Wednesday Potpourri

First, should those responsible for Signalgate have resigned or been fired? According to Ross Douthat, in the New York Times, firing staff for failures has not been common practice in prior administrations:

No leading officials were fired over the Iraq/W.M.D. debacle. There were no notable resignations when Barack Obama’s Libya intervention turned that country into a war-torn terrorist haven. No heads rolled when the Afghanistan papers revealed official dishonesty, and Biden’s foreign policy team did not quit after the Afghanistan withdrawal became a bloody rout.

Second, all things considered it is quite a challenge to find accurate information about China. It is not a feel-good story, but burying your head in the sand is not a good long-term strategy.

For that we turn to David Goldman:

China now has net foreign assets of $3 trillion, an all-time record. Caixin Daily reports: As Western markets impose stricter regulations, Chinese investments are flowing into emerging economies eager to modernize their industry.

These nations are courting Chinese capital in strategic sectors like new-energy vehicles (NEV), semiconductors, technology and infrastructure. Turkey and Hungary, traditional automotive manufacturing centers, are now aggressively pursuing Chinese investment in electric vehicle (EV) production. Malaysia is leveraging a diversification strategy to attract Chinese semiconductor firms, while Saudi Arabia is seeking Chinese partners to develop its technology, e-commerce and tourism industries so that its economy is less dependent on oil.

Emerging markets are creating favorable investment environments with incentives, relaxed regulations and tax benefits to strengthen local supply chains, which stands in contrast to the increasing trade and technology barriers springing up in Europe and the U.S., according to Ernst & Young’s 2024 China Overseas Investment Overview report.

This eastward shift represents a significant realignment in global economic relationships, with China’s outward direct investment increasing 10.1% to $162.8 billion in 2024. Over 20% of these investments targeted countries involved with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, while investment in Southeast Asian nations grew by 13%, according to Ministry of Commerce data.

Third, you know, as I know, that Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro counts among the leading candidates for the 2028 presidency, on the Democratic side.

Of course, Shapiro is Jewish and, given the anti-Semitic leanings of many Democrats, his religion must have been one reason he was not the vice presidential candidate in 2024.

So, Shapiro has felt compelled to show support for Islamists in Pennsylvania. Daniel Greenfield reports:

… Gov. Josh Shapiro doling out $5M in taxpayer money to the Al Aqsa Islamic Society in Philly which featured an Imam who preached that “the Jews are the vilest people" Shapiro claimed the mosque needed the money because of "rising hate"

And also:

Gov. Josh Shapiro continues his cringing appeasement tour by announcing a $5M grant to an Islamic institution that hosted antisemitic figures like Norman Finkelstein in a Gaza fundraiser.

Shapiro claimed they needed the $5 million because of "tumult overseas" and "rising hate"

Fourth, meanwhile, over at the box office, Disney’s remake of Snow White has been a calamity.

John Nolte writes:

It is now quite possible that Snow Woke could fail to hit $200 million globally. This means that after the theaters take their cut, Disney will see only $100 million in box office returns, which will add up to an incredible $270 million LOSS. Disney could conceivably lose more than a quarter of a billion — with a “B” — on this, making it the biggest box office bomb in history.”

It could not have happened to a more woke group. Congrats, Disney.

Fifth, the Daily Mail reports on the fallout in Hollywood. The headline reads:

Rachel Zegler’s Snow White flop sparks anti-woke U-turn. Hollywood whistleblowers reveal how trans actors and liberal films are being dumped in ‘crisis mode’ panic.

Sixth, and then there is Leslie Stahl, on 60 Minutes, interviewing a man who had been held hostage by Hamas. Amazingly, she tried to be balanced, giving Hamas the benefit of the doubt.

The account called Jews Fight Back reports:

Lesley Stahl looked a Jewish hostage in the face—after being starved, tortured, beaten, and dragged through hell—and asked if maybe Hamas didn’t mean to starve him. Maybe they just didn’t have food. Are you fucking kidding me? Shame on 60 Minutes. Shame on CBS. And shame on every apologist who still can’t admit that Hamas is pure evil.

Seventh, and then there is Scott Jennings, CNN’s voice of reason, offering this comment:

I don't know how Democrats appointed Jasmine Crockett as the unquestioned leader of your party, but thank God.

And I think what she should do is go on TV twice as much - maybe three times as much - because everytime she appears - makes these mistakes - says something radical - it only further divides her party from the other 80% of America who can't stand this - but the problem is - there's an audience for this.

I heard Jimmy Kimmel's audience cheering on Tesla vandalism; I hear that The Daily Show's audience on a tax on Elon Musk; I hear the Human Right's audience cheering on an attack on a man in a wheelchair.

And I realize this is what the left has become: an angry mob of people who are cheering on attacks on a guy in a wheelchair and vandalism against people who bought people ... it's pathetic.

Eighth, just when you thought it could not get any worse, Congressional Democrats have a new low approval rating:

BREAKING: per CNN, Democrats in Congress now have a whopping 21% approval rating.

Ninth, what happens to the human body when it is given cross-sex hormones? The answer: nothing good.

Stats for Gender reports:

Meta-analysis shows significantly increased cardiovascular risk for people on cross-sex hormones Females taking testosterone: 58% increased stroke risk, 98% increased heart attack risk Males taking estrogen: 77% increased stroke risk

Finally, I now have some free consulting hours in my life coaching practice-- either in person in midtown Manhattan or via Skype. If you are interested, write me at StuartSchneiderman@gmail.com.