News for today's 2018

Harry Connick, John McCain, Syria, K-Pop and More! It's Time for Headlines!!

6:44 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal">Holaaaaaaaaaaaa y’all! I’ve got nothing which means it’s time yet again for some Headlines!! Please try to contain your excitement. Thanks. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- Desperate for work of any kind washed up crooner Harry Connick Jr. agrees to be a cohost on American Idol. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- Area man announces he “let loose” with his “loudest burp ever” over the weekend. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- Microsoft bans “can you hear me now” jokes after making offer to buy Nokia. “That’s Verizon you stupid hacks” CEO Ballmer tweets. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- Dakota Johnson and Charlie Hunnam set to play lead roles in the movie version of “Fifty Shades of Grey.”  “I can’t wait to beat the hell outta Dakota and abuse her” said Hunnam. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- Diana Nyad swims from Cuba to Key West, Florida. Realizes she forgot her passport and had to swim back to get it. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- Texans reward defensive standout Brian Cushing with six year contract extension. “Steroids are fucking great!” proclaimed Cushing. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- Keith Olbermann schedules HUGE meltdown over his ESPN 2 show being bumped by late-running sporting events for the middle of October. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- President Obama to seek okay from congress on Syria. “They’ll do the right thinAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA … Sorry, I couldn’t quite get that out with a straight face” said Obama. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- 45 year old white man living in America doesn’t understand why people think his love for K-Pop is creepy<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lifLQqv6fCt3ElcHLTfGebkfhEdAZJbSa_9GQ51gwZ2tLhNoLWhvwHWoNgpWNXPeGoR4Alg5ND9CBUXL6wtlDMdX8eqvsflhdr3Gmbmq2gOU0M00C6Mejo3Tuq8rL4wkJTCbAo3bkiZv/s1600/Yuri+Kwon+Hot+Abs+K-Pop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lifLQqv6fCt3ElcHLTfGebkfhEdAZJbSa_9GQ51gwZ2tLhNoLWhvwHWoNgpWNXPeGoR4Alg5ND9CBUXL6wtlDMdX8eqvsflhdr3Gmbmq2gOU0M00C6Mejo3Tuq8rL4wkJTCbAo3bkiZv/s1600/Yuri+Kwon+Hot+Abs+K-Pop.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">- Area liberal panicking as Obamacare starts to take hold. “I figured he would lose in 2012 and it would be repealed so I would always have the fake moral high ground.” Said the distraught blue collar worker.  <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- Pre-Microwaved fish from Japan known as FukuSushi all the rage at hipster restaurants in NYC. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- Oakland Raiders struggle to find enough guys willing to play for them to fill 53 man roster. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- Taylor Swift working on new song about how disappointed she is in herself for using “the F-word” at VMAs. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- LeBron James producing sitcom where an NBA star’s 45 year old mother is dating a 31 year old rapper nobody has ever heard of. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- John McCain mocked for playing poker on his iPhone during Syria hearings, drawing to an inside straight. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- Area woman wants to watch popular TV and NetFlix shows but doesn’t want to give up feeling of smug superiority.  <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- Area man arrested while riding his John Deere mower down Main Street while naked at 3 am and trying to shoot out street lights while singing “All My Rowdy Friends Have Settled Down.” Police say alcohol MIGHT have been involved. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Okay, that’s enough. I’ve got things to do. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:Jayman3768@gmail.com">Jayman3768@gmail.com</a><br /><a href="http://facebook.com/jayman68" target="_blank">Facebook</a><br /><a href="http://twitter.com/jayman_iws" target="_blank">@Jayman_IWS</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div></div>

Harry Connick, John McCain, Syria, K-Pop and More! It's Time for Headlines!!

Holaaaaaaaaaaaa y’all! I’ve got nothing which means it’s time yet again for some Headlines!! Please try to contain your excitement. Thanks. ...

The Age of Chaos (Musical Tribute)

3:27 PM Tukiyooo 0

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23lLgR0RuKKO0jHEasdkoBJKcRLJOiDKYR08Y0drTIcmIOBvqkHJXLBfTCz1LAlQeHI_O6MKDEcW0zOlC3cyoDETW7kh_tWSTkcmmXQgZk13aIVyuK-1d192qZhK39zYAn2zw3M75VR8/s1600/The+Age+of+Chaos.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23lLgR0RuKKO0jHEasdkoBJKcRLJOiDKYR08Y0drTIcmIOBvqkHJXLBfTCz1LAlQeHI_O6MKDEcW0zOlC3cyoDETW7kh_tWSTkcmmXQgZk13aIVyuK-1d192qZhK39zYAn2zw3M75VR8/s320/The+Age+of+Chaos.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br />From 1993 through 1999, one could estimate with great precision how much money was being spent on office construction simply by knowing how the stock market was doing.<br /><br />From 2000 through 2007, one could still make a reasonably accurate estimate.<br /><br />From 2008 to present, <a href="http://www.iheartchaos.com/post/27049151950/daily-discussion-ask-the-ihc-magic-8-ball-anything">this device</a> could have done better.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqLjB7o9CTp4plZ1Nslfa4X_4xxSuyKeOv5CP1ypI3ujwx8tzEIOUd0v6SmIReVU0h_XHDwnmni2LKOsHYd2xYkbt2N8CQzVWsldVgHaP4PpmZXPu0DsViqgO-6SzV2_HT58YKjETOlM/s1600/Peak+Sales+&+Office+Occupations.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqLjB7o9CTp4plZ1Nslfa4X_4xxSuyKeOv5CP1ypI3ujwx8tzEIOUd0v6SmIReVU0h_XHDwnmni2LKOsHYd2xYkbt2N8CQzVWsldVgHaP4PpmZXPu0DsViqgO-6SzV2_HT58YKjETOlM/s320/Peak+Sales+&+Office+Occupations.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br /><div style="color: red;"><b>OUTLOOK NOT SO GOOD!</b></div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="236" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/r8F9Qvror6g" width="420"></iframe><br /><br /><b>Source Data:</b><br /><a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?g=m3e">St. Louis Fed: S&P 500 vs. Office Construction Spending</a><br /><a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?g=m3j">St. Louis Fed: Employment Level - Sales and Office Occupations</a>

The Age of Chaos (Musical Tribute)

Click to enlarge. From 1993 through 1999, one could estimate with great precision how much money was being spent on office construction simp...

Female doctors make $50,000 less than male doctors, and the pay gap is growing.

1:52 PM Tukiyooo 0

<base href="data:"><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; color: black; text-align: left; "><div class="text parbase section" style="margin: 1.5em 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; ">While there have been some gains in closing the pay gap generally, <a href="http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1733450#ild130129t1" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">new research published</a> in the <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-style: italic; ">Journal of the American Medical Association</em> shows that it's actually getting worse between male and female doctors, as well as among other health care workers. In the 1980s, male doctors made about 20 percent more than their female counterparts, but now that number has ballooned to 25 percent, making the gap in real dollars more than $50,000 a year. For those eager to blame this on women's "choices" and not on discrimination, I have bad news: The study controlled for hours worked and years of experience. </p></div><div class="text parbase section" style="margin: 1.5em 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; "><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/09/03/female-doctors-earn-50k-less-than-male-doctors/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">But as Sarah Kliff of the <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-style: italic; ">Washington Post</em> explains</a>, the difference in what kind of medicine female and male doctors practice may play a major role. Men dominate the ranks of surgeons, radiologists, and other high-paid specialties, whereas women are more likely to become family care doctors or pediatricians. The researchers couldn't say why this is but suggested it could be a matter of preference or discrimination—or some combination of the two—and called for more research to get to the bottom of this conundrum. </p></div><div class="text parbase section" style="margin: 1.5em 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; ">Regardless of the cause, however, this gap should be a major concern, not just for equality but also for the quality of our health care system. Right now, <a href="http://dailynightly.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/25/18042694-it-is-getting-a-lot-harder-to-do-this-doctor-shortage-strains-practices?lite" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">the country is experiencing a major shortage of doctors</a>, particularly the kind of family care physicians that women are more likely to become. The primary care doctors there are, especially in rural areas, are often overworked and stressed out from handling more than their fair share of the nation's health care workload. Or, put another way: Women are taking on the necessary if unglamorous work of handling a massive number of patients who need basic doctoring, and their reward for doing what needs to be done is to get paid significantly less than their male counterparts, who are more likely to join more lucrative, specialized fields.</p></div><div class="text parbase section" style="margin: 1.5em 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; ">Instead of looking at this as an issue of simply getting more women into higher-paid specialist jobs, we should also have a national conversation about why we don't value primary care physicians and pediatricians enough. As the new health care law rolls out and the number of people who can afford to get to a doctor for basic care increases, the demand for this necessary, female-heavy work is just going to get higher. Do we need to pay these doctors more? Create incentive structures to make doing this work more rewarding? Regardless of how we tackle this problem, the fact remains that we have an opportunity to both improve the health care system and strike a blow for more gender equality, all at once. So what are we waiting for?</p></div></div><a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2013/09/03/female_doctors_make_50_000_less_than_male_doctors_and_the_pay_gap_is_growing.html?wpisrc=newsletter_jcr:content">http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2013/09/03/female_doctors_make_50_000_less_than_male_doctors_and_the_pay_gap_is_growing.html?wpisrc=newsletter_jcr:content</a><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; color: black; text-align: left; "><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div>

Female doctors make $50,000 less than male doctors, and the pay gap is growing.

While there have been some gains in closing the pay gap generally, new research published in the Journal of the American Medical Associat...

Substitute Library Clerks - East Hartford Public Library

1:19 PM Anonymous 0

<b>Substitute Library Clerks -</b> <b><b><span style="color: #48286d;">East Hartford Public Library</span></b></b> is looking for several people to join our staff as substitutes at both  the adult and children’s circulation desks. If you are focused on  providing great customer-service, have strong computer skills and  previous public library experience, consider joining our team. Ability  to work evenings and weekends a plus; familiarity with SIRSI system  preferred. Candidates must possess the ability to perform a variety of  circulation duties including answering phones, processing library  membership applications, charging and discharging materials, receiving  and processing fines. Compensation $11.16/hr. Please send letter of  interest, resume and three references by Friday, <span style="color: red;">September 20, 2013</span> to: Susan M Hansen, Director, East Hartford Public Library, 840 Main Street, East Hartford, CT, 06108 or email documents to: <a _fcksavedurl="mailto:shansen@easthartfordct.gov" href="mailto:shansen@easthartfordct.gov">shansen@easthartfordct.gov</a>. No phone calls, please. EOE.

Substitute Library Clerks - East Hartford Public Library

Substitute Library Clerks - East Hartford Public Library is looking for several people to join our staff as substitutes at both the adult...

Part-time Librarian - Middlebury Public Library

1:15 PM Anonymous 0

<b>Part-time Librarian -</b> <b><b><span style="color: #48286d;">Middlebury Public Library</span></b></b>.  As librarian work under the direction of the Assistant Library Director  or the Library Director to maintain the proper operation of the town  library. Maintain collections of books, periodicals, audio/visual tapes,  etc., maintain files and programs and assist and furnish services to  patrons. Supervise library technical assistants and volunteers. Requires  a knowledge of literature and library science equivalent to a B.S.  degree in Library Science or a related field with advanced library  experience. Salary: $12.00 per hour. Hours: Monday-Saturday, up to 19  hours per week. For consideration please submit a completed application <a _fcksavedurl="http://www.middlebury-ct.org/Pages/Employment.aspx" href="http://www.middlebury-ct.org/Pages/Employment.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.middlebury-ct.org/Pages/Employment.aspx</a>, resume and cover letter by<span style="color: red;"> September 30, 2013</span> to: Administrative Manager, Town of Middlebury, 1212 Whittemore Road, Middlebury, CT 06762.

Part-time Librarian - Middlebury Public Library

Part-time Librarian - Middlebury Public Library . As librarian work under the direction of the Assistant Library Director or the Library ...

The Arm Twisting Is Working

1:09 PM Tukiyooo 0

After President Obama stuck his foot in his mouth and told the  whole world that he doesn't need the approval of Congress to send U.S. military forces to attack Syria, someone pointed out to the man that such brash actions are an impeachable offense.<br /><br />Must have struck a nerve there because now, one by one, the Chicken Hawks are coming home to roost.<br />This can only be attributed to behind the scenes political arm twisting.<br /><br />It has already been reported that 90% of Americans do not want U.S. intervention in Syria.<br /><br />Britain backed out, the UN wants nothing to do with it.<br /><br />The President says he has absolute proof that Assad ordered the chemical weapons attacks on civilians in Syria.<br /><br />Other news reports contradict that repeatedly.<br /><br />Some suggest a low level Syrian army official ordered it, some suggest the insurgents did it and some claim it was a False Flag attack instrumented by CIA and Israeli intelligence.<br /><br />All that seems to matter to Obama is that they crossed some imaginary Red Line and now his resolve is being questioned.<br /><br />Boo Hoo.<br /><br />Running your mouth before you have all the facts has been proven millions of times throughout history to result in black eyes and bloody mouths.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-boehner-cantor-back-obama-on-syria-strike-20130903,0,6211713.story">  So now John McCain, Miss Lindsey Graham, Nancy Pelosi, Eric Cantor and even Mr. Weepy himself, John Boehner </a>have all come out in support of a military strike against a country who has has done absolutely nothing  to threaten this nation.<br /><br />All because President Obama thinks we need to be the worlds police force.<br /><br /><br />This is, of course, no mere stroll in the park and go home activity.<br /><br />These people are willfully committing U.S. armed forces, our bankrupt treasury and our standing in the world all because President Obama needs to prove a point.<br /><br />I am reminded of the old saying about insanity being  repetitive behavior expecting a different outcome.<br /><br />It has been said that President Obama is a twelve dimensional chess player.<br /><br />From what I see he had better get good at 52 card pick up because his house of cards is about to come flying apart.

The Arm Twisting Is Working

After President Obama stuck his foot in his mouth and told the whole world that he doesn't need the approval of Congress to send U.S. m...

Post Labor Day Funk but no Junk...

11:14 AM Tukiyooo 0

Good Afternoon Everyone.  I hope you had a fabulous Labor Day.  I was busy but it was all good.  I was out and about and I can truly say that I did not cheat or snack on JUNK the entire weekend.  Really - zero desire to be honest.  There was even cake - and if you listened to my radio interview, you will remember I LOVE sweets and I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE cake!!  It looked good, but I had zero interest in it.  YAY!  Belivq, you are my hero! ha!  Today I go pick up my September RX for Belviq.  Thanks to everyone who has helped (even if it is only a dollar), I am only having to pay about $25 dollars for this month.  It REALLY helps.  So THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.  Without the google ads, I will just take it month by month.  I think October will be a better month for me as well as I have a couple things I am trying to pay off to help with the cost of the medicine.    Every day it's like I get to wear something new - not because it is new, but because I have so many clothes that I couldn't fit in to just sitting in my spare closet.  I can lose another 50 pounds and still be ok in terms of clothes.  I can't afford to buy all new clothes right now anyway, so it's a good thing I have that closet haha!!!!  My goal is that next spring I will hopefully be able to go splurge (after tax refund of course ha).  EXCITED.  For those of you who are taking Belviq or who are considering Belviq.  You MUST remember, Diet and exercise are IMPORTANT.  If you are not willing to change your eating habits, it's not going to work.  I've been talking to a few that got frustrated because it wasn't working for them like it is me.  I ask them to tell me about their meal plans - they are eating the same things, just in smaller portions!  NO!  That's not how it works!!!  You MUST MUST MUST change your diet in addition to cutting portions to really make this work.  You HAVE to work.  Belviq won't do it all on it's own!!!  Have a great day!  Ellie

Post Labor Day Funk but no Junk...

Good Afternoon Everyone. I hope you had a fabulous Labor Day. I was busy but it was all good. I was out and about and I can truly say tha...

Absolute Faith in Monetary Policy (Musical Tribute)

10:49 AM Tukiyooo 0

Absolute Faith in Monetary Policy (Musical Tribute)

Click to enlarge. Source Data: St. Louis Fed: Custom Chart

US AND CHINA BATTLE IT OUT FOR LATIN AMERICA

10:23 AM Tukiyooo 0

<br /> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-lyoq68Och_pFUP7VZ0s8vvQ8MqiHFN2FtdUjJmkcOTPbatUyjh6NxwxmKOHIAm928xvHvbvZsObmUPZ_iBBUbSS047HySgV_Wjks6_-qQSobYCxWQH3dY2WBtGK_Vxi3_fv1hjENphM/s1600/latin-american-countries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-lyoq68Och_pFUP7VZ0s8vvQ8MqiHFN2FtdUjJmkcOTPbatUyjh6NxwxmKOHIAm928xvHvbvZsObmUPZ_iBBUbSS047HySgV_Wjks6_-qQSobYCxWQH3dY2WBtGK_Vxi3_fv1hjENphM/s400/latin-american-countries.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"> </span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">LATIN AMERICA AND ITS ABUNDANCE OF NATURAL RESOURCES</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">By Robert Valencia via ISN Security Watch </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Apparently CHINA is vying for greater economic influence in LATIN AMERICA, which includes the possibly constructing and operating an alternative ‘PANAMA Canal’ through NICARAGUA. One unanticipated consequence of this burgeoning US-CHINA rivalry is that it might push LATIN AMERICAN countries closer together.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Background Information</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #cc0000;">:</span> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/06/china-and-nicaragua.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/06/china-and-nicaragua.html</a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">U.S. President Barack Obama and CHINESE President Xi Jinping met in California to discuss <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/10/world/asia/obama-and-xi-try-to-avoid-a-cold-war-mentality.html?hp&_r=0">cyber espionage</a> and territorial claims in the Pacific Rim. While tension on these topics has hogged the headlines, the fight for influence in another area could be even more important—LATIN AMERICA. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Other emerging markets in AFRICA, where CHINA has an overwhelming influence due to foreign direct investment in mining and oil, also offer economic opportunities, but LATIN AMERICA has an abundance of natural resources, greater purchasing power, and geographic proximity to the UNITED STATES, which has long considered LATIN AMERICA as its “backyard.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Background Information</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2012/12/usa-china-and-africa.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2012/12/usa-china-and-africa.html</a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The key question now is will LATIN AMERICAN countries lean more toward CHINA or the UNITED STATES, or will it find a way to balance the two against each other? Right now, LATIN AMERICAN countries are increasingly confident thanks to burgeoning economic and political integration by way of trading blocs, and they're demanding to be treated as an equal player.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">CHINA’S ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT IN LATIN AMERICAN GEOPOLITICS</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As a sign of its growing importance, CHINA and the UNITED STATES have courted LATIN AMERICA more than usual. In May, the US President visited MEXICO and COSTA RICA while the US Vice President visited COLOMBIA, BRAZIL, and TRINIDAD and TOBAGO. Shortly after these trips, President Xi went to MEXICO and COSTA RICA to foster economic cooperation.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Background Information</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #cc0000;">:</span> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/03/latin-america-and-europe.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/03/latin-america-and-europe.html</a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">CHINA’S active involvement in LATIN AMERICAN geopolitics can be traced back to 2009. Chinalco, CHINA’S largest mining company signed a $2.2 billion deal with PERU to build the Toromocho mine and a $70 million wharf in the Callao port. Since then, PERU has sent 18.3 percent of its exports to CHINA, making CHINA PERU’S largest trading partner. CHINA’S imports to PERU, however, rank second with 13.7 percent of the market while the UNITED STATES holds first place with 24.5 percent.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">China has the upper hand with the LATIN AMERICAN leftist countries in terms of infrastructure and technology. In 2009, CHINESE telephone manufacturer ZTE played an instrumental role in assembling the first mobile phone in VENEZUELA known as “El Vergatario” (VENEZUELA slang for optimal). VENEZUELA introduced this new phone to low-income families making it the world’s cheapest phone ($6.99 for a handset). Additionally, CHINA landed rail construction projects in ARGENTINA and VENEZUELA and has become a major buyer of farm products and metal in SOUTH AMERICA. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ARGENTINA’S SOARING SOY EXPORT TO CHINA</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcBH2AshsAOul-ZJzCm4uNQ6IW2mvey7Ac6A_cL3ma73Gzj17w0OQPsYizfXjq7hGVdojYHvrpdu2qAKSwAahbLVzitVLYZ1ye_JgVhGSUjc_Y57BfMnR4pubp41NFl3V4TOxDTA5U7ZG/s1600/soybean_graph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcBH2AshsAOul-ZJzCm4uNQ6IW2mvey7Ac6A_cL3ma73Gzj17w0OQPsYizfXjq7hGVdojYHvrpdu2qAKSwAahbLVzitVLYZ1ye_JgVhGSUjc_Y57BfMnR4pubp41NFl3V4TOxDTA5U7ZG/s200/soybean_graph.jpg" width="200" /></a></b></div><br />  <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Between 2011 and 2012, CHINA purchased nearly 58.02 million tons of soy from ARGENTINA, up from 52 million in 2011 and 2010.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">CHINA has also maintained an active market with BRAZIL. CHINESE Oil Company Sinopec and CHINA Development Bank offered BRAZILIAN oil company Petrobras a $10 billion loan in 2009 in return for hundreds of thousands of barrels per day. In 2011, three CHINESE metal companies purchased BRAZILIAN mining company Companhia Brasileira de Metalurgia e Mineracao.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"> </div><div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Background Information:</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/03/latin-american-economics.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/03/latin-american-economics.html</a></span></div></div><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">CHINA’S boldest move in the region is the possible construction of a massive <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/06/13/nicaragua-approving-handing-massive-canal-project-to-little-known-chinese/">CANAL IN NICARAGUA</a>. NICARAGUAN President Daniel Ortega pushed the National Assembly to approve the multi-billion dollar plan in June. The NICARAGUAN canal would have a larger draft, length, and depth than the PANAMA and SUEZ canals, and the enactment granted a HONG KONG-based company permission to build and control the canal for nearly 100 years. The approval of this plan, however, raised the ire of environmentalists and neighboring COLOMBIA, which recently lost 70,000 square kilometers of its CARIBBEAN maritime territory to NICARAGUA before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Last May, COLOMBIAN diplomat Noemi Sanin claimed that CHINA had influenced ICJ’s decision. According to Sanin, CHINESE justice Xue Hanqin knew beforehand about NICARAGUA’S intention to grant the canal construction to CHINA since Xue was a colleague of Carlos Arguello, a role-player in the maritime case. There is no evidence for this, but it shows COLOMBIA’S anxiety of CHINA’S growing clout in the region and how it can upset balances of power.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">USA STILL TOP TRADE PARTNER OF LATIN AMERICA</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The UNITED STATES hasn’t lost LATIN AMERICA, and is unlikely to lose it completely. It is still the region’s top trade partner. The UNITED STATES has recently signed free-trade agreements with COLOMBIA and PANAMA, and maintains other trade agreements with PERU, CHILE, and MEXICO. CENTRAL AMERICAN and several CARIBBEAN countries rely upon U.S. military cooperation in an attempt to curtail drug trade. Nevertheless, the post 9/11 years severely eroded U.S.-LATIN AMERICAN relations as the Bush administration focused heavily on the war on terror, often ignoring issues in LATIN AMERICA.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES ARE ALSO ENCOUNTERING A MORE CONFIDENT AND MORE UNIFIED LATIN AMERICA</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6215JFUvB2PMlDWl3U8_mmhtL8RW-cymwRxG_hbkRqra5-wPIdVrm3PHPfduxXkqrN5JDeeg88VCXpSg4KkTLlKd3p2t5B0SbeNWXT5qdJzMIBBK6nuGhqrUDBOJnrRPX5wQSCUP-175k/s1600/china-brazil-flag1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6215JFUvB2PMlDWl3U8_mmhtL8RW-cymwRxG_hbkRqra5-wPIdVrm3PHPfduxXkqrN5JDeeg88VCXpSg4KkTLlKd3p2t5B0SbeNWXT5qdJzMIBBK6nuGhqrUDBOJnrRPX5wQSCUP-175k/s200/china-brazil-flag1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is a region that has sought autonomy in its own affairs by way of rising blocs such as the Community of LATIN AMERICAN and CARIBBEAN STATES, MERCOSUR, and the BOLIVARIAN Alliance for the AMERICAS (ALBA), among others. BRAZIL, LATIN AMERICA’S largest economy, also seeks a prominent role the region with large investments in research and development and the introduction of social programs to revamp the middle class. BRAZIL has jumped into the global economic debates, calling out CHINA, the UNITED STATES, and other industrialized countries over the so-called “currency wars." In 2010, BRAZILIAN Finance Minister Guido Mantega criticized these nations for policies that weakened exchange rates that in turn affected the real currency value and BRAZILIAN exports. Since then, BRAZIL has pursued a more significant role among the world’s 20 most advanced countries known as the G-20.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"> </div><div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Background Information:</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">POLITICAL IGNORANCE REGARDING LATAM</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2011/07/global-financial-monopoly-game-part-2.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2011/07/global-financial-monopoly-game-part-2.html</a></span></div></div><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">LATIN AMERICAS EMERGING PACIFIC ALLIANCE</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b>Both the UNITED STATES and China use infrastructure investment, diplomacy, and trade as leverage, but LATIN AMERICA wants to be seen as a socioeconomic partner, not a subordinate. The PACIFIC Alliance, for example, hopes to become a powerful bloc that can stand up to the world’s two super powers. Comprised of COLOMBIA, PERU, CHILE, COSTA RICA, MEXICO, and possibly soon PANAMA, the PACIFIC ALLIANCE is a new economic bloc that seeks economic integration oriented toward ASIA-PACIFIC markets. </div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Background Information:</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/05/south-america.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/05/south-america.html</a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Additionally, the PACIFIC ALLIANCE can become a springboard for other LATIN AMERICAN nations with a Pacific shore to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a proposed free-trade agreement among ASIA-PACIFIC, MEXICO, PERU, CHILE, CANADA, and the UNITED STATES. Being part of the PACIFIC ALLIANCE is significant, because for countries like COSTA RICA, it would otherwise be an unlikely candidate for the TPP. Taken together, the PACIFIC ALLIANCE’S GDP totals $3 trillion, making it easier to integrate itself to the TPP and for it to fight for better terms. The UNITED STATES will still hold the lion’s share of the TPP with an economy that hovers around $13 trillion—but an alliance worth $3 trillion will give it more leverage than it would otherwise have. The battle for influence in LATIN AMERICA may have the effect of pushing the countries closer together, allowing them to stand up to both the UNITED STATES and CHINA.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">More articles on CHINA'S foreign policies:</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/07/china-and-its-relation-with-africa-and.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/07/china-and-its-relation-with-africa-and.html</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/07/mali-and-chinas-western-foreign-policy.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/07/mali-and-chinas-western-foreign-policy.html</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/09/chinas-winning-strategy-in-africa.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/09/chinas-winning-strategy-in-africa.html</a></div></div>

US AND CHINA BATTLE IT OUT FOR LATIN AMERICA

LATIN AMERICA AND ITS ABUNDANCE OF NATURAL RESOURCES By Robert Valencia via ISN Security Watch Apparently CHINA is vying for greater econ...