Edward Hugh provides an interesting analysis of China. He starts with a caveat: “The biggest problem in assessing China is that no-one really knows. I do my best, but this is what has to be stated clearly, and up front. And anyone who says they do know is a charlatan.”
But this uncertainty doesn’t really matter, he concludes: “This is why I think all these comments about the China growth numbers being false are completely beside the point. Sure we have no idea what the real growth rate in China is, and an overall growth rate may be entirely irrelevant: what matters is the rate of growth in tradeables, and that, as everyone can see, is enormous. This is why there is the impact. Is this sustainable? As I saw we are on a long wave, the water-table just tipped towards Asia, and the part that isn’t going to India is draining off into China. So I feel there is more slack out there than people imagine.”
Gary Yonge, who is often too angry for my taste, adds to the rapidly increasing volume of Dean analysis in UK papers with an exceptionally perceptive column. “Whether the next president is George Bush, Wesley Clark or Dean, [the Dean activists’] most valuable asset is not their candidate but the awakened awareness of their potential, as progressive citizens and voters, to make a difference.”
The Guardian has an inspiring story today about Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire, which decided to install its own broadband network, having been scorned by BT.
“The difference between Hebden Bridge’s co-op and other local ISPs is that it will provide an even cheaper broadband service, in addition to locally generated news and information. And with a newly installed wireless system, this West Yorkshire community could ultimately bypass the traditional phone system entirely, allowing villagers to phone each other without using the BT network at all. And it’s all done on a non-profit basis so that the savings for the co-op members are as high as possible.”