Amy continues the story of her father, recalling that he was arrested for supposedly joining the secret service of the opposing government.  He was scheduled to be executed.  Amy explains that, to do business in Shanghai prior to the communist takeover, you had to pay protection money to gangsters.  The ceremony involved buying dinner for the gang leaders and committing yourself to them as "brothers".  The gang boss introduced Amy's father to someone more important since he was doing business in multiple parts of the country. The more important person happened to be the head of the Kuomintang secret service.  The leader didn't want political assistance, he just wanted money.

Amy explains that the secret service agent had originally been part of the communist party, before defecting to the Kuomintang. He then decided he wanted to defect back to the CCP.  Amy's father was sent by the CCP to determine if he actually wanted to defect.  If he had not defected, Amy's father would have been executed by the CCP.  Amy had just been born at the time.  Amy's father did not know if he would see his family again.

The first time Amy's father attempted to contact the secret service leader, he found the mans girlfriend and asked where he lived.  She didn't know the location of his home, but knew that his wife had breakfast at the same location every week.  Amy's father acted as though he was delivering money to the secret service leaders wife, but then questioned her and found out where the secret service leader lived.  Amy's father returned to the CCP and reported what he had found out. They did not kill him. However, Amy's father was completely controlled by the CCP from that point on. He eventually had his business confiscated.

Nan describes CCP manipulation of the US starting with Henry Kissinger.  Nan says that in the 2021 UC school year 286,000 students were admitted, 40,000 were foreign, close to 26,000 of those are from China.  Nan explains that foreign or out of state students pay more than in State students and the majority of Chinese students have their tuition payed by the Chinese Communist Party. Nan suggests that if the CCP is directly paying the UC system billions, they will want something in return.  He explains that UC Berkley has entered into a "University/Government/Industry collaboration model" in 2014. The institute is called the Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute. They focus on advanced research in AI, new energy technology, environmental science and precision medicine and health care.  Tsinghua is the leading civil/military fusion development institution directly under the control of Xi Jinping.  Nan explains the Tsinghua has been integral to China's military technology development, including advance rocket technology and China's original nuclear weapon development. Tsinghua currently boast the fastest computer in the world.  The advisory committee included Huawei, ZTE, Tencent, Cisco, Apple and Applied Material. 

Billy suggests that the US universities and corporations are intending to do civilian research, but they are actually supporting the Chinese military.

David suggests that, if China has sweatshops, then they can't really be communist. He suggests that China is actually a corporate state, where monopolies run the country.  Amy thanks David for his input and suggests that lots of definitions should have new interpretations. 

Nan does not think China is Capitalist, because it does not have a free market, using the CCP's treatment of Jack Ma as an example.

Paul likes the discussion of whether China is Communist.  He asks Amy what prison conditions were like in China, being a prison guard himself.  Amy explains that she was in a forced labor camp, not a prison. Thought she points out that all of China is a jail.  She explains that they did not make enough money in a month to send a letter.  She also explains that you had to eat scavenged roots to have enough food.  Paul explains that his wife is Chinese an

Unfortunately, Dr. Lawrence Sellin couldn't join us today, but Michael Olsen recounts several of his answers to some rather poignant questions.

Amy mentions the 100th anniversary of the CCP, with the huge celebration in Tienanmen Square, where the CCP attempted to make themselves look like peacemakers.

Amy shared her "Memories of Father" video and reconnected with some old friends who lost their own fathers. Amy will tell their stories, when she finishes her fathers story.

Returning to her fathers story, Amy explains that he was 33 years old when he returned to China, believing that the CCP would build a more just society with free education for all. They needed the business people to come back to China, because they did not have the wealth or ability to run the country.

Amy recalls, that during the Korean war, the CCP wanted business people to donate money to buy airplanes for the war effort. Everyone was required to donate money or supplies. Amy's father's business had to use clay to make their products, because of supply shortages. Her father's friend was making educational stationary and other supplies. He acquired some plastic to make rulers, but the CCP insisted he needed to make supplies for the military. He didn't have enough money to buy the materials. He was told he would be a patriotic hero and was given an IOU.

After the war, a movement was started to eliminate all the anti-revolutionaries. The business owners who were owed money were accused of being anti-revolutionaries, such that they would not be paid back. Amy's father's friend was falsely accused and executed.

Fortunately, Amy's Father was not asked to supply the military directly. After the Korean war, Amy's father was arrested for allegedly failing to disclose his former associations with the previous government. He was scheduled for execution, but fortunately he was not killed.

Michael Olsen mentions Xi saying that "you may live some other place, but you are still part of our family" and asks Amy if she has ever felt any pressure from the CCP. Amy explains that in the early 1990's, her father intended to write a book about his life. However, an acquaintance in San Francisco was imprisoned for being a triple agent. He was killed or committed suicide in prison by putting a plastic bag on his head. Amy suggested to her father that he should not write the book, because she did not want a plastic bag to end up on his head.

Michael Olsen mentions that he just got blacklisted by Google. Billy explains Michael's many rolls in the community, including a recent episode of his Metro Farm radio show, which was blacklisted, apparently for reporting on the financial supporters of gain of function research.

Michael mentions that Critical Race Theory is very similar to the mass movements in Communist China. Michael suggests such movements are a slippery slope and asks Amy if she sees parallels in the US. Amy says she does see similarities, but people in the US naively believe "it can not happen here".

Michael describes the lack of answers to the origin of the pandemic. "When no one is forthcoming, it leaves everyone free to speculate." Michael suggests the three main theories are: a natural origin, a lab leak or an intentional release. All three theories have China in common.

Michael describes Dr. Lawrence Sellin's involvement at US Army Institute of Infectious Diseases at Fort Detrick Maryland. He described the main purpose of the lab as being, finding ways for the troops to survive viruses. He's now a widely published expert on Covid-19. Dr. Lawrence Sellin recently published an article stating that Covid-19 was a biological attack by the CCP. Michael had asked Dr. Sellin if he ever foresaw our current pandemic when working at Fort Detrick. He said he did not, because they were not working on offensive viruses.

Michael asked why it is Dr. Sellin looks at the bio-weapon hypothesis, but mainstream media does not. His answer was that ou

Amy describes a video she made called "Memories of Father" for her father for Fathers day. Her father passed away in 2008.  The first photo was of her father at age 16 leaving for Hong Kong. When he returned 16 years later, the communists had taken over.  At the time, the overseas Chinese businessmen were asked to come back to China to help build a new better country.  Amy's father had believed that the new country would have freedom, democracy and opportunity.  Amy's father had experience manufacturing automobile parts during the Japaneses occupation, as well as import/export experience with British cigarettes. Believing every child should have an education, he wanted to supply teaching equipment.

At age 13, he had been working as an operator for a telephone company. He had practiced at home, such that he could perform his task with his eyes closed.  He had been caught reading a book during work hours, but the business owner thought he was very smart. The business owner asked to meet his parents and offered to send him to Shanghai to study. The only catch was that he would no longer be earning a salary from the telephone company. 

At the time, Amy's father was 15, had never attended High School and he was being sent to College.  The first year he was able to do well. About two years later, warlords had started a war. The businessman who was supporting him had joined an army and been killed. So, Amy's father's financial support was gone.  He decided embark on "his own adventure" and go to Hong Kong. 

Returning to China at age 32, he believed that every child would have the chance to go to school under the CCP.  He had assets in Hong Kong and founded his teaching equipment business.  "The CCP promised everything", invited all the businessmen back, made them enemies of the state and confiscated their assets.

Amy draws a parallel between the betrayal of Chinese businessmen in her fathers time and the betrayal of Hong Kong, pointing out that Hong Kong was supposed to remain independent for 50 years and it only did for 24 year.

Billy describes the shut down of Apple Daily in Hong Kong, as well as the sabotage of The Epoch Times' printing press.  Billy points out the roll of the press in the development of the United States.  Nan describes how Hong Kong media had self censored in order to maintain advertising relationships with Chinese businesses. As a result, the number of truly independent news organizations dwindled.

Billy asks Amy about the fall of independent Chinese newspapers when she was young. Amy explains that by the time she was born, the only thing that was real in the news "was the date", saying it was more true to believe the opposite of what the newspapers said.

Billy points out that Hong Kong citizens "know what freedom is like".  Now there are military and police occupying Hong Kong.  Billy points out the economic success of Hong Kong. Billy asks if Hong Kongers will leave?  Amy points out she has a friend in Hong Kong, who in 1997 said that people there were happy to join China, but the friend was scared, because they suspected their freedom would be gone soon.  Nan describes how many Hong Kong citizens, with a little money, moved to the United Kingdom or applied for citizenship in another country, like Canada. 

Nan mentions that people living in Hong Kong always enjoyed a lot of freedom.  Though the right to vote was only granted in 1994, individual rights were protected under British law. Nan describes how the Tienanmen Square Massacre greatly concerned the United Kingdom a great deal and, as a result, they started elections in Hong Kong.

Nan recalls that in 1983, Voice of America was broadcasting in China and part of their program was "bible study".  Nan says they offered free mail order Bibles. When it was discovered that he requested one, he was almost denied his diploma.

Nan mentions that Apple Daily

Amy continues the story of the medicine woman who's medicine stopped the mothers bleeding after a difficult childbirth. Amy was curious to learn more from the woman, and curious why she lives far from the village as a punishment. Amy was visiting her often to learn how to treat various conditions, including malaria and leprosy. She visited with a few "barefoot doctor" friends, hoping she would join their team, but the CCP had labeled her as a "class enemy". The villagers loved her, because she saved peoples lives.

Amy asked her why she spoke Mandarin and she explained that she was from a different province. She explained that her father was a herbal doctor and their family owned quite a bit of land. Because her father had saved many lives, he was given a warning by a local CCP official that upcoming land reform would take their land away and they would be executed. So they evacuated to Yunnan province, hoping to eventually leave China. A local land lord had given them some land to farm when they arrived.

After not too long, land reform came to Yunnan as well. The family explained to the CCP that they had recently arrived to Yunnan. But when the Cultural Revolution arrived, the Red Guard the family was interrogated and forced to denounce each other. The family was facing execution. The father and mother chose suicide by poison. The daughter was allowed to live.

At some later point, a Liberation Army officer was sick with malaria. The medicine woman treated him, but it was too late. The officer died. The soldiers decided to send her to a leper village as punishment where she was put in a cage to die. However, the lepers let her out in exchange for medicine, which she provided. They then helped her survive and make a home on the hillside.

Nan introduces Professor Victor Davis Hansen.

Nan asks Professor Victor Davis Hansen what he thinks about the possibility of the US canceling our debt to China. Professor Hansen does not believe that China feels any remorse for the spread of COVID, and probably would not be willing to pay for it, even if they did. He would rather address the question of how aware China or the US is of the way the virus appeared and was spread. He suggests that there are clear reasons why a connection between the WIV laboratory and the spread of the disease. Professor Hansen mentions how clever the CCP was to accuse Trump of racism for suggesting a lab connection. He also mentions Dr. Fauci's complicity in the funding of the research.

Amy suggests we have overwhelming evidence of a lab leak and asks whether the Biden administration would do anything about it. Professor Hansen suggests that the Biden admin was heavily invested in the "narratives" which denied the possibility of a lab leak, but now that so much evidence has come out the admin is "embarrassed".

Amy asks about China's concerns at not being invited to the G7 meeting and asks if the G7 meeting will really do something to contain China. Professor Hansen points out that China is a much greater threat than Russia, suggesting that China has far greater resources and has taken full advantage of the Left in the US. Professor Hansen describes the control China has over Wallstreet and US entertainment.

Nan describes China's "Anti-foreign Sanctions Law", describing how all of Chinese society is supposed to act to resist foreign, human rights based, sanctions. Professor Victor Davis Hansen suggests that the risk vs the benefit of

"Basically telling people like Bill Gates or Michael Bloomberg" that the CCP now "overtly demands fealty from you". He suggests that China wants everyone to know who has been bought, with the confidence that they will control the global system soon anyway.

Billy asks if there is anything we can do about China's rise to power and Mob like behavior. The Professor suggests that their Universities and Military are merit based, while ours no longer are. He suggests that China is a little premature, but that the

Amy takes us back a half century to a remote area in China. Amy had been trained in Shanghai as a medical assistant. She had become a "barefoot doctor" at age 16, working with peasant farmers in the rice fields. She had only received about 6 months training and was scared by the medical situations she was asked to assist with. Amy recalls that there were "medicine men" and "medicine women" in the rural areas who were knowledgeable with herbs.

She, a "barefoot doctor" associate and a "medicine man" friend would travel together to the 18 villages they were responsible for.

She recalls a young kid who was chocking. Amy used a straw to suck the blockage out of his throat.

There was a "medicine woman", skilled at helping with childbirth. Amy found out she had been sent away, but no explanation was given. Amy was assigned to help with a birth in which the baby did not come out. When the baby finally did come out, the woman was bleeding badly. Amy set out after the "medicine woman". They had a long hike, but eventually found her. She had some medicine that had to be prepared.

When they returned with the medicine and gave it to the woman, her bleeding stopped within two hours.

Amy was curious why the medicine woman had been sent away. She said she would tell her later. Amy recalls that malaria and leprosy were common in the region. Amy still uses the herb the medicine woman had shown her.

Billy describes the latest news, which seems to be indicating that there is a good deal of evidence that COVID-19 had leaked from a laboratory in Wuhan.

Nan describes our guest former General Paul Vallely. Nan asks General Vallely what he thinks of the US Innovation and Competition Act. General Vallely isn't convinced the bill will be effective and wants to see a more final version before forming an opinion.

Nan mentions that Trump has proposed canceling all US debt held by China and convincing other western countries do the same. General Vallely suggests that his "Stand Up For America" foundation had made the same proposal some time ago. He says that the interest being paid on that debt is very high. General Vallely says that we know the WIV is the source of the virus and that the spread of the virus was intentional. General Vallely suggests interest on Chinese treasuries should be withheld to compensate for the damages caused by COVID-19.

Amy asks what General Vallely thinks about Biden's administration, specifically with regards to the US Innovation and Competition Act. General Vallely mentions that legislative acts can take a long time to take effect and we'll have to wait and see what effect it has.

Billy asks what General Vallely thinks China's response would be if we don't pay our debt. The General thinks they will be very upset. Billy asks if it would provoke a war. General Vallely does not think China wants a war with their likely adversaries. He does, however, think China will try to take Taiwan at some point in time.

Nan mentions rumors that there is a high level Chinese military defector who has provided information on the virus, specifically that the virus was intentionally released. General Vallely mentions that he doesn't have info on the defector, but that high level CCP officials have talked about using bio weapons. He mentions flights being closed in China, while hundreds of thousands of Chinese citizens flew to various foreign countries.

Billy asks how the military protects its self from these sorts of weapons. General Vallely explains that they go through gas, nuclear and biological war training. He suggests that the US has focused more on nuclear and chemical weapons.

Amy mentions Chinese propaganda suggesting that the US caused the virus and that the US wants a nuclear war.

General Vallely does not think the current US administration would act to cancel the debt, citing many US politicians he believes are compromised by the CCP.

Nan describes other aspects of the US Innovation and Co

Amy begins by talking about a 25 lb food ration coupon. She recalls that, as long as she remembered, having been born in 1952, there was always a food ration coupon.  Amy recalls her Christian god mother, who ran a children's hospital.  The woman became her godmother after helping to care for Amy.

Her husband was a surgeon, but was starving to death in jail. His English was very good. He was accused of being a spy and tortured to elicit a confession.  After he died, Amy's godmother was told to confessed.  She was the kind of person for whom dignity is more important than life. She decided to hang herself. Her son was called to denounce her dead body in front of the community.  He was not able to use cremation services for a denounced person. So, the son had to take the body in type of bicycle used for carrying goods.

Amy's mother found a collection of food coupons in her house. Amy assumes her godmother saved the food coupons and had put them in a place she knew Amy's mother would find them.

Amy remembers her father writing Mao's quotations in letters to make them so boring the censors would not read the whole letters. That way you could communicate important info further down the letter.

When Amy returned home, she was told the news about her godmother and given the food coupons.  She returned to the labor camp in Kunming to get her fathers letters. There was an inn which would serve you if you had both money and a coupon.  Amy recalls meeting a friend there and buying him a rice noodle. He was extremely hungry, because there was no food in his village. Amy assumed she had more coupons than she would need. So, she gave them to her friend.

Amy found out later that her friend had been arrested for selling coupons. His legs were chained and he was working, under very harsh conditions, in the fields.  Amy blamed herself for a long time for giving him the coupons.  When Amy went to a reunion many years later, she found out that her friend had been helped by a young lady who arranged for his release. He married the gild and moved to Shanghai, where they ran a rice noodle shop.

Nan introduces Zhou Fengshuo, describing his education and his role organizing the Tiananmen Square demonstrations among many other accomplishments.

Zhou Fengshuo describes Humanitarian China, describing their focus on human rights and work assisting political prisoners in China.  They are based in the SF Bay Area.

Billy asks Zhou if he plans to sneak back into China again. He answers that he will continue to look for opportunities. He believes "there must be a crack in the wall and we must find it."  He remembers the last time he snuck in he thought "only god could open this door for me".

Amy recalls the Chinese and US leaders since Tiananmen Square. She asks Zhou if he things the human rights are improving in China. He answers that it is getting worse, mentioning that the CCP was willing to use tanks on its own people.  He mentions Trumps hard stance on China and is glad to see Biden following suit, though he mentions that peace with China was the wrong choice.  Zhou mentions various forms of political repression in China, Hong Kong and even extending to measures against US citizens for their stance on Hong Kong.

Nan asks if there was anything the Tiananmen Square demonstrating students could have done better.  Zhou recalls a failure to better communicate with sympathetic members at many levels, mentioning that "Freedom was within reach". 

Billy asks how many students were effectively removed from society as a result of the crackdown. Zhou admits we will probably never know how many people died.  Zhou explains that the families of those who were killed are still living in fear of speaking out for their loved ones. 

Amy asks if, in the last 32 years, has anything on the incident been published in China. Zhou says that the youth in China do not know about the event.  He mentions that, some of the propaganda materials released immediately in the a

Amy continues telling stories about her mother. She recalls that her generation all wanted to be "Mao's Children", not traditional nurturing people like her mother. Her father had produced teaching equipment before being denounced by the Red Guard.

He had health problems which required medical attention. However, there was an "unbelievable" circumstance wherein the surgeons had been forced to be janitors and the janitors surgeons. By some luck, there happened to be an actual formal surgeon on duty the evening Amy's dad required surgery, because he was recently discharged from being a surgeon in the military. Still, "class enemy's" could not receive blood. So, Amy's family had to find "type O" blood for her father.

Amy's mother made an appeal to the revolution committee to make an exception for her father or to find someone with the right blood type who would help. Amy's mother did not cry or beg, she simply made an honest case to request a letter to allow blood to be used from the hospital blood bank. The committee chair decided to "take a chance" and write the letter.

Amy comments that, the reason why she thinks the CCP is evil, is that it forced people to "go against humanity", causing conflict and strife between everyone. She considers it very lucky to have had a real surgeon and to have gained the letter. In that moment the evil was not there. Perhaps it was a miracle.

After undergoing a major surgery in which 2/3rds of his stomach was removed, Amy's father survived till age 91. Amy comments that her mother was resilient throughout. Amy comments that her father was very nice to people and that may have contributed to their willingness to help him.

Nan comments that the situation with the janitors acting as surgeons would quickly reverse as soon as a party official needed a surgery.

Billy describes the video in which John Cena "grovels" to his Weibo followers. Billy also mentions that the Taiwanese flag was removed from the Top Gun main characters jacket in the remake of the film. Nan mentions that Mission Impossible had a scene in Shanghai was removed at the request of the CCP.

Nan describes various business interests, including the NBA, who have major interests in China. He also talks about Taiwan's access to the WHA.

Nan introduces Justin Chen, Vice President of San Jose Taiwanese Community Care Network. Billy asks him what his impression was of John Cena's apology. Mr. Chen describes a k-pop singer making a similar apology. He also recalls the NBA's recent behavior. Mr. Chen believes that John Cena's behavior and the behavior of others is "ludicrous".

Mr. Chen suggests that all the evidence shows that Taiwan is its own country, citing all the factors that make a country autonomous. Billy compares Taiwan's independence to property rights based on use.

Amy points out that Taiwan's government is independent and democratic. Mr. Chen suggests that a better question to ask is, what evidence is there than Taiwan is not a country? He describes how Taiwan transformed from authoritarian to democratic rule. He suggests that a "street poll" in Taiwan would show "a minority that would think otherwise", but the majority does consider Taiwan an independent country. He suggests that the diplomatic suppression has effected the Taiwanese peoples psychology. He believes it would be a "great joy" for Taiwan to be internationally recognized, but points out that, regardless Taiwan will continue to thrive.

Amy asks about a CCP identification system for Taiwanese to operate and invest in Main Land China. Mr. Chen describes some details in cross channel investment. He suggests there is "risk and reward" and questions whether all the risks are accounted for. Nan suggests that it is very difficult for Taiwanese to get their money out of Main Land China. Mr. Chen suggests that it is like a "casino".

Billy asks what we can do to get Taiwan recognized as a country. Mr. Chen suggests that when recognizing Taiwan is in the national intere

Amy describes how she posted some photos to her friends this year, instead of writing a story about her mother. She was shocked when another person wrote the story of their mother and step mother, both high ranking communist party members. One of the mothers was very passionate about the revolution, had gone to Yan'an and gone through rectification, after which she had no feelings for her family.

Amy remembers a little girl she went to school with every day when she was young. During the cultural revolution, she went from being a best friend to attacking, torturing and almost beating Amy to death.  Amy suggests the dramatic change was because their mothers were taught by the CCP not to love their children.

Amy mentions that the current leader of China had also been in prison, though in his case, his mother turned him in to the police. Amy considers herself fortunate that the attempts to brainwash her mother failed and she always loved her family.

Amy considers how, during the Cultural Revolution as well as now, so many people became so bad.  She recalls that her mother did so many things to help other people and never asked anything in return.

Amy recalls a Shanghai acquaintance of her mother, whose father was German and mother Chinese.  She had several kids from a previous marriage. She was a dancer at a night club, desperately hoping to marry someone. Eventually, she married a businessman.  Her husband had left on a trip to Hong Kong, but the communists took over and he could not return, forcing her to borrow money to take care of herself and the kids.  Amy's mother was among those whom she borrowed money from. 

Amy recalls that the government had limited their access to money, so her family did not really have money to give. Eventually, the acquaintances friend moved to Hong Kong.  Amy's mother received a phone call from the acquaintances son, explaining that his mother had passed away and left one request.  She wanted to have Amy's mother personally thanked for all the help she had been given.  Amy asked her mother why she had never heard of her monthly contributions to her friend. Amy's mother replied, "So what? She needed it. At that time I had, and whatever I had I gave.".

Amy recounts that her mother spent 8 months fighting to get Amy's work permit, never giving up until she succeeded.  Amy says that while so many people changed and families fell apart, her mother never changed and never abandoned her love for her family.  For this reason, Amy speculates that her mother was a real angel.

Nan introduces Taiwan's Director General Scott Lai, who explains that Taiwan has previously been excluded from the World Health Assembly. There is hope that Taiwan will be able to attend this year, but there are still doubts.  Mr. Lai explains that Taiwan deserves to participate because Taiwan has demonstrated a world class response to COVID19.  Taiwan provides world class medial treatments at affordable costs. Mr. Lai recommends visiting https://www.medicaltravel.org.tw/

Mr Lai explains that Taiwan has a larger population than 40% of the nations in the world, PRC China insists that they are the only necessary representative.  He sights various reasons that the PRC does not provide representation to the 23 million people of Taiwan. 

Mr. Lai believes Taiwan deserves to join the WHO.  He explains that Taiwan is a major commercial and tourist travel location that must be included to prevent creating a pandemic "loophole".  He hopes that with the increasing momentum they have had, Taiwan will be able to join soon. He explains that out of the 192 WHO members, only 102 pay their fees. Taiwan would defiantly be one to pay their dues if admitted.

Mr. Lai explains that, if Taiwan had been part of the WHO in 2020, Taiwan could have shared its early experience successfully fighting COVID19 with the other member nations.  He mentions the large numbers of surgical masks donated by Taiwan.  Taiwan has recently donated oxygen tanks and oth

Amy begins the story of her mother. It has been 8 years since Amy’s mother passed away. Every year for mothers day, Amy tells a story about her. Amy says that her mother is an Angel. This year, she had a dream about her mother in which she asked her mother if she likes the stories Amy writes about her. Her mother explains that god knows everything. You don’t have to say anymore. Amy wants to ask a question before her mother goes. She asks her Mom if she is a real angle. Her mom tells her, “You will find out for yourself”. Amy decided this year she would not write anything, but she looked for some pictures.

She found a picture from when she was six years old and her mother is 36. There was an eye clinic next door to their place in Shanghai in 1958. They had run a campaign against a certain eye disease that effected children. Amy and her mother were asked to model for the picture.

After Amy’s mother had lost the ability to speak, Amy visited her. She would hold a teddy bear and gesture to it to let Amy know she loved her. Amy suggests that, though she couldn’t speak, she still had a lot to say. “Especially the love, because the love never dies”. Amy posted the pictures on social networks.

When Amy was asked why there was no story this year, she explained the dream. One of Amy’s friends, who used to work for Stanford, told Amy about a friend who had written a book about her mother. When Amy read the book she was shocked that the book described a mother with no feeling, who’s relationship was strictly “class struggle” in the communist mindset. Amy marvels at how someone could raise a family within a Maoist framework.

Amy recalls the Rectification process starting in 1941 as removing peoples humanity. If your party allegiance comes before your family, you are going against humanity.

Amy describes her well educated grandfather who was involved in the building of several resorts near Beijing with British and American partners. Her mother went to a French school and lived a privileged life. Though at age 15, some very negative things happened to her.

When Amy escaped to Hunan, to get away from the communist party officer who tried to sexually assault her, she was put in jail, but then escaped to go back home to Shanghai. Without her work permit, for three years, she was a fugitive. She even hid from the police. She eventually attempted to apply for a resident permit in Shanghai.

Amy’s mother was mostly a home maker and a very gentile person. Amy’s mother went to get Amy’s residential permit back. Amy asserts that because a person is gentile does not mean they are weak. Amy’s mother decided she was going to get the permit or not return. Her mother did not come back for 8 months, facing daily humiliation and not giving up. Amy says that she was a soldier with inner strength drawn from unconditional love.

Michael Olson explains that the term “rectification” means to take something wrong and make it right. He suggests that Amy has not been rectified, because she clearly does not support the CCP. He describes the “Rectification Conference of 1941” as the real beginning of the CCP.

Micheal then recalls the US’s political history quoting from the Declaration of Independence and suggesting that the US and China had solved a similar problem in a very different way. He asks how it is possible that China can commit so many atrocities today and begins by describing the founding of communism in China.

He describes the history of The Long March, leading to Yan’an where Mao finally had a chance to settle down. Micheal recalls the romanticism of Mao’s poetry and idealism written during The Long March. Though the Red Army was depleted, thousands of idealistic youth began flocking to Yan’an. Mao began writing political texts to indoctrinate the newcomers.

To maintain stability

Amy moved to Shanghai in 1979 and moved to the US in 1982. She kept in touch with Mei. When Amy asked Mei about Lei, Mei would not want to remember that painful period. She had a daughter with her new husband and was in charge of a news dept. until she was transferred to represent the state in a private tobacco company. Mei invited Amy to visit at that time for a business conference, but she did not go then. Mei then went back to the government and became a lawyer. Amy asked about Lei again. Mei only told Amy that Lei was OK, had remarried and had two sons.

Amy recalls deciding to never be romantically involved in order to avoid the pain Mei and Lei endured. In 2004 Amy planted a Camellia in her new home, which always reminded her of Lei and Mei. In 2005 Amy decided to visit. She asked for Mei to arrange a visit to the reeducation camp. Mei explained that there were no proper roads and no places to stay.

Mei met Amy at the airport. When they were in the car, Amy asked again about Mei. Mei said, “I will give you a big surprise”. They stayed in a hotel near the 1000 year old Camellia tree. Mei tells Amy that She and Lei will come the next day at 4pm, without their families. Amy was very excited, recalling that the three of them were supposed to meet in 1969. At about 3:30pm, the front desk called to say there was someone there. It was Lei, calling Amy by here nick name “little sister”. After a tearful reunion, he handed Amy the letters he had kept from her. When Amy apologized for not bringing anything, her husband said that she had brought the most important thing of all.

Mei arrived at 4 o’clock and told her chauffeur she would take herself home. Mei recalls looking at a government work order and finding Lei’s name. She called Lei on the phone and reconnected. Lei had ended up as the head of a cultural department.

Nan mentions that often persecuted people ended up rising through the ranks of the CCP, describing the former Prime minister, who was persecuted latter commenting that his abuse was like a mother spanking a child.

While Lei had joined the CCP to become a department head, Lei told Amy privately that he had become a Buddhist.

Nan and Billy introduce Peter Kuo, Vice President of the CA Republican Party. Peter explains that he still has family in Taiwan. They left when his father was blacklisted by the Taiwanese government long before it became a democratic government. Peter’s older brother and parents siblings are in Taiwan. They are all very concerned about the bellicose posturing of the Chinese military. Peter says that the Taiwanese see what happened in Hong Kong and find it very concerning.

Amy has a Taiwanese friend who has invested a lot in Beijing. Amy asks what the political effects are of Taiwanese investment in China. Peter describes a lot of workers and factories moving back to Taiwan after the pandemic. Peter stresses the strategic importance of Taiwan’s semiconductor industry. Peter suggests that investments in China are hard to reclaim.

Nan wants to know what the Biden administration would do if China does attack Taiwan. Peter thought during the election that it was likely that Biden would not defend Taiwan. Now he feels the Biden is sending mixed messages, including some positive overtures to Taiwan.

Billy asks how important the Taiwanese chip industry is for the US. Peter explains that it is very important and that, if China took over Taiwan’s chip industry the US would be “in a world of hurt.”

Amy describes her trip to Taiwan, loving the culture. She also describes the tension between the nationalist Taiwanese and Chinese tourists. Peter describes how Taiwan protects freedom of speech, even more than the US. He explains that speech from opposing parties is considered a good thing. He describes examples of civil discourse between vastly different opinions.

Nan describes a recent Chinese incursion by a larg