HeloDude

“We” as in the American people…everything I have been commenting on is wrt the American people, not as military members. Because that is who ultimately matters when discussing policies with China. And you’re mentioning bad leadership as one of the main causes of failure in Afghanistan but yet you are citing opinions of the same leadership on the threat China imposes/what to do about China.

We probably share very similar opinions on China. I’m just of the opinion that we would ever get militarily involved with China, unless of course they physically attacked us, which is very doubtful. As for those who are upset that China is becoming so powerful that they can push nearby countries around and thinking we can do something substantial to stop it…that ship has sailed. We strengthened their economy (which has allowed them to grow militarily) in order to strengthen ours, and now we’re concerned.

Create “uncomfortable” implications? Have you seen our country lately? Do you actually think a majority of Americans are going to support actions leading to all the economic hardships (to say the least) that would come with a war with China? For what—them invading Taiwan? For the record, I’m not saying that if China didn’t attack the mainland US or one of our bases overseas that this just change the ball game, but who here actually thinks that will happen in the near/mid future? By the way…we didn’t even have the resolve to defeat the Taliban.

Dude, you can’t possibly use examples from the Revolutionary war and WW1/2 to say they would apply the same as today. If that’s the case, then I seriously hope you’re the one who is trolling. Look past your military experience and take a look at the US today—we’re not even the same country we were 20+ years ago. Our current president is literally saying our inflation/energy problem is due to Russia invading Ukraine. Just think what would happen if all trade with China suddenly stopped…and tell me what the American response would be.

Has the US or UK made it illegal for an American veteran to go train with the Chinese military? If not, then why not if they’re our enemy? And I’m pretty sure it’s illegal to disclose classified information even after you’ve separated/retired. So in that case, that’s wrong whether they’re sharing that info with the Chinese or the UAE pilots. If you guys are upset that a couple hundred pilots are training Chinese pilots but not upset that our economy is so intertwined with China then perhaps I can make an analogy that might make more sense: This is the same as being concerned that a fentanyl/heroin/cocaine addict smokes a few cigarettes a day but not being concerned about the hard drugs he is using. The few cigarettes a day that he smokes isn’t good, but that’s not the larger issue here.

Let me know when we stop being their largest trading partner.

Ummm, perhaps because the economic piece is a vastly bigger deal than some pilots going over there to train some Chinese pilots. If we’re so worried about China taking over the world then why are we improving their economy via trade which allows their military to grow/improve? Stop trying to think just as a military member and look at it from all different angles.

Ummm, no. I’m telling you my opinion…which isn’t very different than the opinion of our elected leaders, at least the opinion they publicly share. And if you’re comparing procuring metal from the USSR for a spy aircraft vs economic trade with our greatest trading partner (for imports, they’re number 3 for exports), then we can’t have a legitimate argument. Have you ever thought what would happen if trade with China suddenly stopped? We’re so in bed with them that it’s not even funny. So tell me—when is it going to stop? Again, I don’t like China, and am not a fan of buying stuff made over there, but I don’t lose any sleep over it either.

Bingo If you don’t like China (I don’t), then don’t fly for them. But I would never call someone a traitor for doing so.

PACAF CC doesn’t set policy towards China. Again, if they’re so dangerous to our interests, then we need to stop being a major part of their economy. China isn’t an ally, and they aren’t an enemy. They’re a major power player on the other side of the globe, and they’re trying to influence things around them. It’s not the first time this has happened with a different country, and it won’t be the last. If they are infringing on my liberties here in the US, then I care…otherwise, I don’t like them, but I don’t want to go to war with them. And yes, I’ll buy stuff made in their country and at most just be annoyed that it was made there vs a non-communist country. But at the end of the day…we have much bigger problems with what’s going on internally in our country before I need to worry about what’s happening half a globe away.

We average Americans have all the control…we just choose not to (or are too weak) to exercise the control. If average Americans said they wouldn’t buy Apple products made in China, I’m sure that would make Apple at least think twice to where they make their products. I wouldn’t want to live in China and train their pilots, but I wouldn’t want to do the same with Vietnamese pilots, Indian pilots, Brazilian pilots, French pilots, etc. I’ve trained pilots in Iraq (along with plenty of other “allied” nations’ pilots here in the US) so I’m good in that arena. For the record, I’m not personally a fan of China/CCP and I don’t think they’re up to much good, but yet I’m not wanting to go to war with them…to protect Taiwan, Japan, or anyone else an ocean away. The vast majority of Americans would not want us to stop trading with China, much less go to war with them. But yet you’re telling me that China is the enemy of the US? Says who?

You said you were forced to buy products made in China…I simply asked what products, who is forcing you, and how are they forcing you? If you’re just bummed that things you really want to have are only made in China (or less affordable elsewhere), then sure, I’ll give you that…but that’s not what you said. I’m not a personal fan of buying things made in China, but I don’t care enough (or think they’re my enemy) to not do so. If you’re going to call someone your enemy but continue to enrich them, then I question your sincerity.

Who exactly determines who is the enemy of the US? And why would you voluntarily trade with your enemy if it strengthens them?

You can call someone anything you want…it just doesn’t make it so. And you are not “forced” to buy products made in China lol. If so, please tell me which products, who forced you, and how did they force you, exactly.

The military doesn’t determine who our enemy is with regards to X country vs Y country. Politicians do. Let me guess…you also buy products made in China. And yes, unless you can find a way for me to retire tonight (I’m interested) then I’m still in the military.

If China is our enemy, then why are they one of our largest trading partners?…which of course helps grow their economy, and in turn, their military/capabilities? How many products do you personally buy that are made in China or have components made in China? If China is our “enemy” then you could have fooled me.

Playing devil’s advocate: How exactly are these pilots “betraying” their country?

Well, the left is against using more fossil fuels so this should make them happy.

So, as I predicted, the Dobbs decision doesn’t seem to be some great rallying cry to sink the GOP in the midterms. Sure it’s affecting a few close races here and there, and an argument could be made that it possibly could be the difference between the GOP taking the Senate or not, but here’s why the Dems aren’t capitalizing like they had hoped: Dems in swing states say that they don’t want any restrictions on abortion. So they’re taking on an extreme position of the right by offering their own extreme position. The net change: Very little when you factor in the economy, border security, energy, etc.

“With a chocolate chip ice cream cone in his hand, Biden answered: "I’m not concerned about the strength of the dollar. I’m concerned about the rest of the world. Our economy is strong as hell." https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-tells-reporter-economy-strong-hell-while-eating-ice-cream-portland

So in one post you give information regarding oil production/refinery capabilities, and also say that it has to do with business decisions and not politics. But then I ask you if laws and/or rules/regulations affect business decisions and you say you don’t know because you’re not an oil expert. Ummm, ok. Good talk!

Quick yes or no question: Do rules/regulations, either set by US law and/or regulatory organizations, ever impact what a business decides to do or not do?

Oil is at $92/barrel…it was $76/barrel on Sept 26.

I would trust wearing a condom to prevent getting someone pregnant just a little more than I would trust that the covid vaccine would keep me from getting covid.