The politics thread

[Riot]

Welcome to the realm of blood-sucking politics! I decided to make this thread after some complaints that I'm flooding the forum with intelligent and sgnificant posts. I was just over-whelming the people with my amazing insight and unmatched debating skills. You could call me the master debator.

Anyways, this is the thread where we can post articles about politics. We can also debate and discuss them in there as well. I hope this thread goes on for over 150 pages and is nominated for Thread of the Century. That is my goal and I will take anyone out who gets in my way of completing that plan.

So...sticky this and let's roll.

[Riot]

I'll take my first crack at the politics thread...

US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has expressed concern about China's growing missile capability.

Mr Rumsfeld was speaking on the final day of his trip to China before departing for South Korea.

In a speech, Mr Rumsfeld said China was expanding the reach of its ballistic missiles beyond the Pacific region to cover most of the world.

He also called on the Beijing government to be more open about its military spending.

"China of course is expanding its missile forces and enabling those forces to reach many areas of the world, well beyond the Pacific region.

"Those advances in China's strategic strike capability give cause for concern, particularly when there is an imperfect understanding among others about such developments," Mr Rumsfeld said.

"As a result, a number of countries with interests in the region are asking questions about China's intentions."

'No first strike'

During his talks with Chinese officials, Mr Rumsfeld was told that China would not be the first to use nuclear weapons in the event of a conflict.

US officials said Gen Jing Zhiyuan made the remarks when Mr Rumsfeld paid an unprecedented visit to the headquarters of China's nuclear arsenal.

There have been concerns that China might use nuclear weapons if the US intervened in a conflict with Taiwan.

BBC Beijing correspondent Daniel Griffiths says Mr Rumsfeld has spent much of his first visit to China highlighting Washington's fears about Beijing's rising military power.

But he adds that despite these concerns, US officials say they have received positive signs from the normally secretive Chinese military.

On his first visit to China since taking office in 2001, Mr Rumsfeld met President Hu Jintao and Defence Minister Cao Gangchuan.

President Hu urged better military ties with the US.

In a meeting with Mr Rumsfeld, Mr Hu said that although the military relationship had improved in recent years, there was still room to expand.

They also discussed US President George W Bush's visit to Beijing in November and plans to increase military educational exchanges.

Spending downplayed

US officials said Mr Rumsfeld was the first foreigner to visit the Strategic Rocket Forces, at Qinghe outside Beijing, and that previous requests to go there had always been denied.

He was given a briefing on the command's structure and training, but not given details about missile numbers.

Gen Jing, quoted by US officials, denied that Chinese missiles were targeting any country.

He also appeared to disavow a statement in June by Gen Zhu Chengzhu that China would have to respond with nuclear weapons if targeted by US forces in a crisis over Taiwan.

During his visit, Mr Rumsfeld has repeatedly questioned China's military spending.

China's official military budget is this year set to be $30bn, but the Pentagon said in June that the real figure was $90bn.

China has consistently increased its defence spending since the 1990s, but Chinese officials say the increase is needed to modernise its armed forces and pay better salaries.

China also says its budget is dwarfed by US military spending, which last year totalled $440bn.

'

Source

A conflict between America and China is a growing possibility. It's a good sign though that Rumsfield was allowed in their country. The China-Taiwan conflict might get America in the middle of it, however I doubt it would result in anything more than a small conflict.

[J@3]

Oh good. No sticky

[Jackal]

You'd have to be Riot to sticky this thread.

[Jugs]

Or a "masterbator" as Riot put it

[Riot]

Ok, I said master debator! Anyways, I don't know how well this politics thread will work considering I'll probably end up talking to myself.

[Jugs]

You've already double posted

[Riot]

You've already double posted

Making a worthy post in the correct thread, what the hell are you doing here?

[shadowgrin]

Why is the US afraid of China stockpiling missiles? Is the US afraid that their status as a world superpower is threatened by China? Kindly elaborate the US' concern, Riot.

[Riot]

China and America have a very testy relationship. We really don't like each other that much.

We are fully supporting Taiwan's independance. We want Taiwan to be a democracy and Taiwan wants to be a democracy. The only problem is China doesn't want Taiwan to be a free nation because they don't want an American influence in Asia. China wants to have control over Taiwan but Taiwan wants to be independent.

We're afraid because China said that they would have no problem striking first if we didn't say out. We want China to stop fucking with Taiwan and China wants us to stop fucking with Taiwan. The only difference is Taiwan wants America to help and they want to be free from China.

But basically, we don't think China has good intentions and many other countries are kind of questioning China. But like I said, I highly doubt any military conflict happens between China and America. If one does happen though, it will be far away from American soil.

[shadowgrin]

any military conflict happens between China and America. If one does happen though, it will be far away from American soil.

Yeah, neighboring Asian countries will be fucked up as casualties of war.

The ironic thing is, most people in my country (including me) protest the US presence (or control?) in the region but when some kind of military conflict happens amongst Asian countries, they expect the US to come to the rescue.
Crazy protestors.

[Riot]

*dun dun dun*

[shadowgrin]

^^ Pic:
You really are having too much fun with this politics thread of yours huh Riot?

[Null17]

for some reason, I'm still not interested in politics at all even thought I'm about to leave college

[Jackal_]

Kill all the white people

[T-wolves]

Why the hell do the United Sates have to be involved in everything?

[Riot]

Why the hell do the United Sates have to be involved in everything?

Because they ask? Because we want to help? Because we are the World Police, whether you like it or not?

You'd be amazed how many countries beg for America's help. Of course, not every country is going to agree with America because they stick their nose in that countries buisness. However, it doesn't matter. I really couldn't care less if China hates us. I really couldn't care less if France hates us. I wouldn't care if every single country in the world hated us. Despite the hate that goes around the world, we still help people. We still help the people that hate us. We still help the people that chew us out. Sometimes I wish we would just say screw it and not send any aid or supplies ANYWHERE in the whole world for a year. Bring our troops back and our naval ships back to port and around American targets and ports. See how well the world would do without America to hold the pieces in place. You'd be amazed how quickly the world would fall apart.

[J@3]

Lol @ World Police... self appointed World Police maybe.

[Riot]

With power there comes responsiblity. I expect the leading nation in the world to look after those without a voice. Whether it's America, Australia, or any other country.

[Jackal_]

With power there comes responsiblity. I expect the leading nation in the world to look after those without a voice. Whether it's America, Australia, or any other country.

You sure you dont suck dubya's dick on the weekends rizzle?

[Cloudy]

Lol @ World Police... self appointed World Police maybe.

God told them they are. Just fuck off USA, Asia is not a place you should stay. So what do you think MasterdeBator about the oil thing between China and Japan?

[Riot]

Lol @ World Police... self appointed World Police maybe.

God told them they are. Just fuck off USA, Asia is not a place you should stay. So what do you think MasterdeBator about the oil thing between China and Japan?

If Taiwan wants us to be there and wants to be free then we can be there.

As for the oil standoff, I don't really care. China and Japan have their own issues that doesn't relate to us. They need to settle on some borders and then everything will take care of itself. It's a shame that the U.N. has to get involved.

[Cloudy]

Isn't it good to have U.N. involved? I thought U.N. is the uhh, also a World Police?

[Riot]

The United Nations is a joke and to get them involved is silly. The two countries should draw up some damn borders and that would be that. There is no reason why the U.N. should have to get involved.

[shadowgrin]

Because we are the World Police, whether you like it or not

Team America comes to mind again. FUCK YEAH!