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bassexpander
Joined: 13 Sep 2007
Location: Someplace you'd rather be.
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 Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 3:11 pm Post subject: Clinton on NK, "..maybe it's the mother in me..." |
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This was pretty funny. I hope Kim Jung Il gets all pissy over it:
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2009/07/21/52/0301000000AEN20090721000400315F.HTML
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"What we've seen is this constant demand for attention, and maybe it's the mother in me or the experience that I've had with small children and unruly teenagers and people who are demanding attention," she said. "We weren't going to give the North Koreans the satisfaction they were looking for, which is to try to elevate them again to center stage." |
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bluelake
Joined: 01 Dec 2005
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| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 5:56 pm Post subject: |
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| While I've been visiting in the States, that is pretty much what I've told people when they asked about NK (every year I get asked the same thing over and over again). I tell them that in SK, life goes on and few people pay any attention to the North. I also say that NK is just acting like a petulant, spoiled child looking for attention; shooting off missiles/setting off nukes is their equivalent of stamping their feet. Also, I mention that much of their bellicose talk is really aimed more for domestic consumption. I tell them, just like I tell my elderly father, "When I start worrying, then you can start worrying." |
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typo
Joined: 16 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 6:00 pm Post subject: |
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| bluelake wrote: |
| While I've been visiting in the States, that is pretty much what I've told people when they asked about NK (every year I get asked the same thing over and over again). I tell them that in SK, life goes on and few people pay any attention to the North. I also say that NK is just acting like a petulant, spoiled child looking for attention; shooting off missiles/setting off nukes is their equivalent of stamping their feet. Also, I mention that much of their bellicose talk is really aimed more for domestic consumption. I tell them, just like I tell my elderly father, "When I start worrying, then you can start worrying." |
The difference is you're not a high-ranking government official whose every word is attached a huge importance. She's the head of the state department. While yes, her assessment may be correct, I don't think it was wise to voice those opinions, at least in that way. In private talks with other government officials? Sure.
I could be susceptible to changing my mind on this, though. I just don't think right now, when NK is inthe midst of regime change, that scoffing at a nuclear power is the right way to go about things. |
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bluelake
Joined: 01 Dec 2005
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| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 6:31 pm Post subject: |
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| typo wrote: |
| bluelake wrote: |
| While I've been visiting in the States, that is pretty much what I've told people when they asked about NK (every year I get asked the same thing over and over again). I tell them that in SK, life goes on and few people pay any attention to the North. I also say that NK is just acting like a petulant, spoiled child looking for attention; shooting off missiles/setting off nukes is their equivalent of stamping their feet. Also, I mention that much of their bellicose talk is really aimed more for domestic consumption. I tell them, just like I tell my elderly father, "When I start worrying, then you can start worrying." |
The difference is you're not a high-ranking government official whose every word is attached a huge importance. She's the head of the state department. While yes, her assessment may be correct, I don't think it was wise to voice those opinions, at least in that way. In private talks with other government officials? Sure.
I could be susceptible to changing my mind on this, though. I just don't think right now, when NK is inthe midst of regime change, that scoffing at a nuclear power is the right way to go about things. |
Granted, I am not a high-ranking gov't official. Still, even though NK has nukes, they aren't about to use them (outside of demo detonations inside their own country). I would be more concerned with them selling the nukes to someone who has no compunction in using them. |
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ReeseDog
Joined: 05 Apr 2008
Location: Classified
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| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 7:26 pm Post subject: |
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| Clinton. *barf* |
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typo
Joined: 16 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 7:44 pm Post subject: |
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I just don't think it wise for a highly visible government official to make condescending statements toward an already unstable and hostile government. Clinton knows (or should be informed) that Koreans take pride very seriously, and I can easily see them retaliate in the form of violating more UN sanctions, leading the world on a nuclear wild-goose chase (we have nuclear materials on this boat. try and stop us from delivering to Syria! e.g.) or what have you.
Will they retaliate with extreme callousness like detonating a nuke (inside or outside their border) because of the comment? Probably not. I mean, it's a possiblity, but a very, very remote possibility given that we must assume NK is at least a somewhat rational actor and likes existence. Doesn't excuse Clinton's callous comments. Taunt someone and they'll respond with something to show their strength.
If I were Clinton, and I honestly believed the comment I had made, I would have just kept quiet and passed my belief on to other government officials. By making the comment she already made NK a part of the center stage. It was just an ill-thought out comment all around. |
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freshking
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:18 pm Post subject: |
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| I agree. Why antagonize them if we want peace in the region? Doesn't make any sense to me. |
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CeleryMan
Joined: 12 Apr 2007
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:19 pm Post subject: Re: Clinton on NK, "..maybe it's the mother in me...&qu |
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| bassexpander wrote: |
This was pretty funny. I hope Kim Jung Il gets all pissy over it:
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2009/07/21/52/0301000000AEN20090721000400315F.HTML
| Quote: |
"What we've seen is this constant demand for attention, and maybe it's the mother in me or the experience that I've had with small children and unruly teenagers and people who are demanding attention," she said. "We weren't going to give the North Koreans the satisfaction they were looking for, which is to try to elevate them again to center stage." |
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Wow...this broad absolutely nailed it. |
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