China, Taiwan and Trump

[Pete F.]

Things seem to be shaking up in Southeast Asia.
How will Trump deal with this?
Will he decide to throw Taiwan under the bus, that they are not worth the potential cost and concede Taiwan to China?
Or will he come to their defense and continue support of Taiwan and our other allies in Asia?

[detbuch]

Originally Posted by Pete F.

Things seem to be shaking up in Southeast Asia.
How will Trump deal with this?
Will he decide to throw Taiwan under the bus, that they are not worth the potential cost and concede Taiwan to China?
Or will he come to their defense and continue support of Taiwan and our other allies in Asia?

Which of your two choices do you think he should do?

[Pete F.]

I have the worldview that if we are to maintain our position in the world we need to assist others, and that closing ourselves off will do little but ensure our eventual demise.
Perhaps you could choose?
I did see this which reminded me of some discussions here.
One version of Buddhist hell posits a grand ballroom with tables holding bowls of delicious steaming rice. But the people in hell have three-foot chopsticks affixed as extensions of their arms, making eating impossible. Unable to feed themselves, they starve.

Heaven, according to this story, is the exact same place — but the people feed each other.

[detbuch]

Originally Posted by Pete F.

I have the worldview that if we are to maintain our position in the world we need to assist others, and that closing ourselves off will do little but ensure our eventual demise.
Perhaps you could choose?
I did see this which reminded me of some discussions here.
One version of Buddhist hell posits a grand ballroom with tables holding bowls of delicious steaming rice. But the people in hell have three-foot chopsticks affixed as extensions of their arms, making eating impossible. Unable to feed themselves, they starve.

Heaven, according to this story, is the exact same place — but the people feed each other.

You are often very specific and definite in your criticism of Trump. Especially in not fudging when you repeat and repeat that he is a con artist. Some might accuse you of fudging an answer here. I won't do that. It appears to me that this is the way you typically answer a tough question. A personal characteristic of being super cautious.

It's not a trick question. It's not a trap or a gotcha. You brought up what you consider is a Trump dilemma re Taiwan vs China. If China tries to militarily take Taiwan, Which of the two choices you posed do you think Trump should do?

I'll make it easier for you, I'll tell you what I would do. I'm not influenced by your Buddhist parable. I see nothing in it to help since I don't think pacifism would stop China. And there is a big and frightful difference between merely assisting others, and going to war to protect them.

Push come to shove, I would go to war with China if it tried to forcefully take Taiwan. Of course that requires a lot of stuff besides gung ho lets dance. Warnings, getting alliances on board, Congress, etc., etc.

I'll ask you again. What do you think Trump should do?

[Pete F.]

I thought this was a pretty clear answer
I have the worldview that if we are to maintain our position in the world we need to assist others, and that closing ourselves off will do little but ensure our eventual demise.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[detbuch]

Originally Posted by Pete F.

I thought this was a pretty clear answer
I have the worldview that if we are to maintain our position in the world we need to assist others, and that closing ourselves off will do little but ensure our eventual demise.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

So you would assist China?

[Pete F.]

Originally Posted by detbuch

So you would assist China?

Hardly, whatever would make you say that
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[detbuch]

Originally Posted by Pete F.

Hardly, whatever would make you say that
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

You said "if we are to maintain our position in the world we need to assist others," . . . you claimed that was pretty clear.

[Pete F.]

Originally Posted by detbuch

You said "if we are to maintain our position in the world we need to assist others," . . . you claimed that was pretty clear.

Apparently you, like Trump, are confused about who our allies are.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[detbuch]

Originally Posted by Pete F.

Apparently you, like Trump, are confused about who our allies are.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Apparently you are confused. I said that I would go to war with China if it tried to take Taiwan by force.

You started this thread with a question. "How will trump deal with this?" Then you posed two choices, "Will he decide to throw Taiwan under the bus, that they are not worth the potential cost and concede Taiwan to China?
Or will he come to their defense and continue support of Taiwan and our other allies in Asia?"

I asked which did you think he should do?

To which you replied: "I have the worldview that if we are to maintain our position in the world we need to assist others, and that closing ourselves off will do little but ensure our eventual demise."

Which seemed vague to me, not saying specifically what should be done to "assist others" nor mentioning anything about allies. But you did mention something about a Buddhist heaven or hell with steaming bowls of rice and three foot chopsticks and feeding each other. Which didn't clarify or specify what you thought Trump should do--maybe send Taiwan and China steaming bowls of rice, or choose some Buddhist path of non-violence to persuade China against its intentions?

You did ask me "Perhaps you could choose?" Which I specifically said I would go to war with China over the matter. Which I thought would make it easier for you to give a direct, blunt answer.

Cutting to the chase and through the vague suggestions, am I to assume that you think Trump should "assist" Taiwan by using military force in answer to China's use of force? Yes, No, or the usual Perhaps, or something different and really creative that Trump and his advisors are just to dumb to think of?

[Pete F.]

Yes

[Cool Beans]

WOW that was worse than getting a tooth pulled.....

[Cool Beans]

I was also thinking what would happen if Russia tried to take Crimea..... would the US President do anything.???? Oh wait, that did happen and NOPE the President did Jack chits.

[Pete F.]

Originally Posted by Cool Beans

I was also thinking what would happen if Russia tried to take Crimea..... would the US President do anything.???? Oh wait, that did happen and NOPE the President did Jack chits.

Not nearly as much BS as Guliani explaining that there was collusion but Trump didn’t know about it
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