I do not take offence at your comments.  You have a right to say whatever you want and you can think of me whatever you wish.

However, I do want to let you know that I NEVER post anything I have not read myself.  And why is it important to you that I offer a few comments and/or ask others what they think about the subject? My comments would just be my personal opinion and, therefore, have limited value.  If anyone would like to stimulate discussion they can post their view.  Unfortunately, much of what passes for 'discussion' here is comments from people who already think they know it all and who have absolutely no tolerance for ideas that differ from their own preconceived ones. They believe that an insightful reply is a one-liner rejecting the whole article and/or the author.  Sometimes, simply because the article contains something they see as critical of China. Well, grow up, that is how you learn. Do you think that the policy makers in Beijing only read articles which are favorable to China and present The Heavenly Kingdom in the most positive of lights? Of course not, they want as much information as possible, in order to make the best decisions.

You keep bringing up the moon landing argument.  Simply put, I stated that there are people who question the whole idea that the US ever put anyone on the surface of the moon.  They have come up with arguments that I find interesting and they have led me to the position where I will believe that moon landings happened when I see incontrovertible proof (to me) of their occurrence.  Maybe some day photographs from another country's satellite will show the tracks made by the atronauts (pictures from NASA don't count) and then I will be the first one to admit that I was wrong to doubt the whole affair. What is the big deal with that?  Again, it is JUST MY OPINION!  I do not force my beliefs on anyone else, I do not denigrate or insult another because they happen to see things differently. In another era I might have been burned at the stake because I believed, like Galileo, that the earth was not the center of the Universe.

During my lifetime I have lived in different countries (visited many more) and met many people of different race, religion and cultural background.  It has enriched my life and has taught me to look at more than just one angle of every issue.