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Lawrence
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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 Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2003 9:19 pm Post subject: A story so disturbingly Korean.... |
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A44028-2003Dec7.html?referrer=emailarticlepg
I know there are some of you out there, like me, who relish these
odd stories that come along once in a while, that perfectly capture the
unique character of Koreans, and the twisted way they think and act.
This one , I feel, is better than the pitcher throwing at the bird, better
than the Ohno incident, or even the father who threw his computer out the window and hit the pedestrian. This story has it on several different levels.... |
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helly
Joined: 01 Apr 2003
Location: WORLDWIDE
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| Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2003 9:37 pm Post subject: |
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| Could you explain what is so "disturbingly Korean" about it? |
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Butterfly
Joined: 02 Mar 2003
Location: Kuwait
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| Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2003 9:38 pm Post subject: Re: A story so disturbingly Korean.... |
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I don't see what is twisted here about the way the workers reacted, given that they are working in an extremely dangerous region, away from their families, have had two of their colleagues murdered, are seemingly paid a pitiful amount for the dangerous work they are doing and are clearly under extreme stress.
I wonder if any other nationalities / people would act any differently. My heart goes out to anyone working in that country right now, military or not, it's fuggin dangerous. |
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Mr. Pink
Joined: 21 Oct 2003
Location: China
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| Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2003 9:47 pm Post subject: Re: A story so disturbingly Korean.... |
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| Butterfly wrote: |
I don't see what is twisted here about the way the workers reacted, given that they are working in an extremely dangerous region, away from their families, have had two of their colleagues murdered, are seemingly paid a pitiful amount for the dangerous work they are doing and are clearly under extreme stress.
I wonder if any other nationalities / people would act any differently. My heart goes out to anyone working in that country right now, military or not, it's fuggin dangerous. |
I second this opinion. I just read that article twice looking for the "twist". Do you think Americans wouldnt kick and punch their managers if they were paid crap, lied to, not given adequate protection, and then had their buddies killed?
Those Korean workers have families to think about. I know if I was in their shoes I would be chain smoking and wanting some answers PDQ. |
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Swiss James
Joined: 26 Nov 2003
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2003 9:50 pm Post subject: |
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Poor working conditions lead to contractors quitting.
Those crazy koreans! |
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weatherman
Joined: 14 Jan 2003
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2003 11:07 pm Post subject: |
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| The problem is that the Koreans quit so easily. Americans are taking on death daily, and nobody is running around screaming for more money and kidnaping their bosses. What is interesting, is that you have to read between the lines a bit. When you do, you see that the management didn't fallow safy regulations so it is presume at least. The workers didn't care, until something bad happened, and then all hell breaks loose. The Korean buckled, when they should held stronge because their system sucks, and left with tails between their legs. Why give contracts out to groups like these when work needs to be done. That is how I see it. |
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Butterfly
Joined: 02 Mar 2003
Location: Kuwait
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| Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2003 11:33 pm Post subject: |
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Americans aren't screaming and kidnapping their bosses because most of them are in the army, that's what they do. And there are lots of people screaming back in the USA about the number of Americans being killed.
Two of their Korean coworkers were killed.
Any excuse to bash Koreans, shall we save it for when it's due? It isn't here. |
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Gwangjuboy
Joined: 08 Jul 2003
Location: England
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| Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2003 11:41 pm Post subject: |
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| weatherman wrote: |
| The problem is that the Koreans quit so easily. Americans are taking on death daily, and nobody is running around screaming for more money and kidnaping their bosses. |
I don't think this is unique to Koreans. I wouldn't even regard quiting as a Korean characteristic. There have been complaints by the Spanish, Japanese, and the UN over these issues. Even the Red Cross closed it's offices in Baghdad and Basra. I think that you must discriminate between the armed forces and private contractors. Further, even the US forces moan about their responsibilities in Iraq. |
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Gwangjuboy
Joined: 08 Jul 2003
Location: England
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| Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2003 11:43 pm Post subject: Re: A story so disturbingly Korean.... |
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| Lawrence wrote: |
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A44028-2003Dec7.html?referrer=emailarticlepg
I know there are some of you out there, like me, who relish these
odd stories that come along once in a while, that perfectly capture the
unique character of Koreans, and the twisted way they think and act. |
Odd, twisted, and unique? I think you have captured yourself perfectly. |
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jaebea
Joined: 21 Sep 2003
Location: SYD
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| Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2003 11:49 pm Post subject: |
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I'm with Butterfly too.
These are civilian contractors on civilian contracts. Admittedly, it's a hotspot (to say the least), but you'd presume that by working in such a place, basic commitments to security would be adhered to by your employers.
I think it was a fair resolution, but a DAMN shame that two people had to die for it.
2c.
jae. |
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kiwiboy_nz_99
Joined: 05 Jul 2003
Location: ...Enlightenment...
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| Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2003 12:00 am Post subject: |
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| What is Korean about it is the bosses lack of concern for their workers safety, and secondly, the way the bosses were 'shamed'. |
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Ilsanman
Joined: 15 Aug 2003
Location: Bucheon, Korea
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| Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2003 4:42 am Post subject: yes |
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| If I were them I would also get the hell out of Dodge. |
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Son Deureo!
Joined: 30 Apr 2003
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| Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2003 5:04 am Post subject: |
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| kiwiboy_nz_99 wrote: |
| What is Korean about it is the bosses lack of concern for their workers safety, and secondly, the way the bosses were 'shamed'. |
Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner! |
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lush72
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Location: I am Penalty Kick!
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| Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2003 5:10 am Post subject: |
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| kiwiboy_nz_99 wrote: |
| What is Korean about it is the bosses lack of concern for their workers safety, and secondly, the way the bosses were 'shamed'. |
THANK YOU!
EDIT- this should help clear things up-
| Washington Post wrote: |
They said their managers withheld information crucial to their safety and neglected to provide them with protective equipment.
The engineers were sent out in plain clothes, without flak jackets or helmets. They routinely traveled with only a driver, in large SUVs, without escorts or bodyguards, they said.
The engineers asked their bosses why no one had warned the workers and why they were still being asked to work in the area. They also questioned why they had not been provided with protective gear or guards, standard issue for many companies that employ foreign nationals in Iraq.
And so a standoff began the day after the attack. The contractors refused to go out to the work sites until they got answers and a promise of more security. They said their managers withheld their passports and pay, and would not allow them to go home -----ZING!
The workers placed blank pieces of paper in front of their managers and told them to write letters apologizing for their role in the deaths of their co-workers and promising that there would be compensation. "And write it prettily," one worker demanded. |
Last edited by lush72 on Mon Dec 08, 2003 5:25 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Tiberious aka Sparkles
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2003 5:21 am Post subject: |
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Good on them. Screw assisting in some bent-minded baby killer's illegal war.
Vive la resistance!
Sparkles*_* (smiling why he's crying) |
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