Tortorella | 30 Nov 2022 1:20 p.m. PST |
Extensive coverage by the NYT using actual professional journalists. |
dapeters | 30 Nov 2022 1:32 p.m. PST |
Tortorella you hurt peoples sensualities, they like the Murdoch Media echo chambers, why go with fact when you can have fiction. |
Tortorella | 30 Nov 2022 2:43 p.m. PST |
They are the mainstream media now, and have their own Nation! But it takes some looking around to get the full stories these days. One source will not do it. And it is much easier to figure out who wants to spin you when you check out different sources. Murdoch is a tabloid entertainer, but there are still some left in his realm who try for balance. Most have left,though. This spin happens elsewhere, maybe not quite so obviously and consistently. Always try to check out all sides… |
SBminisguy | 30 Nov 2022 3:44 p.m. PST |
Extensive coverage by the NYT using actual professional journalists. I've personally interacted with some of those "professionals" -- and they lie. Many are more interested in agenda-driven story telling that advances careers and agendas than the truth, have no concept what the 5Ws of journalism, and have chosen sides and see themselves as political warriors. You'd be better off if you didn't put all your eggs into one basket, read broadly, don't accept what you read at face value, and realize that all journalists have a bias – and an editor who reports to the Owner -- Billionaires for the most part. The Washington Post Ed-in-Chief reports to Jeff Bezos. The Atlantic reports to Apple (Jobs' wife). MSNBC still reports to Bill Gates. The NYT to Carlos Slim. So they all have an agenda, and you need to decide how much of that agenda is in any given story you read. As a great writer once said:
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Tortorella | 30 Nov 2022 6:05 p.m. PST |
Yes, I agree, and I thought I made that point. How we learn about China, what we hear, is part of the story. But so is what some of us do not hear. You have to sift and look around and figure out stuff on your own. I just watched Erin Burnett, 7PM ET, do 21 consecutive minutes as her lead on CNN on China, include an incognito eyewitness who had gotten out of Shanghai recently, and detailed video coverage on the I Phone Foxconn factory there. Switching back and forth, Jesse Watters on Fox opened with a story on victims of the BLM riots in 2020, then commercials, then a story about FTX and Sam Bankman Fried making political donations before going bankrupt, during roughly the same period. The reverse could happen at some other time tomorrow for all I know. It is not easy to assess the China situation without screening a number of sources at various times. Jack Keane and Jennifer Griffin are excellent at Fox during the day, IMO. The Times and the Post also have agendas. But IMO, the NYT news reporters are pros. The news division at Murdoch's Wall Street Journal and London Times are also good sources. You don't realize how much media the Murdochs own until you start thinking about it. |
Legion 4 | 01 Dec 2022 12:40 p.m. PST |
My favorite Twain quote. True when he said it and truer now with TV, cable, 24 hr. news and the net. Jack Keane and Jennifer Griffin are excellent at Fox during the day, IMO. I agree, they are the best at their jobs. I have FOX on most of the day, they covered China and will continue to. But Watters, Tucker, etc. are opinion and news. They take breaks to have other reporters giving just news. IMO the 3 legacy news networks at 6 or 7 O'clock in the evening. You only get a timbal full of real news. Much like almost all news is skewed, agenda and narrative driven, etc. That is freedom of speech whether it is true of not. CNN is not my first choice for news as I don't agree with many of their reporters & guests. MSNBC is "The everything is racist channel", IMO. Some even watch The View and believe their version of things is fact. Scary really … But in the USA, you have the freedom to have differing opinions. As opposed to e.g. North Korea, Iran, China, Russia, etc. BBC is usually pretty good, and takes news stories from a different angle than the USA. |
Tortorella | 01 Dec 2022 1:11 p.m. PST |
Yes to BBC and no to MSNBC for me. CNN is not always my choice either but make a good benchmark opposite Fox. The bottom line, listen, read, watch, sift, and decide what seems most likely to you. I have been fooled many times by both sides, more wary now. |
Legion 4 | 01 Dec 2022 2:42 p.m. PST |
In the end … one has to make the choice to believe the media or not … And yes, I can't say enough negatives about MSNBC. Too many watch and believe what is said there. And many of those vote too … 😆 |
SBminisguy | 05 Dec 2022 8:49 a.m. PST |
But IMO, the NYT news reporters are pros. Sure, and in my personal experience is that they are skilled liars and wordsmiths who have an agenda to support *their* side and advance *their* agenda. In the few years I interacted with Establishment media I experienced deceit and manipulation from all of the top media -- the NY Times I discovered fabricating a source to spin a story favorable to the Democrats on a defense issue. I had a PBS Frontline producer lie to my face about the reason for an interview that they then hacked apart in editing to make it looks like someone said something they absolutely did not say. Washington Post, LA Times, Chicago Sun-Tribune, most of broadcast media -- same, same. I was lucky that my personal mentors were old-school journalists, the 5W "gold age" of journalism generation. They took that code very seriously and never mixed opinion and agenda with a story. One of them had been a combat correspondent with 2nd Marines in WW2 -- he survived Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian and Okinawa and went on after the war to cover other major conflicts, including Korea, several Arab-Israeli conflicts, and the Vietnam War. He saw during his coverage of the Vietnam War (in country and embedded) that the generation of Agenda Journalists was born. The younger set decided that reporting wasn't enough, that their true job was to influence opinion to stop the war and change the world. So they used their wordsmithing skills to spin US victories into defeat, or to not report on gains or victories -- only set backs. He was in country during Tet, he saw that the Viet Cong had been shattered as a fighting force, but his "professional" colleagues spun it as a defeat. So my experiences and mentors have colored my view of journalism. It's like a Guild now -- know the right people, get into the right schools, write and say the right things, join the Establishment as a shill and eventually get a job in Government, revolve back and forth between Media and Government, etc. Always in service to the Cause. So yeah, I'm pretty cynical about today's media. Read broadly, read between the lines and understand the media's most accurate reporting is probably your local weather forecast. |
Legion 4 | 05 Dec 2022 9:35 a.m. PST |
Seems almost all of today's media has an agenda and narrative … much of it is biased, false, cherry-picked, etc. If all one watches is the legacy news networks at 6:00, they get a very small amount of "the rest of the story" and it is very skewed. |
dapeters | 05 Dec 2022 1:55 p.m. PST |
Bring back the Fairness doctrine. |
Tortorella | 05 Dec 2022 9:07 p.m. PST |
SB, I guess "pro" is a relative term and experiences vary. I worked for the government and never spoke to or trusted the press or my politically appointed "leaders", only my peers. Yeah you sound cynical, and with reason, it seems. I believe certain people in the media now, as I mentioned, but only because I am out of the game and have more time to listen and compare. In general, I don't disagree with you though, although our politics differ. Reagan ended the Fairness Doctrine with his veto, and precipitated the rise of unfettered media outlets and a lot of divisive attack journalism. Muck. |
dapeters | 06 Dec 2022 12:59 p.m. PST |
It was under Reagan that Murdoch became a citizen make him eligible to own a TV Network. |
Tango01 | 21 Dec 2022 10:24 p.m. PST |
China accused of new territorial grab in South China Sea link Armand
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Tango01 | 22 Dec 2022 4:05 p.m. PST |
Analysis: Overview of the PLA Chinese Navy's Type 054B frigate "Let's focus on the Type 054B frigate of the People's Liberation Army Navy, the construction of which has already begun. It is estimated that it will be launched by the end of 2023…."
link Armand
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Tango01 | 22 Dec 2022 9:47 p.m. PST |
Artillery: Chinese Artillery Exports link Armand |
Tango01 | 23 Dec 2022 10:16 p.m. PST |
Was A Chinese High-Altitude Airship Spotted Recently Near The South China Sea?
link Armand
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Legion 4 | 23 Dec 2022 10:36 p.m. PST |
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Tango01 | 26 Dec 2022 10:10 p.m. PST |
US Commander Says China Has Fully Militarized Its South China Sea 'Man-Made' Islands link
Armand |
Tortorella | 27 Dec 2022 8:18 a.m. PST |
So the Chinese just let this civilian photographer fly right down on the deck to take a bunch of pics? |
Tango01 | 29 Dec 2022 9:58 p.m. PST |
Has China Mastered The Ability To Launch Kamikaze Swarm Drones? YouTube link
link
Armand |
Tortorella | 30 Dec 2022 2:27 p.m. PST |
Looks like no to me – but they are working on it. |
Legion 4 | 31 Dec 2022 3:05 p.m. PST |
The PRC/CCP will use or try to use any tech available/they can get. Pretty much like any other nation. They do have the ability to produce massive amounts of equipment + 20% of the world's population. |
Tango01 | 02 Jan 2023 9:59 p.m. PST |
Analysis: What are the scenarios for China's takeover of Taiwan? link Armand
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Tango01 | 03 Jan 2023 9:58 p.m. PST |
Did Chinese Spies Steal Bomb Secrets On Every U.S. Warhead To Build China's Nuclear Forces link Armand |
Tango01 | 04 Jan 2023 9:47 p.m. PST |
Former US National Security Advisor Says President Xi Jinping Is Preparing The Chinese People For War link Armand
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Legion 4 | 05 Jan 2023 5:32 p.m. PST |
He may be prepping them for war but it may be only for local consumption, IMO. As I have said, executing an amph invasion on Taiwan is something that the PRC could not do successfully at least at this time. They have no experience, Tawain has few good landing beaches/sites, and much of Taiwan is mountainous. Even if you actually survive a landing now you have to deal with very difficult terrain. But as we know to never underestimate your enemy. But in this case we don't have to make them a bigger monster than they are. 🐉🦎 |
Tortorella | 05 Jan 2023 7:58 p.m. PST |
Agree, Legion. A distraction from internal discontent and uncertainty. |
Tango01 | 05 Jan 2023 9:45 p.m. PST |
China's ‘Most Advanced' Aircraft Carrier CNS Fujian To Begin Sea Trials This Year link link Armand
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Tango01 | 09 Jan 2023 4:31 p.m. PST |
Washington Think Tank War-Game Simulation Predicts Outcome Of A Chinese invasion Of Taiwan. Predicts The Loss Of At Least Two US Aircraft Carriers YouTube link
link Armand |
Legion 4 | 09 Jan 2023 6:00 p.m. PST |
Hopefully the war game is wrong. Regardless, Taiwan will not be an easy invasion. The PRC/CCP has no experience in amph invasions. Little combat experience as well. Taiwan has limited landing beaches. And inland is difficult mountainous terrain. The US needs to supply them as it is the Ukraine. But again the US needs to stop wasting $. USD On their current agendas. Defense should be #1 … |
Tortorella | 09 Jan 2023 6:19 p.m. PST |
The outcome here is from an all out non nuclear war among multiple combatants. The Chinese carrier Fujian, just getting ready for trials is their only vessel really compatible with the US battle group ships and is outnumbered 10-1. It has no airgroup ready yet, will need two years just to complete trials and training. Thanks to Armand for the update. They will just not be ready by then, unless they roll the dice and risk everything. Not likely, but you can never take them for granted. |
Tango01 | 09 Jan 2023 10:07 p.m. PST |
A votre service mon ami… Armand |
Tango01 | 10 Jan 2023 4:39 p.m. PST |
Hyundai Heavy Industries displays CVX aircraft carrier
link
Armand
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Legion 4 | 10 Jan 2023 4:57 p.m. PST |
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gregmita2 | 11 Jan 2023 12:28 p.m. PST |
Interesting how the dual tower (bridge and traffic control) design is getting traction now… |
ROUWetPatchBehindTheSofa | 11 Jan 2023 2:07 p.m. PST |
Washington Think Tank War-Game Simulation Predicts Outcome Of A Chinese invasion Of Taiwan. Predicts The Loss Of At Least Two US Aircraft Carriers Saw a similar headline suggesting the cost of stopping the invasion would be a quarter of the US submarine fleet. Didn't read it but I'd hazard it would be a case of 'you should see the other guy'. |
Legion 4 | 11 Jan 2023 3:16 p.m. PST |
I'd hazard it would be a case of 'you should see the other guy'. Yes, the PRC/CCP would be in very bad shape after war with the US/NATO(?), the ROK, Japan, Oz, etc., etc. When I say war, I'm talking a naval, air, coastal batteries war. There is no way to win a ground war with the PRC/CCP. Or any reason why to do so. |
Tango01 | 11 Jan 2023 9:56 p.m. PST |
U.S. defeats China in simulated war over Taiwan, but costs are high, says new study on risks link Armand |
dapeters | 12 Jan 2023 1:08 p.m. PST |
I think that even if the Chinese could win, it would be a very hollow victor. Pretty the same for Putin and the Ukraine, he use nukes and it over for him. |
Legion 4 | 12 Jan 2023 1:15 p.m. PST |
Yes, the Chinese Air & Naval Forces would be trashed. Pyrrhic victory at best. And we have talked about Putin & nukes too … If he used tac nukes on the Ukraine would that trigger WWIII ? |
Legion 4 | 14 Jan 2023 12:26 p.m. PST |
Saw a RET. US Army GEN on the news today. Said with the PRC/CCP building up their military in very large numbers, etc. Xi may invade Taiwan when he has enough assets to do an amphib invasion. The PRC/CCP forces will take huge losses but have the will to invade. Even if they have no real amphib ops experience. But as I have been saying and before me many high-ranking RET. US Military types as in today's interview. Both Putin & Xi saw the USA has extremely weak, feckless, confused, etc. leadership at the top. The A'stan debacle only made it clearer that the US leadership is not anything to be real too concerned about. So, Putin lined up on the Ukraine border which took months. And invaded as again the US leadership was weak, etc. Xi may see this US leadership weakness, etc., and involvement in the Ukraine as it may be a good time to move. Everybody kept saying Putin won't invade the Ukraine … we know that was wrong. So will we see the same with Xi. He and his top leaders don't care how many losses they take to capture Taiwan. Both Putin, Xi, and probably Iran, Un, islamic terrorists, etc. When it comes to leadership … the USA don't have the right stuff. |
Tortorella | 14 Jan 2023 8:07 p.m. PST |
Legion, as always, you stand by your convictions..👍With respect, here is another view about where we have been. We disagree, but we are entitled to do so. We are lucky. We got through it. Kelly, MacMaster, Miley, Mattis, Bolton, former NSC, etc. and many others will likely be laying out the history of those years someday. Kelly especially did his best tried to compensate for the lack of knowledge and judgement, and obviously the lack of knowledge of basic American history was difficult to fathom. The nation owes Kelly a debt of gratitude. The restoration of the military was all hat and no cattle until the final year, IMO. Now we are refocusing in the Pacific, and we have stood up to Putin in Ukraine. NATO is back. There has been no Helsinki. Afghanistan ended in a mess. But it has not been the only test. Our intelligence, State Department and other agencies have been restored. Not ideal, but our enemies know we are not weak. We can be tested, but invading Taiwan is very dangerous for China. Xi knows the score. China is the threat, but until they have the transport they cannot get the numbers to Taiwan without huge risk. Their military age population is declining. There naval air power is still not comparable to the US. I wonder about their command structure, top heavy with political appointees without much military background. The tremendous amount of time spent on their own version of "woke" political training for all, far exceeding the US. There is so much we cannot know…we follow our heads and hearts and make our best estimates. |
ROUWetPatchBehindTheSofa | 15 Jan 2023 3:06 a.m. PST |
I would argue the key test we, the West, passed in Ukraine wasn't military but to collectively suck up the economic pain of sanctions against Russia. I assume prior to that a lot of advice to the Chinese leadership, at least that that they wanted to hear, was telling them that the West's public and politicians are too feckless and disinterested to take the economic pain of significant sanctions… Its been known for awhile that there was overdependence on China's manufacturing capacity and Covid bought that into focus. How that lesson plays out is anyone's guess but at a minimum some may diversify their manufacturing base. And China's own economy isn't exactly bomb-proof. A sudden large-scale manufacturing down-turn would hurt them bad. There are plenty of other second tier economies out there who would probably quite like to see China loose some share so they could take up the slack… |
Tortorella | 15 Jan 2023 7:30 a.m. PST |
I agree about the sanctions, but the US and NATO have provided massive material assistance that has been critical on the battlefield. The US trend in manufacturing has created more than 600,000 new jobs in the last couple of years, starting to reverse the prior trend. Prior to this, many states were still losing manufacturing jobs and the number of new manufacturing jobs being created was far less. Think of the massive new chip factories being built and the major implications for the US manufacturing economy. Good signs, at least. |
Legion 4 | 15 Jan 2023 10:19 a.m. PST |
I did not say China was going to invade. But there are some intel signs that should be considered. We are lucky. We got through it. Kelly, MacMaster, Miley, Mattis, Bolton, former NSC, etc. and many others will likely be laying out the history of those years someday. Yes were lucky per se, but I think Kelly, MacMasters and Mattis were very knowledgeable and in the end each did their job. None of them were pushing for war. But to prep for it one way or another. They all knew history. And the Russians and PRC/CCP only respect strength. China's own economy isn't exactly bomb-proof Their economy is a bit "shaky", some have predicting it will crash. However, they are a Communist run nation, etc. They can do what they want. Its been known for awhile that there was overdependence on China's manufacturing capacity and Covid bought that into focus. So very true … cheap labor, no OSHA, etc. made China a very good place to open up a business. Didn't Marx or Lenin say something like, "The greed of the entrepreneur will be the failure of Capitalism." … However, we thought once we introduced Capitalism to the PRC/CCP they would become less Communists. But in the end they used that against us. They play the long game and still wanted to push the US out of its place as #1 economically and militarily. I believe Covid was no accident, as many do. the US and NATO have provided massive material assistance that has been critical on the battlefield. That is the bottom line, but again, IMO it should have started that combat support sooner. As Putin's forces massed on the border. |
Tortorella | 17 Jan 2023 7:22 a.m. PST |
I suspect that maybe not many here read the NYT, so I am posting this front page lead article from todays paper on China's population decline. An adjacent article about China's economy is not too cheery for them as well. This does not stop them from sabre rattling, but it has serious implications for their plans for economic dominance, and ultimately their military, which is facing a decline in the number of available bodies. We cannot let down our guard against our enemies, especially our nuclear foes, but IMO we are sometimes too quick to criticize the strength and leadership of the US, while assuming that our foes have no troubles of their own. We are not wrong in pulling no punches about our own shortcomings, but the last couple of years have have brought historic change to the balance of power in the world and the state of flux is both a challenge and an opportunity for the western powers, IMO. link |
ROUWetPatchBehindTheSofa | 17 Jan 2023 11:05 a.m. PST |
Rather speaks for itself – I saw another article a couple of days ago saying that the poster-child for Wolf-warrior diplomacy had been shuffled in to a new job which rather underlines the change in posture. link |
Legion 4 | 17 Jan 2023 11:25 a.m. PST |
Well if we look at it we are in a "de facto" war with the PRC/CCP. * CCP is sending/selling chemicals to make fentanyl to the Mexican cartels. Crossing mostly across the open South Border. Kills hundreds of Americans daily. * CCP paying millions of $ to many US universities for PRC nationals to go to those institutions. Many/most are CCP spies/operatives stealing US tech, copyrighted items, etc. This has been going on for decades. If the Gov't tried to stop this. Hundreds of academics, intellectuals, professors, etc. called that racist … but of course the universities like the millions they get from the CCP. For … e.g. increasing Professors' salaries ? Today the cover all is to call something racist. *CCP buying land next to US Military Bases … this is bad and self-explanatory. *CCP is setting up "de facto" police depts. to monitor their Nationals/spies, etc. and even Chinese who became US citizens Legally(!). *Many Chinese came here legally to escape the CCP. They are often interviewed in the media. But not enough, IMO … *TikTok is a CCP propaganda/fake news etc. media. It must be stopped. *I don't doubt the CCP does not stop by sites like this, our Mil. Ofc. of America monthly newsletter, etc., etc. I believe it is very possible that the CCP channels $, being thoroughly laundered, to Antifa, BLM, CRT/1619 projects, Soros, etc., etc. For obvious reasons. Paranoid I am ? Maybe ? |
SBminisguy | 17 Jan 2023 1:05 p.m. PST |
*interesting news that the "Rocky Mountain Institute" that is the source of the non-scientific study being used by the Biden Admin to call for a ban on natural gas stoves…takes money from the CCP to promote sustainable growth, has a board member who runs a CCP-linked investment firm…the goal is to depress US domestic natural gas consumption to boost natural gas exports from the US to China. China has been running the most successful influence campaign in living memory…possibly in history! |