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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 21-Aug-2014
21-Aug-14 World View -- Australian MP Clive Palmer shocks country with anti-China rant

Web Log - August, 2014

21-Aug-14 World View -- Australian MP Clive Palmer shocks country with anti-China rant

Invasion of Libya feared following mysterious bombing of Tripoli

This morning's key headlines from GenerationalDynamics.com

Riots in Liberia after Ebola slum is blockaded
Australian MP Clive Palmer shocks country with anti-China rant
Invasion of Libya feared following mysterious bombing of Tripoli

Riots in Liberia after Ebola slum is blockaded

A health worker disinfects a corpse in an Ebola isolation ward, once a primary school, in Monrovia (National Geographic)

A health worker disinfects a corpse in an Ebola isolation ward, once a primary school, in Monrovia (National Geographic)

Liberian police and soldiers exchanged fire with residents of the densely populated West Point seaside slum, in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, after security forces blocked roads leading in and out of the slum and a coast guard boat patrolled the waters offshore. Security forces also blocked off the Waterside Market, one of Monrovia's key market places, due to its proximity to the slum.

It's feared that Ebola is spreading rapidly out of control within the slum, after looters attacked an Ebola clinic last week, stealing supplies and blood-stained sheets and mattresses, permitting 37 Ebola patients to leave the clinic. There are 50-75,000 residents trapped within the West Point area.

Barricading an area to prevent people from leaving and spreading disease is sometimes called a cordon sanitaire.

During the Black Death bubonic plague epidemic, which spread through Italy in late 1347, victims of the plague would be sealed in their houses, locked and bolted from the outside. They could receive food only by lowering a basket from an upper window, allowing someone to put food into it.

During the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic, many families would lock themselves in their own homes to avoid getting exposed.

It's doubtful that Monrovia's cordon sanitaire will prevent the further spread of Ebola. Many health officials are concerned that it's already too late to stop Ebola in Liberia, and that the disease won't be stopped until it's fully run its course. News24 (South Africa) and Daily Mail (London) and Temple University and New Republic

Australian MP Clive Palmer shocks country with anti-China rant

MP and business mogul Clive Palmer has shocked Australia with some rather raw remarks about the Chinese. He was appearing on a TV talk show, and was asked about a corruption charge by a Chinese company. He said, "It's not true, it's false," and said the Chinese wanted to take over Australian ports and control Australian resources, and added:

"I don’t mind standing up against the Chinese bastards and stopping them from doing it."

He startled the audience by calling the Chinese "mongrels," and said,

"I’m saying that because they’re communist, because they shoot their own people, they haven’t got a justice system and they want to take over this country."

Later, he tweeted a clarification: "My #qanda comments not intended to refer to Chinese people but to Chinese company which is taking Australian resources & not paying#auspol."

The Chinese embassy said Palmer’s words were "full of of ignorance and prejudice," and added,

"We believe that a sound China-Australian relationship serves the fundamental interests of both countries. It is and always will be supported by the two peoples."

Australian politicians called the remarks "hugely damaging" to Australia and to Australia-China relations. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop described the rant as "offensive, unnecessary and unacceptable for a member of Parliament."

No one is defending the "mongrel" characterization, but many people, including me, have repeatedly pointed out that China is openly preparing for a pre-emptive attack and war with America, and therefore with America's allies including Australia.

Colleague Senator Jacqui Lambie defended Palmer, saying, that she "strongly supports" Palmer's "general point ... about communist China's military capacity and threat to Australia." She added,

"If there’s one thing I’ve learnt after serving my country in the Australian defense force for 11 years and listening closely to our veterans, it’s this: the price of liberty is eternal vigilance.
If anybody thinks that we should have a national security and defense policy, which ignores the threat of a Chinese communist invasion – you’re delusional and got rocks in your head."

Sydney Morning Herald and Guardian (London)

Invasion of Libya feared following mysterious bombing of Tripoli

In the early hours of Monday morning, air strikes bombed militia bases in Tripoli, the capital city of Libya. The bombed the militia base that had been used to launch bombs on the nearby Tripoli airport.

The problem is: Nobody seems to know whose war planes they are. They were precision laser-guided strikes in the middle of the night, and Libya doesn't have warplanes with that technology or which can operate at night. Renegade former army general Khalifa Hifter (or Hafter) is far away in the eastern part of the country, and his war planes can't refuel in the air. Nonetheless, it's suspected that he's somehow behind the attacks.

There's no doubt that the air strikes took place, and the fear is that some third party was behind the strikes. Italy and France have quickly and vehemently denied that they were involved. It's possible that the war planes were from Algeria or Egypt. Nato, which monitors Libyan air space, will probably know. The fear is that, whoever it was, there's more to come, and that there may be an invasion coming. Middle East Eye

(Comments: For reader comments, questions and discussion, see the 21-Aug-14 World View -- Australian MP Clive Palmer shocks country with anti-China rant thread of the Generational Dynamics forum. Comments may be posted anonymously.) (21-Aug-2014) Permanent Link
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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 21-Aug-2014 21-Aug-14 World View -- Australian MP Clive Palmer shocks country with anti-China rant

Riots in Liberia after Ebola slum is blockaded

Australian MP Clive Palmer shocks country with anti-China rant

Invasion of Libya feared following mysterious bombing of Tripoli

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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 21-Aug-2014
21-Aug-14 World View -- Australian MP Clive Palmer shocks country with anti-China rant