Bank Explosion in China! J-15 Fighters! and Shaquille O’Neal, the Shaolin Monk!?!

Among a great many other stories. Welcome to this Thursday’s (12-1-2011) edition of “Inside the Dragon.”

(P.S.) Sorry for the length of this vid, it was to tired to cut it down.

Related Articles:

“Aircraft carrier sails from port for new test” – http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2011-11/30/content_14185249.htm

“Wen urges protecting rights of women, children” – http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2011-11/27/content_14170470.htm

“US base in Australia shows ‘Cold War mentality'” – http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2011-12/01/content_14193427.htm

“Non-Communist parties urged to contribute to China’s economic development” – http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-11/30/c_131280210.htm

“Central Committee of Chinese KMT Revolutionary Committee meets” – http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-12/01/c_131282710.htm

“Prosperous kungfu industry created in Dengfeng, China’s Henan” – http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/photo/2011-11/29/c_131277583.htm

“Two-story Jin tomb unearthed in N China” – http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/culture/2011-12/01/c_131282081.htm

“Blast outside bank kills two, injures over 10 in central China” – http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-12/01/c_131282976.htm

“China launches new scientific research vessel” – http://english.sina.com/technology/p/2011/1130/419299.html

FIDEL CASTRO – “A bloody war would inevitably start. There should be no doubt about it.”

So yeah, I’m going to be providing two perspectives of sorts (courtesy competing medias) and let’s play a game – “Pin the Tail on the Tyrant.”

Voice #1 (Fidel Castro/Chinese Media) –

“Attack on Iran would unleash “bloody war”: Fidel Castro”

HAVANA, Nov.14 (Xinhua) — Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro warned Monday that “a U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran would inevitably unleash a bloody war.”

“Because of its ability to fight, the number of inhabitants and the size of the country, an attack on Iran is not like the previous Israeli military adventures in Iraq and Syria,” Castro wrote in an article.

“A bloody war would inevitably start. There should be no doubt about it,” the 85-year-old former leader added, speculating that Israel intends to attack Iran as it did when targeting the nuclear facilities in Syria in 2007 and in Iraq in 1981.

Castro also cited U.S. Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice as saying that an attack on Iran is a real growing option and that the U.S. government is considering putting an end to the current Iranian leadership to prevent it from creating a nuclear arsenal.

Western countries are ratcheting up pressure on Iran after a report by the international nuclear watchdog IAEA said the country’s nuclear program had an agenda to develop weapons.

Tehran has completely rejected the report, calling it “unbalanced, unprofessional and politically-motivated.”

Voice #2 (Ret. Army Ge. John Keane/U.S.A.) –

“Iran Terror Plot Prompts Calls For Tougher Actions”

WASHINGTON — House Republicans gave the stage Wednesday to hardliners who called for everything from cyber attacks to political assassinations in response to Iran’s alleged plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador on American soil, which was revealed earlier this month.

“We’ve got to put our hand around their throat now,” retired Army Gen. John Keane told a hearing of two key subcommittees of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Speaking of the Quds Force, which is accused of masterminding the foiled plot to use Mexican drug traffickers to carry out the hit in Washington, he implored the panel, “Why don’t we kill them? We kill other people who kill others.”

The bellicose testimony, which stopped short of calls for military action, was only the most colorful in a hearing in which lawmakers bandied about phrases such as “an act of war” and “red lines” that had been crossed. The joint hearing on “Iranian Terror Operations on American Soil” was called by the subcommittees on counterterrorism and intelligence and on oversight, investigations and management, and it featured a panel of neoconservatives who portrayed the plot as a last straw that demanded tougher actions against Iran.

The bungled plot was “a stunning rebuke to the Obama administration’s policy of negotiation and isolation with the Iranians,” Keane said, adding that neither Republican nor Democratic administrations since 1980 have dealt effectively with Iran.

“They have been systematically killing us for over 30 years,” he noted, recounting a series of Iranian-inspired attacks beginning with the 1983 bombing of the American Embassy in Lebanon and continuing to the arming of Shiia militia blamed for killing U.S. troops in Iraq to the latest alleged attack this month. He said the time for “half measures” was over and it was time to “begin to treat Iran as the strategic enemy they truly are.”

Reuel Marc Gerecht, a former CIA officer now at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a neoconservative think tank, agreed and urged an array of covert operations against Iran. “It’s crystal clear they have the conception that now today in Washington, D.C., they can have a terrorist operation,” he said, “and could get away with it.”

Another witness, Matt Levitt, a counterterrorism expert at the conservative Washington Institute for Near East Policy, called for stepped-up diplomatic and financial pressure on Iran but also said in a written statement that “U.S. unilateral raids or raids undertaken in collaboration with Iraq’s Counter Terrorism Service should be accelerated.”

Several witnesses accused the media of downplaying the plot and suggesting it was too implausible to be real, comparing the reaction to the complacency in the period before the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

Only Lawrence Korb, a former Reagan administration Pentagon official now with the liberal Center for American Progress, testified against “overreaction” to what he called a “Keystone Kops” plot that he said was “an act of desperation” by a country reeling under international sanctions. While “it might be emotionally satisfying” to ratchet up pressure on Iran, he reminded lawmakers that “unthinking military action by the United States has strengthened Iran’s hand” through the invasion and occupation of neighboring Iraq.

That was a message welcomed by Democrats on the committee, who cautioned against overreaction.

Republican rhetoric “may be premature and could inflame an already fragile climate,” said Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, the committee’s ranking Democrat. He warned against taking actions “that would lead us down the path to another war.”

Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) also called for “sober, reasoned discussion,” especially given recent reports showing that sanctions have set back Iran’s nuclear weapons program.

“Iran’s leaders must be held accountable for their action,” she said, “but we cannot take any reckless actions which may lead to opening another front in the ‘War on Terror,’ which the American people do not want and cannot afford.”

You decide…

WWIII – Upon or In!?!

When did the Germans realize that they we’re the “bad guys” in or after World War II? The reason I ask this is because I’ve managed, like a great many others as of late, to take a step back, unwrap the “Old Glory” cloak that shrouds our bodies (a flag most have forgotten the meaning behind) and view our world, our world and not the American one.

Our government is on the verge of having the ability to unleash the military upon the citizenry – indefinite detention without charge. We are currently engaged in at least two illegal conflicts/occupations on the world stage. Corporations now have the same rights as you and I. Police brutality has become an acceptable norm and most importantly, we, the people, of the United States of America…could give two shits.

In other words, have we become so apathetic, so indifferent and so ignorant as to impair our ability in recognizing right from wrong, good from evil and our place in this world? Something’s severely broken and I can finally see it.

China – Developed or Developing? – An ITD Special Report.

China still a developing nation

English.news.cn   2011-11-25 13:44:00

by Martin Khor

BEIJING, Nov. 25 (Xinhuanet) — Is China still a developing country, or has it joined the ranks of developed countries? The question became more topical after US President Barack Obama reportedly told Chinese leaders that China had to act more responsibly now that it has “grown up.”

By saying it is now a “grown-up”, Obama wants China to be treated like the United States or Europe in terms of international obligations. For example, China should take on binding commitments to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, cut its tariffs to near zero and stop subsidizing its agricultural and other sectors, provide aid to poor countries and let its currency float.

The West not only wants India and Brazil to do likewise, but also mentions South Africa and wealthier or bigger ASEAN countries in the same breath. Its focus, however, is China. There has been growing respect for, rather fear of, China because it is growing so fast and has become so big and powerful that it could “swallow” the Western world in a decade or two.

And hence, the question: Is China a developed country? The answer depends on the criteria used to describe a developed country. China is indeed a big economy. Its GDP is second only to the US. And it has overtaken the US in greenhouse gas emission.

The fact is, with more than 1.3 billion people, China is also the world’ s most populous country. India is not far behind with 1.2 billion people and is on track to overtake China in two decades. And despite the world media giving it a mighty image, China looks like a very ordinary developing country in terms of per capita indicators.

According to the United Nations, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, the most important criterion to judge whether a country is developed or developing is its per capita income. By that yardstick, China is very much a developing country.

In its latest World Economic Outlook, the IMF classifies China as a developing country because the mainland’s per capita GDP was 4,382 US dollars in 2010, ranked lowly at 92 among 184 economies.

Six African countries (Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Botswana, Mauritius, South Africa and Namibia) have per capita GDP higher than China. And its per capita GDP is less than one-tenth of the US.

The World Bank classifies countries into four income groups. Its latest report divides economies according to per capita gross national income (GNI):

Low-income: Countries with per capita GNI below 1,006 US dollars.

Lower-middle-income: Countries with per capita GNI between 1,006 US dollars and 3,975 US dollars.

Upper-middle-income: Countries with per capita GNI between 3,976 US dollarsand 12,275 US dollars.

High-income: Countries with GNI above 12,276 US dollars.

The World Bank classifies all low- and middle-income countries as developing. According to its figures, China’s per capita GNI was 2,050 US dollars in 2006, 2,490 US dollars in 2007, 3,050 US dollars in 2008, 3,650 US dollars in 2009 and 4,260 US dollars in 2010, which means it was a lower-middle-income country until 2009.

Many economists use per capita purchasing power parity (PPP) to categorize a country, because people living in countries with a lower cost of living could enjoy a higher living standard than their country’s GDP implies. With per capita GDP (at PPP) 7,544 US dollars in 2010, China was placed 96th in the world . It was just below Ecuador, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and just above Albania, El Salvador, Tonga and Guyana. In contrast, Malaysia was at 58th with per capita PPP of 14,744 US dollars while Singapore was 3rd with 56, 694 US dollars.

The UN Development Programme has a human development index (HDI) that measures quality of life in terms of income, schooling, life expectancy and other factors. The 2011 Human Development Report shows China lies at 101 in a list of 187 countries and regions with an HDI of 0.687 and in the category of “medium human development”. It is below many other developing countries such as Chile, Argentina, Barbados, Uruguay, Cuba, Bahamas, Panama, Malaysia, Libya, Grenada, Lebanon, Venezuela, Mauritius, Jamaica, Ecuador, Brazil, Iran, Tongo and Tunisia.

What about climate change? Again mainly because of its huge population, China’s GHG emission is high. China emitted 7,232 megaton of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent in 2005. The US was second with 6,914 megaton and India fifth with 1,859 megaton. But in per capita terms, China’s emission level was 5.5 megaton of CO2 equivalent and it was the 84th highest GHG emitter among 186 countries and regions. In contrast, the US’ per capita emission was 23.4 megaton of CO2 equivalent, Australia’s 27.3, Canada’s 22.9, Russia’s 13.7, Germany’s 11.9, Japan’s 10.5, Singapore’s 11.4, Malaysia’s 9.2, South Africa’s 9.0, Brazil’s 5.4, Indonesia’s 2.7, India’s 1.7, Tanzania’s 1.5 and Rwanda’s 0.4.

Therefore, being 92nd in terms of per capita GDP, 101st in HDI and 84th in terms of per capita emission, China is a middle-level or even lower-middle-level developing country, with not only all the developed countries, but also many developing countries ahead of it.

Besides, China shares quite a few characteristics with many developing countries. More than 700 million of its 1.3 billion people live in rural areas, and as of 2008 there was a large imbalance between urban and rural areas, with urban disposable household income being 3.3 times higher.

According to China’s criteria, 43 million of its people belong to the low-income (below 160 US dollars a year) group. But by UN standards, 150 million Chinese are poor, for they live on less than 1 US dollar a day. Besides, around 12 million Chinese people, more than Greece’s entire population, enter the job market each year and it’s quite a task to get them employed.

Despite all this, China has its high points. Its GNP is big in absolute terms, and it has a high rate of economic growth and high foreign reserves (over 3 trillion US dollars). Nevertheless, China is still a middle-level developing country and is burdened with socio-economic problems that most developing countries have.

So if China is forced to take on the duties of a developed country and forego the benefits of a developing country, the West could soon ask other developing countries that are ahead of China (at least in per capita terms) to do the same.

Thus China’s fight to retain its developing country status is of interest not only to the Chinese people, but also to their counterparts in other developing countries.

The author is executive director of South Centre, a think tank of developing countries, based in Geneva.

(Source: China Daily)

Editor: Yamei Wang

#Occupy Interview – Complexity Economics Part II

Had the pleasure of bumping into Nick again and couldn’t help but record his discussion at an #Occupy “teach-in.” Granted, I’m not entirely sold on “Complexity Economics,” yet, but the discourse and transmission of ideas is far and beyond better than prime-time T.V.

ITD Special Report – China/Iran Connection

China hopes for prompt resumption of Iranian nuclear talks

BEIJING, May 10 (Xinhua) — China hopes that the new round of talks between Iran and world powers could start at an early date, a spokesperson said Tuesday.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said at a briefing that China hopes mutual trust can be strengthened through pragmatic measures.

“China has always supported the proper resolution of Iran’s nuclear issue through negotiations and dialogue,” Jiang said, pledging further contact with all sides.

Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday welcomed a European Union proposal to resume talks between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany (G5+1) on its nuclear program.

In January, the six world powers wrapped up nuclear talks with Iran in Istanbul but failed to reach any agreement.

Some Western countries suspect Iran’s uranium enrichment program is intended for producing nuclear weapons, but that claim has been denied by Iran.

Editor: Bi Mingxin

Link to xinhuanet.com’s “Iran Nuclear Crisis” page –

http://english.news.cn/special/iran/

ITD Special Report – Domestic Violence in China

Domestic violence a major issue in China

BEIJING, Nov. 26 (Xinhuanet ) — Friday marks the International Day of the Elimination of Violence against Women. The All-China Women’s Federation says more than 40,000 cases of domestic violence against women are filed every year, and most half of them end up in divorce.

At this help centre located in Beijing’s Dong-si-qi-tiao, we found Mrs. Li. She and her husband just got married and moved to work in Beijing from rural China. But she has no happy memories of her honeymoon.

She’s been beaten by her husband frequently during the past six moths. She doesn’t have the courage to face camera, but at least she decides to speak to the social worker at the help center.

Wang Haiying, social worker of Help Center said “Women come to talk to us. At least two of them end up divorcing because of domestic violence every month. We listen to them with patience, face the difficulties with them and try to find solutions.”

Victim like Mrs Li is not alone. According to All-China’s Women Federation, almost 25% of women have experienced various levels of domestic violence within their marriages in China.

The government is stepping in. In Changsha city, Hunan province, the local authority has issued over 30 restraining orders aimed at protecting domestic violence victims.

More cities such as Guangzhou, Chongqing are also starting to issue such orders. Experts say this is one step forward but the victims need to speak out and fight for their own rights.

(Source: CNTV.cn)

Editor: Zhang Xiang

Note from the Editor (“Kaz”) –

Heya everyone, hope you all are doing well. I just wanted to stop by and drop a line on this horrific subject – Domestic violence. Related to said subject, I received a comment on my/the YouTube video embedded above wherein YouTube user, “symbius1,” stated, “Take a look at your own;” I am going to go out on a limb and assume that he was referring to domestic violence in the United States of America.

My reply to user, “symbius1,” pretty much summed up my sentiments on the issue – “Hence why I stated at the beginning of the video, “Domestic violence is a problem that afflicts the world.” Furthermore, I referred to policies in the U.S. that attempt to dissuade domestic violence and applauded China on the new measures they are making in curtailing domestic violence.”

Domestic violence is a horror that knows no boundaries, furthermore, it’s an enemy that we can combat worldwide and together. Why I chose to discuss the issue as is and with regard to China is due to my experience with and understanding of our Chinese brothers and sisters. I’ve witnessed the tragedy here and I’ve witnessed it there. It’s a problem the world must confront and it’s a problem the world must rectify, together.

This was never about “demonizing” a country, most of the time (and as was the case for a good portion of the above embedded vid), I applaud the Chinese and attempt to dispel myths created by the “West.” We’re all human, we’re all together and together, we’ll solve the ills more easily.

Peace,

Kaz.

S.1867 – BATTLEGROUND: AMERICA!?!

US Senate To Vote On Bill That Will Allow The Military To Arrest Americans On American Soil And Hold Them Indefinitely

November 26, 2011

Since Occupy Wall Street began, American police officers have arrested thousands of people for exercising their constitutionally protected right to protest. On Monday or Tuesday, the US Senate will vote on a bill that would give the President the ability to order the military to arrest and imprison American citizens anywhere in the world for an indefinite period of time.A provision of S. 1867, or the National Defense Authorization Act bill, written by Senators John McCain and Carl Levin, declares American soil a battlefield and allows the President and all future Chief Executives to order the military to arrest and detain American citizens, innocent or not, without charge or trial. In other words, if this bill passes and the President signs it, OWS protesters or any American could end up arrested and indefinitely locked up by the military without the guaranteed right to due process or a speedy trial.

This bill was written in secret and approved by committee without a single hearing. Senate Republicans support the bill and enough Democrats support it to give it a great chance of passing. This provision does have opponents. President Obama has threatened to veto the bill and even Ron Paul is concerned enough to bring it up during one of the GOP debates. An amendment called the Udall Amendment has been offered by Democratic Senator Mark Udall that would delete the dangerous provision.

If you are an American citizen, protect your constitutional rights. Call your senator and tell them to approve of the Udall Amendment. No American citizen should be arrested by the military and held indefinitely without charge or trial. It’s not conducive to American values and would give the military and the government more power over the American citizenry. The last time Americans had to deal with an overreaching military was during the Revolutionary era. Because of that, the Founders included the 3rd Amendment to ban the quartering of troops during times of war and peace. Once again, Americans are under threat of dealing with a military that has more power than it should have. And it could cost us most of the freedoms we tend to take for granted.

America is NOT a battlefield. America is a free country and American citizens should not ever be arrested by the military and certainly not without being charged or getting a trial. This provision would cast aside the Constitution and put the liberties of American citizens here at home and around the world at serious risk. Please call your senator or visit this link, because this is a risk Americans cannot afford to take.

A note from Kaz, Editor of the “Pr0t0-rep0rt” –

I have since held a dialogue with people having differing viewpoints as to the interpretation of this legislation. We are in agreement (for the most part) that this particular bill was not designed as a response to the #Occupy movement (it’s actually been on the table for awhile). As for the government’s ability to arrest, detain and hold indefinitely without charge, there seems to be a vagueness within the definitions and parameters set forth within the bill. In the Senate version, there is a statement excluding U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, however, the designation of the United States as being a battlefield alters said definition based upon prior legislation. Myself, and others scrutinizing this document, will hopefully have something more for you soon. ‘Til then, stay aware and stay vigilant.

Chinese Nukes, Chinese Space Domination, and Hot/Sexy Police-women from Chengdu!

The first of this week’s installments (11/27/2011) for “Inside the Dragon,” news from the Chinese perspective:

Chinese Nukes, Chinese Space Domination, and Hot/Sexy Police-women from Chengdu!

11/27/2011

Related Articles:

“Shenzhou-8 spacecraft returns to Earth” – http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2011-11/17/content_14116617.htm

“China: ‘Extend Kyoto Protocol” – http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2011-11/26/content_14166303.htm

“China to conduct naval drills in Pacific” – http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2011-11/23/content_14150148.htm

“China ready to work with Libya’s new govt” – http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2011-11/24/content_14151718.htm

“Libya ready to compensate Chinese companies” – http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2011-11/23/content_14150133.htm

“Special policewomen keeping Chengdu safe” – http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2011-11/25/content_14163449.htm

“China’s Qinshan nuclear power plant in safe operation for 20 years” – http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-11/27/c_122340392.htm

“Int’l community should address new global challenges through collective actions: Chinese UN envoy” – http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-11/24/c_131265789.htm

“Chinese leaders call for trade liberalization to address global financial problems” – http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-11/24/c_131268079.htm

Related Videos:

“Trade Enforcement Action – USA vs. China…again and again and again.” –

“The China/Libya Connection? Demonizing the “East”” –

Kaz vs. the Police Chief – N17, Milwaukee, WI

So yeah, come N-17 in Milwaukee and the resulting occupation of the North Avenue overpass transecting I-43, M.P.D. Chief Flynn made the right call, or at least the call most tactically sound.

This project, a joint occupation of infrastructure across the U.S. on the two-month anniversary of the initiation of O.W.S. had been in the planning for awhile. No matter the amount of secrecy, come N-17, on the day of, at the very least, I am sure that the police had an inkling as to what’d be in the works. Make no doubt about, all participating knew that arrest was potential and some we’re even counting on it considering the predisposition of police departments across the nation and their willingness to arrest and sometimes brutalize.

I’ve argued, and for some time now, that the arrest of and brutality towards occupiers only strengthens the movement. Not that I’m trying to weaken the movement by allowing this tidbit of truth to slip from my mouth, but brutality, police brutality is unacceptable under any circumstance, especially when it rears its ugly heads at citizens exercising their constitutional rights.

It would seem that Chief Flynn was of the same opinion. Rather than marching in with pepper spray and batons in hand, they left us to the elements – a cold Wisconsin night. He knew that one of secondary goals was a “martyrdom” of sorts – maybe not so much a goal, but a known and potential consequence considering our stand on the bridge and unwillingness to vacate. All things considered, I have to begrudgingly admit that his strategy was superior to our own and in some ways feel like he’d won the battle (that’s the tactician in me talking). Furthermore, he utilized the media in ways that’d painted us to be fools.

On that note, the Chief’s manipulation of the media, both on and off the camera, I’ve put together a vid (below) wherein I dismantle his arguments and assertions. I only hope that this message reaches even a 10th the audience his had. In combination with the “Flynn Dialogue,” I also take a moment to evaluate the “violence” associated with the #Occupy movement, or rather and more appropriately, the violence aimed at it as was the case for a scary moment during our occupation and stand at the intersection of I-43 and North Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, November 17, 2011.