Nancy, Red Means Stop… Not Go

Did House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wake up one morning and say to herself, "How can I provoke war with China? Bingo, I’ll schedule a trip to Taiwan crossing a red line for China that will provoke a strong response."

How did that work out, Nancy? Let’s see. Firing missiles near their Taiwan’s border including greatly ramped up military exercises. Sanctions against Taiwanese trade. Stop cooperating with US on climate change. Cancellation of future phone calls and meetings between Chinese and US defense leaders, for which future dates had not been announced. Cancellation of annual naval meetings under the China-US military maritime consultation mechanism. Suspended cooperation on the repatriation of illegal immigrants. Suspension of legal assistance on criminal matters. Suspension of efforts to combat of transnational crimes. Suspension of its anti-drug cooperation with the US which will speed the flow of fentanyl here to kill our youth.

Insane US foreign policy has already provoked one war with major nuclear power Russia in Ukraine. Possibly provoking a second war at the other end of the world with the other major nuclear power is beyond insane.

Forget about red light cameras on Chicago’s streets. We need them set up in Congress so our 535 congresspersons will respect the red lines of international diplomacy, keeping the world from blowing itself up. And the first one should be aimed at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Walt Zlotow became involved in antiwar activities upon entering University of Chicago in 1963. He is current president of the West Suburban Peace Coalition based in the Chicago western suburbs. He blogs daily on antiwar and other issues at www.heartlandprogressive.blogspot.com.