A Superpower in turmoil

[FireDragon76]

But won't medical people all over the world always be giving their reports? Won't leaders of all nations be able to still study out what all such professionals are saying? Why does the WHO institution have to be the sole source?

While I think its unfortunate we are largely abandoning participation in the WHO, people need to understand the WHO is a healthcare organization that best serves developing nations by offering some basic advice and medical supplies to countries that might have trouble procuring that sort of thing. Contrary to the media reports in the US, not using the WHO's tests is normal procedures for any developed nation, who are expected to develop their own tests and leave the WHO's resources for countries that lack the ability to procure their own medical supplies and expertise.

 

[Jonathan Walkerin]

But won't medical people all over the world always be giving their reports? Won't leaders of all nations be able to still study out what all such professionals are saying? Why does the WHO institution have to be the sole source?

There are plenty of countries like China, Russia and US where politics dictate what reports you can give.

WHO, while being somewhat inefficient due to it’s need to try to accommodate as many countries as possible will still find it harder to give completely biased opinion of events unlike any single country like China, Russia or US.

Of course every nation has their own experts but they don’t necessarily agree on everything either so whose advice will you listen ?

Coordinated responses in crisis are they key and WHO is chosen by international community to fill this part during pandemics.

 

[Bobber]

The problem is that American power peaked decades ago. Neither Trump nor Biden are operating from a point of reality in this matter.

Can't say there's no truth to what you say BUT....the American dollar is still considered the currency of stability in the world even though there's much that could be said even about that. I think America is still the leading force.

The world has changed, but American leadership has mostly not woke up to this fact.

It seems to me President Trump ALWAYS was aware the world changed and everyone else was asleep letting it happen. There of course is nothing wrong with healthy progression but was it that? Were the changes beneficial to the American people?

Trump didn't think so and even though it can be argued he's a man who has faults he definitely had a plan to strengthen the economy. He did so and I don't think that can be denied.

 

[FireDragon76]

Can't say there's no truth to what you say BUT....the American dollar is still considered the currency of stability in the world even though there's much that could be said even about that. I think America is still the leading force.



It seems to me President Trump ALWAYS was aware the world changed and everyone else was asleep letting it happen. There of course is nothing wrong with healthy progression but was it that? Were the changes beneficial to the American people?

Trump didn't think so and even though it can be argued he's a man who has faults he definitely had a plan to strengthen the economy. He did so and I don't think that can be denied.

Complaining about the rising power of Asian economies, as Trump has mostly done throughout his long career, is sort of like complaining about the tide coming in, to any judge of history. Prior to the European "Age of Discovery" coupled with widespread colonialism, China was basically the center of world trade (European exploration was initially focused on securing trade routes with China, after all), and it's not that strange that the pendulum has swung back in that direction after one and a half centuries of humiliation. It's basically an inevitability that countries like the US are going to have to learn to live with.

 

[Aldebaran]

Complaining about the rising power of Asian economies, as Trump has mostly done throughout his long career, is sort of like complaining about the tide coming in, to any judge of history. Prior to the European "Age of Discovery" coupled with widespread colonialism, China was basically the center of world trade (European exploration was initially focused on securing trade routes with China, after all), and it's not that strange that the pendulum has swung back in that direction after one and a half centuries of humiliation. It's basically an inevitability that countries like the US are going to have to learn to live with.

I think the biggest problem with China's rise is that much of it comes from stealing American technology and ideas. Flooding our economy with counterfeit items is also there way of sabotaging our economy. It would be different if they were developing their own technology and coming up with better ideas.

 

[Zoii]

But won't medical people all over the world always be giving their reports? Won't leaders of all nations be able to still study out what all such professionals are saying? Why does the WHO institution have to be the sole source?

WHO is the institution collating the outcomes world wide to see what's best practice.

But WHO coordinates massive world health campaigns such as the Ebola response, polio eradication and malaria control, HIV, female genital mutilation... To name but a few.

To whom will the world's medicos be giving reports. Are they going to call each country? Its a no brainier... Each country provides their issues, outcomes and innovations to a central body for all to access. The USA is the only country that doesn't see value in that role, and I'm guessing you support that

 

[Aussie Pete]

I'm curious why so many believe that these troubles - particularly events such as a pandemic - is related to people's religious convictions?

Those who do not know God and His ways will be surprised to know that He is actively involved in the affairs of men. He also sits back at times and lets (human) nature take its course.

God is active when the church is active. Australia has seen an amazing weather reversal. We are drought prone as it is, but when we get half our normal rainfall in a year, it gets nasty for most of the population. The church got together, or at least about 140,000 of them, and prayed for an end to the drought. We've had as much rain year to date as for the whole of 2019.

The real authority on earth has been vested in the Church. If the Church fails to exercise that authority - well, you are seeing the results.

 

[Aussie Pete]

I think the biggest problem with China's rise is that much of it comes from stealing American technology and ideas. Flooding our economy with counterfeit items is also there way of sabotaging our economy. It would be different if they were developing their own technology and coming up with better ideas.

American and European corporate greed is the real reason for the problem. The Chinese outwitted businesses that were blinded by dollar signs. Just one example. The government of China only permits joint ventures. Technology transfer is a cost of doing business. The Chinese are way better negotiators. They have a level of patience that few westerners know anything about. How do I know? Through my work, including for a company that set up manufacturing in China.

 

[Albion]

Reminds me of The Roman Empire.

It reminds me of the Roman Republic.

It wouldn't be a surprise if the course of events from here on is similar to what happened with Rome beginning in the 1st Century BC, except that the early Caesars, like authoritarian rulers generally, did not use their power to accommodate every malcontent in the land.

 

[Albion]

I'm not really talking about the gradual decline of American influence, it's more that I've really noticed a rapid decline over the past two years - everything from relations with other countries, to internal affairs.

That's what can happen when one political faction dedicates itself to impeding the normal work of government. That's rather unusual in our history, you know. The 'loyal opposition' (to use a familiar phrase) seems to have become just 'the opposition.'

 

[Aussie Pete]

Pete I don't know what you mean by this at all.


Yes I guess the troubles in USA are similar to whats now occurring in places like Brazil. Every nation has faced a major impact from COVID (if that's what you mean) That said many nations have done OK as well. I'll put New Zealand, South Korea and Australia as examples.

What we are not seeing in those examples is the breakdown in national unity. I'm dismayed by such widespread civil disharmony that's occurring in the USA now, along with the usual gun deaths. Impacting on all this is an unemployment rate that keeps climbing and seems higher than other OECD nations. Im sure that's really hitting hard on people there.



Im guessing you mean COVID and possibly BREXIT. For all that the country isn't in a state of civil unrest. I wonder what the key differences are between these OECD nations, that one nation is experiencing such internal disharmony, compared to the other.

The UK has had its moments.
"The 2011 England riots, more widely known as the London Riots, were a series of riots between 6 and 11 August 2011, when thousands of people rioted in cities and towns across England, which saw looting, arson, and mass deployment of police, and resulted in the deaths of five people."

There was also Brixton in 1985. France had riots recently over changes to working conditions. We used to joke that the French are revolting. "We" being Englishmen. The French have been at it since the overthrow of the monarchy in 1792.

 

[pitabread]

Oh heck.... Google Covid and Google civil unrest, Dow Jones and unemployment rates. For petes sake. Where have u been

He's pointing out that the mods will remove the thread unless it has a linked news source of the purpose of discussion. Those are the rules for this particular subforum.

 

[Zoii]

Those who do not know God and His ways will be surprised to know that He is actively involved in the affairs of men. He also sits back at times and lets (human) nature take its course.

God is active when the church is active. Australia has seen an amazing weather reversal. We are drought prone as it is, but when we get half our normal rainfall in a year, it gets nasty for most of the population. The church got together, or at least about 140,000 of them, and prayed for an end to the drought. We've had as much rain year to date as for the whole of 2019.

The real authority on earth has been vested in the Church. If the Church fails to exercise that authority - well, you are seeing the results.

Well I accept this is a Christian site and you're Christian, but it worries me that you think the climate patterns are because people don't pray enough or are religious enough ... And no mention of science. That disturbs me.

 

[Zoii]

The UK has had its moments.
"The 2011 England riots, more widely known as the London Riots, were a series of riots between 6 and 11 August 2011, when thousands of people rioted in cities and towns across England, which saw looting, arson, and mass deployment of police, and resulted in the deaths of five people."

There was also Brixton in 1985. France had riots recently over changes to working conditions. We used to joke that the French are revolting. "We" being Englishmen. The French have been at it since the overthrow of the monarchy in 1792.

So nothing currently then? I thought you'd mention BREXIT or their initial mishandling of COVID

 

[Zoii]

He's pointing out that the mods will remove the thread unless it has a linked news source of the purpose of discussion. Those are the rules for this particular subforum.

Oh I see. I'll add the required links as soon as I get home. Thanks for that

 

[ewq1938]

 

[FireDragon76]

I think the biggest problem with China's rise is that much of it comes from stealing American technology and ideas. Flooding our economy with counterfeit items is also there way of sabotaging our economy. It would be different if they were developing their own technology and coming up with better ideas.

Where exactly are these flood of counterfeits? I have yet to see them, and I have bought alot of Chinese products over the years.

Reverse engineering a product to make something similar is not a crime.

 

[Speedwell]

Where exactly are these flood of counterfeits? I have yet to see them, and I have bought alot of Chinese products over the years.

Reverse engineering a product to make something similar is not a crime.

You might not notice; most of it involves military, computer and aircraft technology.

 

[Trogdor the Burninator]

You might not notice; most of it involves military, computer and aircraft technology.

Much of which was sold to them legally by US companies, or done in partnership between them - such as Boeing and COMAC

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...g-but-it-could-also-take-away-their-business/

 

[Aussie Pete]

So nothing currently then? I thought you'd mention BREXIT or their initial mishandling of COVID

I'm only bringing up the physical violence in the streets. The real civil war in the West is between cultural Marxism and liberal democracy. That contest is pretty much over. Marxists 10, liberal democracy maybe 1.