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Q: North Korea could only afford one firework?
As China sets the sky ablaze with billions of fireworks, bought by hundreds of millions of people who are no longer in poverty, why is the single North Korean firework so important?
Does anyone agree with me? The Chinese government have worked it out. Its better to have 10 billion small fireworks rather than a single billion dollar firework.
I had a good new year. I saw the joy on everyones faces as the fireworks went bang.
Are we all agreed with the Chinese government that we do not approve of North Korea's single stupid firework?
Goodness, what an elaborate attempt to get people to "agree with the Chinese government". Also complete nonsense.
Most of the material North Korea uses to make weapons comes from China (note that America also has a long history of selling weapons to absolutely anyone). While China said some words about "condemnation" (which mean precisely what in practical terms?) it continues supplying weapons components to North Korea, and will never support intervention. UN trade sanctions against North Korea have resulted in a significant increase in the volume of trade between North Korea and China.
Of course China publicly condemns North Korea's missile testing. Its display is precisely as honest and well-intentioned as every other declaration made by the Chinese state. China has a vested interest in North Korea's existence. It is convenient for China to have a volatile little brother with a genuine desire to eradicate South Korea, Japan and the USA, but whose hostility can be ostensibly blamed on craziness.
China does not want a nation which has a defence agreement with America on its border, so it will never allow the North Korean regime to be wiped out.
I agree with genuinely peaceful countries that genuinely condemn North Korea's missile testing. I do not, however, consider China to be a power for World Peace.
ScotsAlan:
I disagree, of course.
To me, it seems that China has a different definition of peace. They seem to define peace as being a world where people are not killing other people.
My opinion is that this is a good starting point.
Yup, they are flexing their muscle in the South China Sea, and they are doing stupid things. But they are not doing what my home country are doing... Bombing a foreign country back to the stone age.
But I stop in my tracks here... to correct myself. I stand corected.
Let me explain.
The UK has a right of center conservative Government. Late last year, they voted to bomb Syria. In my eyes that makes them the big bad evil ones.
But they are not. When you dig down deep and see what they are doing, they are doing good. But not good enough.
2 weeks ago the Russians bombed a $17 million bakery the UK had built in Syria. UK tax payers built that. But it was not in the news. Why not?
Because the voters want the bombers, not the bakers.
Western Governments have to pander to the voters, but deep down they do care about humanity. But they cant broadcast it because they will lose votes.
Same with last weeks announcement that the UK will take child refugees from Syria. An undisclosed number. But only from refugee camps.
I was talking to a Syrian friend about this... he said Great. He said the most in need are the kids in the camps. The kids in Europe are already safe. He told me the kids in the Jordanian camps are in great danger. Sold into sexual slavery etc..
Yet again, the right wing Government of my home country has surprised me with their humanity.
Big respect to David Cameron from me. He really cares. But he has to care in the background so as not to alienate his voters.
Fast forward to China/the West and the DPRK
Nobody wants a war. China and the West are thinking first and foremost about the people. The ordinary people. China is defending the ordinary Korean citizen from the war hawk vote seeking right wingers of the west.
Ted Cruz has said he will invade NK. To win votes.
China says "Oh no you don't".
So who are the police of the world?
The people who draw their guns, shoot away and ignore the law?
Or the people who keep their guns in their holsters and ask the nutter across the sea to do the same?
ScotsAlan:
I disagree, of course.
To me, it seems that China has a different definition of peace. They seem to define peace as being a world where people are not killing other people.
My opinion is that this is a good starting point.
Yup, they are flexing their muscle in the South China Sea, and they are doing stupid things. But they are not doing what my home country are doing... Bombing a foreign country back to the stone age.
But I stop in my tracks here... to correct myself. I stand corected.
Let me explain.
The UK has a right of center conservative Government. Late last year, they voted to bomb Syria. In my eyes that makes them the big bad evil ones.
But they are not. When you dig down deep and see what they are doing, they are doing good. But not good enough.
2 weeks ago the Russians bombed a $17 million bakery the UK had built in Syria. UK tax payers built that. But it was not in the news. Why not?
Because the voters want the bombers, not the bakers.
Western Governments have to pander to the voters, but deep down they do care about humanity. But they cant broadcast it because they will lose votes.
Same with last weeks announcement that the UK will take child refugees from Syria. An undisclosed number. But only from refugee camps.
I was talking to a Syrian friend about this... he said Great. He said the most in need are the kids in the camps. The kids in Europe are already safe. He told me the kids in the Jordanian camps are in great danger. Sold into sexual slavery etc..
Yet again, the right wing Government of my home country has surprised me with their humanity.
Big respect to David Cameron from me. He really cares. But he has to care in the background so as not to alienate his voters.
Fast forward to China/the West and the DPRK
Nobody wants a war. China and the West are thinking first and foremost about the people. The ordinary people. China is defending the ordinary Korean citizen from the war hawk vote seeking right wingers of the west.
Ted Cruz has said he will invade NK. To win votes.
China says "Oh no you don't".
So who are the police of the world?
The people who draw their guns, shoot away and ignore the law?
Or the people who keep their guns in their holsters and ask the nutter across the sea to do the same?
Goodness, what an elaborate attempt to get people to "agree with the Chinese government". Also complete nonsense.
Most of the material North Korea uses to make weapons comes from China (note that America also has a long history of selling weapons to absolutely anyone). While China said some words about "condemnation" (which mean precisely what in practical terms?) it continues supplying weapons components to North Korea, and will never support intervention. UN trade sanctions against North Korea have resulted in a significant increase in the volume of trade between North Korea and China.
Of course China publicly condemns North Korea's missile testing. Its display is precisely as honest and well-intentioned as every other declaration made by the Chinese state. China has a vested interest in North Korea's existence. It is convenient for China to have a volatile little brother with a genuine desire to eradicate South Korea, Japan and the USA, but whose hostility can be ostensibly blamed on craziness.
China does not want a nation which has a defence agreement with America on its border, so it will never allow the North Korean regime to be wiped out.
I agree with genuinely peaceful countries that genuinely condemn North Korea's missile testing. I do not, however, consider China to be a power for World Peace.
ScotsAlan:
I disagree, of course.
To me, it seems that China has a different definition of peace. They seem to define peace as being a world where people are not killing other people.
My opinion is that this is a good starting point.
Yup, they are flexing their muscle in the South China Sea, and they are doing stupid things. But they are not doing what my home country are doing... Bombing a foreign country back to the stone age.
But I stop in my tracks here... to correct myself. I stand corected.
Let me explain.
The UK has a right of center conservative Government. Late last year, they voted to bomb Syria. In my eyes that makes them the big bad evil ones.
But they are not. When you dig down deep and see what they are doing, they are doing good. But not good enough.
2 weeks ago the Russians bombed a $17 million bakery the UK had built in Syria. UK tax payers built that. But it was not in the news. Why not?
Because the voters want the bombers, not the bakers.
Western Governments have to pander to the voters, but deep down they do care about humanity. But they cant broadcast it because they will lose votes.
Same with last weeks announcement that the UK will take child refugees from Syria. An undisclosed number. But only from refugee camps.
I was talking to a Syrian friend about this... he said Great. He said the most in need are the kids in the camps. The kids in Europe are already safe. He told me the kids in the Jordanian camps are in great danger. Sold into sexual slavery etc..
Yet again, the right wing Government of my home country has surprised me with their humanity.
Big respect to David Cameron from me. He really cares. But he has to care in the background so as not to alienate his voters.
Fast forward to China/the West and the DPRK
Nobody wants a war. China and the West are thinking first and foremost about the people. The ordinary people. China is defending the ordinary Korean citizen from the war hawk vote seeking right wingers of the west.
Ted Cruz has said he will invade NK. To win votes.
China says "Oh no you don't".
So who are the police of the world?
The people who draw their guns, shoot away and ignore the law?
Or the people who keep their guns in their holsters and ask the nutter across the sea to do the same?
ScotsAlan:
I disagree, of course.
To me, it seems that China has a different definition of peace. They seem to define peace as being a world where people are not killing other people.
My opinion is that this is a good starting point.
Yup, they are flexing their muscle in the South China Sea, and they are doing stupid things. But they are not doing what my home country are doing... Bombing a foreign country back to the stone age.
But I stop in my tracks here... to correct myself. I stand corected.
Let me explain.
The UK has a right of center conservative Government. Late last year, they voted to bomb Syria. In my eyes that makes them the big bad evil ones.
But they are not. When you dig down deep and see what they are doing, they are doing good. But not good enough.
2 weeks ago the Russians bombed a $17 million bakery the UK had built in Syria. UK tax payers built that. But it was not in the news. Why not?
Because the voters want the bombers, not the bakers.
Western Governments have to pander to the voters, but deep down they do care about humanity. But they cant broadcast it because they will lose votes.
Same with last weeks announcement that the UK will take child refugees from Syria. An undisclosed number. But only from refugee camps.
I was talking to a Syrian friend about this... he said Great. He said the most in need are the kids in the camps. The kids in Europe are already safe. He told me the kids in the Jordanian camps are in great danger. Sold into sexual slavery etc..
Yet again, the right wing Government of my home country has surprised me with their humanity.
Big respect to David Cameron from me. He really cares. But he has to care in the background so as not to alienate his voters.
Fast forward to China/the West and the DPRK
Nobody wants a war. China and the West are thinking first and foremost about the people. The ordinary people. China is defending the ordinary Korean citizen from the war hawk vote seeking right wingers of the west.
Ted Cruz has said he will invade NK. To win votes.
China says "Oh no you don't".
So who are the police of the world?
The people who draw their guns, shoot away and ignore the law?
Or the people who keep their guns in their holsters and ask the nutter across the sea to do the same?
I do agree, Sir. Pretty simplistic but also not a bad guess. It is all a guess when it comes to North Korea........ not unlike any other UNCONFIRMED reports.
AMAZINGLY quiet even here this CNY, got some fireworks going on, but nothing compared to past years.
I called it WWII London bombing in both Guangzhou and Zhanjiang in the past...... but today, last night was definately more like a "celebration" than a BOMBING.
Yes, you are right. Praise Xi Jinping and the rickshaw he rode on. I praise Xi Jinping for rescuing China from only being able to afford one firework. Now China can have billions of fireworks!
The Chinese government is amazing. Curse the NSA, CIA, DEA, FBI, DOD, JPG, and EXE! Up with the MSS, PSB, PLA, OPP, yeah you know me.
i definitely like the idea of a peaceful asia with no wars, so let's give from america 25 nuclear weapons each to japan, south korea, philippines, and taiwan, withdraw all troops from south korea and japan and let china have the south china sea and give each of the four countries a nuclear aircraft carrier and leave, problem solved, already paid for this stuff anyway. i mean if iran and pakistan can have nuclear, wtf, if you going to lead from behind by tearing up the middle east and leaving a mess, how about build up asia and leave instead of tearing down first, much cheaper in the long run.
China may enjoy its billions of fireworks only because they already have the big ones in the stock.
I am not wondering that North Korea and all others want to have them too. Actually everybody can see what happened in Ukraine - they gave up nuclear weapons in exchange for protection and guarantee of country borders. Without judging who is right in Ukrainian crisis I am pretty sure they now deeply regret.
But I would however deeply opposed broadening the club anymore. I believe it;s bad enough there really is such a thing which can totally destroy our civilization but no way out. So the best what we can do now is to set up strict rules how to control the situation and hope that nothing will go wrong.
But I agree, China has pretty peacful foreign policy considering its size and power. All other mighty countries in the world (including US and EU) are much more agressive.
And Iheavilly disagree with your comments about Western government deep sense for humanity - almost all the mess in the Middle East and partly Africa is thanks to Western governments sense of humanity ...
This story has gone very quiet in the press.
The Guardian ran a story saying the NK satalite passed over the super bowl venue. The American Government say it is tumbling out of control.
Rupert Murdoch has his guys on the case though. The GOP candidates are now spouting nonsense about an NK EMP nuclear weapon, that will wipe out US infrastructure for a decade.
In any case, it seems they got something into orbit. I hope it does not hit something important as it tumbles about. Chances are it will belong to Mr Murdoch. So how better to deal with it than call it a major security threat? Put it on faux news and his satalites will be safe.
Update. Seems China takes the firework ban seriously:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35664794
Quote from BBC:
"The US, backed by China, has submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council aimed at imposing tougher sanctions on North Korea."
I hope China and America make it clear that the sanctions should not affect the citizens. I think Obama and Xi have the interests of the ordinary people in mind. I hope so.
Janosik:
Can you pls enlighten myself how can you impose the sanctions against some country without effecting this country citizens?
Americans tried that several times recently by simply invading the country - not really success and the citizens of those countries suffered probably more than North Koreans.
So the West came with another 'great' idea - what about initiating and supporting a revolution - voila! we have Syria!
Hm, also not really a success.
Then we have Iranian story - a lot of sanctions for quite a while - all these sanctions did effect the Iranians but did not let them die.
Apparently from the Western perspective this so far works the best but only time will say.
I can hardly imagine any way how you could impose the pressure on the country without letting common folk to feel it but in case of North Korea it sounds to be a good approach - I certainly do not wish North Korea become another nuclear power ...
