Left Flank

It's international goodwill, according to James Fallows, that Beijing needs more than trade or aid, to keep it united and content.

I've been saying all along that, despite all of the complaints about the way the Chinese state is run in X, Y or Z way and how the Olympics are run, it's in the world's interest to have China feel good about this whole event, both in the way it pulls off as an event and also how their own athletes feel.

Because historically -- and I'm talking about the last century or so -- the times when China has been most of a trouble to itself and to the world is when it's feeling like a loser, when it's feeling victimized, when it's feeling somehow inferior. That makes for a worse and more difficult country, in addition to being bad for the Chinese people, than when it's feeling more confident.

So based on readings as of August 2008, as you and I talk, it seems to me that this has been good for China in a positive way and most of the decals you see on people's face, you know, «I Love China,» and the cheers, and «Zhongguo, jia you,» that is, you know, «Let's go, China,» those seem to me more positive than they do exclusive or putting down. And so I say bring them on.

Well, should I be apologetic about my skepticism? I guess I haven't been a good global citizen!

It's inexplicable!

Why wasn't this Kaplan trainwreck replaced with this trite, yet respectful, Beijing Olympics editorial?

I understand Kaplan wants the US to engage Beijing as a competitor, and wants to reduce tensions and any chance of friction by just removing any chance of any bad words ever passing between embassies. But, Britain? Perhaps, they can serve tea and opium, too!

And, talk about patronizing! First, Americans ruined a race, and now it's a token for a belated moral awakening motivated by a corporate sports spectacle and hydrocarbon struggles. Please, just keep killing losers the old-fashioned way-with booze, disease, and religion! It's unseemly and disrespectful for a great power to grovel. If America wants to beat China, it needs to devise a strategy and execute it, not graft a serpent's tongue onto a peevish moron, calling it diplomacy.

The Olympics are a circus, but Beijing deserves smiling grace, just as every other host-including Hitler-before now has received. Enduring dumb, unbearably uncomfortable diplomatic ceremonies is what we elect presidents for, and what citizens around the world expect their prima donna athlete to do with their precious tax money. Just do it, for the sake of everything everyone wants-with Beijing's help. Ditch the privileged attitude, and suck!

Powered by ScribeFire.