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» babble   » current events   » international news and politics   » North Korea open for business...a teensy bit

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Author Topic: North Korea open for business...a teensy bit
Doug
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 44

posted 04 September 2007 10:15 AM      Profile for Doug   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
And in the 95th year, the Great Leader said: Let there be business.

And the people trembled, and fell into confusion. For they were not really sure what he meant.

After decades of austere socialism, North Korea's cult-like leadership has ordered its long suffering population to take its first hesitant steps into the world of capitalism. The order is not to be ignored - the Great Leader is seen as a divine power - yet the regime has cast doubt on its own decree by imposing a strict ban on basic tools of business, including the Internet and the mobile phone.


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070904.wkorea04/BNStory/International/home


From: Toronto, Canada | Registered: Apr 2001  |  IP: Logged
Fidel
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 5594

posted 04 September 2007 11:07 AM      Profile for Fidel     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Well the G&M is chomping at the bit with a story that's a few years old, and our news media have taken their sweet time in telling us about how the evil dictator is only just seeing the light now. CitiBank economists actually released a report to the Pentagon two years ago describing North Korean reforms toward integrating that economy with surrounding Asian countries.

The Korean barbarians are supposed to remain divided and conquered not trading freely between North and South. The Russians have proposed building electrical power conduits through North and South Korea in facilitating industrial expansion in both countries, and surrounding countries to Japan are investing in and buying everything from housewares to mineral ores mined in N. Korea.

The repressive situtuation with cellular and inet access sounds similar to what the propaganda machine was pulling with Cuba. Of course there isn't access for everyone, but it's more a result of relentless cold war trade embargo mentality and shortages than of political will. We must remember that benevolent capitalists invented trade between countries thousands of years after the fact.

The Citibank report said NK's bustling market expansion is where China's was in the 1980's, and monetary reform about where China's was in the 90's. Surprise! Asia Pacific countries are now the largest generators of wealth and capital in the world, and it's a going concern for Pentagon capitalists.


From: Viva La Revolución | Registered: Apr 2004  |  IP: Logged
Stockholm
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 3138

posted 04 September 2007 11:24 AM      Profile for Stockholm     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
You're very funny. Is there a real person behind "Fidel" or is he/she a wind-up toy where you press button and out spews some 1970s style Communist propaganda justifying anything and everything done by any country that calls itself Communist.

What recorded message do i get if i push the "Ceaucescu" button?


From: Toronto | Registered: Sep 2002  |  IP: Logged
Fidel
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 5594

posted 04 September 2007 11:29 AM      Profile for Fidel     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
But there's nothing funnier than reading Canadian's second-hand American opinions on how they want us to view the world. It's both funny and sad at the same time, like your distorted views on Cuba.

quote]What recorded message do i get if i push the "Ceaucescu" button?[/quote]

You'd have to ask a former member of the Raygun or Bush I administrations who supported Ceausecu up until the last dog was hung.

[ 04 September 2007: Message edited by: Fidel ]


From: Viva La Revolución | Registered: Apr 2004  |  IP: Logged
Stockholm
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 3138

posted 04 September 2007 11:36 AM      Profile for Stockholm     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Why don't you tell us your first hand account of life in the "workers paradise of North Korea". I'm sure you have had many a pleasure filled holiday there?
From: Toronto | Registered: Sep 2002  |  IP: Logged
Fidel
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 5594

posted 04 September 2007 11:59 AM      Profile for Fidel     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Because I'm still waiting for you to explain why life in several dozen bastions of thirdworld capitalism translates to agony and despair for several hundred million workers ?.

I would hope that second-hand news articles like this Gob and Pail one are an insult to the sensible average Canadian realizing it's a warmed over cold war leftover. The redcoats are coming, Stockholmer. Better clean your musket, lock and load and all that.


From: Viva La Revolución | Registered: Apr 2004  |  IP: Logged
Stockholm
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 3138

posted 04 September 2007 03:39 PM      Profile for Stockholm     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
The only fair comparison is between North Korea and South Korea. They are two halves of the same peninsula with the same language and culture. The difference is as follows:

North Korea: communist totalitarian personality cult, 65% of children in rural areas are estimated to suffer from malnutrition, hundreds of thousands died of starvation in the 90s, all connection with the outside world is controlled, no one may own a cell phone or have access to the Internet or even talk to a foreigner. Foreign visitors are not allowed to photograph anything and have their every move monitored. About 3/4 of the GDP is spent on the military while people have just about the lowest standard of living in all of Asia.

South Korea: Vibrant multi-party democracy with a standard of living that is similar to Japan and to western Europe. There are competing parties, competing media, a great arts and culture scene, an open door to foreign visitors. etc...

Ordinary people in North Korea are seen picking leaves off trees in Pyongyang in order not to starve. Ordinary people in South Korea, you meet on package tours lying on beaches in Hawaii!


From: Toronto | Registered: Sep 2002  |  IP: Logged
Fidel
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 5594

posted 04 September 2007 03:53 PM      Profile for Fidel     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
We're going to have to send you to the Ayn Rand school for lunatic fringe indoctrination so you can update yourself on the latest right-wing pap now and then. It seems to be a personal interest of yours.

In your spare time, I recommend you read this book by Naomi Klein entitled,
The Shock Doctrine: The Rise Of Disaster Capitalism as an aid in developing some semblance of balance in your political views.

And don't give any socialist speeches while you're touring around South Korea either. Redcoats, Stockholmer. They're a comin.

[ 04 September 2007: Message edited by: Fidel ]


From: Viva La Revolución | Registered: Apr 2004  |  IP: Logged

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