Memo to Our Readers re: the Situation in Korea – “Read Between the Lines”

by on November 28, 2010 · 4 comments

in Economy, War and Peace, World News

Did you know that your country – the US of A – and South Korea – have been holding military and naval war game exercises in and around the Korea peninsula since last March?

That was when most nations believe North Korea sunk a South Korean warship with the loss of 46 lives in the Yellow Sea, on the western side of the peninsula.  North Korea denied it, and China – its big ally – has failed to condemn them.

Now the US and South Korea have announced additional naval exercises in the Yellow Sea starting today, Sunday, November 28th.

This announcement seems innocent and righteous enough, but we must understand that since March, our country has been ratcheting up the tensions in that part of the world.

Beginning in July, the war games were moved to the eastern side of the peninsula. There were US and South Korea anti-submarine drills in September.  Land war games were being held, involving tens of thousands of South Korean and US troops.

Just before North Korea shelled the small island on the west side of South Korea, killing 4 people, South Korea was lobbying its shells into waters that are today still disputed between the two countries that had a terrible 3 year civil war that began 60 years ago.  But that was not covered by the mainstream press.

It comes down that the war games are being held in an area that has long been under dispute over whether North or South Korea own it. That makes the war games all the more provocative and confrontational. The US is, apparently, helping South Korea to push the envelope.

The mainstream press has been “slow” to cover the recent history of US and South Korea war games that stretch back to last Spring.

Just remember, in any “news” that comes out about what is going on between the two Koreas and our country, READ BETWEEN THE LINES.

Now, why would the military leadership of our country want another war – we have two and a half going on right now?  Admiral Mullen, head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, claims North Korea wants more international aid, and it wants to blackmail the world for it.  Others say it’s the new young leader. Still others say it’s the crazy old leader.

There’s also been tensions between China and Japan in the region of late.  Did you know that these two American economic partners nearly broke off relations with each other over a seemingly minor ship and boat collision?

There’s a lot that we are not being told.  And now, why is everyone – except China – urging retaliation and more provocation? China is actually urging all the parties involved – including us – to use dialogue to settle disputes.

So, why are we, our country, our military, so eager to heighten tensions in the Koreas?

Perhaps the military industrial complex here wants a “cleaner” war, a war that is more acceptable to the American public, and a war the public might want to fund, instead of these losing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Perhaps the Pentagon and the corporations that make money on war want to counter the national impulse to cut back the military budget during this time of economic downturn.

Perhaps with the leadership transition going on right now in North Korea, the US and South Korea are testing the new leader. Or testing what leadership there is.

Whatever is going on, do not believe the mainstream press on its surface. It brought us the “shock and awe” of Iraq, it brought us the “Tonkin Gulf Incident” that President Johnson used to push us into Vietnam. It brought us the “lone-assassin” and “magic bullet” theories of the Kennedy assassination.

Do your own thinking and analysis on this issue. Don’t take our word for it. Do some of your own googling and research (that’s why I haven’t provided any links), and try to stay away from the “facts” of the mainstream press. It will be healthier for all of us.

{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

Old Hermit Dave November 28, 2010 at 2:04 pm

As long as the planners of the New Pearl Harbor are making money on the FAKE war on terror I doubt they will give the OK for another Korean war for their benefit. Also a Korean war would require a DRAFT and possible loss of government contracts to the Cheney/Rummy private contractor military. To say nothing of an all out NUKE world war. I don’t fear this myself, because I believe these guys will never take a chance of getting their YACHTS and MANSIONS blown up.

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Dorothy Lee November 29, 2010 at 6:34 pm

There is a fascinating book about North Korea and its citizenry by LA Times correspondent Barbara Demick, “Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea .”
A startling photo in the front of the book shows a satellite photo of the Far East, centered on both North and South Korea, at night. In N Korea, only one tiny pinpoint of light is seen, around Pyongyang. Good read, available at the SD Public Library.

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Dorothy Lee November 29, 2010 at 6:36 pm

Forgot to mention: today’s Wikileaks shed some interesting light on what China really thinks about N Korea. Maybe.

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annagrace November 29, 2010 at 6:53 pm

Frank- a troubling post. So much of what is going on in the world seems to fall into the “out of sight, out of mind” category. Thanks for the links.

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