Monthly Archives: August 2022

Thursday, 29 August, 2024

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9:50 PM

Today’s Weather: Sunshine. High 81. 73 now.

The propaganda machine in China came to life today and has been going non-stop since early this morning. A host of high-ranking Chinese government officials made public statements condemning the ‘Unjustified Aggressive Posture of the United States since September, 2022.’ First was a long-winded condemnation of the US nuclear response to the September, 2022 attack and the consequences that the rest of the world has been living with since. Then it was the ‘unjustified attack on Russian peacekeepers who were in the US and Canada on a ‘humanitarian mission of critical importance.’ Naturally, no mention of Russia attempting to convince Pennsylvanian politicians to secede from the US and form a separate nation. Finally, China came down heavy on the riots in Guam which led to their attempted intervention there. Of course the naval and air battles were also discussed briefly, with no mention made of the heavy PLAN and PLAAF losses in men and material.

So, China has laid out its position and the stage is being set for whatever comes next. Which remains a mystery, though we’re starting to get an idea of what is brewing at military bases inside of China. Nothing good, I should add.

Tuesday, 27 August, 2024

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11:40 PM

Today’s Weather: Showers. High 79. 64 now.

Dispersal of high ranking civilian and military officials will start quietly tomorrow morning. That’s really all that I can say, and even that is likely too much. For the next thirty-six hours I will be incommunicado.

People are taking this seriously. Megan called yesterday and wanted to know if she should come home. I told her it is not necessary, and this will all blow over soon. I doubt she bought it, but there was nothing else I could say. Alex is more at ease with what is happening. Colorado State is close enough so if something should happen, it will not take him very long to get back home. Provided conditions are optimal.

Sunday 25 August, 2024

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4:03 PM

Today’s Weather: Sunshine, cool. High 76. 68 now.

China’s ultimatum was originally set to expire on Monday evening. The Chinese government now claims that, for ‘humanitarian reasons’ it is extending the deadline to September 1st. It is not clear yet what the real reason for the delay is but the initial suspicion is their forces need more time to refit and resupply. Guam was not kind to the PLAN and PLAAF. Now we will have the opportunity to find out how well the Chinese learn from their mistakes.

The intelligence community is sure they will make another run at Guam come next Sunday. Right now the data coming out of the Western Pacific suggests they are right. But there’s still a lot of time between now and September 1st.

Friday 23 August, 2024

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8:03 PM

Today’s Weather: Partly sunny.

Nothing from China through the course of the day. No diplomatic communiques, no response back from their embassy on the status of their prisoners and no indications of military activity around Guam or the Philippines. ASW activity in the South China Sea is even starting to cycle down. This seems like a period of pause for Beijing and its military to catch their breath and prepare for the next phase of operations. There could be more to it, or less, but I’m simply stating my opinion.

Here at home the mood has turned decidedly anti-China in the last three days. The sinking of USS Ronald Reagan has rallied the public here in Denver and around the country. Demonstrations against China are going on from California to central Ohio. Megan called me earlier to tell me even out at Stanford there is a lot of anger and frustration towards China for its Guam adventure. Alex was home for a bit today as well. We didn’t talk about China much, but he did keep telling me how awesome it is that he has his own armed security guard to follow him around campus. In fact, if I didn’t know any better, I’d assume my son is using the guard as a girl magnet of sorts. As I said, he’s no fool.

Thursday 22 August, 2024

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9:28 PM

Today’s Weather: Cloudy, cool. High 76. 71 now.

Quiet day for the most part after yesterday’s fiery rhetoric from Beijing. It’s almost quiet, all things considered. At least in most places, I should add. In the South China Sea, PLAN ASW forces are conducting an insane hunt for the USS Michigan. I’ve heard some of the translated intercepts from senior Chinese admirals and they want Michigan bad. For whatever reason they’re convinced she’s still lurking down there after launching her cruise missiles against Shanghai and military targets around the city.

She’s not of course. But it doesn’t hurt that the enemy is wasting an inordinate amount of resources looking for a phantom submarine.

As for the surface fight west of Guam, I’d have to call it a draw. The Chinese carriers were junk and quite honestly, losing them will not have a major affect on PLAN operations from this point forward. Reagan’s loss, on the other hand is a major blow for us. We’re coping but to be honest, we need more carrier strength west of Wake Island and soon. Unfortunately, nothing will arrive there before the Chinese ultimatum comes and goes.

Wednesday, 21 August, 2024

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8:50 PM

Negotiations broke down last night in Manila. China refuses to step off of its position. Beijing wants Guam and the other islands in the Northern Marianas and is giving us five days to comply. Otherwise the United States will suffer “considerable consequences.” Not sure what that means, but it certain does not sound very encouraging.

Tuesday 20 August, 2024

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9:04 PM

Today’s Weather: Sunshine. High 80.

In an hour negotiations will start in Manila between the Secretary of State and China’s Foreign Minister. Beijing called for the talks earlier today after the second cruise missile strike on Shanghai’s port facilities. It certainly seems to have gotten their attention.

As far as Guam goes, all prisoners have been found and accounted for. They will be held in our custody for as long as this conflict continues.  

David is alive and unhurt. He was right in the middle of it and apparently my eldest son had his ship shot out from underneath him while he was trying to land.

An unofficial cease fire has gone into effect and it does not look as if the US or China are very eager to press the fighting any farther.