US warships head for South China Sea after standoff

[Moonbeam]

Geez, this has got me wondering if we have any lightly armed destroyers. I mean, wouldn't you just naturally think that destroyers are heavily armed. Do we have a fleet of lightly armed ones we use when we don't want to be intimidating?

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: ZzZGuy
Also noticing how western media avoids mentioning that the Chinese ships in question are fishing boats crewed by fishermen that where also unarmed. They try to make it sound like it was Chinese warships.

The Chinese ships involved included a navy intelligence collection ship, a Bureau of Maritime Fisheries patrol vessel, a State Oceanographic Administration patrol vessel and two small Chinese-flagged trawlers, the statement said.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/....navy.china/index.html

Yep... only fishermen :roll:

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Geez, this has got me wondering if we have any lightly armed destroyers. I mean, wouldn't you just naturally think that destroyers are heavily armed. Do we have a fleet of lightly armed ones we use when we don't want to be intimidating?

Not heavily armed? They're only loaded to the teeth with Harpoon missiles and cruise missiles, plus that 5 inch gun. Probably have some other armament as well.

 

[Modelworks]

Obama should really show them who is boss. Send out some shrimp and lobster boats, maybe a boat from NOAA so they know they aren't the only ones who can fish and study things there !

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Geez, this has got me wondering if we have any lightly armed destroyers. I mean, wouldn't you just naturally think that destroyers are heavily armed. Do we have a fleet of lightly armed ones we use when we don't want to be intimidating?

Wouldn't that be like making a .45 Magnum that shot silly string?

They are, after all, called destroyers.

 

[UberNeuman]

What's the big deal, so what if Obama sends out for some Chinese?

 

[Freshgeardude]

ya all we need to do is start a war with the country we owe what, 12 trillion dollars?

 

[Modelworks]

Originally posted by: freshgeardude
ya all we need to do is start a war with the country we owe what, 12 trillion dollars?

Maybe Obama is really concerned that they might try to take the ship as collateral

 

[Dari]

Originally posted by: freshgeardude
ya all we need to do is start a war with the country we owe what, 12 trillion dollars?

12 trillion dollars you say? Sounds more like a Chinese problem to me.

 

[kage69]

12 trillion dollars you say? Sounds more like a Chinese problem to me.

Zing!!!!

Clearly, SIR, you've never been besmirched with a trout.

That's not a fighting fish, THIS is a fighting fish...

 

[palehorse]

Originally posted by: Ocguy31
They could cripple our economy in an instant.

Only by completely destroying their own economy at the same time...

 

[soccerballtux]

Originally posted by: Ocguy31
Text


"A potential conflict was brewing last night in the South China Sea after President Obama dispatched heavily armed American destroyers to the scene of a naval standoff between the US and China at the weekend."




Seems like we have enough problems in the world without messing with China right now. They could cripple our economy in an instant.

Never heard of suicide? They're buying our debt because they need us to stay afloat. They would have a far bigger problem on their hands than we would should we stop trading with them.

 

[soccerballtux]

Originally posted by: rudder
Nothing will come of it. At least he is showing some backbone. Just like North Korea is seeing how far it can push the new administration.

Aye, I'm glad Obama's throwing some weight around. Important for people to understand he's not a pushover, even if he is.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: ZzZGuy

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
We should invest some of that free money into reducing our dependance on Taiwan's technical industry. Then we wouldn't have to wave dicks with China.

I happen to like ATI's video cards thank you very much.

Originally posted by: babylon5
Nvidia is better.

Guess where both of those cards are produced?

Chips - TSMC - Taiwan.

Boards and assembly - Foxconn - Taiwan.

 

[dphantom]

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh

Originally posted by: Genx87
Is it me or is this situation overblown? The ships were fishing trawlers, not chinese warships.

Never underestimate an adversary willing to strip down to his underwear and be sprayed with a fire hose in an attempt to scare you away.

Surprised Obama didnt send in the entire 7th fleet then.

A couple destroyers IS the 7th fleet now.

 

[PokerGuy]

Originally posted by: magomago
I think this action has two audiences: American Public and the Chinese.
To the Chinese, this isn't a show of force in the sense that we will attack as much as it is a show of 'yes we can'. The point is you have the Chinese trying to harass the USA out of what they claim to be waters (but is actually international waters). So as long as we operate within agreed distances, then we are fine. Obama is simply saying, "Watch me do what we are allowed to". Chinese government bitching isn't going to change that, and sending more ships there establishes that.
To the American Public, it is a show of force. To pull a Fox News, there are some who say that this president is weakling who will be pushed around internationally. Sending warships after a minor 'annoyance' that the Chinese pulled is a direct statement saying "Watch me act like a tough guy"

What is the real result? People thinking Obama is less of a pansy, and China knowing that it has to wait until it has real military power to try to enforce something like that...or try with another administration in 4/8 years

Wait... hold on. Rational thought.. not one mention of how bad Bush sucks, how Obama sucks, how republicrats are the root of the problem. This post has no place in P&N.

Excellent analysis :thumbsup:

 

[AndrewR]

heavily armed destroyers

As opposed to the lightly armed ones? They're warships so that's a given.

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: freshgeardude
ya all we need to do is start a war with the country we owe what, 12 trillion dollars?

How does that old saying go? If you owe someone a little money, that's your problem. If you owe someone a LOT of money, it's their problem.

 

[OCGuy]

Originally posted by: Kadarin

Originally posted by: freshgeardude
ya all we need to do is start a war with the country we owe what, 12 trillion dollars?

How does that old saying go? If you owe someone a little money, that's your problem. If you owe someone a LOT of money, it's their problem.

If you think it is only their problem, I suggest joining this conversation.

 

[Fern]

Originally posted by: magomago
I think this action has two audiences: American Public and the Chinese.
To the Chinese, this isn't a show of force in the sense that we will attack as much as it is a show of 'yes we can'. The point is you have the Chinese trying to harass the USA out of what they claim to be waters (but is actually international waters). So as long as we operate within agreed distances, then we are fine. Obama is simply saying, "Watch me do what we are allowed to". Chinese government bitching isn't going to change that, and sending more ships there establishes that.
To the American Public, it is a show of force. To pull a Fox News, there are some who say that this president is weakling who will be pushed around internationally. Sending warships after a minor 'annoyance' that the Chinese pulled is a direct statement saying "Watch me act like a tough guy"

What is the real result? People thinking Obama is less of a pansy, and China knowing that it has to wait until it has real military power to try to enforce something like that...or try with another administration in 4/8 years

^Sounds to me like a good analysis

Fern

 

[Atheus]

Originally posted by: her209
Makes you wonder if the Chinese are surveying us from a distance in the Pacific Ocean.

Why would they do that when they can watch you from space?

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Originally posted by: ZzZGuy

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
We should invest some of that free money into reducing our dependance on Taiwan's technical industry. Then we wouldn't have to wave dicks with China.

I happen to like ATI's video cards thank you very much.

Originally posted by: babylon5
Nvidia is better.

Guess where both of those cards are produced?

Chips - TSMC - Taiwan.

Boards and assembly - Foxconn - Taiwan.

I think that was kinda their point...

 

[m1ldslide1]

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Geez, this has got me wondering if we have any lightly armed destroyers. I mean, wouldn't you just naturally think that destroyers are heavily armed. Do we have a fleet of lightly armed ones we use when we don't want to be intimidating?

Like maybe a fleet of damagers?

 

[piasabird]

What no aircraft carriers and nuclear attack subs?

China could never outlast us in a real war. They have no real reserve resources. My bet is they would start starving to death after 3 months of conflict. Attack their infrastructure and they would roll over. Most of the country has no real technology.

On the other hand they have all our debt. But if we conquer them, we could write it off.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: piasabird
What no aircraft carriers and nuclear attack subs?

China could never outlast us in a real war. They have no real reserve resources. My bet is they would start starving to death after 3 months of conflict. Attack their infrastructure and they would roll over. Most of the country has no real technology.

On the other hand they have all our debt. But if we conquer them, we could write it off.

Why do you need to divert a carrier group? A destroyer is more than enough for escort duty. Heck, there might already be a US sub in the area too, but you'd never hear about that.

 

[OCGuy]

Originally posted by: piasabird
What no aircraft carriers and nuclear attack subs?

China could never outlast us in a real war. They have no real reserve resources. My bet is they would start starving to death after 3 months of conflict. Attack their infrastructure and they would roll over. Most of the country has no real technology.

On the other hand they have all our debt. But if we conquer them, we could write it off.

Really?

Jesus some people.....