The Chinese claim to have developed new technology that enables them to shoot down incoming missiles in mid-air. The Chinese are now producing their own jet fighters, and energetically building a blue-water navy, complete with aircraft carriers. It has been reported that China has surpassed the United States as the number one car buying country, and we all know that everything we buy these days is made in China. Is the 21st the Chinese century? They seem to think so. Me, I’m not so sure. They have a ways to go. They, and other second and third world countries have been able to leapfrog the copper wire age and jump directly into the digital wireless age, all thanks to western technology. And there is much smug punditry about the next man on the moon will be Chinese. But there’s a lot of cultural and institutional experience they leaped over, and must be made up somehow. Right now China is driving a Maserati down a gravel road.
So the Laundrymen have conquered space
At least that’s what they say
They claim that they have won the race
The prize is to Cathay
They claim they’ll shoot our missiles down
They boast A S A T
A bank in every US town
To them A S A P
A billion people buying cars
A billion workers slave
But the road they’re on to distant stars
Still have signs for Burma Shave