“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

Taiwan, one of the hotpots for potential of a major war since the retreat of the Nationalist Army and Republic of China leaders in 1949 has been increasingly strident for attention again since United States left Afghanistan. A coordinated propaganda campaign appears to be attempting to prod China into an action that may be responded to with military action.

Wall Street Journal broke the story this month Marines have been in Taiwan training troops for the past year.

A bombshell Wall Street Journal report has revealed (and confirmed) that an elite contingent of special operations Marines has been deployed to Taiwan for at least the past year - a revelation sure to outrage Beijing amid ongoing charges that the US has effectively abandoned the status quo One China policy.

Citing US officials with knowledge of the program, the report details that "About two dozen members of U.S. special-operations and support troops are conducting training for small units of Taiwan’s ground forces," and that "The U.S. Marines are working with local maritime forces on small-boat training." It's the first such openly confirmed US training deployment in support of local forces since 1979. Taiwan media previously reported it, but this is the first time US officials are providing confirmation.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

Doing a number of repeats of the week. Valuable information in multiple diaries and comments.

Scott Horton Show interview of James Bradley on the Lies Americans Are Fed About China - 10/14/21
[video:https://youtu.be/dxfvrnSEt24]
(thanks CB for the orginal link)

At the 24.47 mark is an important part of our history to understand.
"McCarthyism came out of China not the USSR. McCarthy stood up and said John Service of the State Department I got this sheet of paper in my hands, but he only mentioned one guy."

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

Several unresolved tensions points exist from the World War II creating undercurrents in today's relationships. Sorting through many of the the twist and turns was author Sterling Seagrave. His work is referenced by many other authors on Asia.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

A copy of The Imperial Cruise by author James Bradley was gifted to me last year by an 80+ year old Marine who lived close enough by to be considered a neighbor. Never met an ex-marine or a retired marine, the ones I a have met, at any age, consider themselves a Marine. We had many discussions over the years on our beliefs regarding politics, foreign interventions and military service. This was the book that convinced him to discourage his Grandson from following the family tradition of military service. I just found out he has passed, it seems appropriate to recognize the evolution of peoples beliefs and values as they become aware of greater scope of information.

The last question from the audience in the video below is regarding how the American public was kept uninformed of the foreign policy implications of the voyage.

The question is you know back in 1905 what was the coverage? In 1905 this was front page news, the President's daughter was off to Asia. But the reporters new very little about Asia. When this Imperial Cruise landed in China there were huge demonstrations. There were anti-American posters all over the walls. There were posters mocking Alice Roosevelt. The New York Times wrote there were disgusting placards. They never filled the American public in. So all they wrote about were sumo matches, successful trips and lunches. They detailed about what Alice Roosevelt wore, how many trunks of clothes she had, she changed at 3 pm for this reception, she put on a dress and blah, blah blah.

Then they replayed Taft's speeches. You know the Manila Chamber of Commerce told Taft it is on the brink of economic collapse. Taft got up and made a speech about how we are going to build railroads in the Philippines. The Philippines are a nation of 7,000 islands. The press just portrayed the administrations line. Which was how the press worked in 1905, was not exactly investigative journalism.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

Time passes quick it has been over a months since the last diary on Self Care. Observing and monitoring for changes in health is an important part of the practice. The tools range from simple observation and documenting paper to high tech applications for a smart phone. When using an application privacy of data varies with the vendor. If you are lucky enough to have a longterm relationship with a health provider who does this for you, be grateful. Majority of us have intermittent interaction.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

Post college I began regularly reading financial publications in addition to local, state and industry specific publications. Found it an effective use of time to keep up to date on shifting issues of society, foreign policy, politics and medicine. In my 20's I was offended to learn about new developments, updates and controversies of drug therapies in financial publications prior to reading in professional publications. Now I just accept it as part of the capture of medicine by financiers from medical practitioners. Get a heads up in the financial pages then go to medical literature for deeper understanding.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

Is there a singular truth? Or multiple truths? Does our own historical experience influence which truth to believe? Does it matter? Some of the questions floating through my mind this week.

Plus what is the most immediate danger. Those yellow jacket trying to protect their nest under the roof ridge line? I slowly moved off the roof, will bring peppermint spray next venture up there. The neighbor's bull trying to break through the fence or the slippery rocks underfoot crossing the ditch back and forth to move my uncooperative cows? Or the unwashed masses unvaccinated amongst us trying to live their lives, earn money for food and shelter?

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

9/11 is the most significant national propaganda event in my lifetime. The actual tragedy of lost lives, a shocked, grieving nation and desire to help the nation recover was used to unleash a larger destructive force onto the world in the name of protecting our nation's citizens.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

Morning, just finished rewatching a BBC series WarTime Farm about the challenges of running a farm during WII in Britain. It was a forced shift from traditional farming methods to modern commercial agriculture. Surprising number of technological advances from chemicals to machinery existed for significant time. The market for the products simply did not develop without government intervention.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

Today's OT is going to be a little short on words. A few unexpected events disrupted my schedule.

One of the aspects of self-care is knowing enough about a medical diagnoses to judge when to reach out to medical professionals and how to monitor for improved or worsening conditions.