ARTICLE: China Expands Military Training for Youth, NewsMax, September 5, 2007 12:41 PM I find this almost hilarious on both counts: 1) that the Chinese are freaking about their selfish "little emperors" and think boot camp will fix them (a universal itch many governments are tempted to scratch--recall our frequent flirtations with boot camp models to cure the ills of modern youth), and 2) that our media construes such efforts as frighteningly indicative of future threat. Really, it's pathetic on both counts. Our media sees cause rather than symptom: China engages in such stuff overwhelmingly for ideological purposes. If you think some militaristic version of Cub Scouts is going to be China strategic ace in the hole in future high-tech warfare against America, then I've got a Politiburo seat for you. This kind of program reveals Beijing's fears (very justified) that the country's raising a very materialistic generation of kids with little to no interest in security affairs, so it tries to force feed them some--before it's too late! Sad to see a formerly totalitarian regime being reduced to such pathetic efforts to win hearts and minds among its own population. Care to bet what percentage would show up if it wasn't compulsory? That's the whole point! (Thanks: CitSAR)