The Obama–Biden–Harris administration (let’s call it what it really is) wouldn’t dream of such a thing.
You probably can add Ayatollah Khamenei into the bargain, although he might have a little problem with the flag.
President Joe Biden let them know how things would be straight out of the box when he shut down the Keystone XL pipeline forever.
For Putin, this was Christmas in January, letting him know that evil Trump policy of an energy independent, even exporting, United States was a thing of the past and that his most treasured commodity—oil—would go up in value.
At the same time, the Chinese would reap the benefit of the excess Canadian supply, while seeing their American adversary weakened, its negotiating position diminished.
Fracking, too, is clearly an endangered species. Not surprisingly, crude just reached a one-year high.
All this for no discernible improvement in carbon levels and, in fact, likely the reverse. The oil will now be shipped via railroad cars to Louisiana refineries, a far more risky process than the underground pipeline that has been undergoing (and passing) the most stringent environmental inspections for years.
I wonder how soon before the United States will be buying oil from China and Russia.
But why should that be surprising? This same administration and its rabid supporters are all for censorship and for limiting free speech, not just via Big Tech, but practically across the board.
Many advocate reprogramming Trump supporters. Nothing could be more communist Chinese than that!
Imagine these same crypto-fascists complaining about the CCP’s treatment of Uyghurs, Tibetans, Christians, Falun Gong, or whoever. The entire Politburo would be rolling their eyes. (Didn’t I say Yang’s speech was irrelevant?)
And what of Taiwan? Given the new administration’s current behavior, would it offer anything beyond the mildest lip-service to defend this vibrant, democratic island nation?
You can bet the final takeover is now under consideration in the darker corridors of the Forbidden City.
Which leads me to something more personal. Almost 13 months ago, I was a member of small delegation that was invited to Taiwan to observe their presidential election. It was exciting and a great deal of fun.
While we were there, we were privileged to meet with a group of the brave democracy demonstrators from Hong Kong who had flown down. Among them was a particularly intelligent (they all were) and charismatic young man—Michael CK Pang—who had just been elected to the city’s legislative council.
His knowledge of global politics was impressive, and he made me feel optimistic (then anyway) about the future of Hong Kong and possibly of China. A few of us more or less bonded with him.
Trump and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo were known for trying to help pro-democracy people in distress. Will Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken provide the same support for democracy activists such as our friend Michael? Perhaps if he were transgendered.
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