A Nasty Rumor: China may be using minorities for experimentation--genetic and societal

 The Western countries have by and large refrained from genetic experimentation to create a eugenic human specimen.  Yet the thought has been voiced over the air waves that possibly China is carrying on in that realm where the Nazis left off in a quest for a Super Race of mankind.  I sincerely would hope not!

The Atlantic in its January-February, 2021 issue, broached the topic of bioethics--in discussing how administrators of medical care prioritize who gets life-saving treatments when there are shortages of supplies, etc., necessitating thought of rationing: "The Committee on Life and Death."  

These administrators are likely to make quick decisions based on what's available on hand and who's the patients in the outer office seeking immediate treatment.  No time to seek out philosophical erudition on the subject or to consult their local clergyman.  Nevertheless, we know from reading the newspaper that today, scientists are able to alter genetic strands and possibly, successfully, re-sequence or alter gene codes.

In my humble opinion, we need to tread lightly in matters that would, or could, alter mankind's existence; or we'll be facing another pandemic; and that will be man-conceived!  Let's not be too WHACK-O.    

Brookings: Talk on Pakistan-US relations good; only wish I could get the book from bookstore!

 The author Declan Walsh presented his opus Dispatches from a Precarious State online January 5, 2021, Ms. Maliha Afzal, moderator; and Bruce Riedel, commentator--all from Brookings.  The bookstore at Brookings remains closed, so I couldn't purchase a copy there.  I'm interested to know whether the US will ever have a consistent policy toward the Pakistan government, and happenings there.  The country over the years has dabbled with the democratic form of government, but over the years, I haven't figured out our regard for Pakistan; the US seems so inconsistent in its dealing with the country from one year to the next.

Bruce Riedel sees Pakistan an important Muslim country of 220 million people, but as was pointed out in discussion our policy towards them is tainted by how India views them.  To see it in isolation, it seems headed to a more liberal stance, looking forward hopefully for change for better times.   A liberal acceptance of women in politics and industry, for example.  Stable governmental structures. 

Then there's India and Afghanistan as neighbors.  India is holding on to Kashmir, despite the many Muslims that live in the northern region; and the US seems to let things stand as they are now--which is, not to side with Pakistan in claiming right over the territory distinctively Muslim in Kashmir.

Afghanistan--the US is not likely to leave the country entirely to the natives, since Muslim women in Afghanistan have gained acceptance to greater equality since the days of the Russian occupation before the American troops replaced them.

Along in the discussion, it was brought out that maybe the US really doesn't know what the goals and wants of the country really are!  Perhaps, the US' thinking is that India is the region's country of the future; forget that Pakistan is even a regional player!  To the US, Pakistan may just be the land where the Taliban go for sanctuary from the battle skirmishes in Afghanistan!

Having friends in Pakistan over the years, I share their feelings of US neglect of an important Muslim country that may become more democratic and progressive, if given an international hearing.

In any event, I'll continue to hunt down Mr. Walsh's book to learn what US interest in Pakistan might amount to.  We should be able to help them in the quest, of some Pakistan leadership, toward embracing democracy. 

      

   

China's touting its model cities in Xinjiang Province for dissidents

According to the Economist (December 12th issue of 2020), China's holding seminars on how to handle ethnic minorities that won't comply with government orders: send them to "retraining cities" in Xinjiang!  China's invited leaders of African countries to attend them.  Those Westerners who've peeked in these places have spotted signs around "Labor is glorious!" "Serve the country!"--that kind of thing.

Now it's true that China's doing some wonderful things: leader in solar paneling production, its banks lending to African countries to build infrastructure, despite the fact that it is continents away.  But camps for the Muslims for being different and not themselves "model citizens of China" just shows how intrusive the government has become throughout its mainland.

How these "redeemed patriots" will be years after their reeducation--whether they will become catatonics or simply, automatons--remains to be seen for now.  But the education they are receiving might just be affecting their human brains adversely, and to be sure, brings to bear methods of dealing with others that are contrary to the freedom of the human spirit. 

Shame on those who convinced Beijing to tout such methods that monitor their own people, simply because they profess a religious faith.

Two approaches to Virtual Learning Cited for Doing Well in Educating

 Success academies is an all-virtual approach as an alternative to all-teacher classroom learning.  So too, Uncommon Schools, a learning network.  (See the Economist 11/21/20 issue.)

One of the ideas brought up in a recent Brookings discussion on education during the pandemic is having teachers specializing in their educative training to act as coach to the students during their learning online time.  I think there's need for this, having had experience in offering courses over mass media.  Human motivating is a vital part of the learning experience, in my opinion; and should be incorporated. 

Whack-O Joke: Mo:` "Where's President Trump going this weekend?"

Jo:  "He's taken a page from the Emperor Nero's life story...Nero fiddled from the top of one of the 7 hills--while Rome burned."

Mo: "How's that?"

Jo: "Translation to today:  Trump's playing golf at Key Largo--all the while the nation is being consumed by a raging pandemic, COVID-19.  Cheerio!"

Commentator Hannity: "This is just a hoax, folks. Imagine clear lungs, for everybody; and you'll do just fine."

Professional need: Everyday availability of a computer for me!

This is the second time I've experienced a loss in capability to use a computer; and if it weren't that I finally was able to contact someone about the blocking problem I was having in getting through with information, I still would be in my room upstairs watching TV!

It is to my mind a shame: through the United Nations, I have become acquainted with the Ethiopian strife under Prime Minister Abiy.  I feel I could have at least tried to help out to get the two sides talking with one another.  I would have pointed out that Canada has had the phenomenon of the French rule of Quebec, its province, for lo these many years; and still the country remains one, e.g., under a central government.

Indeed, I applaud the Ethiopians for adopting such a forward-looking constitution as in play now. 

But to return to the problem I was having, I hope something can be done so that I might be able to get through.  Cordially, John O.

Populist Advocates want to return to the past; Progressives want to stand ready for change

These past 4 years of President Trump in the White House have been instructive.  While the President fondly remembers the good old days in planning for our future, the Progressive Wing of the Democratic Party and the Lincoln organization in the Republican Party both have outlined their commitment to respond to ever-present signs of serious change confronting mankind in the offing.

Specifically, Progressives have argued the US should not have abandoned Europe's desire to make country-by-country commitment to end large-scale use of fossil fuels; and opened an invitation to the US to join with them.  

While political populists turn to the past as justification of the right of corporations to pollute as always-- should they want to do so, it is the auto industry itself that has come forth with their several earnest declarations of intent to manufacture electric cars--transportation not dependent on the popular fuel of cars in the past.  Indeed, in general, the business world has taken a lead in responding to the dangers to the environment of naive reliance upon past ways, when government has become immune to legal injunctions against big-time corporation polluters.

Another point: Republican response to the pandemic was initially to give money to corporations--mostly, the very large corporations, only lesser amounts to mid-size companies--and to the citizenry who have directly been hit by its effects in their pocket; and to the local and state governments for use to increase the medical apparatus and personnel necessary in tackling the virus, they are impervious to the crying need for continued monetary support at the level to maintain maintenance of the wherewithal involved.  "Let them do what they can with what the federal government has supplied them all," the Congress has seemed to say through their inaction to pass any more in relief.