Big Victory for Bush administration

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Victor Galis
The Cubans still have friends/sympathizers in Latin America like Chavez. So Cuban foreign policy does not consist of trying to extract concessions from Western powers.

fixed.

Seriously though. I don't know what people expect good diplomacy for NK to be besides what it is.

[Agathon]

Originally posted by Wezil


"Sane" by your definition.

Continuing to allow the North Korean people to live in this kind of misery so that we don't have to deal with the uncomfortable aspects of the issue is quite frankly, disgusting.

Only if there was an option that would not leave them worse off. Unfortunately, they would be worse off if North Korea collapsed, since South Korea literally cannot afford the upkeep of a collapsed North Korea.

It's not a case of allowing the North Korean people to live in misery, the problem is that there is no feasible option that would make it better. I wish there was, but there isn't.

[Kidlicious]

Maybe Canada could take them all in.

[MichaeltheGreat]

Originally posted by GePap


When will the bad Munich references end? This must be one of the most of referrenced modern events, and most of the time, perniciously and without adding anything of merit...

What else would you call the present round of concessions to the Dear Leader?

[Kidlicious]

I think it might be what you implied there MtG.

[Arrian]

It's an extortion racket. I understand Agathon's argument (that appeasement, disgusting as it may be, is actually the best plan), but respectfully disagree. I don't think it's nuts by any stretch, but I think it's the wrong choice (both choices suck in their own way, mind).

The main thing is that South Korea has clearly chosen the appeasement route ("Sunshine"). We, as their ally/backer, can either get with that program or back the hell off.

I would actually prefer the latter. Withdraw (many SK's don't want our troops there anymore anyway), and refuse to keep ponying up stuff so the Dear Leader will promise to stop being such a bad boy. SK can do as it will, though we will remain a friend & ally and respond accordingly should the proverbial **** ever really hit the fan.

But no, we won't do that. We will continue to try and convince SK that they're wrong about "Sunshine" and perpetuate a cycle of US policy that goes:

"Sunshine"
YOU'RE EVIL, WE HATE YOU
"Sunshine"
YOU'RE EVIL, WE HATE YOU
etc.

-Arrian

[Wezil]

That's where I'm at on this issue.

I too understand Aggie's position but even he agrees the next leader of NK is not liable to be any better. So we continue supporting the regime b/c we don't like the alternative but the question is - What will the alternative look like in another 10-20 years and how many more NKians are going to suffer and die in the meantime?

[Shrapnel12]

I just happen to value personal freedom a whole lot more than you ever will based on your political beliefs.

Are you trying to make it into my signature?

[Wezil]

Originally posted by Shrapnel12


Are you trying to make it into my signature?

Lord knows your sig needs some work.

[Shrapnel12]

My son is a Spongebob fan, so by default I watch a lot myself. For some odd reason, many of the posters here remind me of MermaidMan crying out against 'EVIIIIL".

[Q Classic]

Originally posted by Wezil


Sure let them defend against the north themself or accept that this is our plan. I'd have no problem helping them economically (and militarily if it came to that) with unification after the north's collapse. Appeasement just isn't on for me.

How far would you be willing to go with "helping them economically" if you did force an early reunification?

[Q Classic]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
Awww... it's so cute that people still take the North Koreans at their word .

QFT.

[Wezil]

Originally posted by Q Cubed

How far would you be willing to go with "helping them economically" if you did force an early reunification?

Fair question. As much as I could. Canada is a small but relatively wealthy nation. I'm sure we'd do our share.

How much does it cost to continue to contain them militarily and how much will it cost down the road if things get ugly?

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Wezil


Fair question. As much as I could. Canada is a small but relatively wealthy nation. I'm sure we'd do our share.

How much does it cost to continue to contain them militarily and how much will it cost down the road if things get ugly?

I think many people in your country will disagree with you.

[Wezil]

Originally posted by Kidicious


I think many people in your country will disagree with you.

I'm sure they would. As they would in most countries. It's easier to keep doing what we are doing. That doesn't make it the right thing to do (morally or otherwise), just the easiest.