China - Missiles and White Wire Reindeer

David Postman has an interesting piece on China’s recent missile test in which they destroyed an orbiting satellite in space. Well, actually, the Postman piece focuses more on current US-China trade relations and one of the central players in that arena, my congressman – Rick Larsen (D WA-2) and the impact a test like this might have on those relations.

Postman highlights the bi-partisan U.S.-China Working Group that Larsen co-Chairs in the US House. According to documents on the group’s website, ”The U.S.-China Working Group believes it is vital for Congress to increase its dialogue and engage a working relationship with the Chinese. The group will host monthly meetings to hear from key business, academic and political leaders about U.S.-China issues ranging from trade and economic policy to space exploration.” Obviously the recent Chinese missile test is just the thing to capture the attention of this group and, according to Postman, ”…Larsen worries that could lead to trouble for U.S.-China trade.”

Considering the growing connection between the Boeing Company (a large portion of which is contained in Larsen’s 2nd CD) and China it’s no wonder Rick gets nervous any time China pulls a stunt like this. Especially when he hears folks like Arizona Republican, (Sen.) Jon Kyl, asking for congressional hearings to determine if any US technology is being used in China’s missile program. Or this gem that Postman found from “anti-freetrader” Ralph Reiland (from an op-ed at The American Spectator)

” Still, we're getting better-than-ever bargains on those white-wire reindeer at Wal-Mart, except it's China that's getting the money. And the Chinese just conducted a satellite-killing missile test, successfully, on Jan. 12. In theory, it's all okay, i.e., economically efficient, unless they nuke us.”

Larsen's U.S.-China Working Group is scheduled to hold a public hearing on China's missile test on Friday. I can't wait to hear what the "key business, academic and political leaders" have to say.
Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue