So important the Globe felt the need to editorialize on it:
"Jack Lew’s cheap eats" March 23, 2013
Thirty-six years ago, President Jimmy Carter rattled boardrooms across America by taking aim at tax write-offs for the three-martini lunch — a symbol of taxpayer-subsidized corporate excess. Like many of Carter’s parsimonious proposals, this one got thrown back at him as an example of useless moralizing — Carter was as profligate in his admonitions as the corporations were with their perks.
Yet Carter’s long-ago scolding gained relevance again this week, after Treasury Secretary Jack Lew and two government associates raised eyebrows while on a trip to Beijing by dining out at a restaurant called the Bao Yuan Dumpling House. The total tab came to $17.50. “Lew’s Modest Lunch Tab Feeds Debate,” proclaimed a headline in The Wall Street Journal. The debate, alas, was mainly in China, where ostentatious spending by Communist Party officials has led to recent scandals. Lew set a counterexample. And by all accounts the food was terrific.
I wonder how good he tipped.
Senior US officials and business leaders should also take a lesson from his adventurous dining experience: There are great dumpling houses in the Chinatowns of many US cities — and if they order carefully, three people can eat very well without infuriating the public.
Because more than anything else the Globe wants to maintain the status quo of the political system.
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Related:
"US envoy presses China over hacking, North Korea" March 21, 2013
BEIJING — US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew pressed Chinese leaders over computer hacking and for help with North Korea during two days of talks that ended Wednesday.
Lew’s visit to Beijing was the first high-level contact between the two governments in six months as they reengage following a hiatus during the Chinese leadership transition.
The White House has called for Beijing to take action to stop computer attacks aimed at stealing company secrets. Hundreds of cyberattacks have been traced to China, and a security firm said last month that it found a wave of attacks on 140 companies that originated in a building in Shanghai housing a military unit.
Related:
"An IP address can provide an important clue as to the location of an Internet-connected computer but can be manipulated by hackers operating anywhere in the world."
Yeah, so they could have come from anywhere -- like Israel or Jewish mafia sites in Eastern Europe.
‘‘This is a very serious threat to our economic interests,’’ Lew told reporters. “There was no mistaking how seriously we take this issue.’’
Chinese officials have denied their government is involved and say China also is a victim of cyberattacks.
Also see: US seeks ‘serious’ action by China on hacking
US demands China act to halt network hacking
US rejects report of hacking at French presidency
Yeah, when USrael does it against anyone it's all okay.
Journalist charged with helping hackers
Private firms playing major role against cyberattacks
And cui bono?
Related: Pentagon spreads anti-China hacking lies
The Two Worst Countries in the World
And they are real close, from what I read.
In talks with Chinese leaders, Lew emphasized that Washington sees a distinction between criminal cyberattacks and spying by state-sponsored enterprises, said an American official who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to brief reporters. The official declined to say how Chinese officials responded.
On North Korea, Washington wants Beijing to use its status as the North’s main source of trade and aid to press Pyongyang to discard its nuclear program.
‘‘We made clear that the US views the provocative actions of North Korea as very serious, and we will continue to pursue methods available to change the policy perspective in Pyongyang,’’ Lew said. ‘‘We share a common objective of a denuclearized Korean Peninsula, and we will continue to discuss it.’’
However, asked whether Washington was considering sanctions that might affect Chinese banks, Lew said US leaders want to avoid imposing burdens on the Chinese economy.
Translation: We don't want them dumping their bond holdings and destroying the dollar.
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Time for me to go grab some grub and watch some games, readers; however, I promise I will be back tonight to finish some Slow Saturday Specials.
Also see: Nominated For Your Consideration: Lew Sails Through Senate
