The wheel of history...

It really bothers me when I watch a news program, or even talk to someone, and they propose a position on something ("Get rid of the department of education!") without giving any argument or supporting facts or references. This has led me to always try to do so in my own writing. The problem with this is that it makes writing harder and takes up more time, and this often contributes to me never finishing a certain piece. It also tends to suck the enjoyment out of writing. One of the most enjoyable things about writing for me (especially when writing fiction, which I have also gotten out of the habit of,) is the ability I have to control all elements, and to say what I like as I see fit. Want the sky to be green? Done. Want to write as though Russia went to war with China in 2013? Fine.

All of which is getting around to me saying this: While I like to be rigorous in my writings, especially when making arguments, I'm tired of it getting in the way of actually finishing. So, sometimes I'm going to make statements with no backup whatsoever.

Regarding China: As the 20th century was the story of the United States, so the 21st century will be the story of China. Fifty years from now, when historians are writing books, they will point to the war in Iraq as the last gasp of American foreign policy as a superpower.

I have a friend who mentioned she was taking Chinese. She said when she told people about this, she invariably got one of two responses. One: "Oh really? Why?" Two: "Wow, good for you, I need to do that too."