From the Washington Post:
- Three United States senators came to one of China’s most prestigious universities on Wednesday, ostensibly to talk about trade. What they delivered was an expansive, almost evangelical campaign for American values – one that received pushback from their audience of students and faculty.
American values apparently run the gamut from whimpering sanctimony to belligerent hypocrisy:
- The senators talked about an unfair advantage they say Chinese exporters enjoy over American firms because of the low-value currency. They implored China to adopt the norms of global trade. In strikingly moral tones, they pledged Washington’s resolve to pressure China to liberalize not only its currency regime but also its political culture, using trade as a wedge for broader reform.
Idiot number one:
- Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) told the Tsinghua University audience that his model of leadership is “a man by the name of Jesus.” He later quoted Martin Luther King Jr. as he urged China to do “the right thing” on trade policy.
Fer chrissakes, at least Ghengis Khan had the decency to skip the lectures while pillaging. Idiot number two:
- Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) told the students that, post-9/11, Americans are committed to taking on whatever battles seem imperative – China’s cheap currency, along with al-Qaeda.
China’s cheap currency, along with al-Qaeda? Are you sh*tting me?
- “In my country, we’re very arrogant, and I admit to it,” Graham said. “You have to understand that Americans have for 200 years fought and died not just for our freedom, but for other people’s freedoms.”
You know, like the freedom to set their own fiscal pol… oh, sorry:
- Charles E. Schumer, the New York Democrat who has led the drive to force China to raise the value of its currency, the yuan, said economic reform leads toward a free society. “I believe it is inevitable that China will have much more freedom,” he said.
That Chuck Schumer, the most insufferable prick in a state that boasts Hillary Clinton and Rudy Giuliani, is allowed – paid – to speak as a representative of this country should be one of the first things that leaps to mind when you hear the question, “Why do they hate us?”
Apparently, the Chinese audience didn’t much cotton to the preaching, backed as it is by the threat of a 27.5 percent tariff on all Chinese goods. I suspect the good, Wal-Mart-going folk of Oklahoma and South Carolina won’t be too happy, either, once they have to start leaving items at the checkout counter – though I’m sure their senators (and Fox News) will channel their rage toward the little yellow devils for “playing hardball” with America.