One might as well call it "the Pink Powdery Pixie Dust of Hippie Magic," because it is really quite a made-up concept that doesn't make sense relative to its own applications. Joseph Nye first defined and popularized the notion of "soft power" as the ability to attract and influence others. But somewhere down the path of popularity, such a general idea became shrouded in … [Read more...] about A Superficial Death of Soft Power: It’s another Made-Up Term.
A “Half-Baked” US Traitor, A Showcase of “Chinese Espionage”? Or another Mercenary Expat?
A while back a little story emerged about a US embassy security guard was arrested for trying to pass secret to the Chinese government. http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2012/August/12-nsd-1064.html Sounds pretty ominous as yet another Chinese espionage case? Today, we know some more details: … [Read more...] about A “Half-Baked” US Traitor, A Showcase of “Chinese Espionage”? Or another Mercenary Expat?
The Fantasy League of the Rubberstamping Billionaire Chinese Parliament Club
Some days, I can only throw my hands and laugh at the some of the ridiculous stories and statements concocted by some Western media, and wonder why there aren't more people in the West with their eyes bleeding after reading such "news". For example: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-26/china-s-billionaire-lawmakers-make-u-s-peers-look-like-paupers.html which … [Read more...] about The Fantasy League of the Rubberstamping Billionaire Chinese Parliament Club
Ann Lee vs Peter Navarro and CNBC on China Real-estate ‘Bubble’
Allen and I had a chance to chat with Professor Ann Lee a little over a year ago, and we continue to see her moderating the warped perspectives in the Anglophone press. In this short CNBC video, she debunks Professor Peter Navarro of UC Irvine. Actually, she's mostly debunking CNBC's narrative. China's urbanization rate is still only about 52%. When China's … [Read more...] about Ann Lee vs Peter Navarro and CNBC on China Real-estate ‘Bubble’
The Teapot Tempest of “Live Execution Broadcast” Showing Dyslexia And Moving Goal Post of Moral Schizophrenia
It started with CCTV news announcing on Feb. 28, that the 4 drug lords found guilty of murdering 12 Chinese sailors are to be executed. The SCMP blogger John Kennedy blogged on March 1, with the above screen capture, that CCTV announced "broadcast live … [Read more...] about The Teapot Tempest of “Live Execution Broadcast” Showing Dyslexia And Moving Goal Post of Moral Schizophrenia