Calculating
Calculating's JournalIs there some particular reason why China has gone full asshole mode lately?
Just saying, seems like they're threatening Taiwan, the US and other nations daily. They've threatened to nuke Japan, they prop up all kinds of oppressive and nasty regimes, concentration camps for their ethnic muslims, etc. They pretty much REFUSE to do anything about climate change and demanded that WE pay them money if we want them to stop building coal plants. Like, wtf China? The world has enough problems lately without insecure Xi trying to start WW3 because of his lust for power. FFs, they've even been banning video games and Kpop lately. I just feel bad for the Chinese people honestly, they deserve better than such an evil government.
Inflation and the shortages are going to KILL us in the midterms unless solved
Starting to get worried here, at work it's getting harder and harder to get anything done due to parts shortages. Even though many of our components are made in the USA they require foreign made parts which are all stuck at the port not getting unloaded from the container ships. Even shipping is getting harder, with huge fedex delays, prices on shipping going way up, now we have shortages of basic shipping supplies like packing foam and such.
Gas prices are sky high, food costs are up, things like laundry detergent cost 20% more than a year ago, housing has become completely unobtainable unless you're some kind of millionaire, etc.
Things are just not going well in our country right now, and while it's not directly the Dem's fault there are many people who will just blame the current party in power. Like, come on! When are things going to start working again in this country? There shouldn't be shortages of every damn thing, it's starting to feel like the soviet union before collapse.
Xi demands US money and delivers a dud at COP26
China are sure trying to be the great global villain lately, aren't they? How are we supposed to accomplish anything on climate when China refuses to get with the program and stop building NEW coal plants?
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/xi-demands-us-money-and-delivers-a-dud-at-cop26/ar-AAQck0W?ocid=msedgntp#comments
Failing to attend the summit, the Chinese leader was expected to extend an olive branch with new pledges to cut carbon emissions. Instead, Xi offered no new commitments beyond pre-stated pledges to peak China's carbon emissions by 2030 and reach neutrality by 2060. The lack of new action will greatly disappoint COP26 delegates. It will particularly frustrate the European Union, which regards China's cooperation on climate change as a keystone of its diplomatic partnership with Beijing.
Instead, Xi sent a letter to COP26 host and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
According to Chinese state media, the letter warned against U.S. efforts to organize global democracies in greater challenge of China's destabilizing activities. Xi explained that "forming exclusive blocs or even drawing ideological lines will only cause division." He also appeared to demand U.S. decarbonization funding, explaining that "the developed countries should honor their funding commitments to developing countries to help them cope with climate change." (China regards itself as a developing country).
This attempt at distraction and linking of unrelated geopolitical issues to climate change will aggravate many governments. Yet, Xi's dud letter does reflect how carbon emissions have become a secondary concern for Beijing. Even Xi's 2030 and 2060 timetables must now be judged with caution.
After all, China is currently afflicted with a mass power shortage. This is disrupting China's export-dependent economy and the provision of heating amid the approaching cold winter. Having already constructed hundreds of new dirty coal-powered plants over the past few years, the Communist Party will be reluctant to risk further damaging the economy and public approval with further carbon emission controls. It's crucial to recognize that Xi's regime is increasingly paranoid amid escalating external pressures against its foreign policy and rising domestic pressures over consumer choices, political identity, and a reverberating coronavirus pandemic. Those, such as U.S. climate czar John Kerry, who believe that China can be appeased into acting much more boldly on carbon emissions, are deluding themselves.
Xi isn't interested in saving the planet. As one of the BBC's more astute journalists observed on Monday, he's interested in securing the party.
Profile Information
Member since: Fri Jul 1, 2016, 11:57 PMNumber of posts: 2,955
