Emory,
No further comment on Bill, but on China:
<<It's my understanding that there were several agencies which advised against giving the Chinese the technology. Why give them the ability to do us great harm?>>
If agencies were given the opportunity to advise, there was clearly consultation, which means the deal was not done in the dark, as deals often are. Were there other agencies that advised otherwise?
Given the multiple applications of practically every technology on the market, a strict application of the "ability to do us great harm" theory would mean an enormous loss of trade, and would make many more enemies than friends. Closer trade relations with China might theoretically and marginally increase their ability to harm us, but will greatly reduce the incentive to try. The Chinese are not irrational or self destructive, and they aren't going to start firing missiles unless somebody gives them a strong reason to do it. Relations with China are complicated, and all deals walk a thin line, but vestigial red-scare paranoia isn't going to help.
I don't worry much about the Chinese, and I'm a whole lot closer to them then you are. Russia is another story altogether.
Steve
|
