|
Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
catman
Joined: 18 Jul 2004
|
 Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:33 pm Post subject: Ron Paul, Hope for a Reunited Korea |
 |
|
An opinion piece from the Seoul Times.
| Quote: |
Among the candidates for the 2008 presidential election, only one has offered a proposal that would seriously work toward the reunification of the tragically divided Korean Peninsula. That candidate is Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), and his plan is to withdraw all American military forces from South Korea.
Dr. Paul has not isolated Korea for a removal of American forces. In keeping with warnings of Presidents Washington and Jefferson to avoid "foreign entanglements" and "entangling alliances," he has called for the withdrawal of the American military presence throughout the world, not only in South Korea, but also in Japan, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq. Ending a costly empire that is causing the American economy to sink into what appears terminal decline is crucial, and fully in keeping with the traditions of the "Old Right" and with the non-interventionism that was the intent of the founding fathers. The Korean people, however, have at least as much to gain from a speedy withdrawal of the American military presence from the peninsula.
The USFK presence is in its 63rd year. If this is not a "foreign entanglement" and "entangling alliance" than what is? In any entanglement, both entangled parties lose. America loses treasure in a faraway land in which she no vital interest. South Korea suffers the loss of prestige and self-respect that comes with being a protectorate, along with the various cultural and social problems associated with hosting a 37,000-strong foreign military presence. Both South Korea and the United States stand to gain from an amiable end to their six-decade long entanglement, and only Dr. Ron Paul of Texas is talking about getting the process going.
Not only do the Korean people south of the DMZ stand to gain from a USFK withdrawal, but so do their separated brethren to the north. As the recent summit between the heads of state of Seoul and Pyeongyang demonstrated, the Korean people are perfectly capable of working out their own differences by themselves. The presence of the military of the last remaining superpower, albeit one overtaxed and in decline, only complicates matters and delays the eventual reunification of the Korean peninsula. Kim Jong-il's recalcitrance and nuclear brinkmanship are largely in response to the threat he feels from the USFK. If this threat were removed, he would likely speed up reforms of the backward economy over which we rules, and this would require further assistance from the South. Dr. Ron Paul's non-interventionism would afford the people of both Korea's an opportunity to enhance cooperation and integration, leading to a speedier reunification of the painfully divided country.
A USFK withdrawal would create some minor short-term costs that would be net gains for South Korea, which would find itself in need of further modernization and expansion of its own defense capabilities. But these short-term costs would be very beneficial to the country in the long-term, and would do much to improve the national self-esteem.
South Koreans and Korean-Americans would be wise to support Dr. Ron Paul and his message of peace and freedom.
An American Catholic son-in-law of Korea, Joshua Snyder lives with his wife and two children in Pohang, where he serves as an assistant visiting professor of English at a science and technology university. He 'blogs at
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
jinju
Joined: 22 Jan 2006
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Great. Im sure all the dictators will be pullin for this guy. Truly one of the most disgusting, dispicable candidates since, well, Hitler. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
catman
Joined: 18 Jul 2004
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:48 pm Post subject: |
|
|
It has been a few years since I studied European History but I kind of think Hitler was into invading countries. I could be wrong though.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
igotthisguitar
Joined: 08 Apr 2003
Location: South Korea (Permanent Vacation)
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| catman wrote: |
It has been a few years since I studied European History but I kind of think Hitler was into invading countries.
I could be wrong though. |
You're bang-on Cat.
Bear in mind the 3rd Reich had some major foreign backers. Western interests on Wall Street,
residing in the Bank Of England etc.
TRADING WITH THE BIN LADENS 
"Nazi", Hitler, or "baby-killer" e.g. are used mostly when reactionaries desperately try to demonize someone
whose opinions & motives etc. are soundly superior  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Berghoff
Joined: 25 Oct 2007
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 11:05 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Suppose Mitt Romney reveals his love of kimchi. Who will Koreans support then? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
blaseblasphemener
Joined: 01 Jun 2006
Location: There's a voice, keeps on calling me, down the road, that's where I'll always be
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 11:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| jinju wrote: |
| Great. Im sure all the dictators will be pullin for this guy. Truly one of the most disgusting, dispicable candidates since, well, Hitler. |
keep on pulling for the United States Military Industrial Complex. It needs cheerleaders like yourself. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Joo Rip Gwa Rhhee
Joined: 25 May 2003
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 12:34 am Post subject: |
|
|
The US Korea deal is much better for Korea than the US.
It is not even close. When and if US troops leave Korea is immediately the weakest nation in North East Asia. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Joo Rip Gwa Rhhee
Joined: 25 May 2003
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 12:35 am Post subject: |
|
|
"blaseblasphemener"][
keep on pulling for the United States Military Industrial Complex. It needs cheerleaders like yourself.[/quote]
Keeping US forces in Korea is really good for the US "military industrial complex"?
Really why do you say so? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
TexasPete
Joined: 24 May 2006
Location: Koreatown
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 1:57 am Post subject: |
|
|
| So when do we hear that Ron Paul can also walk on water? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
blaseblasphemener
Joined: 01 Jun 2006
Location: There's a voice, keeps on calling me, down the road, that's where I'll always be
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 4:10 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Joo Rip Gwa Rhhee wrote: |
"blaseblasphemener"][
keep on pulling for the United States Military Industrial Complex. It needs cheerleaders like yourself. |
Keeping US forces in Korea is really good for the US "military industrial complex"?
Really why do you say so?[/quote]
Military expansion/Military empire=Good for Military Industrial Complex
no war/no expansion=bad for Military Industrial Complex
No America in Korea=war??? hahahahaha. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ya-ta Boy
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: Established in 1994
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 4:22 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
So when do we hear that Ron Paul can also walk on water?
|
We haven't been told that particular one yet, but we have been told he will save the country. I don't worry so much that he is going to stroll across Lake Michigan. More power to him if he can.
What worries me is that RP is the kind of guy who ultimately ends up asking his followers to drink green Kool-Ade. And they do it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Kuros
Joined: 27 Apr 2004
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 5:39 am Post subject: |
|
|
Ron Paul is elected. He comes to power, pulls out troops from South Korea. Immediately, KJI is overwhelmed by his moral authority and decides to disband his regime.
A unified Korea joins the US, Japan, and China on a path down the yellow brick gold standard, and peace and prosperity reign over the land. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
blaseblasphemener
Joined: 01 Jun 2006
Location: There's a voice, keeps on calling me, down the road, that's where I'll always be
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 5:48 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Ya-ta Boy wrote: |
| Quote: |
So when do we hear that Ron Paul can also walk on water?
|
We haven't been told that particular one yet, but we have been told he will save the country. I don't worry so much that he is going to stroll across Lake Michigan. More power to him if he can.
What worries me is that RP is the kind of guy who ultimately ends up asking his followers to drink green Kool-Ade. And they do it. |
Hilarious. You have so much disdain for a guy who doesn't violate human rights, the constitution, preaches libertarian values, and who stands for values and morals that most Americans will at least respect, and many will support.
Why don't you focus your disdain for the real evil-doers in Washington? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Kuros
Joined: 27 Apr 2004
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 5:56 am Post subject: |
|
|
| blaseblasphemener wrote: |
| Ya-ta Boy wrote: |
| Quote: |
So when do we hear that Ron Paul can also walk on water?
|
We haven't been told that particular one yet, but we have been told he will save the country. I don't worry so much that he is going to stroll across Lake Michigan. More power to him if he can.
What worries me is that RP is the kind of guy who ultimately ends up asking his followers to drink green Kool-Ade. And they do it. |
Hilarious. You have so much disdain for a guy who doesn't violate human rights, the constitution, preaches libertarian values, and who stands for values and morals that most Americans will at least respect, and many will support.
Why don't you focus your disdain for the real evil-doers in Washington? |
There's a logical fallacy on display.
Ya-Ta has shown disdain for Bush these past few years? Where have you been?
Oh, right, you're part of the huge Ron Paul-supporter influx we've had in the past few months.
Go back and look at all the threads posted about Ron Paul, one candidate among many, and see if you can tell me why Ya-Ta is speaking out against your boy and not Bush?
I guess, I don't know, Ya-Ta thinks that its time to stop worrying about the lame-duck whose term ends in just over a year, and about the new blood.
Here's a thought, maybe Ya-Ta Boy supports any one of the many Democratic candidates, none of whom support torture or Executive over-stepping of the Constitution.
I'll say it again: Ron Paul spells doom for the GOP. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
blaseblasphemener
Joined: 01 Jun 2006
Location: There's a voice, keeps on calling me, down the road, that's where I'll always be
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 6:19 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Kuros wrote: |
| blaseblasphemener wrote: |
| Ya-ta Boy wrote: |
| Quote: |
So when do we hear that Ron Paul can also walk on water?
|
We haven't been told that particular one yet, but we have been told he will save the country. I don't worry so much that he is going to stroll across Lake Michigan. More power to him if he can.
What worries me is that RP is the kind of guy who ultimately ends up asking his followers to drink green Kool-Ade. And they do it. |
Hilarious. You have so much disdain for a guy who doesn't violate human rights, the constitution, preaches libertarian values, and who stands for values and morals that most Americans will at least respect, and many will support.
Why don't you focus your disdain for the real evil-doers in Washington? |
There's a logical fallacy on display.
Ya-Ta has shown disdain for Bush these past few years? Where have you been?
Oh, right, you're part of the huge Ron Paul-supporter influx we've had in the past few months.
Go back and look at all the threads posted about Ron Paul, one candidate among many, and see if you can tell me why Ya-Ta is speaking out against your boy and not Bush?
I guess, I don't know, Ya-Ta thinks that its time to stop worrying about the lame-duck whose term ends in just over a year, and about the new blood.
Here's a thought, maybe Ya-Ta Boy supports any one of the many Democratic candidates, none of whom support torture or Executive over-stepping of the Constitution.
[b]
I'll say it again: Ron Paul spells doom for the GOP. |
A guy with a conscience, who doesn't believe in torture, who believes in habeas corpus, who doesn't want to violate the Geneva convention, who doesn't believe monetary policy should be controlled by private interests on Wall Street, who doesn't believe in Empire building, who thinks Muslim infighting is not worth the lives of thousands of American soldiers and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, and millions of refugees: this is a bad thing for the GOP? If this is what they don't stand for, than they need to reevaluate things.
As for Ya-Ta, nobody believes Ron Paul is going to win this thing, including me. It's that the ideas are being heard, and that people are grabbing hold of ideas that have not been raised in a long time. His message is what is important, and the longer he's in the race, the better the chance that getting out of Iraq might become a choice that the Democratic or Republican front-runners have to consider. He's saying things that need to be said, and that the front-runners are afraid to say.
Unless you think Iraq is a good idea. Then by all means, the top tier candidates are all wonderful. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
