I know that I don't usually get very "political" with my column here. I generally feel that there's plenty of that around these days; with a lot more on the way, I'm afraid. Considering all the "stuff" going on with this virus thing, I hold the Chinese government responsible, to a large extent. I honestly don't have any difficulty with the everyday Chinese people. I kinda feel for them, having to live under the thumb of the government over there. It's probably a pretty sure bet that the government over there didn't start this virus, but I'm sure that they did not do what they should have done in order to keep it from spreading over the world and causing problems for all of us. I consider the Chinese government responsible for the fact that I have missed out on much of an activity to which I look forward every year, covering local high school baseball and softball games. If I get a chance to sue them, I'm going to sue them for that lost opportunity!
Considering the notion that everything that goes on in China leads right back to the government, it stands to reason that anything that is bought from there goes toward benefitting the Chinese government. So, I have decided that when it comes to buying anything Chinese, I say, "Suànle ba (forget it)!"
I began my quest of Chinese boycott a couple of weeks ago. I have to admit that it was much easier to envision in my head than it has been to put into real practice. A short while back, I was helping a friend choose a new television set. Television set shopping is not the best time to attempt a Chinese boycott. It's also a bit difficult to buy underwear without the "Made in China" label. I decided that, after many months of going "bare wristed," I would buy myself a watch. Nothing expensive, just something cool looking that would tell me how long I have to make it to work on time in the morning. No luck there either. I have finally decided that there is one thing I can buy and not have to worry about inadvertently supporting the Chinese government. That is, good old fortune cookies. Those are as American as baseball and apple pie!