People often ask “where are our representatives” when a crisis happens, and they often show up late to whatever, but then proceed to make bold statements that seldom mean anything at all. The reason for this is because of elections. In the US, image comes before substance, and people want to see somebody who looks ‘tough’ or ‘real’ without necessarily being ‘real’ in his actions. Crises exist to be exploited and managed for the continuation of their tenure in office and expansion of their bank accounts, and if necessary to perpetuate this, helping the people somewhat. This clearly does not apply to all people, but the pattern is there and is undeniable.
It is practically known at this point that the coronavirus is a military weapon that China lost control over. How she acquired it and how the escape happened is debatable, but multiple sources within China and foreign governments have either alluded to or outright said the coronavirus, due to its particular structure and effects, is military in nature.
Without missing a beat, American politicians are now getting on the “coronavirus wagon” and are “getting tough on China”, making “demands” that China “prove” that she did not make this as a military weapon.
Apparently, Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton believes Beijing needs to address these questions, particularly after China’s ambassador to the US Cui Tiankai accused him of “xenophobia” against Chinese people by even suggesting that the virus could have been engineered as a bioweapon.
“I think it’s true that a lot is still unknown and our scientists, Chinese scientists, American scientists, scientists of other countries, are doing their best to learn more about the virus, but it’s very harmful, it’s very dangerous, to stir up suspicion, rumors and spread them among the people,” he said.
“For one thing, this will create panic,” Cui said, adding that it could also foment xenophobia and racist discrimination.
“There are all kinds of speculation and rumors,” he added, noting that there were also conspiracy theories about the virus originating in the United States. “How can we believe all these crazy things?”
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During a Tuesday morning on CNBC, Cotton sounded as convincing as ever, warning that Beijing has repeatedly lied about the outbreak – particularly during the earliest and most critical stages – while China’s refusal to let American or any other international scientists or researchers to assist in the research on the ground in China is also curious, to say the least.
In response to the ambassador’s accusations of fearmongering that have been directed at him, Cotton argued that “what really spreads fear is China lying about the origins of this disease and about the number of people who have it and excluding American and other western scientists from studying it. As far as racism…the Chinese people are the people are most harmed by the Chinese government’s incompetence and duplicity.”
He added that the virus could be the “single biggest threat to the US and Chinese growth this year.” (source)
Now it is true that more research should be done to confirm the actual nature of the coronavirus and its origins.
The point here is that American politicians operate all in a similar manner- they talk a strong like, but their words are just words. They are seldom linked to action, unless it is for political gain.
The US wants a conflict with China, and the coronavirus, however the situation started, is a perfect vehicle to exploit for such and end, especially as the virus will have consequences on the financial markets. The current criticisms are just “jumping on the bandwagon” of the current crisis, and one should likely expect to see more of this as the elections approach.