General Robert Spalding “Data Is The Equivalent To Power” - China Uber Alles 7/29/2021

Nan introduces General Robert Spalding and welcomes him back to the program. Nan asks General Spalding if he has seen the new missile silo construction in China. General Spalding suggests that we really don’t know if they are active silos, what they might contain or whether they might be decoys. Billy asks why the missile silos are so concentrated. General Spalding suggests that the silos are unexpectedly concentrated, again suggesting that we don’t know what the intention is. General Spalding says that “geography is not the most important factor” and recommends thinking about the world in terms of data, not geography. He points toward China’s intentions with Artificial Intelligence, suggesting that “data is the equivalent to power” in that part of the world.

General Spalding talks about the difference in top US tech companies in 2007 compared to today. He points to the ability of contemporary data collection for the purpose of influencing individual citizens actions is “what we’re talking about”.

Nan wonders if the location of the apparent silos in Xinjiang is related to our criticism of the forced labor camps. General Spalding suggests that China has focused on mobile nuclear missile batteries. He mentions that fixed missile silos would be more indicative of missile defense.

General Spalding suggests that Chinese missile capability is more advanced than the US. With nuclear weapons, they are increasing their stockpile. That said, General Spalding does not think that the US and China would risk a shooting war, given the potential costs. He suggests that the focus is on cyber war and political influence. “What we are talking about is political warfare”, suggesting that undermining our faith in our institutions and convincing people a one party system is superior is their intention.

Billy asks if we can defend ourselves on the internet. General Spalding says we can’t because our government doesn’t have control of businesses or citizens, where the CCP has total control of business and private life. For this reason General Spalding has been advocating for getting CCP influence out of the US.

Amy asks about the potential for China to invade Taiwan. General Spalding does not believe it would result in a direct conflict between the US and China. He does think such a move would provoke the US to try and isolate China, which is why China has been investing in the Belt and Road initiative. He points to the large amount of munitions the CCP has in the South Pacific, suggesting the US will not want a direct war with China.

Amy asks if the CCP thinks of the US as an enemy. General Spalding suggests the CCP has mass indoctrinated their population to be xenophobic and that they do portray the US as adversary. While on an individual basis, the Chinese people are quite friendly, the CCP provokes and directs anger against the US.

General Spalding describes his company, which identifies vulnerabilities in infrastructure, and helps companies to make them secure.

General Spalding recommend that we should reverse the process that began with the CCP’s entry to the WTO. He suggests that the people pushing against that are the ones making money of the relationship. He thinks we will be more prosperous and free if “we can get them out of our system”.

General Spalding’s secure communications company:

Billy poses the question of whether the CCP has become kinder and gentler since the days of Chairman Mao. Nan asks whether China has softened since its admittance to the WTO. The team directs the question to the audience. Nan mentions a recent caller who suggested that China has lifted millions out of poverty.

Mike says “I don’t think America has the will to get it done.” He thinks we’d rather argue about wearing a mask and print money that get it done.

Zack thinks we should make smart consumer choices and purchase made in the US. He’d like to see more countries compete economically with China.

Dan talks about the idea that our founding fathers are hypocrites because it took so long for slavery to end, while at the same time we are purchasing products from China made by people who are in fact slaves today.

Nick wondered if the fruits of Chinese labor benefited the US.

Worm Farm Al asks if it is true that Chinese troops were training in Canada. Billy explains that Chinese troops did indeed train in China. Al thinks we should look at “what we don’t need from China”.

Mark describes two counties (Lander and Elko) in Nevada which are “Constitutional Counties” where the US Constitution is followed to “the tee”. He also describes “the Freedom phone”, which insures users privacy.

Mike asks if we could do a show on trade agreements.

China Uber Alles is a weekly radio show airing Thursdays 2PM - 4PM Pacific Time on KSCO Santa Cruz.

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