POLL: Should the US step up if Taiwan gets attacked?

[StageLeft]

China doesn't want to lose official sovereignty over Taiwan. If Taiwan was stupid enough to claim it, and China decided to get forceful, would you endorse the US getting into it? Realize that it could have a real potential of starting another world war.

Personally I say forget them. Too bad, you're on your own.

EDIT: Also, if you said yes, why exactly is taiwan so independent? Remember, this is not simply an imperialist annexing of a sovereign nation...it's not China trying to expand land. Afterall Taiwan is part of China, supposedly, so why would you risk WWIII for such a country?

 

[her209]

Well, if the US attack China in retaliation, the Chinese will surely give the go ahead to North Korea to start pounding away on South Korea.

 

[Malak]

I say pre-emptive strike on NK first.

 

[fs5]

I think you missed the P&N button.

 

[yllus]

Absolutely. The alternative is to prove with finality that the U.S. will not stand up against the destruction of democratic countries.

 

[rh71]

Stay away from China/Taiwan matters.

 

[Jfrag Teh Foul]

Originally posted by: yllus
Absolutely. The alternative is to prove with finality that the U.S. will not stand up against the destruction of democratic countries.

 

[meltdown75]

No idea.

Can't we all just live in peace?

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: yllus
Absolutely. The alternative is to prove with finality that the U.S. will not stand up against the destruction of democratic countries.

But taiwan is not a democratic, sovereign nation.

 

[Baked]

Originally posted by: rh71
Stay away from China/Taiwan matters.

Word. And P&N.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: yllus
Absolutely. The alternative is to prove with finality that the U.S. will not stand up against the destruction of democratic countries.

But taiwan is not a democratic, sovereign nation.

Doesn't that depend on whom you ask? The U.S. recognizes the nation of Taiwan. China does not.

 

[cliftonite]

Well since we seem to be the defenders or freedom and democracy, I guess we have no choice but to defend Taiwan.

 

[Proletariat]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: yllus
Absolutely. The alternative is to prove with finality that the U.S. will not stand up against the destruction of democratic countries.

But taiwan is not a democratic, sovereign nation.

Wow this is why I stick to P and N for these types of discussions. More knowledgable people. Explain to me why I get over 1,000,000 matches for Taiwan and democracy.

 

[yllus]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: yllus
Absolutely. The alternative is to prove with finality that the U.S. will not stand up against the destruction of democratic countries.

But taiwan is not a democratic, sovereign nation.

AFAIK it is democratic, and lies in the grey area of soveregnity for purely political purposes (ie. it's best not to stir up trouble). Can't say I'm an expert on the country itself though so I could be wrong.

From an economic point of view, it's also probably a bad idea to let China take the island. How much domestic manufacture of high-tech equipment does the United States have? I imagine a heck of a lot of the hardware in the U.S.'s planes, trains and tankmobiles has "MADE IN TAIWAN" stamped on it. How much of that are you willing to let fall into the hands of the ChiComms?

Of course, none of this will ever happen - China will winnow down into pseudo-democracy and Taiwan will never be foolish enough to provoke the issue.

Originally posted by: Proletariat
Wow this is why I stick to P and N for these types of discussions. More knowledgable people.

That would be laughable if we didn't take the source into account. *snicker*

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Proletariat

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: yllus
Absolutely. The alternative is to prove with finality that the U.S. will not stand up against the destruction of democratic countries.

But taiwan is not a democratic, sovereign nation.

Wow this is why I stick to P and N for these types of discussions. More knowledgable people. Explain to me why I get over 1,000,000 matches for Taiwan and democracy.

Like I said, Taiwan is not an independent, sovereign nation. I can get a match for hitler and mustang, but it doesn't mean much.

 

[jemcam]

The US has already said it would defend Taiwan if there were a conflict. Oh, and this statement was made during Clinton's administration.

This should probably go to P&N. If it does, I'll never see it because I stay the hell out of there.

 

[StageLeft]

I kept it out of P&N because it's not political--it's military!

 

[TerryMathews]

Originally posted by: jemcam
The US has already said it would defend Taiwan if there were a conflict. Oh, and this statement was made during Clinton's administration.

And Truman's. It's been US policy for >50 years, to assume it will change overnight is crazy. Then again, so is Kim Jong Il and China doesn't seem to be concerned about him either.

 

[EvilYoda]

Can't say I'm a big fan of politics and especially W, but hell yes we should.

 

[jemcam]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
I kept it out of P&N because it's not political--it's military!

The military does not make the decision regarding "Should the US step up if Taiwan gets attacked"?

It's not military, now go change a diaper.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
Can't say I'm a big fan of politics and especially W, but hell yes we should.

Even if it meant a draft? It's no secret the military is stretched thin. Throwing a ton of resources at Taiwan right now would be difficult.

 

[frankie38]

No, the US should not respond militarily if the PRC and their province of Taiwan are fighting each other.

1) The US is busy fighting a GLOBAL war on terror. Where are you Osama, come come out wherever you are?
2) The US is not the policeman for the entire world/universe.
3) We are still fighting in Iraq.
4) Iran is next
5) N Korea will have to wait.
6) Saudi Arabia is treading on thin ice.
7) Do you really want to lose American lives over a breakaway Chinse province that the KMT took. The same corrupt KMT remnants that lost the mainland to the Japanese in WWII. I say NO.

Finally, the PRC will not invade Taiwan. They have waited over 50 years and they will wait another 100 years until the people of Taiwan want to rejoin the PRC.

 

[Proletariat]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: Proletariat

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: yllus
Absolutely. The alternative is to prove with finality that the U.S. will not stand up against the destruction of democratic countries.

But taiwan is not a democratic, sovereign nation.

Wow this is why I stick to P and N for these types of discussions. More knowledgable people. Explain to me why I get over 1,000,000 matches for Taiwan and democracy.

Like I said, Taiwan is not an independent, sovereign nation. I can get a match for hitler and mustang, but it doesn't mean much.

Again, this is why the smart people go to P and N.

http://www.taiwandc.org/wsj-2000-03.htm">Taiwans maturing democracy</a>

If America does not stand up for its ally and fight the Imperialist Chinese, it will look very bad for the 'beacon of worldwide democracy'.

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
Can't say I'm a big fan of politics and especially W, but hell yes we should.

Even if it meant a draft? It's no secret the military is stretched thin. Throwing a ton of resources at Taiwan right now would be difficult.

I would think any hostilities would be of naval and air in nature. A draft would be of little use.

 

[Red Dawn]

Hell strike a deal with the ChiComs. They can have Taiwan if they take out North Korea first! We'll promise them that we will detonate the self destruct mechanisms in the Military Equipment we sold Taiwan if they do.