I'm not surprised but am nonetheless disappointed that the Empire of Heaven (Tian Chao), the Middle Kingdom (Zhong Guo), Cathay (Huaxia), however you prefer to be addressed, would feel the need to steal industrial, military and scientific secrets. One would think innovation of all sorts would well up naturally from the descendents of the great Yan and Huang tribes. Guess not.
And if you NSA guys are watching the Chinese watch me - don't gloat. The concept of U.S. exceptionalism is fast becoming laughable, almost pitiable, when one considers Citizens United, voter ID (suppression) laws, the NRA, Tea Party Republicans, the 'Texas Schoolbook Massacre', etc. etc. Then again, these abominations do suggest exceptionalism of a sort.
On a lighter note, following up on my last post, I came across this in Sir Walter Scott's 'Waverley':
"... for he and all his family are, and have been, time out of mind, Mavortia pectora, as Buchanan saith, a bold and warlike sept, or people."
Time Out Of Mind! That most excellent Dylan album from 1997.
It's not dark yet but it's gettin' there.
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