China

[Joodoo]

Yeah, and the size of our military is like exponentially greater than anything in existence?

US could like pwn the world by itself...

They spend so much time and money on the military that they don't care about anything else...
China's not much better, it's just a government mostly consisting of useless and corrupt n00bs

[ccm87]

very bad that china is the lead economy(but that might just be because i live in the us...).

[Pedronicus]

That works both ways when you consider the amount of US Treasury bonds held by the Chinese government. Enough to collapse America's economy if they cash them in, so I'm told. China pwns the US.

Merrill Lynch said foreign governments had added $241bn of US agency debt over the past year alone as their foreign reserves exploded, accounting for a third of total financing for the US current account deficit. (They now own $985bn in all.) By most estimates, China holds around $400bn, Russia $150bn and Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states at least $200bn.

Russia could also throw a spanner in the works. Face it America, your short term financial future is out of your hands.

[Skittles!]

Yeah, I'm kinda OK with us being the only superpower...

Except I think China kinda qualifies already. They're just not the hyper-power that we are.

Since China has about 1/4 of the worl'd population and has quickly embraced our level of technology (though not disbursed it yet), I's say they pretty much are THE super power.

We just don't want to acknowledge it yet.

No. Their global influence is much more limited. They have some say, yes (see the UN veto the other night).
But ultimately, they are dependant on the USAs good will.

That works both ways when you consider the amount of US Treasury bonds held by the Chinese government. Enough to collapse America's economy if they cash them in, so I'm told. China pwns the US.

"That's wack!"

[Snorri1234]

for what its worth...china is already putting in the infrastructure that will give it a high way system the size of the US, which will be of better quality, and privately maintained (though thats always a bit of a sketchy thing to say when you consider the meshing between public and private). In what wont take too long, china will have an infrastructure especially as far as roads go that will be of better quality than the US and will likely be better maintained.

After experiencing the roads in the US firsthand, that's not much of a task. A large percentage of the roads is of rather shitty quality when compared to Europe. (Though that's probably because we don't really have to make a lot of road so we can shoot for quality.)

[Frigidus]

Yeah, and they've actually threatened to do it too. It's funny though, if they do, then their economy will collapse... and will collapse the world. I think that if they did try to cash the cash, everyone(worldwide) would just ignore them. I saw it happen at a couple of banks when I was a settlement agent. Where a small bank would take a loan from some citizen to build a new branch... And then battle to keep him from asking for his money back.

Oh, of course we wouldn't pay them. But then the rest of the world would realize we never intend to repay them our debts and would stop lending. And, oh boy, would we be fucked then. Considering the vote garnering mentality in Washington they'd probably just start printing money to pay for all the projects we wouldn't be able to keep up and the dollar would free fall. Countries would then unpeg their currencies from ours all over the world and we'd sink into a depression. Bad times.

[Juan_Bottom]

Yeah, and they've actually threatened to do it too. It's funny though, if they do, then their economy will collapse... and will collapse the world. I think that if they did try to cash the cash, everyone(worldwide) would just ignore them. I saw it happen at a couple of banks when I was a settlement agent. Where a small bank would take a loan from some citizen to build a new branch... And then battle to keep him from asking for his money back.

Oh, of course we wouldn't pay them. But then the rest of the world would realize we never intend to repay them our debts and would stop lending. And, oh boy, would we be fucked then. Considering the vote garnering mentality in Washington they'd probably just start printing money to pay for all the projects we wouldn't be able to keep up and the dollar would free fall. Countries would then unpeg their currencies from ours all over the world and we'd sink into a depression. Bad times.

OH! I don't think it's just us. I don't think the nations of the world would let them get paid. It would form a worldwide depression/recession. War would be the more logical step...

[Snorri1234]

Yeah, and they've actually threatened to do it too. It's funny though, if they do, then their economy will collapse... and will collapse the world. I think that if they did try to cash the cash, everyone(worldwide) would just ignore them. I saw it happen at a couple of banks when I was a settlement agent. Where a small bank would take a loan from some citizen to build a new branch... And then battle to keep him from asking for his money back.

Oh, of course we wouldn't pay them. But then the rest of the world would realize we never intend to repay them our debts and would stop lending. And, oh boy, would we be fucked then. Considering the vote garnering mentality in Washington they'd probably just start printing money to pay for all the projects we wouldn't be able to keep up and the dollar would free fall. Countries would then unpeg their currencies from ours all over the world and we'd sink into a depression. Bad times.

OH! I don't think it's just us. I don't think the nations of the world would let them get paid. It would form a worldwide depression/recession. War would be the more logical step...

I see your point. The rest of the world powers understands that even though the US is bankrupt the illusion of their richness stabalizes the world-economy.

Money is an illusion that only works because most people believe in it. We think that a few pieces of paper are worth that new tv, and without that belief shared by everyone it wouldn't work. This is true for every form of currency, even that gold that jay and ron paul are anxious to bring back, without the people believing it the shit really doesn't work. Gold is still just some metal that we assign some arbirtary value to, it's not actually worth anything in itself. It's currency, it only works when people believe in it.

[Pedronicus]

This is from Zimbabwe


You will notice the three eggs. in Zimbabwe one egg costs 35 billion Dollars - So this guy is still short by 5 billion. Poor sod!

[Curmudgeonx]

In reference to the Zimbabwe inflation issue, it is probably more cost efficient to wipe your ass with the currency than buy toilet paper.

I was watching the movie "Network" the other night on tv (ironic, right) and even in that time period, the point was made that the Saudis etc. could buy and sell the US. Welcome to globalization and a world economy. Luxemborg sneezes and Europe gets a headache.

[Grooveman2007]

This is from Zimbabwe


You will notice the three eggs. in Zimbabwe one egg costs 35 billion Dollars - So this guy is still short by 5 billion. Poor sod!

By now an egg probably costs 135 billion dollars.

[Joodoo]

Recent news tells me that 1 USD is equal to over 400 billion Zimbabwe dollars?!?!
But back on topic, I'm quite worried about the the RMB's rising value. It is said to be one of the causes of heavy inflation in the country...

[Nobunaga]

... I cannot believe the world is going to allow China to host the Olympics. I just cannot.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080723/wr_ ... ssident_dc

... This isn't anything new, happens all the time over there.

... Why aren't there massive protests against China's hosting this thing? Obviously it cannot be done in Beijing, but someplace?

...

[Snorri1234]

... Why aren't there massive protests against China's hosting this thing? Obviously it cannot be done in Beijing, but someplace?

I take it you don't follow the news or anything?

[Nobunaga]

... Why aren't there massive protests against China's hosting this thing? Obviously it cannot be done in Beijing, but someplace?

I take it you don't follow the news or anything?

... I've seen nada. (don't have time for TV and have seen little about protests on the net).

... Show me some, eh.

...

[Snorri1234]

... Why aren't there massive protests against China's hosting this thing? Obviously it cannot be done in Beijing, but someplace?

I take it you don't follow the news or anything?

... I've seen nada. (don't have time for TV and have seen little about protests on the net).

... Show me some, eh.

...

Well just check google for protests of the olympic torch being run through europe and a bunch of countries elsewhere. A lot of countries debated boycotting the opening-ceremony to show they didn't like the way China handlled Tibet and stuff.

[Nobunaga]

... Why aren't there massive protests against China's hosting this thing? Obviously it cannot be done in Beijing, but someplace?

I take it you don't follow the news or anything?

... I've seen nada. (don't have time for TV and have seen little about protests on the net).

... Show me some, eh.

...

Well just check google for protests of the olympic torch being run through europe and a bunch of countries elsewhere. A lot of countries debated boycotting the opening-ceremony to show they didn't like the way China handlled Tibet and stuff.

... Good to know. The population isn't yet 100% zombified.

....

[PLAYER57832]

Yeah, I'm kinda OK with us being the only superpower...

Except I think China kinda qualifies already. They're just not the hyper-power that we are.

Since China has about 1/4 of the worl'd population and has quickly embraced our level of technology (though not disbursed it yet), I's say they pretty much are THE super power.

We just don't want to acknowledge it yet.

No. Their global influence is much more limited. They have some say, yes (see the UN veto the other night).
But ultimately, they are dependant on the USAs good will.

That works both ways when you consider the amount of US Treasury bonds held by the Chinese government. Enough to collapse America's economy if they cash them in, so I'm told. China pwns the US.

China has not been as blatant as the US about its influence ... but that doesn't mean they lack it. And, your concentration on a UN vote Suggs... is rather indicative of the point I was making. There is a lot of the world that could care less what the US and Europe think.

[PLAYER57832]

... I cannot believe the world is going to allow China to host the Olympics. I just cannot.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080723/wr_ ... ssident_dc

... This isn't anything new, happens all the time over there.

... Why aren't there massive protests against China's hosting this thing? Obviously it cannot be done in Beijing, but someplace?

...

There was a thread on it here in CC Chatterbox a few weeks ago.

But since the Olympics is already a "done deal", most people are trying to more or less let the Olympics happen, but perhaps use it to forge connections with Chinese people for the future. Also, the Chinese government has cracked down very harshly on any Chinese person who even attempts any kind of protest. Any foreigner suspected as someone who might protest is denied entry. So, the protests are being stopped, largely, before they even happen.

EVERY Olympics has been rife with all kinds of protest. If they are not there in China ... that will tell a far greater story of oppression than any protest might.

[Joodoo]

... I cannot believe the world is going to allow China to host the Olympics. I just cannot.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080723/wr_ ... ssident_dc

... This isn't anything new, happens all the time over there.

... Why aren't there massive protests against China's hosting this thing? Obviously it cannot be done in Beijing, but someplace?

...

There was a thread on it here in CC Chatterbox a few weeks ago.

But since the Olympics is already a "done deal", most people are trying to more or less let the Olympics happen, but perhaps use it to forge connections with Chinese people for the future. Also, the Chinese government has cracked down very harshly on any Chinese person who even attempts any kind of protest. Any foreigner suspected as someone who might protest is denied entry. So, the protests are being stopped, largely, before they even happen.

EVERY Olympics has been rife with all kinds of protest. If they are not there in China ... that will tell a far greater story of oppression than any protest might.

1.Beijing has set up 3 protest zones for the duration of the 08 Olympics.
2.Nobunga, what I find annoying is how some ppl like to mix politics with the Olympics. Can't we just talk about the Olympics? It just ruins the meaning and purpose of the event.

[heavycola]

... I cannot believe the world is going to allow China to host the Olympics. I just cannot.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080723/wr_ ... ssident_dc

... This isn't anything new, happens all the time over there.

... Why aren't there massive protests against China's hosting this thing? Obviously it cannot be done in Beijing, but someplace?

...

There was a thread on it here in CC Chatterbox a few weeks ago.

But since the Olympics is already a "done deal", most people are trying to more or less let the Olympics happen, but perhaps use it to forge connections with Chinese people for the future. Also, the Chinese government has cracked down very harshly on any Chinese person who even attempts any kind of protest. Any foreigner suspected as someone who might protest is denied entry. So, the protests are being stopped, largely, before they even happen.

EVERY Olympics has been rife with all kinds of protest. If they are not there in China ... that will tell a far greater story of oppression than any protest might.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/heavycola/ ... 410681388/

Some pics I took at the London demo. It was BRILLIANT. The torch was surroundd by these chinese heavies and everyone was just jeering and chanting 'free tibet'... then adude ran otu with a fire extinguisher and tried to put it out. CHiense heavies wrrestled him to teh ground. But despite the farce and the brutality it was a great day.

[Nobunaga]

... I cannot believe the world is going to allow China to host the Olympics. I just cannot.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080723/wr_ ... ssident_dc

... This isn't anything new, happens all the time over there.

... Why aren't there massive protests against China's hosting this thing? Obviously it cannot be done in Beijing, but someplace?

...

There was a thread on it here in CC Chatterbox a few weeks ago.

But since the Olympics is already a "done deal", most people are trying to more or less let the Olympics happen, but perhaps use it to forge connections with Chinese people for the future. Also, the Chinese government has cracked down very harshly on any Chinese person who even attempts any kind of protest. Any foreigner suspected as someone who might protest is denied entry. So, the protests are being stopped, largely, before they even happen.

EVERY Olympics has been rife with all kinds of protest. If they are not there in China ... that will tell a far greater story of oppression than any protest might.

1.Beijing has set up 3 protest zones for the duration of the 08 Olympics.
2.Nobunga, what I find annoying is how some ppl like to mix politics with the Olympics. Can't we just talk about the Olympics? It just ruins the meaning and purpose of the event.

... You're in China, Joodoo, so you might have a different take on this than many here. I understand that. Many Chinese see these Olympics as China's "Official Introduction to the World" as a nation equal to any other. You guys have a lot of pride wrapped up in this thing (unless of course you're an ex-pat).

... But you cannot separate politics from the Olympics. We see how dissent is so quickly and brutally crushed. We see how the air in Beijing is filled with dust and pollution, the sea filled with sewage-eating organisms (bright green). We see how China sent it's special forces "anti-terror" brigade across the world to protect the torch from protest....

... And we see everything else going on over there unrelated to the Olympics and quite frightening and we wonder.

... I wonder how much China had to dish out to the committee to get the games.

... (but I'm a cynic).

...

[InkL0sed]

The Olympics has ALWAYS been intertwined with politics...

[Frigidus]

... I cannot believe the world is going to allow China to host the Olympics. I just cannot.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080723/wr_ ... ssident_dc

... This isn't anything new, happens all the time over there.

... Why aren't there massive protests against China's hosting this thing? Obviously it cannot be done in Beijing, but someplace?

...

There was a thread on it here in CC Chatterbox a few weeks ago.

But since the Olympics is already a "done deal", most people are trying to more or less let the Olympics happen, but perhaps use it to forge connections with Chinese people for the future. Also, the Chinese government has cracked down very harshly on any Chinese person who even attempts any kind of protest. Any foreigner suspected as someone who might protest is denied entry. So, the protests are being stopped, largely, before they even happen.

EVERY Olympics has been rife with all kinds of protest. If they are not there in China ... that will tell a far greater story of oppression than any protest might.

1.Beijing has set up 3 protest zones for the duration of the 08 Olympics.
2.Nobunga, what I find annoying is how some ppl like to mix politics with the Olympics. Can't we just talk about the Olympics? It just ruins the meaning and purpose of the event.

... You're in China, Joodoo, so you might have a different take on this than many here. I understand that. Many Chinese see these Olympics as China's "Official Introduction to the World" as a nation equal to any other. You guys have a lot of pride wrapped up in this thing (unless of course you're an ex-pat).

... But you cannot separate politics from the Olympics. We see how dissent is so quickly and brutally crushed. We see how the air in Beijing is filled with dust and pollution, the sea filled with sewage-eating organisms (bright green). We see how China sent it's special forces "anti-terror" brigade across the world to protect the torch from protest....

... And we see everything else going on over there unrelated to the Olympics and quite frightening and we wonder.

... I wonder how much China had to dish out to the committee to get the games.

... (but I'm a cynic).

...

Wild, he's from China? I thought that they were heavy on internet censorship there, I'm surprised that they let uncensored forums slide by.