"This is the Chinese navy ... You go!"

[mirth]

Meanwhile from a scientific angle, permanent floating islands far out at sea were one of my next projected steps for developing tech that would allow for feasible long-distance travel and survival in space.  O0

And it all fits with the Firefly version of the 'verse where people speak an amalgam of Chinese and English.

[Centurion40]

As the article points out (and most historians of U.S. history already know) right of free passage has been an American doctrine since our beginning. Additionally, the Pacific, while not necessarily the "American lake" of old, is vital to U.S. security, both economic and militarily.

I also like the idea of free passage, so long it is not violating recognized territorial waters.  But please explain what about the Spratlys is "vital" to US economic and military security.  See, that is the point I am not getting.

They're not. It's the concept of free passage and respecting internationally agreed-upon 12 mile borders that is vital here. It's not about where it's happening, it's about China having no right to plant a flag in internationally recognized waters and claim this is now Chinese territory. After all, what's to stop China from arbitrarily redrawing any border which doesn't suit them?

The armed forces of the country into which the Chinese are encroaching, that's what.  Same as anywhere else.

Not good enough. That's allowing the Chinese to deny our fleets passage in international waters and is a terrible precedent to accept. That simply won't be tolerated and we have resisted such attempts time and time again in our history.

So don't accept it.

That being said, we were pretty pissed-off when y'all went through the Northwest Passage without our permission.  It was deemed unnecessarily arrogant.

What is this? I thought we had treaty with the US that our militaries have right of way. Was this a long time ago?

I don't recall.  It was many years ago though.  They sailed at least one nuke sub under the Northwest Passage without notifying us, then it somehow came up in conversation years later and we were like "What??!!"  Right of way is fine, but if we sailed a destroyer to Puerto Rico without giving the USN and/or USCG the travel plans, there would be hell to pay.

Here is a similar story, but not the one I am referencing- as far as I recall:

http://www.nationalpost.com/story.html?id=fb21432a-1d28-415e-b323-ceb22d477732&k=69493

[Centurion40]

Meanwhile from a scientific angle, permanent floating islands far out at sea were one of my next projected steps for developing tech that would allow for feasible long-distance travel and survival in space.  O0

And maybe this in being kept in mind as part of the Chinese long game of world (and maybe interplanetary) diplomacy.

Or, what mirth said.  ;)

[Gusington]

Are Canadians allowed to use 'y'all'? I know I'm not as a Northerner. Does it get more northern than Canada? wtf

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

Y'all is poor form up here, EH?

[LongBlade]

Are Canadians allowed to use 'y'all'? I know I'm not as a Northerner. Does it get more northern than Canada? wtf

Canadians most certainly are NOT allowed to use "y'all" in any context.

It's a mandatory 30 day jail sentence is most Southern counties if they do.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

Try these on fer size.

http://www.joebattsarm.ca/phrases.htm

[Nefaro]

Are Canadians allowed to use 'y'all'? I know I'm not as a Northerner. Does it get more northern than Canada? wtf

Canadians most certainly are NOT allowed to use "y'all" in any context.

It's a mandatory 30 day jail sentence is most Southern counties if they do.

Tell you wut!

[endfire79]

I've used in multiple threads, nice habit I picked up from Tampa last year.  That and I say cheers - I must be driving y'all up the wall, just sayin'  8)

[LongBlade]

Are Canadians allowed to use 'y'all'? I know I'm not as a Northerner. Does it get more northern than Canada? wtf

Canadians most certainly are NOT allowed to use "y'all" in any context.

It's a mandatory 30 day jail sentence is most Southern counties if they do.

Tell you wut!

I'm tellin' ya, son.

[Centurion40]

Are Canadians allowed to use 'y'all'? I know I'm not as a Northerner. Does it get more northern than Canada? wtf

Canadians most certainly are NOT allowed to use "y'all" in any context.

It's a mandatory 30 day jail sentence is most Southern counties if they do.

I personally believe that I should get a pass, and I'm prepared to go to the court of public opinion to plead my case.

#1.  I think that I was a southerner in a previous life.  I love palm trees, biscuits 'n sausage gravy, hush puppies (or anything deep fried), stray dogs, and air boats.

#2. I am Nova Scotian Canadian.  We sent you the Cajuns.  You're welcome.

#3.  Nova Scotians are the "southerners" of Canada.

#4. Freedom of speech is like freedom of the seas, so fuck all y'all!  :)

#5.  Looks like the same dude did both flags.

Nova Scotia flag:



Florida flag:

[Steelgrave]

Ignore the Yankees, Cen. I think your case is compelling. As a Son of the South, I welcome you to the club. Hell, I like Canadians more than I like Yankees anyway   ;D

[Gusington]

Mom will not be pleased, Dad.

[Centurion40]

The SAR, lighthouse thing, is all about claiming to be the legitimate government of the region. Of course once you can spread your domination with others accepting it, it becomes a habit.

Been thinking about this.

A while back, someone posted a link to an interesting photo essay of Filipinos (as I recall) manning an outpost in the Spratlys, the outpost was basically a half-sunken wreck of a ship.  I don't recall if they were soldiers, sailors, or Marines.  But I seem to recall that they were dressed in civvies (shorts, t-shirts & flip-flops), probably so as not to be provocative to the Chinese.

So I'm thinking 'why can't the Filipinos build an island or two?'  I'm sure that they have legitimate SAR concerns too, as I'm sure that their fishermen work those waters.  The whole thing could "sponsored" by Del Monte Foods  ;)  While the new Filipino SAR/Coast Guard station is being constructed (guarded by uniformed Filipino sailors and Marines), USN could send Task Force 70 for an extended visit to Subic Bay (publicly & jokingly called "Operation Tripwire"), while simultaneously sending Carrier Strike Groups Three and Nine for a leisurely friendship visit to Japan.

Del Monte could kindly send bundles of this t-shirt, for all the workers to wear.  I wonder how one spells "Cash" in Chinese?

[Centurion40]

Mom will not be pleased, Dad.

I'm sure that Steelie doesn't see you as a Yankee.  Mirthie neither. Do you even own a carpet bag?