Fourth of July Freedom

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STUART, FL--(Marketwire -06/21/12)- While America celebrates the Fourth of July as the day the country declared its independence, freedom also rings at Hutchinson Island Marriott Beach Resort & Marina, where they're pledging to free guests from high travel fees and delight them with a deal that's as sizzling as a sparkler.

Guests of the AAA Three Diamond resort, located in the heart of southeast Florida's Treasure Coast, will go "fourth" this year with Hutchinson Island Marriott's "'FREEdom" vacation package. Promising patron's liberty (one free-night stay) and happiness (additional nightly rates starting from $149), the offer includes a complimentary night stay on the eve of July 4th for guests of the Treasure Coast resort staying a minimum of four nights between the dates of July 1 and July 7.

Fourth of July travelers will be further ignited with glory as they experience an old fashioned, all-American celebration in downtown Stuart, where Independence Day festivities that include live music, family activities and a fireworks show over the St. Lucie River are scheduled to take place. These events, offering free admission, start at 4 p.m. and the fireworks begin at 9 p.m.

With a sizzling holiday Stuart, FL hotel deal in a laidback, humble beach-side town, vacationers can enjoy it all, from "free" to shining sea.

For reservations visit http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/pbiir-hutchinson-island-marriott-beach-resort-and-marina/ and use the rate code HL1 or call 1-800-775-5946 and mention the package. The promotional offer is valid for reservations on a minimum 4-night-stay, July 1 - July 7, 2012. Rates are per room, per night and based on availability at the time of reservations.

About Hutchinson Island Marriott Beach Resort & MarinaAs an exclusive island oasis at the heart of southeast Florida's Treasure Coast, the Hutchinson Island Marriott Beach Resort & Marina, a AAA Three Diamond hotel in Stuart, FL, is a 200-acre retreat flanked by the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal waterway. Set in a serene, coastal-chic environment, it offers unspoiled beaches and deluxe accommodations, including 70 oceanfront Sandpiper Beach Villas. Its unique amenities include an executive 18-hole golf course; a 77-slip marina; recreational activities and water sports in South Florida, such as deep-sea and river fishing, jet skiing, tennis, kayaking and biking; four dining options; three outdoor pools; and over 25,000 square feet of flexible meeting facilities.

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Fourth of July Freedom

Catholic bishops enlist parishioners in religious freedom fight that critics call partisan

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NEW YORK Roman Catholic groups on Thursday embarked on a two-week campaign of prayer vigils, rallies and other events to draw attention to what they consider government attacks on religious freedom.

Called the "Fortnight for Freedom," bishops organized the education campaign during liturgical feasts for martyred defenders of the faith. Independent advocacy groups such as CatholicVote.org and Women Speak For Themselves, have joined the effort with TV ads, videos, Facebook appeals and petition drives.

While the religious freedom campaign includes protests against state laws and policies, the bishops' immediate target is the mandate President Barack Obama announced in January that most employers provide health insurance that covers birth control. Federal officials said the rule was critical to women's health by helping them space out pregnancies.

Critics have accused the bishops of organizing the campaign as a partisan assault on Obama in an election year. But church leaders insist they have no partisan agenda and blame the timing on when federal officials approved the rule.

"In only the past few years, we've experienced rampant disregard for religious beliefs in this country," wrote New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan, in an e-book released for the "Fortnight" effort. Among the examples he cites are approval for embryonic stem cell research, legal justification for torturing prisoners and support for same-sex marriage.

"We can see that there is a loss here of a sense of truth and objective moral norms_rules of conduct that apply always, to everyone, everywhere_an infringement of religious liberty and an 'eclipse of the sense of God and of man,'" wrote Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Opponents are unconvinced. "This bishops' project isn't about religious freedom it's about privilege," said the Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. "They are asking for preferential treatment from the government, and if they are successful, it would undercut the rights of millions of Americans."

The "Fortnight for Freedom" schedule kicked off Thursday night with a Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption in Baltimore, celebrated by Baltimore Archbishop William Lori. Local activities are planned across the country leading up to Independence Day.

The Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, Fla., plans Masses and repeat screenings of the film "A Man for All Seasons," about Sir Thomas More, the 16th-century martyr whose feast day is this week. The Kansas Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the state's bishops, plans a June 29 religious freedom rally at the Statehouse in Topeka. The Archdiocese of Detroit plans Masses and lectures by religious liberty experts in English and Spanish. The Archdiocese of Denver has asked Catholics to fast on the two Fridays during the initiative.

Lori leads the bishops' new religious freedom committee. The panel was formed last September in response to what church leaders viewed as inadequate religious exemptions in many state laws that authorized gay marriage and mandated contraception coverage in employers' health insurance or prescription drug plans.

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Catholic bishops enlist parishioners in religious freedom fight that critics call partisan

Freedom Communications Announces Close of Sale of Texas Publishing Assets

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IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Freedom Communications announced today that the sale of the print and online publishing assets of its Texas properties, The Brownsville Herald, El Nuevo Heraldo, The Harlingen Valley Morning Star, The Monitor in McAllen, The Odessa American and The Mid Valley Town Crier in Weslaco, to AIM Media Texas, LLC has closed.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. In conjunction with the transaction, AIM previously announced that all Freedom employees at these publications will continue in their respective jobs and positions with the new company.

This transaction presented an excellent opportunity to provide our shareholders with enhanced value for their investments while also ensuring that the communities involved continue to receive the great service they have been accustomed to receiving from Freedom, said Mark McEachen, Freedom Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP acted as legal advisors to Freedom.

About Freedom Communications

Freedom Communications, headquartered in Irvine, Calif., is a national privately owned information and entertainment company of print publications and interactive businesses. The Companys print portfolio includes approximately 100 publications, including 15 daily newspapers, weekly newspapers, plus ancillary magazines and other specialty publications. The Companys news, information and entertainment websites and mobile applications complement its print properties. For more information, visit http://www.freedom.com.

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Freedom Communications Announces Close of Sale of Texas Publishing Assets

Lawmakers reject eugenics compensation

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RALEIGH, N.C., June 21 (UPI) -- North Carolina's failure to approve a plan to compensate victims of forced sterilization has devastated survivors, the head of a victims' organization said.

Republicans in the North Carolina Senate turned down a House plan Wednesday to give $50,000 to each surviving victim of the state's decades-long sterilization program, The (Raleigh, N.C.) News & Observer reported.

The plan hit a dead end during negotiations between the House and the Senate.

Executive Director Charmaine Fuller Cooper of the N.C. Justice for Sterilization Victims Foundation said the Legislature's failure to approve a compensation plan has "really devastated victims."

"Even though they are 80, 90 years old they remember it vividly. They had to reopen old wounds," she said. "They're angry and they have justification in how they feel."

North Carolina began one of the most active eugenics programs in the country in 1929 when a state board ordered sterilization for poor, feeble-minded, mentally diseased or people likely to have disabled children.

The program continued until 1974.

Cooper's foundation estimates 1,350 to 1,800 people were victims of the program

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Lawmakers reject eugenics compensation

No money for eugenics compensation in budget, local victim not giving up hope

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Submitted by Marissa Jasek on Wed, 06/20/2012 - 10:42pm.READ MORE: No money for eugenics compensation in budget, local victim not giving up hope

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) -- Compensation for victims of the North Carolina eugenics program was cut from next year's budget. Victims of forced sterilization were supposed to get $50,000 each after a panel approved a $10 million compensation package.

A few weeks ago, the first serious proposal to compensate eugenics victims seemed like a done deal. Wednesday, victims learned the Senate chose leave the money out of next year's budget.

In the end House Speaker Thom Tillis simply could not convince his Republican colleagues in the Senate to sign off on the plan to compensate eugenics victims.

"I said if eugenics didn't occur it would be a personal failure, and at this point it is, and it's something Ill continue to work on," Tillis said.

"There was no ability to develop consensus on one path forward with reference to eugenics," Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger said. "So for the sake of the budget deal, the $10 million compensation package that was decades in the making was sacrificed."

Brunswick County resident Elnora Mills was sterilized at age 16 and found out two years later while trying to get pregnant. She was devastated Wednesday after hearing the news, but was too sick to go on camera. She now suffers from thyroid cancer.

"I wanted a boy and a girl," Mills said last week during an interview. "Now I don't have that, and I don't have no grandchildren. Just two little baby dogs and my husband."

The NC Justice for Sterilization Victims Foundation has verified 146 living victims. Many, like Mills, are sick and aging fast. According to the Associated Press, the foundation said Wednesday that they must end its work because its funding expires June 30. Legislators did not include any money in the state budget for the foundation.

WWAY reached out to Sen. Thom Goolsby (R-9th District) for comment. He did not return our calls. Mills says though she is not surprised this happened, she is not giving up hope.

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No money for eugenics compensation in budget, local victim not giving up hope

Eugenics victims must wait even longer for compensation

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-All Dates- Today Tomorrow This Weekend This Week -------------------- Thursday, June 21 Friday, June 22 Saturday, June 23 Sunday, June 24 Monday, June 25 Tuesday, June 26 Wednesday, June 27 Thursday, June 28 Friday, June 29 Saturday, June 30 Sunday, July 1 Monday, July 2 Tuesday, July 3 Wednesday, July 4 Thursday, July 5 Friday, July 6 Saturday, July 7 Sunday, July 8 Monday, July 9 Tuesday, July 10 Wednesday, July 11 Thursday, July 12 Friday, July 13 Saturday, July 14 Sunday, July 15 Monday, July 16 Tuesday, July 17 Wednesday, July 18 Thursday, July 19 Friday, July 20 Saturday, July 21 -All Event Categories- ARTS AGENDA Classical Music Comedy Film Museums Readings & Signings Spoken Word Theater/Dance/Performance Art Visual Arts COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS Benefits & Fundraisers Clubs & Organizations Family Festivals/Events Gay & Lesbian Health & Fitness Holiday Lectures & Seminars Nightlife Sex & Love Singles Sports & Recreation Support Groups Volunteers/Public Life FOOD & DRINK Culinary Wine/Cocktails MUSIC EVENTS Acoustic Americana Bluegrass Blues Classical Concert Country Covers Dancing DJ/Electronica Ethnic/World Experimental Folk General Hip-Hop Jazz Karaoke Metal Open Jam/Drum Circle Open Mic Party Pop R&B/Soul Record Release Rock Spiritual Variety -All Dates- Today Tomorrow This Weekend This Week -------------------- Thursday, June 21 Friday, June 22 Saturday, June 23 Sunday, June 24 Monday, June 25 Tuesday, June 26 Wednesday, June 27 Thursday, June 28 Friday, June 29 Saturday, June 30 Sunday, July 1 Monday, July 2 Tuesday, July 3 Wednesday, July 4 Thursday, July 5 Friday, July 6 Saturday, July 7 Sunday, July 8 Monday, July 9 Tuesday, July 10 Wednesday, July 11 Thursday, July 12 Friday, July 13 Saturday, July 14 Sunday, July 15 Monday, July 16 Tuesday, July 17 Wednesday, July 18 Thursday, July 19 Friday, July 20 Saturday, July 21 -All Neighborhoods- General Charlotte Area NORTH CHARLOTTE Concord/Kannapolis Dilworth Lake Norman Midtown North Charlotte/University Uptown EAST SIDE East Charlotte Elizabeth NoDa Plaza-Midwood SOUTH CHARLOTTE Ballantyne Matthews/Southeast Charlotte Myers Park Pineville/Hwy 51 South Charlotte South End SouthPark/Cotswold WEST CHARLOTTE Gastonia Westside SOUTH CAROLINA Fort Mill Rock Hill

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Eugenics victims must wait even longer for compensation

Eugenics victims say they will keep fighting for compensation

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CHARLOTTE, N.C.

Victims of North Carolinas forced sterilization program say they will fight to get compensation that will not be coming from the state legislature.

"They knew. They knew they was wrong, said Janice Black, who was still a teenager when she had the operation.

It took almost 40 years and the encouragement of her friend and legal guardian, Sadie Long, for Black to come forward as the first person in Charlotte say she had been in the eugenics program that may have sterilized thousands of people.

"She didn't realize what she was signing because no one explained to her what the legal papers were," Long said Thursday.

Gov. Bev Perdue had proposed paying victims a lump sum of $50,000 in compensation for their suffering. When lawmakers voted Wednesday on a budget that left that compensation package out, Long was disappointed.

"There are a lot of things in life you cannot change, and a lot of things we can't do anything about and I understand that. But when you have the power to make some differences, you should -- to show the people that you care enough about them," she said.

The vote also took away funding for the state agency that has helped victims of the sterilization program.

The agency has identified 161 victims and said there could be thousands more, but without money, the agency has stopped taking information from new potential victims.

But Black and Long are not giving up.

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Eugenics victims say they will keep fighting for compensation

Eugenics Q&A

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Q: Why did it happen?

A: Supporters of eugenics believed that "defective" humans could be weeded out of the population. Scientists discredited the assumption by the 1930s, and most states ceased their programs.

The North Carolina program, however, expanded in the 1950s and 1960s, partly because out-of-state doctors, professors and other eugenics supporters were seeking a testing ground for a new national campaign they hoped would sterilize millions of Americans. Specifically, a Princeton, N.J.-based group known as Birthright formed in the mid-1940s.

The group sought states with low numbers of Catholics, according to documents in the Social Welfare History Archives at the University of Minnesota. The Catholic church historically opposed eugenics and any artificial means of birth control.

One of the leading promoters of the North Carolina eugenics program was Dr. Clarence Gamble, a Boston doctor and heir to the Proctor & Gamble fortune. He helped form Birthright and was the driving force behind the national campaign.

Gamble convinced his brother Cecil Gamble to help, and in December 1944, the Gamble Family Trust made a $10,000 donation to Birthright, which would be the equivalent to about $125,000 today.

Clarence Gamble didn't have a role in Proctor & Gamble, and while Cecil Gamble was on the board, the company said last year the donation was personal and in no way reflected the company's opinion.

Birthright later changed its name to the Human Betterment Association. They had a national office in New York and loosely affiliated chapters in North Carolina, Georgia, Iowa, Arkansas and Texas. Some of the chapters were short-lived, but the one in North Carolina operated for almost 30 years.

Q: How was the eugenics campaign promoted?

A: Gamble hired a New York City advertising firm to help sell the campaign. Leading journalists, along with some doctors and professors, voiced support, too.

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Eugenics Q&A

With Malibu Eco, Chevrolet Earns Top Safety Pick Awards

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With Malibu Eco, Chevrolet Earns Top Safety Pick Awards

The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco earned top safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco is the first and only all-new 2013 midsize car to receive double honors for safety, Chevy officials say, including a 5- Star Overall Vehicle Score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and a 2012 Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both are the highest ratings possible.

The IIHS tests vehicles to determine how well they protect occupants in front and side crash tests, in rollovers via a roof strength test, and simulated rear impacts to evaluate seat and head restraints for protection against neck injuries. The Malibu Eco achieved a good score in all four types of tests performed and has standard electronic stability control, which the IIHS requires for Top Safety Pick designation.

In achieving the 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score, the Malibu Eco was tested under NHTSAs revised New Car Assessment Program. The overall score is based on frontal and side crash tests in addition to evaluation for rollover resistance. Under the rating system, performances in three test segments are combined mathematically into an Overall Vehicle Score.

With the Malibu Eco, Chevrolet has earned seven 2012 Top Safety Pick awards, said IIHS President Adrian Lund. The IIHS and NHTSA results demonstrate GMs commitment to state-ofthe art crash protection.

We are now seeing the results from our commitment to design the highest-rated vehicles in the world in safety performance, said Gay Kent, GM executive director of Vehicle Safety.

The all-new Malibu is designed and engineered to help drivers avoid crashes, while protecting occupants if a crash occurs.

The Malibu Eco is the sixth Chevy model within the 2012 model year to achieve a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score for safety. The others include the Camaro Coupe, Sonic, Cruze, Volt and Traverse. The 2012 Malibu is also is a Top Safety Pick.

The Malibu Eco with fuel-saving eAssist technology is Chevrolets most fuel-efficient midsize car ever. It is on sale now in the United States with a base price including destination of $25,995.

Chevrolet is scheduled to roll out an all-new fuel-efficient 2.5L Ecotec engine on the full Malibu lineup this summer. A new turbo model will be available this fall.

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With Malibu Eco, Chevrolet Earns Top Safety Pick Awards

Hernon Manufacturing Introduces Eco-Friendly and U.S. Military Approved Ammunition Sealants

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Environmentally friendly sealants, including Hernon's External Ammunition Sealant which meet and exceed the leak tests of the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy, as well as other products and process equipment for the ammunition industry are now featured on the companies specialized website.Sanford, FL (PRWEB) June 21, 2012 Hernon Manufacturing, the innovator in adhesives, sealants and dispensing ...

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Hernon Manufacturing Introduces Eco-Friendly and U.S. Military Approved Ammunition Sealants

CPUC Approves SDG&E's East County (ECO) Substation Project

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SAN DIEGO, June 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today approved San Diego Gas & Electric's (SDG&E) East County (ECO) Substation Project, a development that involves two electric substations along SDG&E's Southwest Powerlink transmission line that will help boost electric reliability in the region and accommodate the delivery of wind, solar and geothermal power to utility customers.

In total, theapproximately $435 million venture will include a new 58-acre,500/230/138 kV substation in Jacumba, Calif., and the reconstruction and modernization of an existing fifty year old substation in the town of Boulevard, Calif.The two electric substations will be interconnected by a 14-mile 138-Kilovolt transmission line.Construction is expected to begin later this year.

"The backbone of our electric system is the transmission grid and adding the ECO substation will substantively improve reliability for east county San Diego residents and facilitate the delivery of more clean, renewable energy to our customers throughout the region," said Michael R. Niggli, SDG&E's president and chief operating officer.

There are approximately 1,700 megawatts of proposed renewable energy projects proposed to interconnect at the ECO and Boulevard substations. The initial build out of the ECO substation project will accommodate a total of approximately 1,100 MW of fully deliverable renewable resources.

The electric infrastructure project will improve reliability in Jacumba, Boulevard, parts of the Campo and La Posta Indian Reservations, Manzanita, Bankhead Springs and Live Oak Springs. It will create between 100 and 200 construction jobs over two years.

SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3.4 million consumers through 1.4 million electric meters and more than 850,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The utility's area spans 4,100 square miles.SDG&E is committed to creating ways to help customers save energy and money every day.SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego.

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CPUC Approves SDG&E's East County (ECO) Substation Project

Cheap Fun: Seattle beaches and wading pools

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Should you notice David Hasselhoff kicking up sand in slow-motion this weekend possibly sporting a parka over skintight red trunks try not to panic. Starting Saturday, lifeguards all around Seattle will take to their posts as beach season officially opens along with Seattle Parks wading pools (cue the disclaimer) weather permitting.

Lifeguards will be posted noon-7 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays through Aug. 26 at East Green Lake, Magnuson, Madrona and Pritchard Beach parks and through Sept. 3 at Matthews, Madison, Mount Baker, Seward and West Green Lake beaches.

As for wading pools, pick a warm day, any day, and head for Green Lake, Lincoln, Magnuson, Van Asselt or Volunteer park, or three days a week at 10 other locations. (For details, check the hotline, updated daily, at 206-684-7796.)

More information: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/beaches.asp and http://www.seattle.gov/parks/Aquatics/wadingpools.htm.

Sandy Dunham, Seattle Times features staff

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Cheap Fun: Seattle beaches and wading pools

NE beaches fill as people try to stay cool

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GLOUCESTER, Mass. (WHDH) -- Nevermind heading to the beach, everybody is already there. Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester was packed before noon with die-hards like Michelle Pike, who knows the drill.

I worked last night. Got all my beach stuff prepared. Packed it all up. Got up at 6:30 this morning. Got the car ready. Left at 8:30. Off we came," said Michelle Pike. "I didn't think it would be any hotter here than it is at home. We do not have central air so I thought this was a good choice."

Traffic was backed up for a good two miles before 10:00 this morning.

We are regulars and it always fills up. But this is the weekday," a woman said.

The parking lot wasclosed to the public before 10:30. It was good for the city but that is about it.

Lifeguards were also busy dealing with lost children and keeping their eyes on swimmers.

"They are busy. I've seen them running up and down. But they all have their walkie talkies. They're all in communication," said Carole McNair.

There is only so much room. There is about a thousand spaces. You put about 400-450 non-residents. The rest are for saved for residents. Its a crap shoot, said Mark Habeland, who works for the city of Gloucester collecting money at the entrance to the beach.

But families familiar with this always have a plan b for staying cool.

Were going to try Wingaersheek we figured, or were gonna go to the hotel and rent a room for the day. Were with the car in front of us to try to rent a room for the day. We will work it out somehow, a woman said.

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NE beaches fill as people try to stay cool

Beaches open for swimming

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By STACY LANGLEY Tribune Staff Writer

HURON COUNTY With an exceptionally warm kick-off to the summer season underway, officials from the Huron County Health Department report all local beaches are open and within safe limits for swimming.

The results issued for all 13 area beaches tested have revealed they are well below the 300 E. coli colonies per 100 ml of water.

There has only been one beach closure since testing started five weeks ago. That closure was at Port Crescent State Park Day-Use during the third week of testing.

The summer beach testing program is funding by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

This weeks test results are:

Bird Creek County Park 2.2894

Caseville County Park 7.5863

Harbor Beach City Park 3.4028

Jenks County Park 5.6367

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Beaches open for swimming

What to make of the Chinese space effort? | Bad Astronomy

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[I've been holding off writing about the Chinese space launch due to prior commitments and also because I've been trying to gather my thoughts about it. I'm still not sure where I fall, so here are some of my feelings. They are, of course, subject to change upon better arguments and evidence. I'll note also not everyone thinks crewed exploration of space is important. To be clear: those people are wrong, and I have a list of blog posts explaining why.]

Last week, the Chinese launched a crew of three into space. Their destination: the Chinese space station Tiangong-1, which for now consists of a single orbiting module about 10 meters long by 3 across. The Shenzou 9 capsule carrying the astronauts (sometimes called taikonauts) successfully docked with the station on Monday the first time the Chinese have docked a crewed capsule, making them only the third nation to have achieved this feat (after Russia and the US). Video from the event was posted on YouTube:

Thats pretty amazing the docking was done by remote control from Earth, and appears to have gone pretty well. The crew is now aboard Tiangong-1, getting it set up. Much like the International Space Station which was launched one piece at a time and assembled in orbit, its clear China plans on expanding Tiangong-1. Tiangong-1 is the first in a series of planned space stations by China.

Ive been reading about Chinas space efforts, and I have to say I am uneasy by a lot of it. My first impulse, as Ive written before, is that space is open to everyone, and the more the merrier. Ive also been vocal about the need to avoid a "Space Race" mentality: us versus them doing something first. The problem with that is that it isnt sustainable. Once you win (or lose) youre done. I think its the main reason Apollo scaled so far back after even the first landing, and why we didnt continue on to build a moonbase, or at least the 2001-style orbiting space station.

On the other hand, we also need to avoid the been-there-done-that mentality as well. For one thing, the NASA that went to the Moon is literally no longer the NASA that exists today. We have different rockets, different technology, and most importantly different people, both in political office as well as in the NASA engineering departments. Sure, we went to the Moon in 60s and 70s, but it is literally impossible for us to go back at the current time, and will be for many years to come. Thats worth remembering.

I say this because Amy Shira Teitel has an excellent summary of the Chinese space program on her blog. Its a repost from last year, but it covers a lot of the background of where we are. However, she makes a point I think needs discussing:

It could go two ways. Either China will become an ally like modern Russia, or it could become an adversary like the former Soviet UnionBut China isnt really a threat yet, at least not enough of one that NASA would enter into another space race.

I think we need to have a care here. If we take a snapshot of NASA and China, then this may be true. But looking over time, Im not so sure. China is showing a capability now to do things NASA cannot do: most obviously, launch humans into space. That capability may be back soon, whether through NASAs own rocket system or commercial ventures like SpaceX. But right now, China has far more momentum than NASA does. In the US were arguing over this or that project getting its funding cut, while we make very little progress in crewed exploration. Its worrisome.

Amy goes on:

Thats one thing China has available to its space program that NASA doesnt: money.

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What to make of the Chinese space effort? | Bad Astronomy