The United States crazed mad-dog seems to be effectively muzzled. It seems to be on “pause” for a spell, and the rest of the world is galloping as far away from the United States as possible. Not just France, but India, Brazil, Australia, and many, many African nations. It’s almost a rout.
Meanwhile those in the “West” must be the most ignorant, and ill-informed people in all of history.
American “news” is like American Supermarkets; One long isle of sodas, only two brands (Coke and Pepsi). With a single tiny shelf in the far, back corner with one or two “off brands”.
Sheech!
China did it again! Yemen and Saudi Arabia mend ties!
Figuring things out
Shrimp in Caramel Sauce
(Tom Kho – Vietnamese)
The onions should practically disintegrate into the sauce. Adding the oil at the end lends a bit of extra richness; traditionally more lard or oil was added than prescribed here to also give an appetizing sheen to the shrimp.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds (31-40 count) medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 tablespoonsCaramel Sauce
- 1/2 yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 1 1/2 tablespoons oil
- 1 green onion, green tops only, chopped
- Steamed rice, for serving
Instructions
- Place the shrimp, salt, fish sauce and Caramel Sauce into a shallow saucepan. Bring to a vigorous simmer over high heat.
- Add the yellow onion and pepper, stirring to evenly distribute. Continue cooking over high heat, occasionally turning the shrimp so that they’re well coated with sauce. They’ll curl up and release their juices to combine with the other ingredients and concentrate into a dark sauce. Add a little water if things get too dry.
- The shrimp are done when they’ve taken on an orange-brown color and have a pleasant sweet chewiness, about 8 to 10 minutes after you’ve added the onion and pepper. There will be a few tablespoons of sauce in the pan.
- Remove from the heat, add the oil and stir to coat the shrimp.
- Scatter the green onion on top and serve with lots of steamed rice.
4 servings
Each serving, without rice: 229 calories; 725 mg sodium; 276 mg cholesterol; 7 grams fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 10 grams carbohydrates; 31 grams protein; 0.58 gram fiber
i love the 80’s montage
Not that Way: The Superb Concept Art Works of Oliver Ryan
Oliver Ryan is a UK based concept artist and illustrator working in games and animation.
More: Instagram, Artstation
CHINA – April 18: “Major Military OPERATION . . .”
The Chinese Maritime Safety Administration has announced that the People’s Liberation Army Navy will be conducting a “Major Military Operation” in the Yellow Sea off the Coast of Qingdao on April 18th between 0900 and 1200 Local-Time.
This is the first time they have ever used the term “Major Military OPERATION.” Usually, they say “military exercise(s)” Now, they’re saying “operation.”
Not quite certain what this entails. ALso not certain why they gave less than 24 hours notice. That part of China is about 12 hours AHEAD of US East Coast.
The Fall Of America ? | China’s Exposure
The first minutes of the video are a great demonstration on how distorted Americans see the world and how badly the mainstream media can spin stories into their favor.
Massive Numbers of Military-Age Chinese Men Lining Up in Panama to ILLEGALLY Cross into USA
Massive Lines Of Military Aged Men From China Are Lining Up In Panama Headed For The United States open southern border! This is an Invasion that the President is NOT Stopping! Look at the one minute video below . . .
Here is what is taking place right now in Panama, heading to the USA unabated:
Now, pretty much EVERY American knows that relations between the USA and China are not good anymore. There is very candid talk that China is going to “re-unify” with Taiwan, and that may happen by force. . . war.
The US has publicly (and foolishly) stated it will “Defend” Taiwan. Quite a goal given that Taiwan is 8000 miles from the USA but only 90 miles from mainland China.
Just how does the US think it will supply a logistics train for wartime operations which has any hope of overcoming mainland China’s ability to supply Chinese troops?
Yet pledge to defend Taiwan, the US has . . .
So here we are, with talk of war and lo and behold, thousands of MILITARY-AGE CHINESE MEN are moving to cross into the USA illegally.
Is there any doubt in your mind that these men are part of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) being sent here by their Communist China bosses to attack the USA from within once hostilities break out?
One would have to be a fool to think otherwise.
If they were coming lawfully, they wouldn’t be doing this in Panama. They’re coming ILLEGALLY because they want no records of them being in the country! No records of who they are, where they will be staying, or for how long.
HAL TURNER ANALYSIS
Americans with guns need to start thinking to themselves “What if war breaks out and these people actually DO start attacking us from within? AM I ABLE TO SHOOT A HUMAN BEING TO DEFEND MY COUNTRY?”
Few normal people in any country, have had to contemplate shooting another human being. Even fewer have ever had to do it. It’s a big deal to do that. On an emotional and intellectual level, killing another human being is a tremendously big deal. It takes a considerable amount of thinking — in advance — to figure out if YOU are capable of actually doing that.
If you are, in a combat/fight/life-threatening situation, fine.
If you’re “not sure” then you’d better think long and hard, NOW, before any confrontation occurs. Because if you’re not sure . . . and, God Forbid, war comes . . . then YOU will get killed BY THEM in the moments you hesitate to shoot them.
None of us want war. I certainly don’t. Especially not here, inside my own country. But it sure looks as though that is exactly what’s coming.
What will you do after retirement?
I retired at 49, 6 years ago. Top 4 lessons for a successful transition from a rewarding career:
- Don’t buy things that don’t include potential for building a community and friendships. Floating in a wakeboard boat alone is not much fun
- 180 degree shift of focus from wealth to health. Read books on nutrition. Take cooking classes. Take college courses on nutrition and wellness.
- Pick a big goal that few have accomplished. Make the plan to attain. Write it down. Do the work. It took 2 years to train, completed two full Ironman races with my adult kids last summer. Next up Ironman Portugal.
- Hang out your shingle. Never say retired. “I’m a consultant”. Offer your services and advice to a start up venture-even if you get paid in free lunches!
In a nutshell, the skills one learns during a working life will be essential to flourish in retirement. We only get one shot at life.
80s Time Capsule – Tribute to 80’s Entertainment
This is pretty darn good!
How many Taiwanese consider themselves Chinese and would accept an invasion?
I am from Taiwan.
With some pseudo-research, one might come up with some statistics from dubious sources to pretend to answer your question, but one needs to realize that questions of this ilk are utterly irrelevant and useless in providing any insight into the ongoing Taiwan question.
Yours is the wrong question to ask.
Can Taiwan reunite peacefully with China?
Let me ask you this:
- How many Catalonians considered themselves Spanish in 2018? Does it matter at all?
- How many citizens of the Confederate States of America (CSA) considered themselves citizens of the USA in 1863? Does it matter at all?
- How many Kurds considered themselves Syrians, or Turks, or Iraqis in 2010? Does it matter at all?
- How many Scots consider themselves British? Does it matter at all?
In most of the above, they not only considered to be someone else, but they also voted democratically to become someone else!
Does it matter at all?
And this might surprise you. Every single Taiwanese voted in multiple democratic elections in the past two and half decades to send multiple parties into office. All these parties (KMT or DPP) have
- Chosen to uphold its Constitution, which stipulates in no uncertain terms that Taiwan is a province of China, and national re-unification is the ultimate goal, despite many rounds of Constitutional revisions on other issues,
- Chosen to prosecute diplomatic relations with the entire world in the capacity of the Republic of China (ROC), with Taiwan being only one of its 35 provinces and two autonomous regions,
- Chosen to repeatedly strike down motions to conduct referendum on independence, even disciplining party members who stepped out of line,
- Chosen to maintain the appellation “Republic of China” for all its governmental units in all three branches, its military, its central bank, its passport, its state owned businesses, its public schools, etc..
These parties, on opposing ends of the spectrum, have both won landslide victories during the past 25 years, giving them impressive mandates each time in turn. Together, the two parties enjoy probably over 80% of the popular support*. Think hard about this fact!
The conclusion that one must draw from the above facts is clear, that Yes, the people in Taiwan do consider themselves Chinese.
Otherwise, you cannot explain the above facts. There is simply no other explanation!
How does it go? If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, ,……? And a very “democratic”, a very “self-determining” duck at that.
I implore all you foreigners, to please respect the will of the Taiwanese people, if you agree Taiwan is a self-determining democracy. They have spoken, loud and clear. Please! Be consistent!
But then, don’t forget, as I said, it doesn’t really matter what the Taiwanese think either. Just ask the CSA, the Catalonians, the Kurds, and the Scots in a couple of years.
* The remaining 20% mostly goes to the TPP, which is yet to win a major election, but also upholds all the principles listed above. (Sorry to disappoint you?)
Pla Nung Khing Sai Het
(Steamed Fish with Ginger and Mushrooms – Thai)
Traditionally this is prepared with the fish known in the West as a pomfret, but any similar (flat) fish will do.
The traditional recipe calls for phak kaat dong (pickled Chinese cabbage). In the highly likely event that you don’t have this on hand, the best substitute is probably pickled red cabbage.
Ingredients
Fish
- Pomfret (or any similar flat fish
Marinade
- 1 large field mushroom, thinly sliced,
- 2 tablespoons grated ginger
- 2 tablespoons phak kaat dong, thinly sliced (see above)
- 1 tablespoon prik chi fa daeng, sliced (red jalapeno)
- 2 scallions/spring onions/green onions, finely sliced
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon kapi (shrimp paste)
- 1 teaspoon prik thai (ground black pepper)
- 1 tablespoon whiskey (optional, but, if omitted, add 1 tablespoon fish stock)
Instructions
- Clean the fish and score the sides with several cuts to allow the marinade to penetrate.
- This is steamed, and as such is best done in a bamboo steamer, because in a metal steamer condensation on the lid drips onto the food, and marks it, spoiling the appearance, and also possibly affecting the cooking process (fish is best steamed in “dry” steam). If you use a metal steamer you should cover the fish with a paper towel which is not in contact with the fish. Alternatively you can cook this dish in a microwave, using low to medium power.
- Mix the Marinade ingredients and rub them into the fish, leaving it to marinade for about an hour in a cool place.
- Transfer the fish, and the marinade, on a dish large enough to hold it, to a bamboo steamer (see note above), and steam for about 20 to 25 minutes (if microwaving, cook until the flesh adjacent to the bones is cooked, allowing it to rest for 1 minute after each 3 minutes cooking before testing).
US Troops on the Ground in Ukraine
It’s official – the US is at war with Russia. This is no longer a proxy war regardless of whether an official declaration has been made.
Washington confirmed that there is “a small U.S. military presence,” but only made the admission after the Pentagon data leak.
National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby insists American soldiers are not fighting on the battlefield.
“I won’t talk to the specifics of numbers and that kind of thing. But to get to your exact question, there is a small U.S. military presence at the embassy in conjunction with the Defense Attachés office to help us work on accountability of the material that is going in and out of Ukraine,” Kirby said, claiming the troops are connecting to a specific embassy. The initial data leak showed that there are also at least 50 troops from the UK on the ground in Ukraine, along with military personnel from 33 NATO nations.
The New York Times reported on Monday morning that NATO members are amassing their troops along the border. “NATO is rapidly moving from what the military calls deterrence by retaliation to deterrence by denial. In the past, the theory was that if the Russians invaded, member states would try to hold on until allied forces, mainly American and based at home, could come to their aid and retaliate against the Russians to try to push them back,” Steven Erlanger wrote.
But NATO is going on the offensive rather than the defensive this time around. “To prevent that, to deter by denial, means a revolution in practical terms: more troops based permanently along the Russian border, more integration of American and allied war plans, more military spending and more detailed requirements for allies to have specific kinds of forces and equipment to fight, if necessary, in pre-assigned places,” the journalist wrote.
The war in Ukraine has already cost more than any war since World War II. Ukraine is not a NATO member, and there has never been a situation where NATO prepared its troops to battle a country unaffiliated with its alliance. Russia is completely backed into a corner now and the war must escalate. Putin will not retreat or surrender.
Russia does not have the option to surrender as the world powers would swoop in and take over the nation, including its very valuable resources, which they’ve wanted all along. Zelensky is no longer running the show, and the global elites will decide how quickly to escalate this battle.
Countless men, women, and children will die, all for the pride of a few who want to destroy the world to Build Back Better.
90s Time Capsule – A Tribute to 90’s Entertainment
https://youtu.be/vS_jGUIqcQ4
US warship sails through Taiwan Strait days after China drills
A US warship sailed through the waters separating Taiwan and mainland China, the US Navy said, days after Beijing staged war games around the self-ruled island.
Led by the United States, multiple Western navies regularly conduct “freedom of navigation operations” to assert the international status of regional waterways such as the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.
The USS Milius guided-missile destroyer “conducted a routine Taiwan Strait transit April 16 (local time) through waters where high-seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in accordance with international law”, the US Navy said in a statement.
“The ship transited through a corridor in the Strait that is beyond the territorial sea of any coastal State.” This was the first such US operation through the waterway since January.
The US 7th Fleet shared images Monday on Twitter of crew looking out into the strait, one of the most crucial waterways in the world for international shipping.
China said on Monday it had tracked a US warship through the Taiwan Strait, adding that the United States had “hyped up” the transit.
Colonel Shi Yi, a Chinese military spokesman, said troops in the area “remain on a high level of alert at all times and will resolutely defend national sovereignty and security as well as regional peace and stability”.
China claims Taiwan as its territory and has vowed to bring the island under its control one day. It also claims the entire Taiwan Strait as its territorial waters.
China launched three days of military exercises around Taiwan on April 8, simulating targeted strikes and a blockade of the island.
The drills were in response to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s recent visit to the United States, where she met with Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy.
“The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese PLA fully monitored the US warship’s passing operations, maintaining a high-level alert at all times and resolutely defending national sovereignty and security,” a spokesperson said via the Global Times.
Beijing bristles at any official contact between Taipei and foreign governments. On the final day of last week’s drills, Taiwan’s defence ministry said 54 Chinese planes crossed into Taiwan’s southwestern and southeastern air defence identification zone (ADIZ) — the highest recorded in a single day since October 2021.
That same day, the USS Milius sailed through waters claimed by Beijing in the South China Sea.
That deployment triggered condemnation from China, which said the vessel had “illegally intruded” into its territorial waters.
Since the war games ended, Chinese warships and aircraft have continued to circle Taiwan.
On Monday, Taipei’s defence ministry said it had detected four warships and 18 aircraft, four of which had crossed its southwestern ADIZ.
The guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon sailed through the Taiwan Strait on January 5, months after McCarthy’s predecessor Nancy Pelosi visited the island.
Pelosi’s trip sparked China’s largest-ever war games around Taiwan.
Do you know what this reminds me of?
The neighbor down the street taking his dog to go shit in my flower garden.