World Domination concepts, China's plan

Found this in a article reviewing the rise and fall of empires:

https://medium.com/@mikebyrne_16145/the-rise-or-decline-of-us-global-power-a-critical-look-at-alfred-mccoys-new-book-2ed9cdd437ff 

This paragraph is intriguing:

"China’s grand strategy certainly isn’t your typical imperial grand strategy, depending moreso on economic soft power than pure power projection through military might. Nevertheless the strategy, if implemented would clearly change the geopolitical power dynamics of the world, and that obviously has some policymakers concerned in Washington. One of the main post-World War II pillars of US empire is “The Washington Consensus”, a philosophical framework of global governance that emphasizes the primacy of western financial and governance institutions in conducting global politics. Institutions like the IMF, World Bank, and WTO are products of this framework, and these institutions, along with military alliances like NATO, have served to maintain a western-centric global supremacy with the US government at the helm. China’s strategy looks to reorient the entire landscape, shifting the epicenter of global governance from a “unipolar” model, which emphasizes the need for a single powerful hegemon, to a more “multipolar” model, which emphasizes regional hegemons. Halford Mackinder once wrote that “Trans-continental railways are now transmuting the conditions of land power,” and that “…the century will not be old before all Asia is covered with railways,”. He wrote this back in 1904, and due to the damage accumulated in the wake of two world wars, it wouldn’t be until the next century that his vision was realized. China by 2030 plans on linking all of their major cities by high speed rail, while simultaneously working with surrounding states to make the effort transcontinental. Plans on constructing a “Eurasian Land Bridge” or a high speed rail line that would go from Chongqing to Leipzig, Germany in 20 days is an example of one such ambitious project. Why is this significant? China being able to ship via high speed rail allows it to circumvent shipping lanes, most of which are patrolled by either the US navy or US allies. Circumventing these shipping lanes gives the Chinese ability to get around any obstacles that may arise if any diplomatic or geopolitical tensions arise between China and the US. Chinese grand strategy also involves the construction of a vast network of pipelines for the purpose of importing oil and gas. One of the most significant deals in this realm was between the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and Russian state owned Gazprom. The deal was worth $400 billion, and it came during a time where Russia was facing increased sanctions from the West due to its annexation of Crimea. Russia as a geostrategic partner is essential for China’s implementation of their grand strategy. As long as Russia is the primary boogeyman of the West, and keeping the West bogged down in a two front proxy war in Syria and Ukraine, China can simply step in strategically without getting their hands dirty while continuing to implement what some in the US media are beginning to refer to as China’s “manifest destiny”. China is also looking to end the monopoly on military alliances, security alliances, and international economic institutions through alliances such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organizations(SCO), functioning as a Asian security alliance, and the establishment of the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), built in the likeness and image of the IMF, and already has support from many countries, including US allies like the UK, Australia, and South Korea"

It is also interesting to note that China is not wasting trillions on war-based adventures.  It is now on a path to become free of all dependence on non-renewable energy sources.  Pursuit of petroleum-based resources is what has fuelled most of the wars in the last 100 years, and is still at the heart of US foreign policy.  China does not want to emulate this folly, when there is a better way achieve its security and wealth.

The real news about nuclear war, on any scale.

Just a reminder of the actual results of some bozo ordering a nuclear strike.

https://thebulletin.org/daniel-ellsberg-dismantling-doomsday-machine11539?platform=hootsuite

Secret Government spying comes to its logical conclusion ...

... by destroying the government that allowed it to happen.  Check out this guy's analysis:

http://www.stonekettle.com/2018/01/dirty-tricks.html?m=1

I really enjoyed the logic trail that was used to conclude that somebody is using all that collected spy data for his own personal gain.

We live in interesting times.  Will we survive?

An important essay on a failing democracy ...

This is a long read, but important concepts are discussed:

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/03/america-is-not-a-democracy/550931/

Not exactly an optimistic view of the current world in which we live.

The effectivness of "trickle-down" economics ...

... has never been demonstrated in the real world.  Read on:

http://prospect.org/trickle-downers

Further examples of government slanted against the poor ...

... .. or subtle ways of stealing from the peasants:

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/12/how-the-rich-use-the-government-to-enrich-themselves.html

Why things were better back then ...

Check this out:

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/12/21/1726664/-This-Accountant-s-Perspective-A-Short-History-Lesson-on-Tax-Policy-as-Social-Engineering

The "why" of empire

Global corporations have taken over as the excuse for empire-building.  Check this out:

https://www.dissentmagazine.org/article/short-history-american-empire-stephen-kinzer-true-flag-review

It was, is, and always will be about rich guys trying to control all the world's wealth no matter what the cost in human lives.  How admirable is that?

Bitcoin explained

Here's the article:

https://www.howtogeek.com/141374/htg-explains-what-is-bitcoin-and-how-does-it-work/

A discussion of the CIA's role in our chaotic, dangerous world

This is truly depressing:

http://original.antiwar.com/Nicolas_Davies/2017/10/31/america-spreads-global-chaos/

Osama bin Laden succeeded beyond his wildest hopes!

Here's the details of his massive victory, which is still being played out by our ridiculous leaders:

http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/176345/tomgram%3A_engelhardt%2C_doing_bin_laden%27s_bidding/

Jimmy Carter's reasons for dropping his religion

An important example of a human using his mind to think:

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/10/20/1708600/-Jimmy-Carter-pens-op-ed-about-women-sure-to-stun-most-male-religious-leaders-around-the-world?salzillo=?detail=emaildkre

Propaganda used against you by your government

A great explanation of the way the Iraq War was foisted upon us:

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2015/05/22/1386781/-George-W-Bush-Did-Something-Much-Worse-Than-Lie-Us-Into-War?detail=emailclassic

Too true, and too likely to happen again.

BitCoin's unique usefullness

There is a lot to ponder in this essay:

http://original.antiwar.com/Nozomi_Hayase/2017/10/25/wikileaks-bitcoin-revolutionary-movement-peacemakers/

Money and the military

Here is a great breakdown of the waste inherent in military spending.  Imagine what other useful projects could have been completed with this money.

http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/176336/tomgram%3A_william_hartung%2C_how_the_military-industrial_complex_preys_on_the_troops/

An exposé of some myths about socialism, science and climate change

This is worth a read.

http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/42062-climate-change-brings-socialism-and-science-together

How dictators stay in power

This detailed article explains who gets US foreign aid.  Apparently dictatorships are well supported:

http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/42020-us-provides-military-assistance-to-73-percent-of-world-s-dictatorships

Privacy redux

While we've been distracted by all the Trumpiness going on, the surveillance state has figured out how to get around all those annoying little laws about privacy rights. This article describes how it is being done:

http://original.antiwar.com/jwhitehead/2017/06/26/age-no-privacy-surveillance-state-shifts-high-gear/

Depraved-Heart Murder

This interesting concept is endorsed proudly by many of our politicians and governments.  This article explains it in the context of the current health care fight in the USA, but it is applicable to many of the actions our governments undertake in the name of austerity, fighting terror, creating jobs, etc.

https://www.dailykos.com/story/2017/6/24/1674954/-Well-Senator-Hatch-If-Not-Murder-Then-What-Would-You-Call-It?detail=emaildkre

How the right insinuates its policies into liberal/left leaning political parties.

This is very instructive and explains a lot about recent activities by Canada's 'Liberal' government as well as the US Democratic party's behaviour.

http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/39986-third-way-democrats-are-trying-to-push-the-party-rightward