The Chinese culture is beautifully decorated with fables and stories and folklore, but maybe the Red Chinese leadership should brush up on its Joel Chandler Harris. And the story about Br'er Rabbit and the briar patch.
Word came this week that the ChiComs have imposed sanctions on nearly a dozen Americans in retaliation for U.S. sanctions on some of their own. One of the Americans targeted by the Chinese is Tom Cotton, a United States senator from Arkansas. The Chinese were looking for some payback, and Tom Cotton just so happens to be vocal, and televised, when criticizing the government of mainland China.
The story in the paper said Sen. Cotton has called Red China an enemy of the United States--he must have eyes that see--and has introduced "at least 15 pieces of China-related legislation over the past three years ... ."
Also, the former Army captain and war vet isn't shy about what he thinks about the crackdown in Hong Kong, or of mainland China's treatment of ethnic minorities.
(We keep emphasizing "mainland" China, for the People's Republic of China, headquartered in Beijing, is neither the people's, a republic, or representative of all Chinese. The free Chinese hold meetings in Taiwan.)
For Tom Cotton's part, he's wearing the ChiCom sanctions as a badge of honor, as you knew he would: "Chinese Communism is the most dangerous threat to freedom in the world, and I will never back down from fighting it. If China thinks my opposition to communist tyranny to date warrants these sanctions, I have two words for them: just wait."
Note to Beijing: You have given Tom Cotton more gravitas and conservative bona fides, and he didn't necessarily need your help. Many of his constituents are glad to see him articulately, and accurately, describe the Beijing government. And cheer him on when he does.