812 Hu Dunnit

812 Hu Dunnit

“We are not a threat.” -- President Hu Jintao of the People’s Republic of China, speaking to the US Congress.

Hu is someone worth listening to because right now, he holds all of China’s cards at the international table. Beside the presidency, he’s also general chairman of the Communist Party (where the real power is,) chairman of the Military Commission, and is referred to as the Paramount Leader.

So, what’s showing at the Paramount? “Promises, Promises,” starring Hu Jintao and a cast of around one billion.

During his state visit to the US, Hu has charmed President Obama, and now he’s working on members of congress who want a better record on human rights, assurances that the days of China’s romance with North Korea are over and that he’ll suck on a Barbie Doll to prove there’s no lead in the paint and titanium in the jewelry. It’s also been suggested that he try eating some pet food exports to make sure they’ve removed the anti-freeze.

Oddly, only English speakers in China get to hear what their Paramount Leader says here. CCTV has the speeches on television and the internet. But not in Chinese. And the fair and balanced headline on the People’s Daily on line is “Hu’s US Visit Shapes New Political Civility.”

Hu told a meeting of (self appointed) business “leaders” that his country has saved American consumers billions. Yeah. The average Chinese worker earns between 4500 and 8000 USD a year. The median income here is about 35-thousand. So paying for materials, labor and shipping is still cheaper for American business than making stuff here. Way cheaper.

The US secretary of defense visited Beijing recently. Then he said America has to match China weapon for weapon, lest there be a “calamity.” Translation: They’re going to come over here to destroy our cities and deep fry our dogs.

Officially, we in the US have a “one China” policy. But who can resist a good weapons sale even if it is to the “other” China, Taiwan. One China indeed.

So goes another meaningless, useless and probably phony show of friendship, hosted by and attended by useless politicians. Bread and Circuses. With sesame oil.

Shrapnel:

--The Bleat Goes On. Season ten of American Idol has hit the air and without Simon Cowell, it’s a total loser instead of just a partial one, punctuated with “singing” that sounds generally like the noises made by sheep or goats. The second best part was seeing Jennifer Lopez, but the real treat was the frequent interruption of the signal from Fox TV.

--The retiring Joe Lieberman is somewhere in the middle of the top ten list of annoying US Senators currently in office, right up there with McConnell, Graham, Grassley, Toomey, Reid, Nelson, Murray, McCain, DeMint and Chambliss. But of all the things he’s misspoken and mis-done over the years, the one that solidified his position on that list is this from August, 2000: “...the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion (n)ot freedom from religion.” Earth to Joe: Yes it does, if not directly then by implication.


I’m Wes Richards. My opinions are my own but you’re welcome to them. ®
Email comments to wesrichards@gmail.com
© WJR 2011

805 Tipping

805 Tipping

So what's a "proper" tip? The question emerges after a holiday season with several restaurant meals, a haircut, and a car wash.

We Americans are used to tipping. So are most Europeans, Canadians, Central and South Americans. The "no tipping" policy we found in Taiwan last spring felt awkward. But they just don't do it there.

So, how much is enough?

In restaurants, 15% of the bill used to be standard, maybe a little more if the service was really good or the waiter was especially nice or funny or likable in some other way. But over time, and in flush years, that crept up to 20%. Now, when the check arrives at the table, the most oft asked question is "Why leave 20%? You'll never see this guy again." Good question now that times are less flush.

Twenty percent on a cab ride? Cabbies have it tough. They rent their cars, buy their own gas, and don't get a nickel until they've made the day's rent. If they own the car, they have to get a hack medallion. How much are they these days? At last check, about $250,000. That's not a typo. Imagine the cost of THAT small business loan. And you can't imagine the phone book-thick set of rules that go with it. But fares and fees have risen stratospherically in recent years, so what's a passenger to do?

The barber: It depends if you're going to a "stylist" or "just" a guy who cuts hair. And it depends on the price. Find a good guy at a good price and 40% is not outrageous. And it'll make him (or her) look forward to your next visit.

Politicians often expect tips, they just don't want to be seen accepting them. Amount negotiable.

Do you tip the guy at Home Depot for helping you load a 300 pound furnace onto a truck? If so, how much? How about the mail deliverer at Christmastime? (Not legal, but who is watching?) The exterminator, the phone tech? The geek from the Geek Squad? The trash/garbage/recycling collector?

The amount sometimes feels like you're buying "protection." But sometimes it makes giver and receiver feel good. Especially these days.

Shrapnel:

--Trouble aboard the "Enterprise." Not THAT "Enterprise," the aircraft carrier of the same name where the Captain's been relieved of his command for making and showing homemade "blue" movies to the crew. His name is Owen Honors.

--Merry Christmas to our friends attending church at Our Lady of Lourdes in Massapequa, Long Island, all 7500 of you. Good chance your wafer contained more than you thought. The local health department says one of the guys who handled the wafers has Hepatitis A. No one sickened so far, but the danger remains.

--If you're reading some classics, and you wonder why they go on and on and on, here's an answer. Many writers were paid by the word or by the "installment." Given that arrangement, what would you do?

I'm Wes Richards. My opinions are my own but you're welcome to them.®

©WJR 2011