Korean Hostilities Ignored

Received this morning from the Korea Tourism Organization LA Office (Newsletter):
"Please be assured that it is completely safe for foreign visitors to enjoy their tour in South Korea even though there is a bit of tension between South and North Korea over the sinking of a South Korean ship. A daily average of 20,000 foreigners continue to visit Korea without any inconvenience or exposure to any type of harm. If you have any questions about the safety of traveling in Korea, please feel free to contact us, and we will do our best to provide you with the most accurate information. Thank you."

I was in South Korea last week, and the great majority of people are (as typically) unconcerned about the possibilities of sudden hostilities.

This does not mean there's no danger. Most people in Seoul and throughout South Korea live with strong urgency, busy being busy; onward & upward, often to unknown purpose. "Groupthink" is strong. Many cultures systemically ignore or neglect warnings & problems, but the security threat on the Korean peninsula is substantial. If trouble occurs, the foreign tourist is highly exposed, without good survival tools, liable to harm from any direction.

North Korea is unpredictable, and KTO's "bit of tension" could suddenly erupt into shooting or invasion. As mentioned, I was there last week. But make no mistake, there's danger of death or injury; the threat is recently elevated.

Settlers or Squatters?

Settlers or Squatters?
Imposing a New Order.
Grandma is perplexed

New maps, new place names
Refashioned by media
We're redeveloped.

Tribal heritage
Vies with consumer mindspace
I go to the mall.

The Mavi Marmara Massacre

Israeli commandos have stormed a group of ships bringing aid to the people of Gaza. Many people on board the Mavi Marmara were killed; hundreds more are now held in Israeli custody. It seems they tried to resist highly-armed commandos forcibly boarding their ship underway in the Mediterranean Sea. In the USA we're told the ship passengers are activists, radicals, militants and terrorists... as are the people of Gaza. Welcome to the land of spin. Yes, we live in spin.

Squatting in Arizona

Regulate
Human migration?
Is it proper a community restricts access to its resources?

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free..."

These words are not part of the International Declaration of Human Rights, or the U.S. Constitution, but are from a sonnet contributed in 1883 by 34-year old Emma Lazarus toward building New York's Statue of Liberty. The poem offers "world-wide welcome" for the homeless. So are communities in the USA now obligated to accept all comers?

I don't think so.

Miss Emma had no authority to open the land to everyone. At that time, many indigenous communities and nations within the Americas were being forcibly subdued, destroyed or purged. Large-scale ethnic cleansing was taking place; settlers were wanted to repopulate native territories. Asian and "colored" prospective settlers were discouraged.

Another dimension is continuing community investment since colonization. Community members invest in roads, bridges and other infrastructure through taxes. Some provide time & sweat, some are killed for defense. When sacrifice is disregarded, people become discouraged from participation and community-building. Big government for big corporate interests has sucked the vitality of local communities. Americans are taxed to support wars in the Middle East and Asia; they are taxed to bailout giant corporations, while their own communities are dismantled, services cut, resources extracted. Expect some people to fight - protecting the little they have.

Snatch

The Poet snatches time
As focus, appreciation, reverie...
Give way to work,
cleaning, grooming,
social camaraderie,
family affairs

The Poet snatches time
To describe, interpret, transcribe
Beauty of Living
Challenge

Perhaps for a time-snatcher
Moments of Appreciation
Become longer or more frequent.
But focus, joy and emotions
Are experienced by all
Natural understanding.

Hawaiian people need help

Korea and Kuwait were occupied nations that regained independence. But the Korean and Kuwaiti people do little for those nations & peoples still subject to Colonialism.

Hawaiian people need help.
Hawaiian lands are occupied, stolen without compensation.

Clarify Hawaiian inheritance.
link:   HI Alliance

Price Gouging?

A Boston store was accused of "price gouging" for pricing a case of water at $16. We normally would say, "so what?" - if a potential customer doesn't like prices, they can go elsewhere.

(article here)

Why should this case be any different? Boston was facing a water emergency... does that mean nobody offering drink can profit? It seems "price gouging" is always all around us; it's the basis of capitalism.

Perhaps life & death situations might be different, but otherwise, the pursuit of private profit is the bedrock of U.S. society. Income motivates work, and resources shift to take advantage of high returns. Of course, some people feel a moral focus to volunteer, or to help others without receiving payment. But can we demand selflessness from everyone? Is it right that society confiscates and reallocates valuable resources that some people prepare with risk and foresight? Is the US capitalistic? Needs are motivators. Capitalism is cruel & indifferent...

(Florida's price gouging law)

(Illegal price gouging in Texas)

Let's Tea Party !

The USA "Tea Party" movement against wasteful big government is gaining momentum. But a key problem is that many don't recognize the benefits received from collective action. Taxes pay for public services. Libertarians hoping to pay less tax find that overall costs can quickly rise - as they're preyed upon by the unscrupulous, and buffeted by natural selection, accident and disaster.

Taxes pay for public safety. Taxes protect public health. Taxes provide the regulators who verify standards for food, water, air and other necessities. When fueling a private vehicle, we can't each verify receiving a claimed fuel volume at proper octane - we trust the pump, in part thanks to regulatory inspection. Putting ourselves at the mercy of corporate providers is a poor solution. As we cut-corners, we're more likely to crash & burn, becoming pickings for scavengers or better-organized pirates. Beware!

Haiku

Great Satan makes war
Indefinite detention
Without charge or trial

------------------------------

Today I noticed
Hundreds of joys in living
Small significance

------------------------------

"Elect another..."
No accountability!
Crooked statesmen scum

------------------------------

Now home is quiet
Each day I close the shutters
Detached Encroachment

Aggressive War

The British Iraq Inquiry chaired by Sir John Chilcot has been generating revisionist arguments over the invasion of Iraq. Some people now claim they were ignorant at that time, or that they were deceived. But in mid-March 2003 it was very clear that arguments for invasion were a sham.

The invasion of Iraq was planned with no clear & present danger, and without multilateral agreement. The governments of Britain and USA knew they were embarking on an illegal war, and key people were communicating this to the wider population. When British MP Robin Cook resigned on 17 March 2003 as Leader of the House of Commons in protest over the planned invasion of Iraq, he delivered a well-reasoned and impassioned speech to Parliament. Cook's speech (which received a standing ovation from both sides of the House) is crystal clear, and condemns the planned war.

Here is an mp3 version of that famous speech:
Robin Cook resigns over Iraq attack plan 2003-03-17.mp3

and a transcript:
Robin Cook resignation speech

This was a mainstream warning by a key insider against unilateralism, bullying and wielding war in doubtful circumstances (Robin Cook had been Foreign Secretary for more than four years under PM Tony Blair). Those who ignored his warnings, and waged illegal war, should be convicted of criminal acts.

Just War

When U.S. President Barack Obama grabbed his Nobel Peace Prize last month, he attempted to justify U.S. involvement in its wars. He spoke directly of the concept of "just war" and necessary use of force.

(US government transcript)

Nobel Laureate Obama spoke about right conduct in war, and about brutalization. He bluntly claimed "America has never fought a war against a democracy..." -- which is a rich lie, yet his polite audience barely fluttered.

He next praised the wonders of hope.

"Clear eyed" and facing "the world as it is" we must recognize that America's ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are wrong. They are illegal and unwinnable, against bogeyman enemies such as foreign "weapons of mass destruction" (weapons more horrible than our own?) or the bad bad man Saddam Hussein (captured 7 years ago, executed 3 years ago - yet still our forces remain in Iraq)...

Obama has committed America to fund a military surge in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Growing armament funding & materials flows are directed to dozens of places around the globe, for social control, often at great cost to local populations (with costs America can't afford). America itself is being dumbed-down and locked-down, splitting the domestic funding scraps between law & order, policing & prisons. Little money remains for schools, parks, or people. Science & technology, and the arts, are afterthoughts - except if linked to warfare.

Yes our industries thrive on the violence. Yes our contractors profit. Where is the redesign of Baghdad's huge US Embassy Precinct, or reversion of US-colonized military bases around the world to local use by local people?

Obama's wars are   "just wars" -- just, only, simply wars.

Nightmare: USA

Imagine you live in a lawless region - assorted bandits & warlords fight for control, and kill for the wealth & resources of your people. You organize a response: those entering your region must disarm. You define a perimeter, post lookouts. You organize a guard. You seek neighborhood safety.

One day a convoy refuses to stop. There's no discussion to disarm. Your team communicates "trouble has arrived" as a flash in the sky heralds immanent death: an unmanned combat air vehicle operated by the US military (or its civilian contractors) launches heat-seeking destruction.

Death perhaps is quick - compliments of U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama, and U.S. Army General Stanley A. McChrystal, commander of the International Security Assistance Force coalition. Thank also the US Air Force and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (formerly owned by Gulf Oil, Shell Oil, and Chevron). A fine aloha also from the taxpayers of the USA, main sponsors of the deployment / invasion... You made a new Bananastan: corrupt & deadly. Welcome to a nightmare.

Health Care's Willy Horton

Bluster circulates in the U.S. Congress about health care. Industrial lobbyists work hard to develop proper reform - in other words, a new format for sustained profits.

Meanwhile, tens of millions of Americans are poorly insured, or uninsured.

Our human tales of woe are poorly publicized, though they erupt every day. Let's see & hear details: actual citizens suffering through the system, treated no better than a shitball.

Senator Bernie Sanders and supporters of true reform need to find the "Willie Horton" of American health care. Put a face on the pain.

Bogeyman: Dreams of Terror

Horrible Terrorists "seek to destroy our way of life."

Bullshit. The enemy are sometimes military, sometimes criminals. Some are misguided. Some seek revenge. Some protect their homeland & family.

The story of Terrorist Bogeyman, of crazed zealotry, is a sham. But some interests are served by the dark dream. Few people ask: "Why are they after us?"

Privatized Military?

Many functions of the U.S. military have been outsourced to private corporations. This trend is frightening in terms of accountability; what happens when highly-armed militias go rogue? Yet some key contradictions emerge. U.S. Republicans have repeatedly attacked public services for supposed padded budgets, unreasonable job security, and entitlements at taxpayer expense. But these perfectly describe the perks of U.S. military leaders.

Most American people proudly voice support for the armed services. Military people put themselves in harm's way, they deserve better than they now receive. But the military's top brass are insulated from all that: conversely, they keep themselves perhaps safest of any of us, with vast resources under their control.

Elected leaders are ultimately responsible for military command & oversight. But I believe proper administration is often a failure. We need new & better checks & balances.

Sabotage Averted by Internet

Flawed policy choices by the failed governments of George W. Bush and his predecessors continue to cripple the USA. Tens of thousands of Americans remain posted overseas, perpetuating a neo-colonial system too-often funding despots hated by their own people. Meanwhile, the lifestyles and future prospects for most Americans is in decline. Funds are unavailable for basic infrastructure. Future-oriented industries require detailed training, yet childhood education in the USA deteriorates.

Big media in the USA was overly sycophantic under Bush/Cheney. How much worse might it have been had the internet not offered new channels of communication? If internet technology in 2001 were at the level of 1991, we might still be under the heel of neo-con leadership. These were corporate shills wholly willing to sacrifice average people for their own profit; they calmly gambled the lives & resources of every schmuck in America.

Your Heart has Stopped...

Imagine your heart has stopped. An EMT team arrives, hooks you to life support, then asks: What's your position on abortion? Should illegal aliens receive emergency health services?

Americans are held hostage on health care. Each American should receive premium care. If you ain't (and many are not) you're being jerked around... Everyday, many such suckers die. My uncle died prematurely - you could be next.

Banning Religion

Swiss voters recently approved banning Islamic minarets: referendum support for the ban was 57.5%.

I live very near a large Christian church. Repeatedly the bells toll for off-hour celebrations - nothing to do with my life. It would be easiest to say: quiet them bells; forbid celebration. But instead I hope that people are enjoying & celebrating life. Yes, baptisms and christenings are a bit noisy, as are call to prayer and Bar Mitzvah celebrations, but that's the joy of community.

This news simply shows that 57.5% of Swiss are shrewish & small-minded...

Pashtun Palin?

The USA should disengage from Afghanistan & Iraq. We've imposed foreign troops serving distant politicians. We'll never bring stability or security to the region; our chosen local warlords will probably depart with the "Coalition of the Willing" -- to enjoy new lives in Florida or Switzerland. It is foolish, presumptuous, even criminal that we have taken over so much in these ancient lands. We follow the Soviets in Afghanistan, ignobly rejected - quick withdrawal will save many lives.

Obama, even if reelected to a second term, will not fix these nations. Will we next have President Palin, as with Baby Bush, pretending expertise on ancient Babylon, Kandahar, and the Hindu Kush? Better the USA stop sacrificing its soldiers, and save its money to spend at home.

Mr. Obama, Tear Down This Wall

Twenty years ago when the Berlin Wall was broached, the end of the Cold War and German reunification were positive steps for humanity.

Can we dream of a future when Israel's Apartheid Wall will be dismantled?

Peaceful transition is unlikely to come through rational argument; hardliners on both sides of the Wall stifle the doubts and voices of moderates. Progress toward peace is avoided while elements aimed at expanding a Zionist homeland enjoy key funding flows from the USA. The Israeli High Court and the World Court have condemned much of the Wall's construction through the West Bank. Violence generates more violence, at huge cost. Squatter settlements multiply; the displaced grow militant; extremists dominate most debate. Mr. Obama, Tear Down This Wall!

Billowing Wanker at BU

Boston University honors it's "distinguished alumnus" Bill O'Reilly:
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/10/23-7

The problem with Bill O'Reilly is outside left or right. Inviting comment but interrupting, quashing consideration of alternatives, name-calling & violence mongering, are beyond traditional journalism and should be recognized as a step backward. The dude's a goon. The temptation to imagine "he's opinionated, but he's our goon" is beyond political opinion - it supports the destruction of discourse.

My dad's Scottish Drummond forebears descend from Atilla. His politics likewise. But his thought & opinion are not really 'right wing' except as coopted by wealthy media. Three political alternatives are offered by US mainstream media: bad, worse, do nothing...

No Money for US Wars

Last November the American people elected legislators pledging to end America's foreign wars. But the wars continue - while costs & damage escalate.

Meanwhile, the USA suffers repeated & continuing shortfalls of budget. Many domestic services are being cutback, including future-oriented education. It's past time that America withdraws from overseas warfare. Iraq & Afghanistan must fend for themselves. No need to further analyze the situation. Simply say: we can't afford war.

Obama Report Card = D

The U.S. administration of President Barack Obama, operating for about nine months, has failed in many key ways. Hope for Change (as promised) remains -- thus grade D instead of F for failure.

It's very clear the administration is not discontinuing assorted overseas U.S. military operations; even forced-feeding of Guantanamo detainees continues. Funded by Americans, belligerence in the Middle East persists unabated. U.S. civil rights remain threatened by self-serving government coverup. Bipartisanship has been a non-starter... No health care reform... Crippling bad investments in corrupted and corrosive systems... Poor oversight & financial sector reform. The USA remains a toxic corporate state, with Obama & Hillary Clinton glib shills - placeholders until new wingnuts such as Palin or Lieberman take the stage.

-----------------
(2:20 PM) It's now reported that President Obama today won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize, for "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and co-operation between peoples." I hope the prize inspires him to help create a more peaceful world...

Memoirs of a Meal

It's 4AM in Seoul, and the hunt nears its end. For many nights now I've been a blood meal for hungry mosquito. How do they enter this simple room? Through the drains? Via the air con system? The doors and windows are tightly closed, but each few hours more arrive, replacing their dead cousins whose carcasses dot the floor & smear the walls. As I write these words, two bloodsuckers die on approach. The waves of attack become bolder, welts from past bites itch & swell, the tracking of evasive flight patterns seems tougher. This is a zombie attack, beyond complex reasoning. If I stayed longer, I'd screen the drains, seal door & windows, cut-off access. But I'm a brief visitor, a huge attractant for these few grams seeking my blood. Such a welcome! A single discomforted meal in a buzzing metropolis, I gladly depart in a few hours for home & family, escaping thirst & vengeance.

(Until then, I protect my remains. The last mosquito spotted evaded extinction & hides behind a heavy desk, quite noisy to move.)

(-- PS, she's now a goner; too sodden with blood to escape a hunt).

Wreck of the "Neocon"

The Obama administration inherited a horrible mess of a bankrupt economy, a skeptical electorate, and unwinnable overseas wars. They've not done well thus far in turning things around.

Obama took the responsible route in supporting Bush's bank bailouts. Perhaps he should have done as FDR did, and watch the previous administration struggle in their own morass until Inauguration Day. There are still far too many Americans who learned little or nothing from the financial meltdowns one year ago: some remain apologists for the neocon vision of American Empire, some remain banking officials - once again gambling with the vast funds in their care for personal gain.

The strangled US medical system is hostage to big insurance and loud insider interests. Many Americans die earlier & substantially poorer due to lack of needed reform; the Republican Party while in power did almost nothing positive with the medical system, and they refuse to cooperate now. Our nation's now obese & sick; just let them eat cake. No comfort food will help. So sad !

Chosen for Advantage

Perceived injustice is the root of much conflict. Our world too often remains a dog-eat-dog battleground, a Social Darwinist killing field where the weak and unfortunate become nutrients for the advantaged.

Those born in the USA have opportunities unachievable to most people born in Somalia, for example. We've created a global system that perpetuates unjust favoritism. Some people claim a mandate to steal land or property (Fascism, "manifest destiny") or to otherwise oppress (perhaps because their relatives suffered, or a benefit of God's Will). Further subgroups manipulate the rules: banking executives rely on market discipline when pricing or refusing loans, but when their own jobs become exposed, finagling subsidies & new rules with undiminished self-aggrandizement.

Always around the corner lurks another band of thieves, eager for wealth. People will struggle with injustice. Those with looted treasures can never be quite secure. We can only try to make better systems; havens of justice.

DPRK North Korea

At the end of last November, I traveled across the DMZ by bus into North Korea. Ours was the last public tour of Kaesong (Gaesong 개성); that evening the border closed, and hasn't since reopened to tourists.

I was interviewed by TV and print media both before & after my trip. One interview was with a student reporter, Park Boram, a pre-journalism intern for the Ministry of Unification. Here's the summary transcript:

1) What is purpose of your sightseeing to North Korea?
North Korea is a very uncommon travel destination. As a specialist in place marketing, I’m very interested in unique destinations that are fun, educational or confer conversational capital. A tour to Kaesong seemed challenging and a bit scary (not least because I went by myself on a Korean language tour, and my Korean language skills are still very limited). The trip was also an uncommon chance to learn and appreciate something special.

I visited East Germany in 1981, a day trip to East Berlin. It was highly eye-opening to be in a society so radically different than my own. I had a few memorable conversations, and spent most of the day in museums, but left recognizing that humans are much the same even though their political systems might be radically different. (Demonizing whole communities is nonsense).

I have had some experience training groups from North Korea: they came to Sweden and I taught them about market economics & Swedish ideology. My strongest impressions were not involving politics, but rather basic human interaction. For example, when out with a group at night in Stockholm, my wife & I asked an older male professor “Who does the cooking at your house?” ("And who does the shopping and cleanup?" "What favorite dishes can you cook?") These topics generated laughter and joking among the North Korean colleagues. Such discussions may be a basis for humor & gentle ribbing, but also for human communication.

2) What is the picture of there? I mean, is there same to report which is from broadcastings or books? Or is there seems to be hard to live there?

Hyundai Asan has made a truly amazing effort. The corporate effort has bridged an area where the South Korean government could do little. It is a great tribute to private initiative that such a thing has been possible. I would expect this to lead to improved rapprochement. Certainly any North Koreans seeing or working in the Kaesong Industrial Complex would be impressed with the modern infrastructure, which so strongly contrasts with nearby villages & hamlets (normal villages reminded me of visits to Nepal; tougher & more rustic than settlements south of the DMZ).


3) Where is the most impression place? Or what is special food in North Korea?

A tour is a great way to feel pushed to learn more history (I’m still learning the basics of Korean history). For example, I knew that Kaesong was a former capital (918-1392 Koryo Dynasty), but I was surprised to learn the name was formerly Songdo (sounding similar to the place name for South Korea's huge New Songdo City development near Incheon).


I had a strong sense that the government in Pyongyang is taking care of cultural treasures as the joint heritage of all Korean people. We enjoyed visiting Sonjuk Bridge, Pakyon Falls and the ancient Songkyunkwan University buildings. Considering North Korea's economic condition, seeing these treasures was a sadly ironic contrast to the poor stewardship of the Seoul government with the tragic destruction of Sungnyemun (1st national treasure of Korea; Feb. 2008 Namdaemun fire in Seoul).

My group had a delicious 13-course meal served in traditional polished brass bowls, with alcoholic drink starter (Kaesong Koryo Insam Liquor). The waitresses wore "Songdo Gisaeng" Hanbok. The kimchi used coriander, and had a special tangy taste. Also an arrowroot jelly was yummy, peppery samgyetang, unseasoned kim (nori / seaplant), sukchu namul with ginger, and yakbap (sticky "medicine rice" with ginnan, chestnut, etc.)... I guess very few others in that city ate as well as we did.

4) This question is so privacy and individual, but I expect to know your opinion. What do you think of unification between North and South Korea? And why do you think so?

Highly-partisan positions within South Korean politics (GDP / Democratic Party antagonism) have made progress difficult, as unification policies are treated as a political football. Differing parties and politicians repudiate each other at the cost of Inter-Korean reconciliation. Partisan politics have led to the Sunshine Policy being promoted or opposed in narrow partisan politics, instead of in terms of nation-building. The partition of Korea has huge costs. In my personal opinion, unification is a great, perhaps primary, national goal worthy of major, serious, sustained effort.

5) And last question, do you have some opinions to Korean government or Koreans relation to North Korea?

During the time we visitors were at ancient Songkyunkwan University for sightseeing & nearby shopping, I had the chance to watch our guides. Though they were from North and South, and were dressed very differently, I could clearly see rapport: they nudged each other and joked and laughed together. From my perspective as an outsider, seeing them speaking Korean together as colleagues clarified the tragedy of a divided land. I wish more Koreans deeply recognized this tragedy. We might imagine a time when 72 million Korean people cherish their heritage; when buses and trains carry all Koreans throughout the Korean peninsula or perhaps onward to China, Russia or Europe. That scenario promises more dynamic culture, cheaper imports and the freeing-up of huge resources and vast areas of land now dedicated to military defense. This trip to Kaesong opened my imagination. It was a peak experience!

Peace Month Fast Approaching

Peace Month begins tomorrow: No food or drink, dawn to dusk, for 30 days. Suddenly every bite of anything tastes special, and I'm more aware each time I open my mouth. I expect to survive the challenge, but it won't be easy... How will I contribute to peace in the midst of it?



http://peacemonth.org

Politics or Not ... Scouting

Should everything be politicized? Kids birthday parties? Medical care? Is celebrating Christmas anti-Semitic?

I was a member of the Boy Scouts of America. I can heartily recommend Scouting for skills & leadership development; we had great fun & learned a lot.

More than 100 million Americans have been part of the Scouting movement; the vast majority with excellent experiences. Each & every day, Scouting skills save lives. Thanks to Scouting, many people better understand nature and the wider world.

But some people now see Scouting as the Great Satan - for sexual intolerance.

Scouting sought to be an organization for young men, but otherwise asexual. Health, hygiene & first aid are taught, but sexual matters were deliberately avoided; family & health professionals were recommended for advice. Perhaps such a solution could not continue in an all-inclusive issue-based society. Why weren't girls welcome? And what if volunteer adult leaders abused their trust as chaperones?

The National Office, Boy Scouts of America was pressured to take unambiguous positions in the national struggle for tolerance & gender equality. Bigotry was certainly involved in the decision to refuse membership to avowed homosexuals. Parent worries about pedophilia became part of the debate. The majority of Scouts are pre-teens, sexuality not yet a major part of their lives. But sexual & gender battles developed around them, fought bitterly by others through to the Supreme Court of the USA. Hurray perhaps for legalism, politics & propriety. The boys are the losers...

Blind Obama

Obama needs more help. Change is far too little, much too late. Huge funds were given to robber capitalists & overseas warfare.
Let's develop a clearly better path.