Our old commie nemesis' are doing a 180 on their old philosophies. China and Russia were once the bastions of communist dogma and governance. They were in a slug-fest with the west, led by we Americans, for 70 years.
We did our part at the end of World War One to keep Lenin from gaining power but that failed. Our troops ended up traversing Russia on the train to escape. HERE is some more history for those that have never heard of this. China was a land of warlords after the Boxers and their queen were booted from power in the early 20th century. We Americans intervened there a few times as did the international powers, mainly Europeans, but also Japan. Until after WW2 when Mao brought communism to China and enslaved a billion people.
Here we are 60 years later and America is headed to socialism with a overreaching, nosy nanny state while capitalism is running rampant in the old iron curtain! What they know now America learned the hard way over 200 years. We baby-boomers have sold out America. Well, not all of us. But the positions of power have been usurped by people who want a all seeing eye government, even down to cameras on every corner. Hell, these people want camera's in our houses if we let them. It could happen.
I used to build houses for a living. Shelter, one of the necessities of life, was something I enjoyed in the beginning. But like all other parts of our lives here, the Constitution has been turned on its head by government at all levels. They started regulating every part of a person's home. From the holes you dig in the ground (size, width, depth, soils type, disturbance) to the finished roof and its installation. A permit in the 60's for a new home was $25 bucks. My great uncle was the Chief Building Inspector. Two inspections and the house and septic was in the hands of the owners. Now, all over California, in every jurisdiction, permits are required for every step of construction and the State has dictated every part must meet their criteria (light-bulbs to toilets).
I saw this coming in the early 70's and I knew then the Constitution was becoming toilet paper to our government. Any excuse to require a official to give you a signed approval for an act on your own land became a torrent of paper and permits and fees. About the same time I saw the rise of environmental extremism. That became the easy way to pass and implement these unconstitutional taking of private property. Whether it was some wet spot on your land or a flyover of your property by an eagle, the eco nuts and their pals used the environment to pass more laws and regulations that have diminished our rights on our own property. Hell, along with the fact that if you don't pay the property taxes (in California they are stolen by the State and reallocated), the government will sell your property and never even kiss you.
When I saw the abuse of the Nevada County General Plan process by the eco nuts in the 90's, I new we really did not retain many if any rights to the lands we own and pay taxes on. The government through some votes can change your landuse designation from say, residential, to open space and there is not much you can do about it. That was actually one of the reasons I ran for office in 1984. I saw the Board of Supervisors down zone a man's property to open space and take away his values but retain the tax base.
Russia threw out communism as their form of government back in 1991. One of the first things they did was ask America to send over people who were experts in land. They wanted escrow people, title people, and all the rest. We sent some folks from our own county back then. Even the Russians knew there was money to be made if people actually owned their property. Russia's Constitution has a stronger statement of property rights than even ours. China appears to be doing the same thing.
China has millions of people moving around the country looking for a better life. This has led their government to start loosening up some of their rules and pushing capitalism as fast as they can. They figured out that capitalism is the best way to prosperity for their people and the growth rate of China has been astronomical. Of course they are wrestling with some of the problems freedom brings to an enslaved people. I would guess the present leadership and its adherents to communism will by morphed into something else within a generation. That will probably be a form similar to America in the 50's. That is prior to all the gazillion laws and regulations telling us how to live our lives.
So, in a nutshell, America is on some suicidal path to socialist/communist governance while Russia and China are going full steam towards almost unfettered capitalism. More capitalism, more personal freedom for their people. It is inexorable. America, not so much unless we get the nanny masters asses out of power and put in the true citizen representatives envisioned by the Founders. Davy Crockett would be the best example of what the Founders had in mind.
America, wake up, boot the morons out (mostly democrats) and get real people into power.
Todd J. Juvinall
I Miss my Husband very much! Todd was simply all about loving God, County, Family and People. My love , My husband is with Jesus in Heaven. He enjoyed communicating with each of you on Sierra Dragon's Breath. Todd was a Great, Loving, Kind man and will be Missed. Love you honey! Till wee meet again. 
I'll take California. In China you cannot breath actual air in most of the large cities. Ah yes, capitalist growth in China! Inside the gas mask!
ReplyDeleteI agree they need to get their air pollution issues fixed. No one wants dirty air. But you have missed, as usual, the point of the story.
DeleteTodd, Jen doesn't miss any important point, as you make none supported by factual realities concerning Russia and China. Your essay is filled with falsehoods and misunderstanding of the histories of 20th century China and The Russian Empire, under the Tsar or Lenin/Stalinism.
ReplyDeleteBut, then, you epitomize the notion, so prominent with right-wing extremists, that "Facts Don't Matter."
So sad.
EdP, you are back for a spanking on history again? You can't get enough I guess. You and Jen need to hookup and get the facts straight. But, you being a bleeding heart lib I don't see that happening.
DeleteSo sad.
Such an essay! Filled with dis-information and historical errors, indicating your cluelessness to 20th century realities in China and Russia/USSR. At least you state "Russia threw out communism," without attributing that development to Reagan, whose role was, basically, no different or of greater impact than all our Presidents since HST.
ReplyDeleteSo sad when ideology controls thinking.
Anon, please tell the readers what is false in my opinion piece. Inquiring minds want to know. Also, use your name or I won't print it.
DeleteIn summary,
ReplyDeleteIt's clear that readers of this blog wish that Todd would stick to his mostly amusing, provincially-minded, right wing opinions (and election predictions!) and leave the history lessons to serious, objective scholars. Todd, take heed.
It looks like we have a apparent Truckee cross-dresser masquerading as Jen. What a hoot!
DeleteYou can start your own blog and let us comment on it Jen/cross dresser. But you have no guts.
Jen, I don't post much anymore, but vising Todd's dragon cave today for first time in long time, I was compelled to comment. Showed his essay to my visiting brother a sheriff, who couldn't even finish reading Todd's stream-of consciousness, but wacky and unfactual musings.
DeleteTodd, perhaps I'll straighten you out -- factually, not make you a made man in the Mafia -- perhaps I won't. As all educated readers can see, you make endless assertions as if they were indisputable fact, never source your ersatz facts -- a basic MUST for any level scholarship, and among other sins, consistently forget 'an' is used before words starting with vowels. You rather name call, etc. than actually engage in meaningful debate. (I also meant to agree with you that the warlords did indeed control China after the ruling Manchus were deposed. Chaing Kai-shek was no freedom fighter, simply the warlord who came out on top. (He refused, mostly, to fight the Japanese, leaving that nasty chore to Mao and followers, thus his troops couldn't compete with the Reds after WWII was won and Mao, relatively quickly, drove the Nationalist to Taiwan.
BTW, I have traveled extensively I former U.S.S.R., from Leningrad as it was still called in 1972, to Stalin's turf down south in Georgia. Have also traveled extensively in PRC and even Taiwan. In USSR, I had numerous debates with Komsomol members who were totally mis-informed about their own -- Stalinist B.S. history.
BTW#2: After losing long posts in cyberspace, I thought my first post joined previous posts in the cosmos, but see you now censor the post. So I tried again, and I am anon. I realize you run your blog for your own enjoyment, which is why , I guess, "Facts don't matter," to you.
If I were to correct your essay, you'd learn nothing and call me "a bloviator." But your essay would have failed a sophomore history class assignment.
Ciao, and keep up your screech owl -- or screed owl -- hooting. Bring disharmony into the world appears to be your forte.
ErP, your anony,ous posts were attacking me in a very personal way so thanks for fessing up it was you. You are a self proclaimed expert and that is fine. I am not an expert and I am too humble to pat myself on tha back as you do to yourself. Traveling through the USSR and Red China must have been so fun. Watched every minute and told all those lies by the folks there too afraid for their own lives. You seem to have gained no knowledge from those trips except your ego won't let you admit you were given their facts.
DeleteSorry to say EdP, you are a bloviator and you called yourself that, excellent. Yes, this is my blog, I will post whatever I like and will even allow bloviating self aggrandizing critiques from you. You should learn to be a better debater. But you think you are a "master debater". What a hoot!
There was nothing posted by me that approaches your constant personal attacks on anyone not agreeing with your outdated, extremist and hateful stream of 'Know-it-all invective. Never said I had conversations with the Chinese -- we speak different languages and the purpose of that trip was to study martial arts and T'ai Chi at one of the many schools near the Shaolin temple of Carradine's Kung Fu show. As you always do, you have shown your inability to comprehend written material. I debate with USSR's communists, as they were brainwashed with Leninist-Stalinist garbage. Yet you make the incredibly nonsensical statement about lies I was told . . . and I was given their facts. And you are quite right, I do know a hell of a lot about world history and American history, a great deal more than you. But you denigrate all comprehensive scholarship as "self-aggrandizement and bloviating" because you are unable to grasp the rules of legitimate, researched, commentary, which often exceeds several hundred pages following years of research, reading, interviewing, then writing. You are a sound bite engulfer, chewing on the 30 second TV spots, believing in their depth of wisdom from which you form unsupportable conclusions which are then spat out with venom and bile. When you spout off, making nasty and untruthful assertions about all people whom disagree with your mutant world view, at times, it is worth the effort to smack down your printed nonsense. I am a lot smarter than you on the subjects we have discussed on this blog: That fact is evident and I won't shy away from saying it is true. Render unto Rome what is Rome's.
ReplyDeleteAnd you call yourself humble; who are you trying to kid. And, again you got it wrong. I said you would CALL me a bloviator. I didn't say I WAS a bloviator. But that is typical of your inability to understand written material, twisting cogent ideas into unrecognizable heaps of sludge because of the limitations of your intellect. You probably won't post this piece, but your thinking is too tangled up in extremist -- un-Christian (per Jesus) -- hateful delusions for serious and respectful consideration.
I fought the communists, remember, while you dodged the draft. Lots of Marines were married with children, as were soldiers, so that claim you made months ago is typical, chickenhawkish, "GOP, I've got a bad knee," tripe meant to conceal your lack of spine.
That is all, Todd.
EdP. thank you for proving all my points so well. You are simply a little man who does not like dissent of jis ridiculous positions. You are simply a nasty, mean spirited man. Reading the above post, one can see why you are not taken seriously and that makes you mad. Thanks again for an example of a "full of "himself" bloviating liberal. What a hoot.
DeleteEdP, why so bitter? It is obvious to all I am your better in these debates. But keep trying, you are certainly interesting entertainment.
Very interesting that Todd projects with every comment. Fascinating study in psychology.
DeleteYes, isn't it. And why do you stay as anonymous? Interesting psychology.
DeleteWho are the "Russins"? Is this some kind of new band?
ReplyDeleteYeah, the band has 150 million members.
DeleteLets follow some of T's logic here with some commentary..:)
ReplyDelete1. We need morë "citizen government."
I strongly agree. In our district, we certainly need less uber wealthy, subsidized rice farmers and more regular folk concerned about regular people interests. I see Jim Reed is running again. Good man. Same with Ben Emery. Heidi Hall is a candidate for 2014, and another good person. We also need more citizen representation from the population centers of our country- ie, the coastal urban areas, to reflect the actual balance of population. With an accurate balance, the insanity of the NRA would end almost immediately.
2. Todd's continue obsession with patriotism, producers and takers..
OK, Todd, then looking at your man in the mirror- ya know, the personal responsiblity thing...can you tell us why did you not volunteer for military service when you had the chance, and why you apparently retired early, becoming a taker of benefits? Are you not younger than 65? Do you support raising the retirement age, or do you want to lower it?
Lets reconcile some rhetoric with reality, k? :)
You are just too good to be true Jen. You are such a fine example of what we rational people are fighting against in America. Ignorance, personal attacks and your Sal Alinsky tactics are front and center. I will boot you though when you get too personal about my body.
DeleteYou are obsessed about the military (it appears you hate the military) and you seem to think that is some sort of superior position in the debates. Doesn't work but it does amuse me. Regarding patriotism, I would suggest you Jen are not a patriot. You seem to hate your country. Do you have a favorite somewhere on the planet? Give us an example of how you are exhibiting your love of America because I sure have not seen any from you.
As predicted, you couldn't respond logically to a single point I raised.
DeleteSame as you respond to Ed P. All bluster, nothing to back anything up.
I am not a "patriot" in your warped definition. So true.
Todd, how about answering the question. Do you really want Citizen Government? How about supporting Reed, Emory or Hall? Or did you vote for the uber-wealthy La Malfa, a guy who makes his fortunate sucking the mothers milk of government?
DeleteJen, Todd NEVER responds -- with dignified, learned, respectful, on 'topic' counterpoints -- to persons questioning his 'opinionated, Jabberwokyish assertions substituting as informed, researched conclusions.
DeleteHe constantly exhibits his disdain for scholarship, erudition and others knowledge with belittling comments. "What a hoot," his trademark, substitutes for a lack of comprehension of ideas, facts, etc., which are foreign to him, thus impossible for him to formulate an intelligent response. But he does supply a tad of comic relief; at least several people I've shown his comments to, have laughed in disbelief at his comments and perceptions. He complains about personal attacks, yet, w/o answering any points I raise in my rare postings, he calls me "a little man. . .nasty, mean-spirited," etc. That's his nature. Pathetic!!!
Jen/EdP, you two are two peas in a pod. I answer your questions and all you too libs do is come attach me personally! What a hoot!
DeleteEdP is an arrogant, mean spirited buffoon but I let him post his tripe here so others will see what I see. I notice he does not post on Rebane where he would be destroyed by the logic and intellect of Mr. Rebane. I notice Jen does bot post there either. Hmmm. But, like most arrogant liberals, they hide behind self aggrandizement and bloviate away.
Hey EdP, why were you able to travel around Red China and the USSR way back then. Were you sympathetic to them and they wanted a shill?
You two are the best examples I can come with on these pages as to why liberals lose every debate and discussion. Spoiled.
Ed, I guess we can only pity a person like Todd. A washed up, forgotten right wing politician, living a sad, lonely life, bitter at the world he sees changing around him. Todd, when are you going to post more about your childhood toys of the 1950s? Back when men were men, and women and minorities shut their traps! How wonderful it must have been for you :)
DeleteToo funny Jen. But let us know about you. Did you burn your bra honey? What a hoot!
DeleteTodd, you really seem delusional. You exhibit ignorance on topics which you constantly whine about. When I criticize you, it's because you try and force history to fit your provincial opinions, and you spread malicious untruths and historical inaccuracies which will not withstand cursory scrutiny. Thus you make assertions that are can easily be shown as plain WRONG. Every once in a while I read one of your musings and KNOWING how ill-informed you are, correct the mistakes in actual history. And I don't live on the computer, finding it necessary to read all blogs. A few times I've read Rebane, but just because he got a doctorate in engineering -- or whatever discipline it is in -- doesn't mean he knows 'squat' about history, politics, the economy or any subject where correct answers can't be determined by using a slide ruler. I'd eat him alive in my areas of knowledge and experience, just as he would me if I engaged him in his PhD area. But Todd, use of rarely used words is not an indication that his logic or opinion is sound, though you obviously are impressed. The purpose of a written piece and the vocabulary in the presentation is communicating with the reader, in my and many others opinion. The only message that stands out in his ruminations is arrogant pomposity.
ReplyDeleteYou embarrass yourself with idiotic statements about the reasons I traveled through the Soviet Union. My interest in the USSR began when I was about ten y.o. and read a book titled, The Long Walk, by a Polish escapee from a Soviet, WWII, gulag. He made it to India. My lengthy visit was a potential adventure and I leaped at seeing the country firsthand. I had numerous -- sometimes heated debates/arguments with our communist Intourist guides and other party members, including thuggish KGB troglodytes. I didn't succumb to their Leninist/Stalinist B.S., but ripped their rewritten history apart whenever given the chance. But you -- as you have said -- have spent most of your life in Nevada Co., cursing you with what consistently appears as a very narrow mindset and hateful xenophobia. It is so evident that you are out of your league whenever debating with the bloggers who regularly comment on Pellines's blog.
I've already stated why I traveled to PRC -- studying/practicing martial arts and T'ai Chi at one of the many schools dedicated to those ancient self defense and meditative arts.
Furthermore, your criticisms of those stating opposing opinions -- based on research and real-life experiences -- are feeble intellectually, rising close to the level of libel. Your post and comments about me are closer to libel than any form of educated analysis. But I'm unfazed by your characterizations: I just consider the source. But I do have contempt for the Hawks in our country that didn't have the spine to but their bodies where their mouth were. Anyone believing helping the South Vietnamese defeat the communists was correct and did not join the military, regardless of the sacrifices, loses all credibility and should rightfully be labeled a "Yellow-belly," as General Patton would have said.
Now, I have no more time to continue demolishing you warped understanding of history and the nature of those who want to improve our World. And if you banned Jen and I, who would comment? And, you would be deprived of targets for your venom.
EdP, yiu spend all your time here being the spelling and fact Nazi rather than getting a say in the post topic. If you want to be relevant here and elsewhere, start being less arrogant and stop the bloviating about nothing. I get more out of spam posts than I get from your comments. What a hoot!
DeleteWow, someone else who has read "The Long Walk" by Sławomir Rawicz. What a great book.
DeleteSteve, it is (has been) back in print. I said exactly what you post when I discovered another person who had read this book. My sister -- four years older -- bought the book for a class when she was in 9th or 10th grade. If you remember, the author (Just moved and books are all over the place; my G.V. house has a whole wall built-in bookshelf, and can't find the book right now. Something like Savodor Rojocysk, who claims he saw a Yeti while crossing the mts. into India.
ReplyDeleteTodd, facts are important. You are entitled to your own opinion but not your own facts.
I find it very interesting that it has been literally MONTHS since anyone has backed up or confirmed of the loony things which Todd has spouted.
ReplyDeleteRomney by 8 !! LOL. :)
OK Paul. LOL!
DeleteMe= female. Sorry Todd, not even a Pauline. So where ARE your defenders and intellectual peers, ha? We haven't even seen your apparent sole loyalist, Mr. Dirt Mover, since the 2012 election. Is he still in the area? Do remember that guy was a big fan of gold..perhaps he had to liquidate and downsize...)
DeleteNo, I think you are Paul. Give us your contavt info so I know for sure.
DeleteSo, you THINK I am Paul?
DeleteTodd, a bit of advice if I may...
Thinking too much is what gets you in trouble, and keeps your otherwise right wing allies away from this blog...away like a 100 ft pole!
You are Paul, you are too funny.
Delete