bailout of Wall Street, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and other financial institutions, Beijing is stiffing the U.S. for $100 billion or more in unpaid debt.

The status of the Chinese economy, including its repudiated debt, has prompted one analyst to warn of an "ominous threat" involving China's finances and suggest the possibility of "a dramatic reversal" for the "so-called Chinese Miracle."

Oct 10 07:20

GLOBAL CENSORSHIP

I received an email this morning from a reader in China. He cannot access my Blog any longer because it is on WordPress….

In his own words…. “The main reason why I suspect it’s not available in China is that all of wordpress.com is blocked here, almost certainly because that website hosts anti-China websites. China used to do that for geocities too, but recently I’ve noticed that I can get some geocities sites from here.”

Webmaster's Commentary: 

Anyone in China reading this, please let me know!

Oct 09 13:06

Bank of China buys into Rothschild bank

BEIJING: Bank of China Ltd. is buying a stake in French bank LCF Rothschild and says the two will develop private banking and asset-management services for China's newly rich.

China's fast-growing banking industry is eager to expand its foreign ties, and the latest deal announced late Thursday came despite industry turmoil following the failure of Wall Street house Lehman Brothers.

Oct 08 06:57

China state paper lashes US monetary policy

The "tsunami" in the US financial system was touched off by short-sighted monetary policy and lax regulation, a leading Chinese state ne
wspaper said on Wednesday. The front-page commentary in the overseas edition of the People's Daily is the latest in a stream of critical articles that have lashed US policy even as the Chinese central bank has said it endorses a Washington bailout plan.

Oct 07 12:54

Judge orders Chinese Muslims freed from Gitmo

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A federal judge has ordered the immediate release into the United States of a group of 17 Chinese Muslims who have been held in the U.S. military facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for several years.

WHY NOT FREE THEM ALL? have any charges been filed? gheesh.

Oct 07 10:53

China cancels, postpones military exchanges with US: Pentagon

China has canceled or postponed several military exchanges with the United States in protest against a proposed 6.5 billion dollar arms sale to Taiwan, a Pentagon spokesman has said.

“The Chinese reaction is unfortunate and results in missed opportunities,” said Major Stuart Upton.

Upton said senior level visits and exchanges involving humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief issues that had been scheduled to take place before the end of November, were canceled or postponed.

Oct 07 06:32

China cuts military ties with the US

China has abruptly cancelled several military agreements with the United States in protest at a decision by the US to sell $6.5 billion (£3.7 billion) of arms to Taiwan.

Oct 05 09:49

China warns on U.S. arms package for Taiwan

Oct 04 07:21

The new masters of the universe?

"Can you save us? We're here to be rescued!"

That, in a nutshell, was the collective cry of a swarm of American (and European) bankers, auditors, consultants and industrialists that thronged the cavernous halls of the colossal convention centre in Tianjin at the weekend.

Oct 03 09:45

The Bailout is for China?!?!

Oct 02 09:16

China holds aces as US loses face

AMID chaos on Wall Street, the question looms — who wins? Increasingly, eyes are flickering towards China.

Oct 01 07:49

FLASHBACK - U.S. dollar facing imminent collapse? Fed in bind as Paulsen, Bernanke head to China

Even as the stock market is hitting new record highs almost every day, the Federal Reserve and Treasury Department are quietly coordinating a devaluation of the dollar that the Bush administration hopes will be a slow decline rather than a dollar collapse.

This week, in an unusual move, the Bush administration is sending virtually the entire economic "A-team" to visit China for a "strategic economic dialogue" in Beijing Dec. 14 and 15.

Sep 28 07:33

China's spacewalk astronauts return as heroes

Three Chinese astronauts landed safely back on earth on Sunday after a 68-hour voyage and space walk that showcased the country's technological mastery and were hailed as a major victory by its leaders.

Sep 26 02:04

China banks told to halt lending to US banks

BEIJING, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Chinese regulators have told domestic banks to stop interbank lending to U.S. financial institutions to prevent possible losses during the financial crisis, the South China Morning Post reported on Thursday.

Sep 22 09:00

Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Pervez Ashfaq Kayani leaves for China tonight

According to military sources, during his five-day official tour to China he would meet with his Chinese counterpart People Liberation Army Chief Gen Chen Bingde in which matters related to enhancing Pak-China Defense and military cooperation would be discussed. Besides this Gen Kayani would also meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao who is also the commander in chief of the PLA.

Webmaster's Commentary: 

So, continued US aggressions against Pakistan risks open war with China.

Sep 21 09:09

Hundreds of Lehman investors protest in Hong Kong

Hundreds of angry Lehman Brothers investors rallied in Hong Kong on Sunday to demand the government help secure their money after the U.S. investment bank collapsed this past week.

The investors, many of them nearing or at retirement age, waved investment papers and chanted slogans outside the territory's government headquarters as they accused regulators of not doing enough to safeguard their interests.

Sep 19 22:12

China Blames Wall Street Meltdown On Fed Overissuance Of Currency

China’s state media today reports on the real reason behind the Wall Street meltdown and a subject that the mainstream US media dare not mention - the Federal Reserve’s overissuance of currency - which the Chinese say is part of a wider agenda to justify increased control over the global economy.

Sep 19 13:50

China - Hair Bands Made From Used Condoms

BEIJING (AFP) - Used condoms are being recycled into hair bands in southern China threatening to spread sexually-transmittable diseases they were originally meant to prevent, state media reported Tuesday.. Errr.. Recycling anybody?

Sep 19 00:36

America and China Joined at the Hip

By DAVE LINDORFF

18/9/08 "Counterpunch" -- - With the government now having spent over $800 billion in less than a year shoring up tottering financial companies that had become little more than casinos (and rigged ones at that), America is looking increasingly like China, a country where the state has been gradually getting out of the business of directly owning companies.

Sep 13 08:52

China may cut its dollar holdings

China, which holds a fifth of its currency reserves in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac debt, may cut the portion held in US dollars, according to China International Capital Corp (CICC), one of the nation's biggest investment banks.

Sep 10 09:23

Israeli Olympian calls Chinese 'shits'

Israel's sole medallist at the 2008 Olympics stirred a diplomatic row after describing the Chinese as shits, complaining they had funny accents and grumbling he could not buy hummus in China.

Webmaster's Commentary: 

Not that we are being racist or anything tacky like that.

Sep 08 08:32

China frets at US risk after Fannie/Freddie bailout

The U.S. Treasury's takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is good news in the short term for China, the biggest holder of the giant mortgage lenders' debt, but Beijing's huge U.S. exposure still poses a serious risk, a prominent government researcher said on Monday.
China owned $376 billion of debt issued by U.S. government agencies, principally Fannie and Freddie, as of mid-2007.

Sep 05 08:04

Main Bank of China Is in Need of Capital

China’s central bank is in a bind.

It has been on a buying binge in the United States over the last seven years, snapping up roughly $1 trillion worth of Treasury bonds and mortgage-backed debt issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Webmaster's Commentary: 

Well, there's your problem right there!

Aug 28 07:17

China agrees $3bn Iraq oil deal

Iraq and China have agreed the terms of a $3 billion oil service contract, Iraq's oil minister says, announcing the first major oil contract with a foreign firm since the fall of Saddam Hussein.

Webmaster's Commentary: 

"But, that's OUR oil, dammit!!!!" -- Official White Horse Souse

Aug 28 07:16

China, Iraq Reach $3 Bln Oil Service Deal

China and Iraq have signed a $3 billion deal revising an earlier agreement for China's biggest oil company to help develop the Ahdab oil field, an official at the Iraq's Oil Ministry said Thursday.

Aug 28 07:15

Russia wins backing from China

RUSSIA today won support from China and Central Asian states in its standoff with the West over the Georgia conflict as the European Union said it was weighing sanctions against Moscow.

Aug 11 07:52

China to overtake US as largest manufacturer

China is set to overtake the US next year as the world’s largest producer of manufactured goods, four years earlier than expected, as a result of the rapidly weakening US economy.

Webmaster's Commentary: 

Considering all the incentives the US government gives to encourage companies to offshore their manufacturing, it's almost amazing that it's taken this long to happen.

Aug 10 18:16

Iraq to revive oil deal with China

-Iraq and China are set to revive a $1.2 billion oil deal that was canceled after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, the Iraq's oil ministry said Sunday.

Webmaster's Commentary: 

"But, but, but, that's OUR oil! We worked for it! We killed for it! We conquered for it! WE bankrupted the taxpayers for it!" -- Official White Horse Souse

Aug 09 19:16

WAR ALERT!!!

The largest US/EU naval armada assembled since the start of Gulf War I now is taking up station just outside and inside the Persian Gulf, with significant battle groups just coming off an extensive joint military exercise timed to end just now. America never will be more ready to take on Iran, or so it thinks.

The US has announced its intention to emplace a naval blockade of Iran. That, in itself, is an act of war under international law. Never mind that Iran has done nothing to deserve this. Neither Russia nor China, strategic trading partners of Iran's will take this lying down.

Aug 08 09:06

Bush Hails US-China Ties

Webmaster's Commentary: 

Right after he lambasted China for its human rights record barely 24 hours before, and China told him, in essence, to "stick it where the sun don't shine"??

Is this man completely stupid, criminally incompetent, or both?

Aug 06 09:13

Beijing sends Mugabe packing

ZIMBABWE'S President, Robert Mugabe, has been forced to return home following intense political pressure from the Chinese Communist Party not to attend Friday night's opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games.

Aug 06 08:52

Bush To Speak Out Against China Policies On Day He Arrives For Olympics

Webmaster's Commentary: 

Can this man not put his feet so firmly down his throat when he speaks that he's tapdancing on his tonsils?!?!

Does he have any clue about how much US paper money China holds, and what would happen to the US economy (already poised to jump off a cliff) if China starts to dump dollars??

Aug 06 08:38

China revokes visa of gold medalist, Darfur activist Cheek

Olympic gold medalist and outspoken Darfur activist Joey Cheek has had his visa revoked by the Chinese embassy, hours before the speedskating champion was set to fly to China. And he wasn't even planning on wearing a mask when he got there.

Webmaster's Commentary: 

In ancient times, the Olympics were held in such high respect that wars would stop for the duration of the games, and competitors from the opposing sides would meet on the athletic fields, have the games, and while it would be too much to expect they would be friends, they were at least cordial according to contemporary records.

These degenerate times every government on Earth seems to feel that the Olympics exist solely either to make money or political points, and the athletes are just stands on which to hang medals to be admired, or pawns to be discarded if they fail to produce the required political results.

Aug 05 08:25

Beijing Olympics security: theater of the absurd

So much for the Olympic spirit. The Summer Games aren't much fun and games for those rights activists, public critics of the government and outspoken freethinkers like Yu who aren't welcome at the party, are under watch or have been driven out of town.

Jul 26 17:08

Terror Threats to Olympic Games

Webmaster's Commentary: 

How very convenient for the war hawks if something happens.

Especially since the CIA is behind these central Asia "terror" groups.

Jul 24 07:29

Bush will revive arms sales

US-Taiwan Business Council chairman Paul Wolfowitz told a gathering of the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei yesterday that he believed the administration of US President George W. Bush would recommence arms sales to Taiwan before Bush leaves office in January.