Inside the Asylum

We've already had the stink about the tire tax Obama imposed on Chinese imports, which seriously annoyed the Chinese. So what can he do for an encore? I know ... another tariff on Chinese goods at the request of his union backers.

The US Commerce Department has imposed anti-dumping tariffs of up to 99 percent on imports of Chinese tubular goods."

As could be expected, the Chinese are less than impressed.

The Chinese commerce ministry said that China "firmly opposes the abuse of protectionism and will take measures to seriously protect the interests of the domestic industry." It called the US tariffs "discriminatory" steps that would "have a serious impact on the Chinese steel industry's exports."

So who is happy about it?

United Steelworkers (USW) union hailed the move as "an overdue message for thousands of American laid off workers that trade laws are being enforced."

There's a surprise.

Seriously ... the Obama Regime are a pack of moronic amateurs. Obama is going to China in less than two weeks. Couldn't they have at least waited? I guess they think the Chinese will be overwhelmed by Obama's sparkling personality? Good luck with that.

[Update] But wait: there's more! It's even worse than I thought.

The U.S. Commerce Department said on Tuesday it would impose punitive tariffs ranging from 2.02 percent to 437.73 percent on imports of steel wire decking from China.

And the Chinese come right out and say it: The United States is acting the part of the hypocrite.

It is hardly a week after Washington pledged actions against trade and investment protectionism at the 20th China-U.S. Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) talks in China's eastern city of Hangzhou. The United States vowed to refrain from any new trade protectionism measures at the event...
Trade protectionism is a poison, which, if not properly handled, will reverse the first signs of world economic recovery. The United States, as the world's major economy, should take the lead in advocating responsible trade policies. Recent protectionist moves in the United States are closely linked to its sluggish economic growth and domestic political tussles, but a strong leader should have the guts to be more far-sighted and deliver the pledge he or she has made.

So to summarize: the Chinese government controlled Xinhua news agency has just said that Barack Obama is irresponsible, weak, gutless, short-sighted, a liar, doesn't understand economics, and is putting the recovery at risk. Those inscrutable orientals. It's so hard to figure out what they're thinking.

These guys loved him ... with 73% supporting him at the election. Why? I don't know. It should have been obvious even then that he wasn't their friend. I guess it was a case of "ask not what you can do for your country, ask what you can do for Obama". Anyway, now Obama's popularity is down to 57% which I still find pretty astounding. Why would anybody on Wall Street like him? Anyone care to bet how long it will take for the number to fall below 50%?

Well, it's a change anyway:

The United States my lose its AAA-rating if it can not control its deficit hike, rating agency Moody's Investors Service warned on Thursday.

Still, I've just bought some US government bonds ... but they're inflation indexed bonds. With the $US set to plunge, that's the precise definition of inflation, even if a certain tax-dodging Obama Regime economic official doesn't freakin' know that. At least I can protect some of my money this way.

A new electric car is about to hit the market in England. It's called the Lightning.
Here's how the company describes it:

Forget electric cars that compromise the driving experience.
For the sheer thrill of immediate, powerful acceleration and with a top speed capability of more than 130mph, the electric Lightning will be a difficult proposition to beat.
Car ............................................ 0-60mph .................. Power
Jaguar 5.0 V8 XK Coupe .................... 5.2 Secs .................. 380 bhp
Electric Lightning GT sub .................. 5.0 Secs .................. 500+ bhp

The bad news? It's going to cost about 120,000 pounds. Oh well.

When is the GOP going to wake up to the fact that simply being "not the Democrats" is not enough reason to put them back into power? I keep waiting for them stand up and declare that they're the party of small government, and that the moment they're back in power, they're going to abolish all these laws expanding government size and control. The trouble is, they're not: they're not the party of small government, and they can't be trusted to roll it all back. Once in power, they'll simply enjoy blaming the Democrats while taking advantage of all the juicy new powers and bureaucratic empires. Either it's time for a revolution inside the GOP, or it really is time for a 3rd party. Right now, they simply don't deserve power.

An Australian, George Morrison, went to China in the 19th Century (I'm unsure of the exact dates) and took a series of fascinating photos which seem to have been published around 1895. The following picture of a Chinese John Galt, particularly with Morrison's sardonic comment, really caught my attention.

Morrison had this to say about it:

AN INGENIOUS DEVICE. The toll for a wheelbarrow going over one of the bridges in the foreign settlement being 18 cash (about 3/4d.), while a coolie carrying a burden passes for 4 cash, barrow drivers upon arriving at the gate take their barrows to pieces, and thus transforming them into simple "burdens" avoid the additional impost. The notion is not a bad one. It combines simplicity with ingenuity, and is especially to be commended as a novel means of evading an unpopular tax.

Who knew Ayn Rand was so popular in 19th Century China?

The source of this photo, the digital records of the Japanese Toyo Bunko Rare Books is worth checking out. They've scanned in quite a number of very rare books concerning the Silk Road which include a lot of beautiful plates.
[Of course, the coolie would actually have to opt out of carrying things altogether to actually be a John Galt, but still, I like the tax avoidance ingenuity.]

Well, the tire tax didn't do it, so Obama is trying again. As a friend asked me a while ago: what would Obama do differently if he were trying to weaken the United States? Maybe Biden really does want the economy to be this bad, as he claimed recently.

China has this to say on the matter:

China resolutely opposes U.S. move to start anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations into seamless steel pipes imported from China, the Ministry of Commerce(MOC) said. The current hardships facing the U.S. steel industry was because consumption and demand waned after the financial crisis. "Blindly blaming Chinese imports of dumping or subsidies is lack of factual bases, which China strongly opposes," MOC announced in a statement on its website Saturday... the U.S. Steel Corporation, V&M Star LP, TMK IPSCO and the United Steelworkers (USW). The U.S. petitioners requested a 98.37-percent anti-dumping duty against the Chinese imports... The case was the seventh such investigations this year launched by the U.S. Department of Commerce against Chinese imports that included claims of both dumping and subsidies, MOC said. Resorting to trade protectionism would not solve the real problem, instead it would hurt the interests of U.S. downstream steel businesses as well as bilateral trade, it said.

Obama has already shown that he'd rather side with his trade union backers at the expense of the United States, so let's just hope (against hope) that Obama might act, well, presidential, on this one, instead of like a "community organizer".

Back in September, Biden said this:

"In my wildest dreams, I never thought it [stimulus] would work this well."

My first thought was ... man, he's dumber than a tree stump ... and then I started to wonder ... maybe he actually means it? In other words, maybe he wants the economy to be tanking this badly. In which case, this moves way beyond stupid into scary territory. I'll leave the rest to all you conspiracy theory types. I'm sure you can come up with some good scenarios for why the Obama regime would want the American economy to crash. Go for it.

This isn't Biden's most stupid saying, but it's still pretty dumb:

“We’re not just out to resurface roads and have nothing to show for it when we’re done,” Biden said.

Yes, you're going to have a resurfaced road to show for it you moron! There's also this:

“My dad used to say, ‘You know honey, a job is about more than a paycheck. It’s about dignity.’ We have to restore the dignity of those who lost their jobs when this economy spun out of control.”

Biden's Dad used to call him "honey"? Ew.

Aside from the rather icky implication contained within the quote, let's examine the economic content. The particular stimulus project is spending $66.6m. Biden estimates that it will generate between 100 and 125 jobs. That's somewhere between $532,800 and $666,000 per job. If you have to raise two thirds of a million dollars in tax for every job you generate (and actually you have to raise more, because you have to pay for the IRS guys who collect it, etc.), then you're going to run out of tax payers' money a long time before you run out of unemployed people. Here's an interesting idea ... if you took $666,000 in cash, and just dumped it out of the back of a truck, how many jobs would it generate?

It's Amateur Hour, I mean Amateur Four Years, at the White House.
Biden:

Biden responded to a query about a second stimulus bill: "We are working on finishing the first one -- doing it right."

That's the America of today: the thinking that you should get points for effort, not for the result. That's OK Jo, you tried, that's what counts. Except when it comes to things like economic policy and sky-rocketing unemployment.

There it is again, from China's Xinhua:

U.S. protectionism risks trade war

Obama seems to have a listening problem.

And then there's this:

The United Steelworkers (USW) union has confirmed it has joined three U.S. companies to file cases for anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties against certain types of coated paper imported from China and Indonesia. The trade union was behind the recent U.S. decision to restrict tire imports from China, a move which has aroused widespread concerns over growing U.S. protectionism when the world is fighting the ongoing financial crisis and economic downturn.

So what's it going to be Obama? Your union buddies, or the world economy?

Obama's tire tax against Chinese imports is a big deal. The MSM is barely mentioning it anymore, and the regime is trying to downplay it, but here's what Chinese Xinhua is publishing. It's actually an opinion piece written by an American ... but can you imagine something like this appearing in the LA Times or NY Post? Nah, neither can I.

When the G20 meets, Washington and Beijing may be on the brink of a trade war over Chinese tire exports to the United States and the subsequent complaints from China about protectionist practices.

Oh, Obama has risked setting off a trade war with the Chinese just so he can reward his union buddies? Oh is that all? No big deal then. Move along. Nothing to see here.
Why is it that the media of the Peoples Republic of China is more open and honest than the American MSM? More accurate analysis from Xinhua:

Still, the initial exchange over the tire decision is not encouraging. There is little doubt that domestic politics played a role in Obama's decision to impose the tariffs. Frankly, that decision was more about healthcare than tires.

Well, I'm glad someone is paying attention, even if it is the Chinese MSM.

The Chinese worry (as do many Americans) that, coupled with unusually low interest rates, the deficit could trigger inflation.

Pretty damn obvious worry, not that you'd know it from listening to most of the MSM in America.

The real trick, then, for the Obama Administration will be to stimulate growth without triggering more inflation - one of the toughest economic balancing acts any government can face.

No no no. Everyone knows the most important issue facing the United States is health care! Health care I tell you! Which, thanks to the miraculous powers of our dear leader, health care is going to cost less while giving the same coverage to more people, while at the same time funding it by taxing health care companies and health care hardware. Truly, our dear leader is amazing:

The immortal exploits performed by the President for the prosperity of the people and the human cause of independence would remain long in the hearts of the people and the world progressives... abolishing the outdated international economic order and establishing a new one... The President devoted all his life to building the country where the people are masters of the state and society and everything of society serves for the popular masses. The idea founded by the President would shine forever with his august name.

Yep, that about covers it. Oh, wait, that's the North Korean News talking about Kim Il Sung. Well, it can be hard to tell the difference between the American MSM and KCNA these days. (KCNA, and use their index to go to July 21 2009 Kim Il Sung's Feats Lauded in Various Countries. The website doesn't let you directly link to stories.)

Speak of the devil ... this just arrived in my mailbox:

I seek for your co-operation; my name is Mr.Sanders Week A Personal Accountant to Late Engineer Michael, a citizen of your country , who used to work with French oil major total, company here in. Herein, shall be referred to as my client... I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before the national treasury department gets them confiscated... I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased so that this account valued at fifteen Million, three hundred and forty five thousand U.S dollars (USD 15, 345,000.00) can be paid to you and then you and I Can share the money.

And what about Mr Michael ... did his parents hate him or something? Can you imagine what he got called at school? Even the teachers would get in on it. "Well, Mr Michael, Late again I see." At least he could try to hide his middle name. Late Engineer? What were they thinking? Well, maybe I'll build a little "Late Engineer" monument in the back garden of my new mansion, once I get my share of that $15m.

Obama: "Oh, tires, no big deal. The Chinese will hardly even notice. Besides, what's annoying a bunch of foreigners compared to helping unions screw the US consumer?"
China: F*** you Obama!!! Or, in more diplomatic language (direct from the Chinese government web portal):

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu's Remarks on US Announcement to Impose Special Safeguard Measures on Tire Imports from China 2009/09/14
Q: The US Government has lately announced that it will impose special protectionist tariffs on tire imports from China. How do you comment?
A: We are strongly dissatisfied and resolutely opposed to the US decision on September 11 to impose special safeguard measures on passenger vehicle tire imports from China despite China's solemn position. The US decision, an abuse of trade remedies and a practice of grave trade protectionism, breached its commitments at the G-20 Financial Summit. It will not only hurt bilateral economic cooperation and trade between China and the US, but also affect an early recovery of the world economy. China has made solemn representations to the US and reserves all rights to take responsive actions.

Obama would rather be all buddy-buddy with his union supporters, even at the cost of a major trade war with China. Does anyone think the matter is going to go away quietly without further escalation?

Since yesterday, the following stories have appeared in Xinhua's special section on the dispute between China and the US over tire tariffs.

China starts investigation procedures on auto, chicken products originated from U.S.
China says anti-dumping probe into U.S. auto, chicken products "based on facts"

Not to mention elsewhere:

Chinese official stresses need to fight protectionism

And in a case of "two can play at that game", Ministry of Commerce Spokesman Yao Jian said:

When asked if China's investigation was a retaliatory move because of the dispute over tire tariffs imposed earlier by the United States, Yao said at a press conference the investigation was in accordance with the country's anti-dumping and anti-subsidy regulations, and based on facts.

He's practically quoting Obama's people. Of course, as has been shown recently by the liberal outrage at Wilson's "you lie" ... it's pretty clear that they don't believe in the saying "what's good for the goose is good for the gander." Just because we do it, doesn't give you the right to do it!

The Obama regime doesn't seem to have any answer to its critics other than "Up yours, we're doing it anyway! Nah nah, not listening!" That was certainly the substance of his health care address, and in the first major test of Obama's commitment to free trade, he decides to go with Union special interests, and slap on a 35% tariff on Chinese tire imports. In response to Chinese objections, his administration denies 1) that it's trade protectionism 2) that it says anything about Obama's attitude to free trade and says "we don't have anything to be defensive about." So, to summarize: we didn't do it, and even if we did, it doesn't mean what you think, and even if it does mean what you think, there's nothing you can do about it anyway.
Oh, and how are the Chinese taking it? Well, over at Xinhua government news agency, they've created a whole special section entitled

Dispute Between China and U.S. over Tire Tariffs.

There's no space to quote from any of the stories in the section, so I'll just list the headlines:

China files WTO complaint over U.S. tyre tariffs;
China wants talks with U.S. on tire tariff dispute;
China launches anti-dumping probe into U.S. auto, chicken products;
U.S. to restrict Chinese tire imports amid China's strong opposition;
U.S. tire tariff against G20 commitments: Chinese FM;
China: U.S. tire tariff sends "wrong signal" to world;
China strongly opposes U.S. protectionist tariffs on tires from China;
U.S. industries oppose sanction on Chinese tires;
Unite against tire tariff hike, exporters urged;
EU, China pledge firm opposition to protectionism: EU Trade Commissioner;
China's probe "not revenge" for hefty tire tariff;
Tyre case tarnishes U.S. image;
Protectionism no good to anyone;
Analysis: U.S. tariffs on Chinese tires cast protectionism shadow over world economy.

Anyone who knows anything about China could have predicted that this would set off a fire storm of anti-American reaction in China. Wasn't the Obama administration supposed to be introducing a new era of foreign policy which wasn't filled with arrogance and unilateral actions? Well, I never believed it, but apparently some people who voted for him did. This is Obama's "Belgrade embassy bombing" moment ... something that's going to leave a visible scar on Chinese-American relations for years to come.

What is 40,000 years? It's one of those reverse answers ... you have to guess the question. In fact, there are two answers...

1) The collective age of all Japanese people over the age of 100. (Actually 40,399) Not surprisingly, although it's a record high, it's only going to increase.
2) A trillion seconds. In other words, even if you paid back Obama's stimulus at a dollar a second, it would take you 40,000 years to clear your debt. Actually, I exaggerated a little bit, it's really " 31,688 years, 9 months, 5 days, 8 hours, 6 minutes, and 42 seconds... but since Obama is running deficits at well over a trillion, I don't think you can quibble about that detail. And, it's only going to increase.

From PA Pundits
Update: It seems that I'm not the only one to read Heinlein's "one trillion seconds" comment. Watch near the bottom of the screen for the protest sign with exactly this slogan. Speaking of which ... have you noticed how few commercially printed signs there were among the crowd? That alone is a pretty powerful sign to those trying to dismiss the movement as so called "astroturf".

Yes, they hired an Italian contractor to take away the rubbish ... with predictable results. They even manage to add a nice bit of local flavor to the fiasco.

Fighting erupted between the company workers on strike and employees of the governorate [sic] who attempted to step in and collect the garbage.

Italians have a long tradition of not taking away the rubbish ... it's good to see that they're non-discriminatory about it. They'll not take away the rubbish for Arabs just as equally as they'll not take away the rubbish for native Italians. For example, in Jan 2008 around Naples,

110,000 tonnes of garbage piled up in the streets, triggering sporadic violence.

I passed through the Campanian region a few years ago, and I saw it with my own eyes.