Through the years, weekly columns tracked the very much foreseeable rise in conflict in the Eastern Pacific, with that foreseeable apex involving Taiwan as part of a Chinese conflict. That prediction has sadly remained accurate.

At the Times, I also predicted Trump’s election in 2016 and his re-election in 2020—but not the dubious election rigging in precincts necessary to argue Trump’s loss, evidence for which the Times obtained before it was fully wiped from the anti-Trump social media platforms on which it was released. That said, I also sustain that Joseph Robinette Biden is the rightful president because Congress has the final say in US elections.  · · · →

Taiwan’s vice president went on tour. After meeting with the new president of Honduras, Vice President William Lai stopped in San Francisco. While in the States, he held virtual meetings with House Speaker Pelosi and others. Taiwan’s envoy to North America was a big success.

Meanwhile back in Asia, China sent its own envoy of 39 warplanes into Taiwan’s airspace. That was probably just in case the people in North America doubted anything Lai said about China being dangerous. China wants everyone to know the truth, after all. But, the warplanes didn’t go over well in Taipei.

Taipei and Shanghai have had a sister city “bromance” going on—or “sismance” if we want to be genderly correct. But, the annual, multi-million dollar event is up for cancellation with China’s military incursions. Feuding DPP and KMT parties reached a near-impossible consensus about that. The two parties never get along. But, somehow China seems to be the great unifier between polarized political parties, whether in the United States or in Taiwan.

We can probably expect more unity like that in the future. It may not be the unity China is pushing for, but it will be unity nonetheless.

Indo-Pacific

China ‘flexes muscles’ at US, Japan // Taipei Times

Taiwan

Taipei may halt Shanghai forum over China threat // Taipei Times

Honduras thanks Taiwan as Lai visits // Taipei Times

Taiwan-Europe amity group launched // Taipei Times

Chinese ambassador warns of ‘military conflict’ with US over Taiwan // Yahoo News

William Lai talks with US senator before returning // Taipei Times

UK, US voice support for Taiwan at the WHO // Taipei Times

Lai, Pelosi talk security issues, China // Taipei Times

Eyes are seriously shifting toward Ukraine and Taiwan, the poster boys of Europe and Asia. Maybe that’s why Biden’s Transportation department is proposing “Big Brother” speed cameras across the country on a hated level only rivaled by the UK. Unpopular policing only expands; it never shrinks. This crosses the line of “diktat”, socially scorned laws whether unpopular or foreign. While the US and UK decry Russia and China for diktat against the poster boys of Europe and Asia, they continue their own diktat at home.

Trump floated an idea that made sense, while the news commentary sees it as living in another world. For the January 6 Insurrection, responsibility should fall on either Trump or rioters—or any police who let rioters in. Trump suggested they be pardoned, which makes sense since the media and left want to roast him for starting it all. The free-speech touting media wants to go after both the rioters said to be under Trump’s mind control and Trump who couldn’t control anyone’s mind, but they don’t want even discussion on reports of police who didn’t hold the line.

Free speech itself has come under attack by an evermore obvious machine. Spotify will now identify “misinformation” in podcasts, but not censor. It’s admirable that Spotify allows dissent for healthy discussion. However, if information can be proven to be false, then some kind of legal action should be warranted. Web users are already bombarded with messages on COVID—any social media post, photo, or video that could be remotely construed to talk about vaccines or a pandemic get a notice linking to the absolute source of unchallenged truth from the relevant website of the all-accepted and ever-trusted government.

Curbs against false information are good. But, who decides whether something is “misinformation”? It seems we have a culture that accepts misinformation as a scientifically and objectively determined fact. If we had Facebook in the fifteenth century, Columbus would have been flagged as giving misinformation because science agreed the earth was flat.

Misinformation flagging is good for mass social platforms, but only if it is vetted through a transparent process open to any and all scrutiny and dissent from the public. Flag notices should then point to the online forums that led to the decision.

The political mice have invaded the cereal cupboard and think they own the house. But, they’re just one chewed mess away from triggering the expected response from any society irked by diktat, whether foreign or domestic.

Trump

Trump rally Texas: Former president teases presidential run, dangles January 6 pardons // CNN

News Media, Journalism & Free speech

Spotify’s Daniel Ek Panics Over Rock Star Defections: ‘Personally, there are plenty of individuals and views on Spotify that I disagree with strongly’ // Showbiz411

Rights, Liberties, Police & Privacy

The speed camera nightmare that’s coming to America // Daily Mail

NATO Focus

Biden Will Send U.S. Troops To Eastern Europe Soon—But ‘Not A Lot’ // Forbes

A Ukrainian mother vows to take up gun if Russia invades // France 24

Exclusive-Russia moves blood supplies near Ukraine, adding to U.S. concern, officials say // Yahoo News

UK to offer major NATO deployment amid Ukraine crisis // Aljazeera

PM considers major military offer to NATO // GOV.UK

China has been busy online. Western allies warn about increasing cyber attacks from China; it’s become the common thing to expect and discuss. Cyber attacks aren’t China’s only online hobby. Social media “influencers” are reportedly set to spread the good gospel of China’s greatness all through the Olympics. We’ll see how long their social media followings last.

While China engages in paid diplomacy and bolsters Western demand for cybersecurity, Taiwan has another new friend. Slovenia will open a diplomatic office in Taiwan. And, Taiwan will send an envoy to the inauguration of Honduras’s president, none other than Taiwan’s former favorite, pro-independence Mayor William Lai. That means more officials from Taiwan will attend the Honduras event than American officials will attend China’s Olympic Games.

But, that’s okay for China. After all, there are all those “influencers” getting paid to pay China compliments on their soon to fall social medial accounts.

Trump

Former Trump administration officials hold call to strategize against former boss’ efforts in 2022 and 2024 // CNN

Supreme Court rejects Trump request to block release of records to January 6 committee // CNBC

Obama Biden Harris

Fox News Poll January 2022: Biden at 47 Percent Approval // Mediaite

Markets, Economy & GDP

Biden backs Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s likely monetary policy tightening as inflation rages // CNBC

Pandemic

Soft-handed safety
Virus measures tightened // Taipei Times

NATO Focus

‘Lethal’ U.S. Military Aid Begins Arriving In Ukraine // Bloomberg Quint

German navy chief resigns after suggesting Putin ‘deserved respect’ // CNN

Putin would burst Xi’s Olympic dream with a war in Ukraine // Straits Times

U.S. tells diplomats’ families to leave Ukraine, weighs troop options // Yahoo News

Baltic states tout US-approved weapon shipments to Ukraine // Defense News

Greece receives six French fighter jets as part of €11.5bn military overhaul // Guardian

COVID seems to be taking backseat headlines for Russia, which has become a big topic in Europe. A German vice-admiral resigned with Germany’s Defense Minister over some seemingly spineless friendliness toward Russia. He speculated about the buildup at Ukraine, that Putin probably just wanted respect and that Russia was a necessary Western ally against China. With Russia, Iran, and China beginning joint naval exercises in India’s backyard pool this week, the vice-admiral’s comments were obviously absurd. Germany’s PR fumble is a big deal.

A hand full of European nations want to move NATO military assets into the Ukraine. Because of technical complications, Germany must also sign off on the transfer, but has been hesitant from any military backing of Ukraine so far. With this seemingly wimpy statement from the German vice-admiral, Germany can’t keep riding the fence.

On smaller headlines like COVID, Taiwan had a whopping 82 new domestic COVID cases on Saturday. Urgent health measures go into effect, which are soft-handed and calm-minded compared to the bipolar reactionism throughout America, where COVID problems are much worse. American companies even hold optimistic speculation for Taiwan. Maybe some will figure out that the calm way is the higher way. Until then, it isn’t exactly a bad thing that something finally booted COVID from American top headlines.

Indo-Pacific

Iran, Russia and China hold joint navy drill in Indian Ocean // Yahoo News

Iran, Russia and China begin joint naval drill in Indian Ocean // Times of Israel

Biden speaks to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida about Ukraine, North Korea // CNBC

Security, China dominate Biden’s talks with Japan’s Kishida // Aljazeera

China

And in Taiwan
PRC targets Taiwan with new disinformation ploy // Taipei Times

Australia, UK to ‘fight back’ against hostile states in cyber – minister // Yahoo News

EU letter slams China over Lithuania // Taipei Times

China hires western TikTokers to polish its image during 2022 Winter Olympics // Guardian

China is still ‘three or four generations’ away from developing latest semiconductor tech, IDC says // CNBC

Taiwan

US seeks speedier F-16 delivery: sources // Taipei Times

William Lai to attend Honduras event // Taipei Times

US companies expect growth in Taiwan
AmCham survey shows optimism // Taipei Times

Slovenia to establish office in Taiwan // Taipei Times

Bill to lower the voting age to 18 passes review // Taipei Times

China is illegal. The US Department of State even says so. France even reports as such. This won’t exactly improve friendly relations across the Pacific. It’s actually a much larger step to an all out conflict.

Just over a year ago, November 2020, Western allies declared that China’s 1984 treaty with Britain, the basis for Hong Kong returning to China, was “permanently shredded”. The West has already declared that Hong Kong is no longer Chinese, effectively viewing China as an illegal occupying force which only needs a policing action to enforce and return Hong Kong to an already-decided British control. That’s what the West is thinking.

That decision came because certain lawmakers in Hong Kong were ousted because of a law originating not inside Hong Kong, but Beijing, violating what Britain meant by “a high degree of autonomy”. That law from Beijing was about “national security”. Now, Hong Kong’s government is expanding its definition of “national security”. Things are going less the way the West wants, giving more excuses for Western governments to rally Western taxpayers to support action against China.

Then, there is the snowless Olympics in Beijing. Not only are the Games boycotted by the West, they seem to be boycotted by the weather as well. Hatred for China only grows. As the Times said previously, awarding the 2022 Games to China was a setup.

China is in a global PR war with the West—and China is losing. The West knew this because China’s old “trump” card of media censorship won’t work on Western newspapers. And, Western governments know that China was so accustomed to turning off the camera that China never learned to simply smile for the camera. China just keeps on frowning.

Then, a Taiwanese F-16 went missing. It’s whereabouts and incident remain unknown. This could be—and certainly should be—a warning. Is this the 21st Century Reichstag or Lusitania? Did China sink the jet or could it be sabotage? If it was neither and truly was flight error, any ill will from Taiwan or the US could paint it to blame China. If China is smart, China will be afraid. After all, the West is much better at camera stunts than the Chinese. And, we live in a world controlled by what plays on camera, not what’s on a blank screen.

Indo-Pacific

Study on the People’s Republic of China’s South China Sea Maritime Claims // US Department of State

China’s maritime claims unlawful: US report // Taipei Times

US State Department Study Dismisses China’s ‘Unlawful Maritime Claims’ in South China Sea // The Diplomat

US lays out case against ‘unlawful’ China maritime claims // France 24

China

Why DID the Winter Olympics go to Beijing? // Daily Mail

Taiwan

China might raise pressure next year: British historian // Taipei Times

Taiwan seeks to be top destination for Mandarin learners from US: official // Taipei Times

F-16 goes missing off western coast // Taipei Times

Hong Kong

Flashback
Western allies say China broke Hong Kong deal by ousting lawmakers // Yahoo News

Evening Update: As Hong Kong eyes expansion of national-security law, role of foreign judges faces fresh scrutiny // The Globe and Mail (CA)

Dr. Meryl J. Nass is a doctor, reportedly suspended by Maine because she lied to get hydroxychloroquine. Under Trump, doctors could use the drug to treat COVID. But, the FDA changed that. Faucci said hydroxychloroquine is ineffective against COVID, but a review from India last summer says otherwise in the Journal of The Association of Physicians of India. Nass is also accused of using Ivermectin, used for animal parasites, and of spreading disinformation. She is ordered to take a neuropsychological evaluation. However, in light of the proof from India’s research several months before Nass was suspended, no one suspended Faucci for disinformation nor ordered him to take a neuropsychological evaluation.

Now, body temperature is not an effective way to screen for COVID, which means all the wasted money on thermometers was wasted. Did the money wasters have to take a neuropsychological evaluation for that?

Accusations against Trump mount, but it’s all subjunctive—may be, could be, might, and that razzmatazz. Before he won 2016, his defeat was a certainty. Now, it’s a maybe. With India having smarter scientists than apparently run our medical boards, we can’t blame Americans for hustling to vote “Trump”. And, the Capitol insurrection only seems more justified to people who want access to the politicized drug that India has proven effective. Instead, the doctor who agrees with science is suspended by the zip code of insanity. And, the beast is seen for what it is.

We don’t know how much longer it will take before Christians stop obsessing over Sunday morning and human heroes. We don’t know how much longer Christians will look to masks and guns. Jesus said that faith could move mountains, but too few Christians are looking up. If things continue on their present course, we will get to a place where prayer is the only option left. Perhaps driving the nation to prayer was God’s plan all along, but only because it wasn’t ours.

Trump

Analysis: Kevin McCarthy is desperately trying to memory hole January 6 // CNN

Trump officials interfered with the 2020 census beyond cutting it short, email shows // NPR

Trump’s potential liability for Capitol riot faces major test in court // CNN

Election

Trump slams ‘dull’ DeSantis ahead of potential 2024 matchup // Axios

Washington as Usual

Biden calls on Senate to change filibuster rules to pass voting rights bills in forceful speech: ‘I’m tired of being quiet’ // CNN

Prices, Rates, Oil & Food

Apparently this is popular
How to compost at home, according to expert composters // CNN

Markets, Economy & GDP

Legendary investor Jeremy Grantham sees an epic market bubble and expects a historic crash. Here are his 12 most dire warnings. // Markets Insider

Science, Weather & Health

How the Tonga volcano generated a shock wave around the world // MSN News

Pandemic

California schools under intense strain, fighting to stay open during Omicron surge // Yahoo News

Body temperature may not be an effective gauge of covid-19 // MSN News

Flashback:
Coronavirus: Hydroxychloroquine ineffective says Fauci // BBC News

Flashback:
Timeline: Tracking Trump alongside scientific developments on hydroxychloroquine // ABC News America

Remember Donald Trump-touted hydroxychloroquine? Study in India backs it as Covid-19 cure // India Today

“Endemic”
A shift away from daily COVID case counts has begun // bangordailynews.com

Doctor loses license for COVID falsehoods, board says // Miami Herald

Lithuania has become the “Taiwan of Europe”. Since WWII, Americans never again struggled with the concept that a problem abroad is a problem at home. This is how we Americans can vote to interfere around the world that we know so little about. We think every squeal from another continent indicates a personal assault on our freedom to watch Netflix.

Europe wasn’t quite there, but not anymore. While Europe watches Lithuania sustain hostile diplomacy from China, Europe is getting the same idea as America. France—oh, the French!—just came to Lithuania’s defense. It’s hard to disagree when the French take sides. They say they aren’t sure why China is angry at Lithuania—okay. But, they make a very good point. China should not have a special group of 17 states it communicates with concerning Europe; it should have all 27. Lithuania was a great opportunity for France to say so. Bravo for French math!

So, now Lithuania is to the EU what Taiwan is to the US; to China, both are bad press.

A recent election in Taiwan’s central city of Taichung gave one more legislative seat to the progressive DPP party—this is the party that doesn’t bow to China’s passive aggression, nor to China’s aggressive aggression.

Yes, that party just got stronger. China won’t be happy. But, what’s new. Just look at Lithuania and do the math.

China

China lashes out at U.S. over support for Lithuania over Taiwan // NPR

Lithuania: The European state that dared to defy China then wobbled // BBC News

France eyes quick anti-China action to bail out Lithuania in trade war // Politico (EU)

China targets Lithuania over Taiwan, hits global supply chains // Hindustan Times

Taiwan

DPP’s Lin wins Taichung vote by 52.3 percent // Taipei Times