Ok..question about Kerry

[AnAmerican]

What was he thinking when he said this?

"I think now is time for us to also be strong with Taiwan and make it clear that while we are supportive of the democracy and while we recognize the society they've built, a capitalist society, we are not going to permit them to declare independence," Kerry said."


This comes from http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/65209/1/.html

I have to say....his last line "we are not going to permit them"
really struck a nerve with me. Who the hell are we to "not permit" anyone to declare their independence?? This one really bothers me.

[SadEagle]

1. Well....

... we're the ones who may have to defend them should they decide to provoke China by making too much noise. But yes, this is not the most diplomatic way of putting it..

[saltpoint]

2. I heard Kerry say this --

-- and at first glance, it sounds as if the U.S. is super-arrogant. But it is a presidential-caliber response. If Taiwan tells China to shove it, there'll be major sparks. Kerry was zooming in on the risky stakes.

[AnAmerican]

3. I agree that China needs to be handled carefully

But to use the specific language he did is not good. It does come off as "super arrogant". Which is what Bushboy has been doing all along. We need to be more diplomatic if we want to heal the bad feelings the BFEE has created worldwide.

[JI7]

4. not the right words

but the idea isn't really wrong considering the problems that can happen if taiwan were to declare independence. he should have worded it differently though.