Commentary on what a Chinese hard landing would look like, 40 years ago Nixon visited China, what a different ‘halftime in America’ commercial would look like, bailouts, what happens when interest rates go to zero, and what a smart natural gas strategy for BC would look like.

Hard landing in Chinese.

Financial Times -- A fate worse than a hard landing for China
What is a hard landing in China?

40 years ago Nixon’s visit to China began the great economic revolution, will politics follow?

Project Syndicate -- Nixon Then, China Now
When US President Richard Nixon embarked on his historic trip to China 40 years ago, he could not have imagined what his gamble would unleash.

A different halftime in America commercial. Thanks to David of Victoria.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/better-halftime-america-commercial
zerohedge -- A Better "Halftime In America" Commercial
Clint Eastwood drew a lot of ire, rhetoric, and subsequent explanations as to the real motives behind his Superbowl halftime commercial.

Related. (ed’s note – ‘second half’ as in ‘second term’, or a grateful bailed out Chrysler thanks the President for the hand up).

New York Review of Books -- A New Obama Cinema?
A lone lean figure strides purposefully through a dark tunnel, maybe a highway underpass.

The case against the bailouts.

Financial Post -- The $474,000 GM job
With sales and profits up at General Motors, proponents of the 2009 automotive bailout for GM (and Chrysler) now assert the taxpayer-financed rescue was a success. In a visit to Michigan in late January, U.S. President Barack Obama argued the deal saved jobs.

The impact on investing of zero bound interest rates.

American Enterprise Institute -- The pain of zero interest rates
The current economic environment of low—virtually zero—interest rates has hit savers hard, but the US Federal Reserve’s accommodative monetary policy is actually having a stabilizing effect on the economy. Abruptly raising interest rates could harm economic growth and the housing market. Until the economy stabilizes enough that the Fed can start to slowly raise interest rates, savers have several less-than-ideal options, including adjusting their lifestyles; dipping into their savings; and taking on riskier investments, such as gold and stocks.

Go slow. Thanks to Ken of Tokyo/Hong Kong

Vancouver Sun -- Slow and easy will win energy race
It is hard not to detect a note of desperation in the provincial government’s recently unveiled natural gas strategy.