1 hour ago, DRW50 said:

 

China's likely to care mostly if it affects them, not for any other reason. 

 

This is a pretty good article from James Fallows about China in recent years. 

 

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2016/12/chinas-great-leap-backward/505817/

I appreciate you sharing this and indeed, it's a well researched article I wish more people would read. I think many of us realize the changes in China over the past few years but I have to admit it really didn't resonate clearly to me as to why until I read this.  The most disturbing part is exactly what I fear with the new President. You can't bluster in and renegotiate trade deals or cut off trade and hurt our relationship with them to the extent he viably can otherwise the entire world economy will collapse. And this idea we can simply dictate trade policy to them is nonsense. Our business interests are so intertwined that you can't simply cancel everything. The average American won't understand most of this and that's the pity because again it's those people who would hurt the most.

Looks like Ryan has been teaching Trump about the Constitution:

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/paul-ryan-donald-trump-constitution_us_58416be3e4b017f37fe40cad

 

Seriously? Talk about a sad day in American history when the Commander-in-Chief (to be) has to be taught about something he should know.

 

This man is the gift that keeps on giving.

 

The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2016

Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2016

I knew it would be the first one - his ego needs to be soothed at all costs. 

 

With that said, I do think the games that we play with these countries are increasingly transparent as so much is boiling over in Asia. I think he's just making public something that is coming anyway. 

13 hours ago, DramatistDreamer said:

 

Yes, China has a mostly non-interventionist policy where sovereign nations are concerned.

 

Now if we're talking Taiwan (AKA Chinese Taipei but only to the Chinese) and Hong Kong, that's an entirely different story. I'm sure this Trump conversation with Taiwan had collective smoke coming out of certain members of the Politburo's ears behind closed doors.

 

...Aaaannnd as expected, China has launched a complaint. (Oh well, as long as that Trump branded hotel in Taiwan is still on schedule, right?)

 

Trump’s Phone Call With Taiwan President Sparks China Complaint

 

Could India next in line after Trump's call to the Pakistani PM?

Italy's political climate and its similarities to ours. 

 

http://www.politico.eu/article/and-the-winner-in-italy-is-donald-trump/

1 hour ago, DRW50 said:

Italy's political climate and its similarities to ours. 

 

http://www.politico.eu/article/and-the-winner-in-italy-is-donald-trump/

Interesting. But honestly I have a friend who returned after spending the last 18 years in Italy and Belusconi and his tenure as PM had a lot more similarities to trump with his business background and the -ability to be the Italian version of Teflon Don.  He still has a presence in politics although much less due to his tax evasion conviction and  the child pornography associations. He also controls a good amount still of the media there which explains the untruths allowed to propagate as fact.

Steve Bannon’s data firm in talks for lucrative White House contracts

 

 

Why am I not surprised?

Matteo Renzi the Italian PM who was recently feted at a State Dinner has resigned.

The PM of New Zealand has also resigned today.

 

People are now speculating on who else will resign before January 20th, 2017.  I don't think either has to do with who'll be entering the White House next month (both, I believe had referendums whose outcomes disappointed the PMs) but the coincidence is getting a few chuckles.

 

Park Geun-hye of South Korea, could be next, if she hasn't already tendered her resignation, IMO.

 

One bit of positive news in the U.S.

 

The Standing Rock protesters celebrate that the Army Corps of Engineers (on word from POTUS) has decided not to grant easement for the pipeline construction.

I sincerely hope this lasts.

 

8 minutes ago, DramatistDreamer said:

 

 

One bit of positive news in the U.S.

 

The Standing Rock protesters celebrate that the Army Corps of Engineers (on word from POTUS) has decided not to grant easement for the pipeline construction.

I sincerely hope this lasts.

 

 

I'm glad Obama is giving them some breathing room. They have earned it, and much more, given that their homes will likely be destroyed.

 

A Muslim comedian talks about a plane trip with Eric Trump.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/dec/03/eric-trump-muslim-comedian-mo-amer-flight-interview

Exclusive: Ivanka was finalizing deal w/ Japanese apparel giant Sanei when she sat in on Trump's meeting w/ PM Abe https://t.co/wboGXa48b7

— Hiroko Tabuchi (@HirokoTabuchi) December 4, 2016

It looks like the Trump administration will be chomping at the bit to undo the DAP decision. I hope they can't though.

http://www.politico.com/story/2016/12/us-army-corps-blocks-dakota-access-pipeline-232172

 

No change needed: By selecting Nancy Pelosi, House Democrats think the party is just fine

http://www.salon.com/2016/11/30/pelosi-breezes-to-victory-again-but-dont-expect-house-democrats-to-start-singing-kumbaya/

Pelosi’s 134-63 victory means that — assuming she serves out her two-year term, through the 2018 midterms — she will have been the top House Democrat for 15 years, longer than chamber legends like Tip O’Neill (10) and Bob Michel (14).

Pelosi’s second-in-command and fellow septuagenarian, Minority Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland, has held the top deputy position since 2003. They’ll be in good company, as next year’s Democratic House leadership has an average age of 72.