OH, THANK YOU KIND SIR FOR YOUR EXCELLENT ADVICE – AT 8:28 A.M. ET:  Apropos of the post just below, about our weakening national defense, a senior Chinese general has some, I'm sure, heartfelt advice for his American cousins.  From Fox:

BEIJING – The United States is spending too much on its military in light of its recent economic troubles, China's top general said Monday while playing down his country's own military capabilities.

The chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army, Chen Bingde, told reporters that he thought the U.S. should cut back on defense spending for the sake of its taxpayers. He was speaking during a joint news conference in which he traded barbs with visiting U.S. counterpart Adm. Mike Mullen.

The concern for us, the warmth.  Aren't you moved?

"I know the U.S. is still recovering from the financial crisis," Chen said. "Under such circumstances, it is still spending a lot of money on its military and isn't that placing too much pressure on the taxpayers?"

"If the U.S. could reduce its military spending a bit and spend more on improving the livelihood of the American people ... wouldn't that be a better scenario?" he said.

Make this man an honorary member of the Democratic California congressional delegation.  Give him the Barbara Boxer award.

The visit by Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is the first of its kind in four years. Mullen and Chen are trying to upgrade military-to-military ties after setbacks over U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, cyberattacks traced to China and concern about Beijing's military plans.

COMMENT:  Hey wait.  If we're so concerned about all those things, why are we upgrading our military ties?  Why aren't our government officials warning the American people about the challenge of China?  Do you get the feeling that we're slipping into an international twilight zone?  I think we're on our way.

July 11, 2011