How Should Obama Respond to North Korea's Nuclear Test?

AndroidBoy420, it's a good thing you don't work for the State Department.

While your arguments to manufacture more here have merit, and I agree - your views on China are short-sighted and your bravado is dangerous.

Disengagement from China would be unwise, and nearly impossible. We owe them a LOT of money. Trade keeps the peace. There are sticking points, to be sure - Taiwan, North and South Korea, and Japan. But through most of our history with China, we've had cordial relations, with periods and events of strain.

Your television probably wasn't made there, especially if it is a flat screen. They're usually made in South Korea. Pretty much every flat screen, regardless of the brand. GM may move there, get mad about that.

Free markets have radically changed China for the better in a very short period of time - and they know it. They are cautious by nature, so they don't rush into things. That cautious nature is one reason they are the oldest surviving major culture on earth - show a little respect.

Yes, we have our differences with China. They spy on us, as we do on them. They have a very different view of human rights, and are suspicious of our motives. And rightly so. We tend to be hypocrites when it comes to human rights. Our treatment of Chinese immigrants in the late 1800's reminds me of what we're trying to do to Mexicans today - make them scapegoats for our problems. Where is our moral fiber now?

Consider that China is almost as large as the US in landmass, has over 4 times the population, and a military budget that is a fraction of our own.

Moral fiber has nothing to do with the relationship. It rarely does in geopolitics. It's about practicality and necessity. Inject moral judgements so you can feel superior for the short-term, and you lose the long-term benefits of the relationship.

Comparing China with the Soviet Union is ridiculous. They are not the same, and never have been. China and the Soviets were NOT allies, despite both being communist. In fact, they really, really, really didn't like each other.

Rich of CO 7:04PM May 29, 2009