Blue Collar Politics

[BREAK] For those who might not believe that there is really a global class war progressing, which is currently being super-fueled by the grossest exploitation of the world's poorest people by wealthy manufacturers and attendant corporations, please remember this. In a communist society it is now accepted that, regardless of the political foundation of 'from each according to their abilities-to each according to their needs" it is perfectly acceptable that Ms. Cheung Yan "needs" come in at a bit over $3 BILLION. Talk about your high maintenance communist woman! However, those in China who actually produce the wealth now being gathered by the few are not blind to the unfair disparity. The unrest is such that official attention is being paid. China's leaders are now pushing an "Harmonious Society", which seems to mean that the rich will continue to choose the tune, but the poor better sing praises in harmony. The kicker, for me at least, is how China's struggle with unregulated capitalism mimics much of what's going on in our country, where rapidly deregulated capitalism has ruled since Ronald Reagan decided that corporations needed no governmental intrusion on their sacred turf.

- - - SNIP China's leaders have become concerned in recent years about problems tied to the country's blistering economic growth. anger over a growing gap between rich and poor and an inadequate social security system is feared to threaten the party's stability. Retirees increasingly cannot live on their pensions, crime and divorce rates have escalated, and clashes have broken out between security forces and farmers whose fields and villages have been swallowed by development. - - - End of SNIPPET

While here in the US, the Bushies want to play games with your Social Security insurance, rescind the tighter financial regulations put into effect after Enron, Worldcom and the dozen other corporate scandals raped taxpayers, shareholders and retirees, and they are degrading our public education to the point where the ability to make change for a dollar and read the Republican Platform will be the test to get a high school diploma, China has a different plan.

- - - SNIP In recent months, authorities have responded to social unrest by tightening controls, drafting laws that clamp down on the news media and launching a high-profile campaign against corruption. - - - End of SNIPPET

Of course, China takes a VERY hard line on protesters. But, I note that they do, at least, hold a trial. Even if it is just a show trial, the defendant gets to hear what the charges are. What a novel concept!

- - - SNIP Last month, the Communist Party chief of Shanghai was fired for allegedly helping loot the city's pension fund of hundreds of millions of dollars. Chen Liangyu, a protege of Hu's predecessor, Jiang Zemin, was the first member of the 24-member Politburo to lose his job since 1995. Analysts have speculated that Chen was targeted because he and other proteges of Jiang advocated unfettered economic growth. Experts said this year's plenary session was especially significant because initiatives in areas such as health, education and social welfare were more dramatic and comprehensive than usual. The session also focused on rural unrest and the environment. - - - End of SNIPPET

That final paragraph sounds like a good plan . . . for the US as well! ===== [/BREAK]

Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Worth $3.4bn, Ms Cheung is richest in China
Cheung Yan has enjoyed a nine-fold rise in her fortune in a year. Photograph: China Daily/Reuters A Chinese entrepreneur has surged past JK Rowling and Oprah Winfrey to become the richest self-made woman in the world, and China's wealthiest person. Cheung Yan, 49, the head of Nine Dragons Paper recycling and packing firm, is said to be worth US$3.4bn (�1.8bn) after a ninefold rise in her fortune in a year. In comparison, JK Rowling is worth nearly $1bn. Ms Cheung's wealth rose after the firm listed in Hong Kong.

More Here

[BREAK] Great news for America! Even better news for our military!! Devastating news for the already faltering world domination plans of the current Evil Empire administration!!! Britain's top military man, General Sir Richard Dannatt, delivered a broadside against the handling of the Iraq occupation, and pulled no punches as to the devastating effect it is having on the British military AND on Christian values in his homeland.

- - - SNIP His comments come after an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, where Sir Richard warned that the continuing presence of British troops "exacerbates the security problems" in Iraq and added that a "moral and spiritual vacuum" has opened up in British society, which is allowing Muslim extremists to undermine "our accepted way of life." The Chief of the General Staff believes that Christian values are under threat in Britain and that continuing to fight in Iraq will only make the situation worse. - - - End of SNIPPET.

Here's the DC take on this:

UK Troops Worsen Problems in Iraq: Army Chief - washingtonpost.com By Deborah Haynes and Peter Graff Reuters Friday, October 13, 2006; 5:42 AM LONDON - Britain's top army commander said the presence of British troops in Iraq was exacerbating security problems on the ground and they should be withdrawn soon. In an interview with the Daily Mail newspaper, General Richard Dannatt criticized post-war planning for the 2003 U.S.-led invasion and said the British presence in Iraq also hurt British security interests abroad, which British Prime Minister Tony Blair has repeatedly denied. More Here

Here's the Brits take, from the Daily Mail:

Army could be broken by Iraq, warns chief officer | the Daily Mail The Army could 'break' if it is kept too long in Iraq and British troops should be withdrawn 'soon', the head of the Army has said today. In a devastating broadside at Tony Blair's foreign policy, General Sir Richard Dannatt said: "I want an Army in five years time and 10 years time. Don't let's break it on this one. Let's keep an eye on time."

And, from this same Daily Mail article, we discover that the Gods of politics seem to love some irony. Check out the name of the British "Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesman"!

- - - SNIP Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesman Michael Moore said: "This is the frankest assessment we have had about Iraq. It illustrates that the government has no clear strategy." - - - End of SNIPPET More Here

As Repugnants keep using the long ago pictures of the "purple fingers" of Iraqi voters as their proof that attacking, invading and occupying Iraq was a good thing, they always fail to mention that the government the Iraqis voted for was overturned by American puppets, and that more changes to the UNELECTED Iraqi government continue. More Here [/BREAK]

[BREAK] Of course the US didn't sign on to a long-negotiated treaty prohibiting governments from holding people in secret detention. The other 57 civilized nations who thought secret detention was an abomination did not have the same baggage as we do.

The United States declined to endorse the document, saying its text did not meet U.S. expectations.

Of course it didn't meet our expectations. When it comes to restrictions, ANY restrictions, of actions by sovereign powers, the Bushies expect the final sentence to read: "The US, under GW Bush, is hereby exempted from any and all restrictions contained herein." The Repugnants cringe when they read:

Louise Arbour, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, said the treaty was "a message to all modern-day authorities committed to the fight against terrorism" that some practices are "not acceptable."

You see, as with the many Geneva Conventions, International Courts/law, UN resolutions and all other treaties and agreements the US joined, once Emperor Bush was elected/selected, things changed. We are now the class bully, and God help any other/weaker country that tries to stop us from committing (what those wimpy countries refer to as) crimes against humanity! JB ---

U.S. Declines to Join Accord on Secret Detentions - washingtonpost.com U.S. Declines to Join Accord on Secret Detentions 58 Nations Sign Separate Pact On Child Soldiers By Molly Moore Washington Post Foreign Service Wednesday, February 7, 2007; Page A14 PARIS, Feb. 6 -- Representatives from 57 countries on Tuesday signed a long-negotiated treaty prohibiting governments from holding people in secret detention. The United States declined to endorse the document, saying its text did not meet U.S. expectations. Louise Arbour, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, said the treaty was "a message to all modern-day authorities committed to the fight against terrorism" that some practices are "not acceptable."

More here [/BREAK]