↪ The Coming War with China - WSJ

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) regularly practices missile strikes on mock-ups of Taiwanese ports and U.S. aircraft carriers... [View in browser]( I Mar 14, 2023 [Logo The Empire Trading]( Editor's Note: At The Empire Trading, we are serious about being your “eyes and ears” for special opportunities for you to take advantage of. The message below from one of our partners is one we think you should take a close look at. [The Empire Trading] Benjamin Franklin Biography Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was a scientist, ambassador, philosopher, statesmen, writer, businessman and celebrated free thinker and wit. Franklin is often referred to as ‘America’s Renaissance Man’ and he played a pivotal role in forging a united American identity during the American Revolution. Early life Benjamin Franklin benjamin franklinBenjamin Franklin was born 17 January 1706, into a large and poor family. His father had 17 children by two different wives. Benjamin was brought up in the family business of candle making and his brother’s printing shop. Whenever he could, Benjamin would take the opportunity to read and learn about a wide range of subjects, from Sophocles to modern science. Whilst co-workers would take a leisurely lunch break, Benjamin Franklin would pore over books from the bookshop munching on some raisins. At an early age, he also started writing articles which were published in the ‘New England Courant’ under a pseudonym; Franklin wrote under pseudonyms throughout his life. After several had been published, he admitted to his father that he had written them. Rather than being pleased, his father beat him for his impudence. Therefore, aged 17, the young Benjamin left the family business and travelled to Philadelphia. “The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.” -— Benjamin Franklin In Philadelphia, Benjamin’s reputation as an acerbic man of letters grew. His writings were both humorous and satirical, and his capacity to take down powerful men came to the attention of Pennsylvania governor, William Keith. William Keith was fearful of Benjamin’s satire so offered him a job in England with all expenses paid. Benjamin took the offer, but once in England, the governor deserted Franklin, leaving him with no funds. Benjamin Franklin frequently found himself in awkward situations, but his natural resourcefulness and determination always overcame difficult odds. Benjamin found a job at a printer in London. Here he was known as the “Water American” – as he preferred to drink water rather than the usual six pints of beer daily. Franklin remarked there was ‘more nourishment in a pennyworth of bread than in a quart of beer.’ In 1726, a Quaker Merchant, Mr Denham offered him a position in Philadelphia. Franklin accepted and sailed back to the US. On his journey home, Benjamin wrote a list of 13 virtues he thought important for his future life. Amongst these were temperance, frugality, sincerity, justice and tranquillity. He originally had 12, but, since a friend remarked he had great pride, he added a 13th – humility (Imitate Jesus and Socrates.) Virtues of Benjamin Franklin 1. “TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.” 2. “SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.” 3. “ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.” 4. “RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.” 5. “FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.” 6. “INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.” 7. “SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.” 8. “JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.” 9. “MODERATION. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.” 10. “CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.” 11. “TRANQUILLITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.” 12. “CHASTITY. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.” 13. “HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.” Franklin sought to cultivate these virtues throughout the remainder of life. His approach to self-improvement lasted throughout his life. Back in America, Franklin had many successful endeavours in business, journalism, science and statesmanship. Dear Friend, On August 4, The Wall Street Journal published an essay titled "The Coming War Over Taiwan." It said - "For the past decade, China's factories have churned out ammunition and put warships to sea faster than any country since World War II. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) regularly practices missile strikes on mock-ups of Taiwanese ports and U.S. aircraft carriers... Scientific Achievements of Benjamin Franklin Science experiments were a hobby of Franklin. This led to the: Franklin stove – a mechanism for distributing heat throughout a room. The famous kite and key in the thunderstorm. This proved that lightning and electricity were one and the same thing. He was the first person to give electricity positive and negative charges The first flexible urinary catheter Glass harmonica (also known as the glass armonica) Bifocal glasses. Franklin never patented his inventions, preferring to offer them freely for the benefit of society. As he wrote: “… as we enjoy great advantages from the inventions of others, we should be glad of an opportunity to serve others by any invention of ours; and this we should do freely and generously.” Benjamin Franklin as Ambassador Franklin was chosen as an ambassador to England in the dispute over taxes. For five years he held conferences with political leaders as well as continuing his scientific experiments and musical studies. Later on, Franklin played a key role in warning the British government over the dangers of taxing the American colonies. In a contest of wills, Franklin was instrumental in encouraging the British Parliament to revoke the hated Stamp Act. However, this reversal was to be short-lived. And when further taxes were issued, Franklin declared himself a supporter of the new American independence movement. In 1775, he returned to an America in conflict. He was one of the five representatives chosen to draw up the American Declaration of Independence with Thomas Jefferson as the author. Franklin was chosen to be America’s ambassador to France, where he worked hard to gain the support of the French in America’s war effort. During his time in French society, Franklin was widely admired, and his portrait was hung in many houses. At the age of 75, the newly formed US government beseeched Franklin to be America’s representative in signing a peace treaty with Great Britain which was signed in 1783. He was finally replaced as French ambassador by Thomas Jefferson, who paid tribute to his enormous capacity Jefferson remarked; “I succeed him; no one can replace him.” Religious Beliefs of Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin believed in God throughout his life. In his early life, he professed a belief in Deism. However, he never gave too much importance to organised religion. He was well known for his religious tolerance, and it was remarked how people from different religions could think of him as one of them. As John Adams noted: “The Catholics thought him almost a Catholic. The Church of England claimed him as one of them. The Presbyterian’s thought him half a Presbyterian, and the Friends believed him a wet Quaker.” Franklin embodied the spirit of the enlightenment and spirituality over organised religion. Franklin was a keen debater, but his style was to avoid confrontation and condemnation. He would prefer to argue topics through the asking of awkward questions, not dissimilar to the Greek philosopher Socrates. The regime has issued bloodcurdling threats toward the island and countries that might come to its aid. "Those who play with fire will perish by it," Mr. Xi told President Joe Biden last month. Senior U.S. officials warn that China may attack Taiwan in the coming months. No one can say you didn't see it coming. [Here are 4 stocks that will be critical when the Chinese do make their move ]( Mikhail Gorbachev Biography Mikhail Gorbachev was general secretary of the Soviet Union Communist Party from 1985–1991. He was also the first democratically elected President in 1990. Mikhail Gorbachev played a key role in dismantling the Communist grip on power in both the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. His aspirations for democracy and reform opened up the way for the end of the Cold War and the bringing down of the Berlin Wall. He was removed from Presidential office in 1991, during a failed coup attempt. Since leaving office, Gorbachev has worked tirelessly promoting new efforts at social justice and concern for the environment through his own organization, the Green Cross. Mikhail Gorbachev was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in October 1990. gorbachevGorbachev was born in March 1931 in Stavropol, the North Caucasus to a poor peasant family. At the age of 11, the district was occupied by the Germans for three years, a tough time for all in the village. In 1950 he enrolled at Moscow University where he became a member of the Soviet Union Communist Party. It was here that Gorbachev met his future wife, Raisa Maxima, and they married soon after meeting. After gaining a degree in law, Gorbachev made much progress within the Communist party. Gorbachev gained a reputation for being hard-working, honest and a good loyal Communist member. Unlike his other colleagues, he was moderate in drinking and not interested in gaining financial benefits. His dynamism achieved some notable achievements and the respect of party bosses, but he also became aware of the limitations of the Communist system and how the vast bureaucracy was so difficult to change. Gorbacheve believed in socialism but he wished to see it become more efficient and better directed to improving people’s lives. In 1980 he was the youngest Politburo member and in 1985 he was elected General Secretary of the Communist Party. The relatively youthful Gorbachev stood in marked contrast to the previous ageing and fossilised leaders of the Soviet Union. The KGB were happy to see Gorbachev elected as they felt he had the capacity to improve the Soviet Union. They were not aware of how much Gorbachev would change Communism and the Soviet Union. Later some KGB sources said their biggest mistake was Gorbachev. On becoming leader of the Soviet Union, Gorbachev announced two key policies, Perestroika and Glasnost. Perestroika involved reforming the economy and opening it up to market forces. Glasnost involved political reform. This involved freedom of religious expression and individual liberties; it paved the way for democracy and for many political prisoners to be released. It was particularly significant for the Eastern Block. When eastern European economies made calls for democracy, the Soviet Union no longer stood in their way (as they had previously in Hungary and Czechoslovakia). A year after becoming leader, there was a massive explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power station. The multiple failings and efforts to cover up serious safety breaches only reinforced Gorbachev’s view that the Communist system needed serious reform. “The Chernobyl disaster, more than anything else, opened the possibility of much greater freedom of expression, to the point that the system as we knew it could no longer continue. It made absolutely clear how important it was to continue the policy of glasnost, and I must say that I started to think about time in terms of pre-Chernobyl and post-Chernobyl.” “Turning point at Chernobyl”, Japan Times (21 April 2006) On the international scene Gorbachev aspired to end the arms race as he said: “We need Star Peace, not Star Wars.” He built up good relations with US leader Ronald Reagan and especially with UK leader Margaret Thatcher. He surprised the world by offering to make big concessions in the abolition of nuclear weapons. He has been credited with playing a major role in ending the Cold war, in both the East and also the West. In his Nobel Address of June 1991, he offered an optimistic view of how countries might work together to build a better world. "The Buck Stops Here," Dylan Jovine CEO & Founder, Behind the Markets [The Empire Trading] You are receiving our newsletter because you opted-in for it on one of our sister websites. 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