Punishing China (reprise)

On April 17 of this year, this blog was first posted. Given current developments, I think it deserves a reprise!

It is now clear that the COVID-19 virus came from a level-4 virology lab near Wuhan, China ... and that Chinese authorities waged a propaganda campaign to cover this up and conspire to infect the rest of the world with this virus while limiting its spread within its own country.

This, unfortunately, is typical behavior for this autocratic regime ... and needs to be highlighted and punished. The question is how? May I suggest (pick any two to begin with):

- Insist that all Chinese companies listed on US stock exchanges comply with GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) and undergo annual published audits by non-Chinese accredited accounting firms.

- Decree that all critical  drug, defense, electronic, computer, software and telecommunications companies move their supply chains and development labs out of China and back to the US.

- Reestablish export controls on critical US technology ... like what once were in place during the last century.

- Permit companies and individuals to sue China for damages arising out of the Wuhan pandemic and patent/copyright infringements. Any judgments coming therefrom need to be paid either directly by China ... or by the US which would then default on the equivalent amount of US debt held by China.

- Thoroughly vet all Chinese students and emigres who have access to critical American know-how to insure that they have not been sent here to spy on America.

- Stop buying rare-earth minerals from China. Switch to the newly-discovered sources off Japan ... or encourage prospecting for same in America.

- Double the tariffs on all Chinese imports ... particularly if it doesn’t live up to its Phase 1 commitments.

- Start a new OPEC (Organization of Pandemic Enduring Countries) to coordinate global sanctions against China.

Punishing China

It is now clear that the COVID-19 virus came from a level-4 virology lab near Wuhan, China ... and that Chinese authorities waged a propaganda campaign to cover this up and conspire to infect the rest of the world with this virus while limiting its spread within its own country.

This, unfortunately, is typical behavior for this autocratic regime ... and needs to be highlighted and punished. The question is how? May I suggest (pick any two to begin with):

- Insist that all Chinese companies listed on US stock exchanges comply with GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) and undergo annual published audits by non-Chinese accredited accounting firms.

- Decree that all critical  drug, defense, electronic, computer, software and telecommunications companies move their supply chains and development labs out of China and back to the US.

- Reestablish export controls on critical US technology ... like what once were in place during the last century.

- Permit companies and individuals to sue China for damages arising out of the Wuhan pandemic and patent/copyright infringements. Any judgments coming therefrom need to be paid either directly by China ... or by the US which would then default on the equivalent amount of US debt held by China.

- Thoroughly vet all Chinese students and emigres who have access to critical American know-how to insure that they have not been sent here to spy on America.

- Stop buying rare-earth minerals from China. Switch to the newly-discovered sources off Japan ... or encourage prospecting for same in America.

- Double the tariffs on all Chinese imports ... particularly if it doesn’t live up to its Phase 1 commitments.

- Start a new OPEC (Organization of Pandemic Enduring Countries) to coordinate global sanctions against China.

Stones

Suddenly the Republicans have gotten a set of stones ... not that they are going to stand up to Obummer's many outrages. No, they are ready and willing to sue President Trump (assuming he wins ... which is made more difficult given the likes of Ryan) if he wants to stop temporarily the immigration of Muslims from countries where terrorists are active ... see: Talking Points Memo. Has Ryan done anything to stop President Obummer's open-borders policy? No! In fact, last Fall, as one of his first acts as Speaker of the House, he quickly put on the blinders and passed all of Obummer's rich budget requests including immigration resettlement and TPP funding.

Donald Trump is increasingly accused of being impolitic ... particularly since becoming the presumptive Republican presidential candidate. But Ryan is giving him a run for his money. If Trump does prevail despite his increasing opposition within the Republican Party, it will be very interesting to see how he might get anything done given the recalcitrance of the likes of RINO Ryan as Speaker.

Of course, this was before his little Republican pebbles turned into stones.

Heavy Metal

What do the bands Metallica, Rage Against The Machine, Queen, Eminem, David Gray. and Skinny Puppy have in common? Why their recordings all were used to “torture” prisoners at Gitmo … see: Brooklyn Vegan Blog. This last band mentioned has invoiced the U.S. government $666,000 (a devil of an amount) for using its “music” for this purpose without its permission. And it may sue the government if this requested amount isn’t remitted.

How quaint …