I was raised in a rough part of Long Island. Lots of tough guys ruled the roost and smaller guys like me, while not as tough, were twice as smart. We knew you didn't go down Sutter Ave. Thats where the Pruce Boys lived. Three brothers, one my age (9) and two older, 11 and 13. Their father thought it great fun that they could scare hell out of the other kids. Their house was in a direct path to our favorite ice cream parlor, the Ozone theater and the green bus line that took us to the subway, swimming pool and other fun places. Go past their house, get roughed up or walk three blocks out of the way and we were home free. I guess you could say we were Pacifists, or probably chicken. One thing was for sure. We stayed unmarked. I sort of apply that to the Pelosi-Taiwan situation. The Chinese don't like us. But they own us. Yeah, it's our own fault but too late to pick up the spilt milk. WE depend on their solar panels, and chips and clothes and probably half of what we buy. The rest comes from Shri Lanka, or Nam or some outland island. Too late for that. Leaders tell us that we’re tough. We can whup them. We should stand up and snarl. Maybe so but think for a moment. Are they bluffing? Probably. We are told about so many schemes to "retake our economic territory". But do we have the guts to stand up and reverse the course of what seems to be the inevitable? For your answer, go to your favorite chain store. Hardware, hard goods or soft goods store....you take your choice. You'll get a quick answer. It's all made in China. It's also cheaper and in many cases, it's the only one you can buy. Do we as the song "16 Tons" says’: You owe your soul to the company store. Better shut up and grunt. (Maybe walk three blocks out of the way.) Sorry Republicans and a few Democrats. A pair of Jacks are good enough to open but they don't beat a full house. Better know when to hold them and know when to fold them.