Never before, in the history of the American nation, has a Speaker of the House disregarded the cautionary warnings of the President and the Pentagon to embark on a visit to Asian nations, a visit that includes a stop in Taiwan. Whether it was for two days or two minutes, the very act was viewed as a provocation by China, and rightly so. At some point in the last several decades China, Japan, and Korea have claimed all or part of Taiwan. Even though Chairman Mao said Taiwan was not part of China, much has transpired in history since World War II and Mao's transformation of a peasant society.

Taiwan, after World War II, was a refuge for Chinese and Europeans, several of them missionaries, fleeing the Communist takeover of the Chinese mainland. China also dispelled the occupiers - the Japanese who, since the 1930's had ravaged both China and Korea. Who can forget the infamous "Rape of Nanking" (actually a book written by Iris Chang) which fits into the same categories of Nazi atrocities. 

We have no business wading into the  complexities of Chinese-Taiwanese-Japanese affairs. Previous presidents and secretaries of state recognized this. Americans like Douglas MacArthur recognized the Chinese genius and what it would mean for the future of America.

Yet, in one ill-thought out moment, Speaker Pelosi has offered up a conflict of perhaps massive proportions. Winston Churchill might have said we bet on the wrong horse. That is certainly true in Europe where energy concerns, or a lack of it may unravel the EU. I'm glad I still have a few Deutsch Marks and Drachmas for my next visit.