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Title: Thoughts from Taiwan
Source:
Dissenting Opinions
URL Source: http://jwpegler.blogspot.com/2011/08/thoughts-from-taiwan.html
Published: Aug 19, 2011
Author: Eric Blankenburg
Post Date: 2011-08-19 08:36:27 by jwpegler
Keywords: None
Views: 85642
Comments: 163
I spent the last week in Taipei, Taiwan visiting a customer.
I've been all over Asia, but this was my first trip to Taiwan, other than catching a connecting flight at the airport.
I'm sitting here at Taiwan International Airport waiting for my 12 hour flight to Seattle, reflecting on my week.
I love Taiwan and its people. The city is on the move. People are hustling and working hard. Yet, they are extraordinarily friendly and caring.
Last night we went to Tower 101, which is one of the tallest buildings in the world. Until very recently, it also had the fastest elevator in the world. We climbed from the 5th floor to the observation deck on the 89th floor in a matter of seconds. The view was spectacular.
Taipei 101 is designed to withstand typhoon winds and earthquake tremors. Inside the building there is a 660 metric ton steel pendulum (my pic is on the left) which acts as a mass damper that sways to offset movements in the building caused by strong gusts of wind. It's the largest mass damper in the world and the building is an engineering marvel.
Afterwards, we had diner at a great restaurant that specializes in dumplings.
We were sitting at diner, looking at all of the energy in the city, the wonderful people, and everything that they've accomplished over the last 50 years. I couldn't help but think that if Chiang Kai Shek didn't lead 2 million people off of the mainland, all of these people and what they've accomplished wouldn't be here because the communists would have murdered their parents and grandparents for rebelling just as the communists murdered so many others.
Our thoughts quickly drifted to the problems we face in America. Although the American left haven't turned into mass murders (yet), they are killing the country nevertheless.
In Taiwan and the rest of Asia, you are expected to work and take care of yourself. If you can't, you rely on your family. In America (and Europe) the government's welfare system has destroyed the family by replacing it with a faceless, uncaring bureaucracy. They've also replaced our core values of hard work and responsibility with sloth and dependency. So, you've been on unemployment insurance for 2 years???!!! No problem, Obama and his minions will let you ride out the rest of your miserable life at the taxpayer's expense.
At one point last night I told my colleague that we should take every big mouth leftist in the U.S., and dump them off in Taiwan, the Philippines or elsewhere in Asia without a penny in their pocket. If they can manage to survive a year, both they and America would be better off when they come back. I seriously doubt that many of them could survive.
It's getting close to boarding time. I am so glad to becoming back to America with another shining example of how the American values of hardwork, thrift, and personal responsibility translate into success in every society. It is so sad that many Americans are losing those very values.
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I suppose I did not fully elucidate how the federal government "CRA" program has literally destroyed America.What happened was the federal government maintained a method or continuing trend upon local banks to increase an arbitrary number of otherwise ineligible loan applicants for business and home loan for LOAN APPROVAL PURPOSES
The CRA loan program was created at the behest of the banking industry, so just put the blame where it belongs, on the greedy unethical behaviors of all the financial participants.
#70. To: buckeroo, miningold (#65)
That is how America went bankrupt. It was the federal government creating the false promise of home/business ownership.
this is complete bunk, the CRA didn't cause the financial crisis, what caused the financial crisis was an unfettered CDS market and banks that realized profit potential in selling mortgages for bundling into CDSs. You also had a weak SEC in the 2000's that allowed brokerage firms to borrow up to 30x their capital.
80% of subprime mortgages were made by mortgage brokers that weren't subject to federal oversight.
Tagline for sale - inquire within
#71. To: go65 buckeroo (#70)
this is complete bunk, the CRA didn't cause the financial crisis, what caused the financial crisis was an unfettered CDS market and banks that realized profit potential in selling mortgages for bundling into CDSs. You also had a weak SEC in the 2000's that allowed brokerage firms to borrow up to 30x their capital.80% of subprime mortgages were made by mortgage brokers that weren't subject to federal oversight
War has already hashed these facts out with Bucky, but Bucky seems stuck to his false premise like glue.
#72. To: buckeroo (#40)
lucysmom: You can't be serious.Bucky: Sur le conttrary mon ami je suis cadavérique sérieux. (Quite the contrary, I am deathly serious) No other nation has ever undertaken the task of WORLDCOP as the USA has performed EVER! The costs have been enormous, too. There isn't one significant advantage to this excessive empire building for America, either.
Your points are all correct, and well thought-out.
But... You might as well be speaking Greek to her. She's utterly impervious to reality.
When she gets spanked too bad, she flips over to mininggold, so she can have "conversations" with herself.
Sad, really.
The two sides in America are people who work for a living versus people who vote for their living.
#73. To: Capitalist Eric (#72) (Edited)
When she gets spanked too bad, she flips over to mininggold, so she can have "conversations" with herself.
It's funny to see how you Asperger's explain the world around you, most of which you obviously can't comprehend.
Does it please you to find out that your bestest buddy here on this forum is probably another Bucky figment?
#74. To: buckeroo (#8)
if someone wants to buy a car from the US ($20,000) that same vehicle will have a tax levied at over 100% of the sticker value
They do the same thing in Singapore -- a 100% tariff on cars. They do it because they are a small island nation with a mountainous terrain. Taipei hugs the coast between the mountain and the ocean.
Almost everyone in Taipei rides a scooter. Scooters are parked everywhere. The city would grid to a halt if they were all in cars.
This small group of terrorists [Tea Party members] have made it impossible to spend any money. -- Mike Doyle (D-PA)
#75. To: Biff Tannen (#19) (Edited)
Where did you go?
12 hour plane ride. 1 hour to get through U.S. customs. 1 hour drive home. Diner with my family. 10 hours of sleep. Shower. Took the cloths to the dry cleaners. Stopped at the store to get some beer.
That's where I went. Is there anything else you'd like to know about my schedule?
Answer Godwinson's points
Godwinson is on my bozo list. I see don't see his posts. He's not smart enough to engage in a constructive dialog. There is no point in responding to him.
This small group of terrorists [Tea Party members] have made it impossible to spend any money. -- Mike Doyle (D-PA)
#76. To: buckeroo (#54) (Edited)
even IF he was in 1st class
Premier Economy on Eva Airlines.
No one but government politicians, senior government bureaucrats, Wall Street crooks (who are in cahoots with the politicians), and Hollywood moguls can afford 1st Class any more.
This small group of terrorists [Tea Party members] have made it impossible to spend any money. -- Mike Doyle (D-PA)
#77. To: jwpegler (#76)
Just keep in mind that a lot of us wish you well on your potential contract with Taiwan. Thanks for sharing your thoughts contained in the article.
#78. To: buckeroo (#40)
No other nation has ever undertaken the task of WORLDCOP as the USA has performed EVER! The costs have been enormous, too. There isn't one significant advantage to this excessive empire building for America, either.
Yep. Vietnam, Lebanon, Kosovo, Mogadishu, Afghanistan, Iraq, and pretty soon Libya and Syria too... The amount of money spent, the lives lost, the lives ruined... for what? Nothing.
Fortunately, people are starting to get it. Thank Ron Paul and quite frankly over the last 20 years Pat Buchanan for that.
But we still have a long way to go.
This small group of terrorists [Tea Party members] have made it impossible to spend any money. -- Mike Doyle (D-PA)
#79. To: buckeroo (#77)
Just keep in mind that a lot of us wish you well on your potential contract with Taiwan.
Thank you.
This small group of terrorists [Tea Party members] have made it impossible to spend any money. -- Mike Doyle (D-PA)
#80. To: Gooberlosertion aka liar and libTURD whore (#2)
You do know the forces of dictator Chiang Kai Shek carried out a generations long "White Terror" on the population - which lasted longer and killed more people per capita than the Maoist purges.
You foul lying libTURD whore.
NOBODY beat your Chairman Mao's genocide on their own people during the 20th century whore.
NOBODY.
You LIE without pause, and obviously, you are a deeply stoopid person.
In fact you are "invincible" in your gibbering libTURD ignorance, you pitiful libTURD creep.
You libTURD SCUM are incapable of truth.
libTURD scum.
SCUM
Spoiled, stupid and ignorant, brain dead phuckwads, libTURD fools, tools, and idiots, are the real sickness; the messiah "king" obammy and his regime are only the symptoms.
#81. To: jwpegler (#76)
No one but government politicians, senior government bureaucrats, Wall Street crooks (who are in cahoots with the politicians), and Hollywood moguls can afford 1st Class any more.
TV game shows always used to announce that a contestant winning a vacation would be flying "first class" to whatever destination they had won a vacation to. For a number of years now, I have noticed that has been switched to coach.
I guess game shows can't afford first class accommodations anymore, even while giving away thousands and thousands of dollars otherwise.
Obama has played at being a president while enjoying the perks … golf, insanely expensive vacations at tax-payer expense. He has ignored the responsibilities of the job; no plans, no budgets, no alternatives … just finger pointing; making him a complete failure as a president
#82. To: go65 (#70)
what caused the financial crisis was an unfettered CDS market and banks that realized profit potential in selling mortgages for bundling into CDSs.
And the CRA was the very impetus for all of that.
It's like striking a match that burns down a forest and claiming the match striking had nothing to do with it; it was the fire.
Obama has played at being a president while enjoying the perks … golf, insanely expensive vacations at tax-payer expense. He has ignored the responsibilities of the job; no plans, no budgets, no alternatives … just finger pointing; making him a complete failure as a president
#83. To: jwpegler (#75)
I don't like anything over 4 hours anymore. If I can drive there in 10, I'll do that rather than fly.
:)
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Why don't you make like a tree and get out of here?
#84. To: jwpegler (#78)
Fortunately, people are starting to get it.
Hippies paved the way.
"...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly
#85. To: lucysmom (#84)
Hippies paved the way.
Wrong. Yesterday's hippies are today's establishment.
They (and you) are the problem.
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HA! The tea-party, INDEED! They're so . . . ah . . . common
#86. To: Get Outta Dodge! (#85)
Yesterday's hippies are today's establishment.
Hippies are todays older generation, not necessarily the establishment. George Bush types are more of the establishment ilk; I doubt he was ever a hippie.
"...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly
#87. To: lucysmom, Get Outta Dodge! (#86)
Hippies and hippie culture in academia produced today's computer world.
So called conservatives are narrow minded do nothings and know nothings.
With the economy still in the dumper -- maybe permanently? -- and full-time jobs becoming as scarce as rain during a drought, huge percentages of Americans have had their (misplaced) faith in the American dream shaken, the upper-middle-class consumerist lifestyle is exposed as a mirage for anybody who plays by the rules. Capitalism and the America that embraced it as a way of life is now and forever more a failure. It does me good to know that the generation that voted in Reagan and his ideology will see their America die from that ideology before their very own eyes and knowing they had a hand in its destruction.
#88. To: Godwinson (#87)
WE OWE IT ALL TO THE HIPPIES
Agreed.
We should have busted more heads in '68 Chicago.
#89. To: socalv8 (#88)
We should have busted more heads in '68 Chicago.
We? You mean Democrats? You are a Democrat?
Also, hippies were not involved in politics much - they advocated dropping out of the system.
In any case, the right wing is for losers - they still don't get science and believe in primitive superstitions.
With the economy still in the dumper -- maybe permanently? -- and full-time jobs becoming as scarce as rain during a drought, huge percentages of Americans have had their (misplaced) faith in the American dream shaken, the upper-middle-class consumerist lifestyle is exposed as a mirage for anybody who plays by the rules. Capitalism and the America that embraced it as a way of life is now and forever more a failure. It does me good to know that the generation that voted in Reagan and his ideology will see their America die from that ideology before their very own eyes and knowing they had a hand in its destruction.
#90. To: lucysmom (#86)
George Bush types are more of the establishment ilk; I doubt he was ever a hippie.
ROFLMAO!!!
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HA! The tea-party, INDEED! They're so . . . ah . . . common
#91. To: Godwinson (#89)
they still don't get science and believe in primitive superstitions.
Note the diversity.
#92. To: Godwinson (#87)
Hippies and hippie culture in academia produced today's computer world.
Bullshit, you moron.
Nerds aren't the same as hippies.
Hippies didn't produce jackshit - and they still aren't. They just take.
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HA! The tea-party, INDEED! They're so . . . ah . . . common
#93. To: Get Outta Dodge! (#92)
Nerds aren't the same as hippies.Hippies didn't produce jackshit - and they still aren't. They just take.
Repeatable.
#94. To: socalv8, Get Outta Dodge!, lucysmom (#93)
The computer and the internet - both created, nurtured and funded by big govt socialism, left wing academia and hippies.
Conservatives spent the 60s freaking out that women would get access to birth control pills and condoms.
Conservatives = history's losers.
Forget antiwar protests, Woodstock, even long hair. The real legacy of the sixties generation is the computer revolution
With the economy still in the dumper -- maybe permanently? -- and full-time jobs becoming as scarce as rain during a drought, huge percentages of Americans have had their (misplaced) faith in the American dream shaken, the upper-middle-class consumerist lifestyle is exposed as a mirage for anybody who plays by the rules. Capitalism and the America that embraced it as a way of life is now and forever more a failure. It does me good to know that the generation that voted in Reagan and his ideology will see their America die from that ideology before their very own eyes and knowing they had a hand in its destruction.
#95. To: Godwinson (#89)
Also, hippies were not involved in politics much - they advocated dropping out of the system.
They certainly were anti war and willing to put their asses on the line to end the Vietnam War and the draft as well. In contrast, today's conservative end-the-war types are play the victim, whining and complaining about what government is doing to them.
Hippies didn't wait for permission, they acted.
"...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly
#96. To: Get Outta Dodge! (#90)
ROFLMAO!!!
You call them hippies? Everyone that age dressed like that then.
#97. To: socalv8 (#91)
Note the diversity.
Diversity is the reason Silicon Valley is in California.
"...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly
#98. To: lucysmom (#95)
They certainly were anti war and willing to put their asses on the line to end the Vietnam War and the draft as well
I remember very vividly the day after Nixon invaded Cambodia.
#99. To: lucysmom (#95)
willing to put their asses on the line to end the Vietnam War
and what exactly would that line be? the welfare line, cafeteria line, free clinic line?
nothing courageous about draft dodging cowards living off daddy's money.
#100. To: Get Outta Dodge! (#92)
Nerds aren't the same as hippies.
You'd be surprised!
"...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly
#101. To: lucysmom (#97)
Diversity is the reason Silicon Valley is in California.
Bzzzzzzzt. Wrong again.
Stanford University is.
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HA! The tea-party, INDEED! They're so . . . ah . . . common
#102. To: lucysmom (#100)
Nerds aren't the same as hippies.You'd be surprised!
It took more than smoking dope to be a hippie.
Yes, Gates, Jobs and Wozniak (sp?) probably smoked dope. But they were nerds (not hippies) nonetheless.
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HA! The tea-party, INDEED! They're so . . . ah . . . common
#103. To: calcon (#99)
nothing courageous about draft dodging cowards living off daddy's money.
Most rich daddies of which there were far fewer then disapproved of and disowned their hippie offspring.
#104. To: calcon (#99)
and what exactly would that line be? the welfare line, cafeteria line, free clinic line?
They were willing to be beaten by police, arrested and jailed.
nothing courageous about draft dodging cowards living off daddy's money.
On the other hand, for some the cowardly act was submitting to the government order to report for military service rather than risk prison and scorn.
"...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly
#105. To: Get Outta Dodge! (#101)
Bzzzzzzzt. Wrong again.Stanford University is.
Academia .. we already knew that.
#106. To: Get Outta Dodge! (#101) (Edited)
Stanford University is.
And it was the university's policy to attract only conservative white men of European decent?
"...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly
#107. To: Get Outta Dodge! (#102) (Edited)
It took more than smoking dope to be a hippie.Yes, Gates, Jobs and Wozniak (sp?) probably smoked dope. But they were nerds (not hippies) nonetheless.
Maybe your definition of hippie is too narrow.
"...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly
#108. To: lucysmom (#106)
And it was the universities policy to attract only conservative white men of European decent?
No. Race is something only you statists and the Klan are obsessed with.
I presume a university of Stanford's reputation would (or should) concern itself with attracting the best and the brightest. Period.
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HA! The tea-party, INDEED! They're so . . . ah . . . common
#109. To: lucysmom (#106)
And it was the university's policy to attract only conservative white men of European decent?
LOL I remember when we played them. Even their band had hippie types.
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