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Thoughts
Brigadier/Shek,
Having participated in this thread from the beginning I know that you're aware that I've, indeed, read the book and seen the movie. The lessons applicable have been absorbed by this boy-born in Taiwan and lived in Germany for six years. I'm not at all unusual in this regard.
My small town in Wisconsin has produced that GE engineer and my friend in Laos. It also produced a classmate recently the deputy managing editor of TIME. Brigadier, your own local example of a nuanced diplomat living near you in India suggests not all is as it seems.
Finally, Brigadier, you know that I've recently been visiting to Neo's board and did so BEFORE Bhutto's assassination. So too, I note, Texas John and Zraver. Frankly, Brigadier, it flat-out cuts both ways- leadership obligations by America or otherwise as each interaction imposes requirements of sensitivity and understanding on both parties.
Shek, your point's understood however it ignores the targeted application of Chinese state resources on limited objectives under far more optimal circumstances than America routinely faces. Too, it ignores the transparent self-interests behind the Chinese gov't's objectives as ultimately self-serving and harmful to the greater good.
Nonetheless, gentlemen, I appreciate that perfection remains the goal and that the light shines most brightly upon America by virtue of our primacy-desired, unwanted, or otherwise. I'm very well-versed in the arguments against our efforts and understand FULLY that serious flaws exist even today. Shek, in particular, you KNOW that to be the case as I've been clearly disparaging of U.S. governmental agencies detachment from our core issues overseas and the educational/language preparation that I pray to attain within our diplo/military community.
I won't argue further as I've made my case as best I can and refuse to accept trite and pat overgeneralizations. Solutions for any nation's self-improvement with respect to external relations/contacts are clear and easily had with proper intent.
I just hope that they're pursued with greater introspection and altruism by all because we can ALL stand considerable improvement.
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"This aggression will not stand, man!" Jeff Lebowski
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