| This was another big week with plenty of links. It was also the week the American right took it on the chin. Conservatives, which includes yours truly, saw eye-popping examples of fellow right-wingers who sounded � to put it euphemistically � compromised on Communist China. Whether it was the near silence of conservative politicians as the Bush Administration slithered towards turning down Taiwan�s Aegis request, or Rev. Pat Robertson�s unbelievable defense of forced abortion in the PRC, it was a week we realized the right is far from wholly anti-Communist. If there was ever any doubt that the new anti-Communist coalition must include liberals and moderates, I think it�s gone now. D.J. McGuire On the general right-wing silence over the Aegis-armed ships, we have Charles Babington, in the Washington Post. A good take on the fury that Rev. Pat Robertson unleashed with his unsettling defense of Communist China�s "one child"-forced abortion policy come from Thomas Edsall, also in the Post. OTHERS FROM THE WASHINGTON POST An excellent op-ed piece by Tom Malinowski on the businesses "engaging" with Communist China, and how they are not doing their part to change the PRC for the better, quite the reverse. Ted Galen Carpenter, on the muted reaction of our Asian allies to the Hainan crisis. FROM THE WASHINGTON TIMES From A.M. Rosenthal, formerly of the New York Times, an op-ed piece on the deceptions that have become the foundation of "engagement" with Communist China (note: he is deeply bitter, but makes very good points). From Frank Gaffney Jr., on a repeat attempt to loosen export restriction to the Communists. (Note: Let us know if you think we should hit the Senate with another e-mail wave over this: [email protected]) OTHER LINKS From Time Asia � Interview with ROC Foreign Minister Tien Hung-mao. From Willy Wo-Lap Lam of CNN � the coming shake-up next year means wholesale personnel, and some structure changes, but the Communist Party still will reign supreme. The two leading men tied inexorably to the Tiananmen Square massacre: President Jiang Zemin � its greatest beneficiary � and Li Peng � who ordered it, are refusing to retire. Jiang still wants to chair the powerful Central Military Commission, while Li wants the Presidency. Feel free to forward this to anyone you think might be interested in receiving this. Anyone who wishes to join can send his/her name and e-mail address to [email protected]. |