Fidel Castro's death has elicited some very diverse responses from people around the world. Generally speaking, depending on political leanings, the responses were either favorable or negative. The favorable ranged from complimentary commentary to downright grieving. The flip side ranged from neutral to celebratory, especially from those of the Cuban Exile community in Florida who have hated him for years! More than likely, vast majority of Americans had a neutral response, although some of the older generation probably sided more with the Cuban Exile community!
I believe the younger generation is not only unaware, but doesn't really care what Fidel stood for, what he did not only in Cuba, but in other places in Latin America where he tried to spread his brand of "revolution." To most of the younger generation, Fidel Castro and his politics are ancient history, something as distant and irrelevant to them as the Vietnam War. So, his death and the passing of his era really doesn't mean much. But to many others, Fidel Castro was the evil incarnate, the devil himself. Perhaps their feelings were a bit too strong, but because so many had suffered under his rule for so long, suffered unspeakable hardships, to them his passing was not soon enough.
Like many in America, I believe that normalization of relations with Cuba was long overdue. After all, how can you ignore a country that is less than a hundred miles from Key West! We could not continue to ignore Cuba's existence as we have been doing for over a half a century. So, normalization of relations with Cuba was bound to happen, and it is good for both countries. There are so many Cuban-Americans today, whose families were split, that this "normalization" allows things to be put back in the right place, make life more or less "normal" for everyone concerned.
But, that doesn't mean that Fidel should be "rehabilitated" and treated as a respected, admired, and honored world leader! He may have been respected and admired by those who supported communist revolutions throughout Latin America and other parts of the world. He may have been respected and admired about as much as Yassar Arafat of the PLO, and for the same reasons! Yes, Fidel has had a great impact on the world politics in Latin America especially. But his influence and impact has not been positive. Look at Venezuela, a country that has had two successive leaders that were Castro influenced. They have driven that country to the brink of economic disaster! Look at all the other "leftist" leaders in Latin America, those that "admired" Fidel Castro. Their leadership has led to economic chaos and political instability.....every last one of them! So, Fidel a great world leader? Hardly!
It bothered me to hear prominent U.S. politicians singing the praises of Fidel, making him out to be some sort of a great leader who saved Latin America, perhaps a second coming of Simon Bolivar! Granted, these U.S. politicians were all known to lean left, but still, have they forgotten what Fidel had done in the past? Have they forgotten about the thousands upon thousands of Cubans that Fidel incarcerated and executed in his "cleansing" operations? Have they forgotten that it was Fidel who gave those orders to his brother Raul who carried out the "purges."
I don't fault the younger generation for not knowing about Fidel's past. Having spent many years in our educational system both as a student and a teacher, I know only full well that our system is less than great when it comes to teaching world history to our kids, even at college level! But the older generation has no excuse for not remembering or knowing about Fidel's past, his Stalin-like policies and rule before he handed over the reigns to his brother Raul. Has everyone forgotten when he released all of the criminals from prisons and sent them packing to our shores - the marielitos? That was just one of the more publicized events that took place. But Fidel Castro has done much more during his long and cruel reign in Cuba.
I wonder what words will come out of the mouths of our left-leaning politicians when Kim Jong Un kicks the bucket! Surely they will heap praises upon him if we manage to somehow normalize our relationship with that country, which thankfully is unlikely anytime in the near future!
There are those who say that Americans are very forgiving people, that we let bygones be bygones and don't hold a grudge. That is good, it shows that we have a big heart and are not petty. But in the same token, that doesn't mean that we should overlook everything and call a mass murderer a great man, which is what some did in case of Fidel Castro.
The death of Fidel Castro was not soon enough for some. For others, it was an opportunity to mouth words of praise and call him a great man. Unfortunately there is no in-between in case of Fidel. You either see him as a murderer that he was or, if you believe in the great communist revolution as some, then you see him as a great man. Perhaps he was a great man who was a sociopath, or a murderer who was a good politician?
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Saturday, November 19, 2016
Women's Rights in North Korea
The Republic of Korea (South Korea) has a woman president. South Korea is a very modern, technologically advanced country that in many ways is even more "techno-savy" than the U.S. North Korea on the other hand, is struggling to keep pace with the modern world and appears to spend all of its money on building weapons of war, especially its nuclear program, and feeding its standing army, one of the largest in the world. Yet, when it comes to women's rights, in many ways North Korea is far ahead of its wealthier, more modern neighbor/enemy in the south!
Immediately after the end of World War Two, shortly after Korea was partitioned, even before the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was established, a law was passed, one of the very first laws of North Korea. It was called the Law of Sex Equality and it was passed on 30 July 1946. This landmark law completely wiped out all previous accepted practices in Korea, practices which heavily favored men and essentially gave women a second class citizenship. The new law declared that women were equal to men in all areas, all regards, and to discriminate against women would be punishable by law. It was common practice in Korea prior to World War Two for men to have chubs (mistress or concubine) and this practice continued during the Japanese occupation and after the end of World War Two, in the South. But in the North it was punishable by law to have a chub, and the communists meant business. Also, under various laws, women never had equal rights with men when it came to marriage, divorce, education, or anything to do with finances. Only men were allowed to maintain the all important family register which essentially made the person "legal." Without being listed in the family register, you were a nobody, could not get an ID card or a passport, register in school, etc. North Korea abolished the male favoring family register, they established a simply registry that could be used by both men and women!
Along with the passage of the new law, there was constant encouragement from the government for women to get out of the house, so to speak, and be more involved. The traditional women's role of staying home and being a mother and wife was not discouraged, but neither was it discouraged for women to seek out careers and work outside. Education was heavily encouraged, even military service! North Korean women are subject to compulsory military service just like the men. Although some of the politically influential and powerful men still may have mistresses or participate in the kippumjo (sexual enslavement of young girls, chosen at a young age for the role), a system established for the powerful by Kim Jong Un's father Kim Jong Il, the vast majority of the male population can only read about such activity! If there was one thing that the founder of North Korea and the grandfather of current leader did that was good, it was the passing of the Law of Sex Equality. Kim Il Song's son may have perverted the law by establishing the kippumjo system for himself and the powerful party members, but at least for the vast majority of the male population the kippumjo is not available and women in general have equal rights with men.
In contrast, despite the political freedom ejoyed by women in South Korea, they lag behind their North Korean counterparts in many areas when it comes to equality with men. Rich chaebol families still practice the chub system and rich men often have "unofficial wives." Sexual harassment in work place was a big problem and until recently nothing was done. It was the woman president that passed new laws making sexual harassment punishable by law, a fairly recent thing in the South. In the North it was punishable by law since 1946! South Korea still uses the male controlled all important family registry as a key document for establishing identity, something North Korea abandoned long ago. Recently President Park of South Korea tried to abolish the system and was met with so much resistance that she had to use a different approach....agreed to have certain aspects of the registry modified. In short, she had to compromise!
So, it is indeed odd, almost contradictory that a country such as North Korea would allow more freedom and rights to women than a "free" modern country such as South Korea! But South Korea is still struggling with some of its archaic and strict family traditions and practices, traditions and practices that date back to the days of the "Hermit Kingdom," the Chosun Era! South Korean women are constantly battling the old traditions and ways that hamper their ability to work and advance in the modern society. President Park, the woman president has done much to help women of South Korea, but even she admits that it is not enough and there is still a long way to go....to even catch up with the communist North, when it comes to women's equality! Go figure!
Immediately after the end of World War Two, shortly after Korea was partitioned, even before the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was established, a law was passed, one of the very first laws of North Korea. It was called the Law of Sex Equality and it was passed on 30 July 1946. This landmark law completely wiped out all previous accepted practices in Korea, practices which heavily favored men and essentially gave women a second class citizenship. The new law declared that women were equal to men in all areas, all regards, and to discriminate against women would be punishable by law. It was common practice in Korea prior to World War Two for men to have chubs (mistress or concubine) and this practice continued during the Japanese occupation and after the end of World War Two, in the South. But in the North it was punishable by law to have a chub, and the communists meant business. Also, under various laws, women never had equal rights with men when it came to marriage, divorce, education, or anything to do with finances. Only men were allowed to maintain the all important family register which essentially made the person "legal." Without being listed in the family register, you were a nobody, could not get an ID card or a passport, register in school, etc. North Korea abolished the male favoring family register, they established a simply registry that could be used by both men and women!
Along with the passage of the new law, there was constant encouragement from the government for women to get out of the house, so to speak, and be more involved. The traditional women's role of staying home and being a mother and wife was not discouraged, but neither was it discouraged for women to seek out careers and work outside. Education was heavily encouraged, even military service! North Korean women are subject to compulsory military service just like the men. Although some of the politically influential and powerful men still may have mistresses or participate in the kippumjo (sexual enslavement of young girls, chosen at a young age for the role), a system established for the powerful by Kim Jong Un's father Kim Jong Il, the vast majority of the male population can only read about such activity! If there was one thing that the founder of North Korea and the grandfather of current leader did that was good, it was the passing of the Law of Sex Equality. Kim Il Song's son may have perverted the law by establishing the kippumjo system for himself and the powerful party members, but at least for the vast majority of the male population the kippumjo is not available and women in general have equal rights with men.
In contrast, despite the political freedom ejoyed by women in South Korea, they lag behind their North Korean counterparts in many areas when it comes to equality with men. Rich chaebol families still practice the chub system and rich men often have "unofficial wives." Sexual harassment in work place was a big problem and until recently nothing was done. It was the woman president that passed new laws making sexual harassment punishable by law, a fairly recent thing in the South. In the North it was punishable by law since 1946! South Korea still uses the male controlled all important family registry as a key document for establishing identity, something North Korea abandoned long ago. Recently President Park of South Korea tried to abolish the system and was met with so much resistance that she had to use a different approach....agreed to have certain aspects of the registry modified. In short, she had to compromise!
So, it is indeed odd, almost contradictory that a country such as North Korea would allow more freedom and rights to women than a "free" modern country such as South Korea! But South Korea is still struggling with some of its archaic and strict family traditions and practices, traditions and practices that date back to the days of the "Hermit Kingdom," the Chosun Era! South Korean women are constantly battling the old traditions and ways that hamper their ability to work and advance in the modern society. President Park, the woman president has done much to help women of South Korea, but even she admits that it is not enough and there is still a long way to go....to even catch up with the communist North, when it comes to women's equality! Go figure!
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Korean Peninsula, Waiting for a Disaster!
With all the attention that was heaped on the U.S. presidential elections, many of the critical world situations were shunted aside during the last couple of months by the news media. The news media, which seemed to want so badly for Clinton's to move back into the White House, almost had the American public convinced that Trump had no chance what so ever. It seems that the "King Makers" do not have the kind of juice that they thought they had and badly misjudged the elections. Be that as it may, in their attempt to put their choice in the White House, which they were able to do for the last eight years, they failed to report on some of the more critical issues that have taken place around the world during the last couple of months. To be sure, there were reports on activities in the Middle East, in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. After all, with U.S. troops present in those locations and battle casualties taking place, the media could hardly ignore them. But overall, other world events were very lightly, if at all, covered by our news media, except for the "Brangelina" divorce!
There have been some critical and extremely dangerous events taking place on the Korean Peninsula in the past couple of months. Actually, there have been some extremely important events that took place in the past year. To begin with, South Korea has had a policy of "glass-half-full" approach with North Korea for the past several decades. In an attempt to resolve the reunification issue as peacefully as possible, South Korea had been using the "Sunshine Policy" approach, i.e., the "gentle" approach when dealing with North Korea. Whenever Kim Jong Un and his cronies became belligerent and unreasonable, South Korea would simply back off and at the same time continued to work on joint projects such as the Kaesong joint venture factories. When harsh economic sanctions were imposed by U.S. and other countries, South Korea was allowed to continue to provide economic assistance to North Korea under the Korean Reunification Program. However, it seems that about a year ago all of the "nice guy" approaches have been stopped. The joint venture program at Kaesong was closed down and all of South Korea's economic assistance to the north ceased. The meetings between North and South on the reunification issue ceased as well. South Korea's meetings with Japan on mutual security agreement which was suspended five years ago in part due to North Korea's protest has been resumed again. There were a number of reasons for this shift in policy, suffice it to say that South Korea decided that there was no hope in dealing with Kim Jong Un's regime.
With the cessation of South Korea's economic assistance, the North is now totally dependent on China. China, on the other hand, doesn't particularly like the idea of being the sole supporter of a regime that they do not trust! China's assistance has abated considerably and China has beefed-up its border security along the Manchurian border supposedly to stop the flow of escapees from North Korea. There has been a considerable shift of China's military units to the border in the last couple of months. The North, predictably, reacted to this new situation by becoming even more belligerent and unreasonable. Both U.S. and South Korean intelligence believe that it is not unlikely for North Korea to launch a strike against the South under current circumstances, as a reaction to rapidly deteriorating situation in the North. In other words, it would be in character for the North to lash out in anger and frustration, blaming everything on U.S. and South Korea, of course.
South Korea is undergoing some political turmoil of its own. As of late, their President is embroiled in controversy over an "unofficial advisor" that she had in the form of a close personal friend. This person, who the press colorfully refers to as "Korean Rasputin" is reputed to have wielded an awful lot of power despite her unofficial position and was involved in multi-million dollar graft. Although President Park herself cannot be connected to the graft, the fact that her close personal friend and advisor has been arrested and is being interrogated, makes things very dicey for the president. There have been protests and calls for her resignation, but so far she has been able to hold on. The North misinterpreted the situation in the South and obviously misunderstands the democratic system of government. They launched a massive propaganda attack via their own radio and television as well as cyber attack, hoping to topple the South Korean regime and thereby create instability. They put their military on full alert, ready to strike. They have not let up, and this has angered the South Koreans to no end, even those who are opposed to President Park.
South Korea has gone into "war" mode, their military went on full alert. The North Korean leaders live on their own planet, it is hard to figure them. They in turn have a hard time truly understanding how other countries think and work, even their closest neighbor like South Korea! With a new administration coming into power in the U.S., who knows what Kim Jong Un and his "advisors" think we will do? For that matter, even we don't know what the new administration will be like!
The U.S. and South Korea just concluded a series of military exercises. These exercises have been held regularly for as long as U.S. military has been present on the peninsula. They have always been "general" military exercises with some assault stages and some defensive maneuvers. This time, however, the exercises were very different. The military maneuvers were basically "invasion" exercises with no attempt to disguise the target! The U.S. and South Korean forces practiced invading and occupying North Korea! Additionally, U.S. Forces in South Korea even held evacuation exercises for their dependents and family members in the event of outbreak of war! So, there is no mistake about it, U.S. and South Korea are preparing for war. North Korea, on the other hand, has mobilized its substantial Special Operations Force (the largest in the world!) preparing not for attacking the South but for repelling the invasion. It may all be nothing but hot air on both sides, but it only takes one mistake, one nut to push the button or pull the trigger to start a catastrophic war on that small peninsula!
The whole situation is compounded by China's presence and position. There's no denying that China has supported North Korea through the years. North Korea's nuclear program was developed thanks to China's support. Historically, China has always had a surrogate in Korea. It was China's alliance with Silla that allowed the fall of Paekche and the great Koguryo Empire. Throughout history China has always supported an element in Korea that would be their surrogates. So, North Korea has been more or less like Silla of ancient times. However, China was also known to take chunks of Korea's territory when opportunity presented itself. That is how China was able to gain foothold in Manchuria in ancient times, and it was also close to "occupying" North Korea during Korean War. It was only because of Stalin and the Soviet Union that Mao refrained from taking over North Korea. Besides, China was in no position to take over a devastated North Korea when China itself was still struggling. So, the next best thing for China took place, North Korea became China's surrogate!
If Kim Jong Un's regime collapses and the country plunges into chaos, China could very well send its vast army across the Yalu once again as it did in 1950 and numerous other times in the historical past. South Korea does not want that to happen, so China must be kept out of the Korean peninsula. South Korean government has openly stated that they would not tolerate China's occupation of North Korea, that Korean problem should be solved by the Koreans. South Korea hopes that it will have international backing on this issue. The United States has gone on record that it agrees with South Korea. But, who knows what we will do? Remember? We promised never to abandon Taiwan, which we did, and how about South Vietnam? So, the situation in Korea is not just volatile, but could create a whole new geopolitical scene and a new power bloc in Northeast Asia.
There have been some critical and extremely dangerous events taking place on the Korean Peninsula in the past couple of months. Actually, there have been some extremely important events that took place in the past year. To begin with, South Korea has had a policy of "glass-half-full" approach with North Korea for the past several decades. In an attempt to resolve the reunification issue as peacefully as possible, South Korea had been using the "Sunshine Policy" approach, i.e., the "gentle" approach when dealing with North Korea. Whenever Kim Jong Un and his cronies became belligerent and unreasonable, South Korea would simply back off and at the same time continued to work on joint projects such as the Kaesong joint venture factories. When harsh economic sanctions were imposed by U.S. and other countries, South Korea was allowed to continue to provide economic assistance to North Korea under the Korean Reunification Program. However, it seems that about a year ago all of the "nice guy" approaches have been stopped. The joint venture program at Kaesong was closed down and all of South Korea's economic assistance to the north ceased. The meetings between North and South on the reunification issue ceased as well. South Korea's meetings with Japan on mutual security agreement which was suspended five years ago in part due to North Korea's protest has been resumed again. There were a number of reasons for this shift in policy, suffice it to say that South Korea decided that there was no hope in dealing with Kim Jong Un's regime.
With the cessation of South Korea's economic assistance, the North is now totally dependent on China. China, on the other hand, doesn't particularly like the idea of being the sole supporter of a regime that they do not trust! China's assistance has abated considerably and China has beefed-up its border security along the Manchurian border supposedly to stop the flow of escapees from North Korea. There has been a considerable shift of China's military units to the border in the last couple of months. The North, predictably, reacted to this new situation by becoming even more belligerent and unreasonable. Both U.S. and South Korean intelligence believe that it is not unlikely for North Korea to launch a strike against the South under current circumstances, as a reaction to rapidly deteriorating situation in the North. In other words, it would be in character for the North to lash out in anger and frustration, blaming everything on U.S. and South Korea, of course.
South Korea is undergoing some political turmoil of its own. As of late, their President is embroiled in controversy over an "unofficial advisor" that she had in the form of a close personal friend. This person, who the press colorfully refers to as "Korean Rasputin" is reputed to have wielded an awful lot of power despite her unofficial position and was involved in multi-million dollar graft. Although President Park herself cannot be connected to the graft, the fact that her close personal friend and advisor has been arrested and is being interrogated, makes things very dicey for the president. There have been protests and calls for her resignation, but so far she has been able to hold on. The North misinterpreted the situation in the South and obviously misunderstands the democratic system of government. They launched a massive propaganda attack via their own radio and television as well as cyber attack, hoping to topple the South Korean regime and thereby create instability. They put their military on full alert, ready to strike. They have not let up, and this has angered the South Koreans to no end, even those who are opposed to President Park.
South Korea has gone into "war" mode, their military went on full alert. The North Korean leaders live on their own planet, it is hard to figure them. They in turn have a hard time truly understanding how other countries think and work, even their closest neighbor like South Korea! With a new administration coming into power in the U.S., who knows what Kim Jong Un and his "advisors" think we will do? For that matter, even we don't know what the new administration will be like!
The U.S. and South Korea just concluded a series of military exercises. These exercises have been held regularly for as long as U.S. military has been present on the peninsula. They have always been "general" military exercises with some assault stages and some defensive maneuvers. This time, however, the exercises were very different. The military maneuvers were basically "invasion" exercises with no attempt to disguise the target! The U.S. and South Korean forces practiced invading and occupying North Korea! Additionally, U.S. Forces in South Korea even held evacuation exercises for their dependents and family members in the event of outbreak of war! So, there is no mistake about it, U.S. and South Korea are preparing for war. North Korea, on the other hand, has mobilized its substantial Special Operations Force (the largest in the world!) preparing not for attacking the South but for repelling the invasion. It may all be nothing but hot air on both sides, but it only takes one mistake, one nut to push the button or pull the trigger to start a catastrophic war on that small peninsula!
The whole situation is compounded by China's presence and position. There's no denying that China has supported North Korea through the years. North Korea's nuclear program was developed thanks to China's support. Historically, China has always had a surrogate in Korea. It was China's alliance with Silla that allowed the fall of Paekche and the great Koguryo Empire. Throughout history China has always supported an element in Korea that would be their surrogates. So, North Korea has been more or less like Silla of ancient times. However, China was also known to take chunks of Korea's territory when opportunity presented itself. That is how China was able to gain foothold in Manchuria in ancient times, and it was also close to "occupying" North Korea during Korean War. It was only because of Stalin and the Soviet Union that Mao refrained from taking over North Korea. Besides, China was in no position to take over a devastated North Korea when China itself was still struggling. So, the next best thing for China took place, North Korea became China's surrogate!
If Kim Jong Un's regime collapses and the country plunges into chaos, China could very well send its vast army across the Yalu once again as it did in 1950 and numerous other times in the historical past. South Korea does not want that to happen, so China must be kept out of the Korean peninsula. South Korean government has openly stated that they would not tolerate China's occupation of North Korea, that Korean problem should be solved by the Koreans. South Korea hopes that it will have international backing on this issue. The United States has gone on record that it agrees with South Korea. But, who knows what we will do? Remember? We promised never to abandon Taiwan, which we did, and how about South Vietnam? So, the situation in Korea is not just volatile, but could create a whole new geopolitical scene and a new power bloc in Northeast Asia.
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