In a number of your posts you have defended what most would call totalitarian regimes. I understand to a point but do you trully support a regime that does not rule by the power of the people? What right do leaders in China, North Korea, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Myanmar, and Iran have to oppress their people because they may engage in disent? It would seem like the Prof Crocodile that these leaders just view their people as sheep that don’t know any better. I am not asking for a debate on western democracy but why you think these regimes have a right to do what they do? Please keep in mind I understand your not a fan of some of these states but your tone suggests some understanding an apprreciation of their tactics. Why?

Thx
Bill

It is true that the North Korean Army still faces an American Army based in South Korea. There are long and complex historical reasons for this situation.

BUT – this does not mean that North Korea should have enslaved their own people as they have done. Once again, your unabashed hatred of the US blinds you and you cannot see clearly. If you can find any vestige of virtue in the North Korean State, then your soul is truly lost. Self interest and fanatical allegiance to a distorted ideology is what directs the North Korean regime – very similar to what has occurred in Iran since 1979. I will admit however, that the North Korean situation is more extreme than that in Iran, but that is where Iran is heading. Fortunately, Iranians are a more sophisticated race of people than the North Koreans are – and they will not allow themselves to be subjugated to the same degree.

Barry

“Are you predicting that Ahmadinejad will fall on his sword sometime soon??”

Not at all, AN will have his two full terms just like Khatami and Raf.

It is hardly surprising that the North Korean Army has come to dominate the state given the fact that to this day they are still facing American troops on the Korean peninsula. The more interesting question is why the Americans are still there in what is a purely national conflict two decades after the end of the cold war. Imperialism is a difficult bad habit to break I guess, worse than smoking.

Fortunately the resistance in Iraq and Afghanistan is gently helping the Americans break that bad habit one bullet at a time.

“Probably at about the same time everyone starts talking about the new President Jafari.”

Are you predicting that Ahmadinejad will fall on his sword sometime soon??

If Jafari is to replace Ahmadinejad, who will replace the “Supreme Leader” (assuming of course that Khamenie is mortal). Or perhaps, that phase of Iran’s Islamic Revolution may come to an end then – to be replaced by a version of the North Korean model. Interesting story here http://www.smh.com.au/world/north-korean-army-cashes-in-on-exports-to-china-20091108-i3ku.html about how the North Korean Army is looking after itself – there seems to be hints there of where the IRGC is headed (total command of the State?).

Barry

“Naqdi, a genius cetainly destined for posterity… !” That’s right everyone knows how desperate the Greenies are for “martyrs”. I would not be surprised if the Greenies are planning to “create” their own “martyrs”.

What Naqdi is certainly destined for is to be the head of the Guards. Probably at about the same time everyone starts talking about the new President Jafari.

    Mullah Nasrudin was excited but conflicted when he spoke to his wife, “The Supreme Leader has announced there will be a special election, but…as the presidential election caused chaos, the new election is for King, but there’s some special conditions…”
    The Mullah’s wife didn’t wait to hear the conditions. “You’ll make a fine King,” she said.
    “But the King is to serve for one year and then is expected to martyr himself in a foreign war.”
    The Mullah’s wife said, “Maybe you should run. I’ve always liked your brother–he could help you.”
    “Only a fool would run for this office,” Mullah Nasrudin said.
    The Mullah’s wife said, “Yes, of course, but that’s why you could win. I’ll make you a robe.”
    Mullah Nasrudin thought for a while and then said, “Yes, it’s decided, I will be King.”
    The Mullah’s wife was thoughtful, “You should write a will and I will marry your brother.”
    “That won’t be necessary. I can be King and live a long life.”
    She said, “You consider one year a long life?”
    “No,” he said, “on my last day as King, I will make a speech at the U.N.”
    Confused, she asked, “How will that help?”
    Mullah Nasrudin stood up in a Regal way and said, “I will abdicate and appoint the Supreme Leader as King.”
    “Will that work?” she asked.
    “No,” he said.”but you’ll love New York.”

Still a neo-con, big, bad, and bold…

…and far away from the battleground.