The Bird Flu and China

Dear China,

Please get your stuff together! For some reason your version of the FDA keeps telling everyone that everything is alright. However, we both know that is not true. Although, I am coming to believe that you say that everything is alright because you think that your only other option would create wide spread panic and you cannot afford that. I understand that completely. Why would anyone want to scare the 1 billion citizens of your country?

Nevertheless, lying to your own country mates and telling them that EVERYTHING is fine, when it is not is just cruel. You first of all underestimate your citizens. They can do more than what you expect of them. If you told them to avoid food from certain markets, they would do so. They are not idiots. Just don't let you people die from stupid things like bird flu.

Love,

Preethy

PS. Please do something about the smog problem.

The Ming and Qing Dynasty: The Interesting Dilemma of Today- Part 2

Where did we leave off...

Okay, so the Qing Dynasty defeated the Ming Dynasty loyalists on the island of Taiwan. Here's the thing, Why would China want Taiwan, if first of all, it had a history of rebels? It is clear why Taiwan would never want to be part of China. Here is a nation full of people who betrayed their original king. Now I do not know all the details and more likely than not they were treated horribly by their king, but nevertheless, would you want the descendants of loyalists to come back and be with your people who clearly had different views.

I will have to do more research on the natural resources of Taiwan and why China wants the small little island. Taiwan is pretty awesome because it has its successful film industry, which has incredible connections with Japan and Korea.

The Ming and Qing Dynasty: The Interesting Dilemma of Today- Part 1

The other day while I was waiting for a meeting for work, I sat in the library for a good hour watching a lecture about the rise of the Qing Dynasty.

Quite impressive, I must add. However, I did not get through the entire series. However, it brings up some concerns. I know a lot of Chinese people like to brag about their ancestry. However, there's also the matter of Taiwan.

It's somewhat hard to explain right away, but the Ming dynasty was technically the last "Chinese" Chinese dynasty. The Qing Dynasty was actually more of a like a rag tag team assembled to create a purer nation (Qing means pure). They were from outside of the boarders of the Chinese at the time and rivaled the Ming dynasty. When they finally conquered the capital, Beijing, the Ming dynasty had to flee and many loyalists left for Taiwan. ( I know I am leaving a lot of details out of this- but I want to just reach the point that I am trying to make.)

Taiwan at the time was... well more like how the Caribbeans were for the British colonies. Filled with pirates and some useful resources. Loyalists and these pirates teamed up to bring down as many Qing militants as possible. Ultimately, however, they were defeated.

Now I'm going to have to leave off right here because I have to grab my late dinner, but to be continued....