I mentioned a couple weeks ago (when I was discussing RSS templates) about this new meta-thang called: Friend-of-a-Friend or, FOAF.
At the time I assumed that it required some sort of server-side hardcoding, especially after viewing this Six Log post.
Well praise the Internet Gods once more, no need for any fancy programming or weird uploads, just visit this automated FOAF-maker and fill out the form. Once you have the code generated simply put it in a file (or a new template in MT) and point to it like you do your RSS feeds.
If you need to borrow-a-friend, go here and you’ll have access to about 100 FOAFarians who are leading the way in FOAFary. As an added bonus, you can add my FOAF feed using this link: http://tim.movementarian.com/tim.rdf — don’t forget to smile.
For those unfamiliar with the Korean peninsula, it is divided into two parts along the 38th parallel. From 1950-53 there was an armed conflict that ended without a treaty, but rather an uncomfortable armistice.
The Korean Calamity (or the Korean Klimax or Kafka in Korea or whatever you want to call it) can be traced in part to the American military gerrymandering the world in the aftermath of World War 2.
Exhibit A: General Order #1
On the night of August 10,1945, Assistant Secretary of War John J. McCloy turned to two young army colonels in the Pentagon and ordered them to draft a line of demarcation that the United States would present to the Soviets as the dividing line between their separate zones of occupation. The two young colonels {future Secretary of State Dean Rusk and future General Charles Bonesteel} and they were entrusted with the future of Korea in their hands. They were given thirty minutes to draw an imaginary line dividing Korea. Lacking experience and lacking an effective map of Korea, these two “desk officers” drew a line roughly across Korea at the 38th parallel. The rationale for dividing Korea at this arbitrary line was because it included the capital, Seoul, in the American zone. As there were no American forces remotely near the area to add “teeth” to the American recommendation, nothing was in the way of a complete Soviet takeover of Korea. The American proposal was clearly seen as a test of Soviet intentions in the post-war era. Rusk would later reflect on the hurried decision of Aug. 10th and its response, remembering that he himself was “somewhat surprised” when the Soviets agreed to go along with the American proposal and halt at the 38th parallel.
What the American State did was the very same thing the European State’s did with Africa and Southeast Asia during the 19th century (with spheres of influence, colonies and all that jazz).
One should also note that Dean Rusk would later become the Secretary of State under the Kennedy and Johnson administrations and is credited partially (along with Robert McNamara) at developing and planning policy for Vietnam. And Charles Bonesteel would later command American military forces in Korea (did you know that Australians and Canadians were involved with that conflict?).
Anyways, the Soviets marched through the Korean peninsula throughout August of 1945 and stopped at the 38th parallel (demarcation line). The American troops land in Inchon Harbor on September 8th, a month after the Soviets moved into the peninsula, and proceed to ‘take’ Seoul.
Flashback
Japan went through one of its imperialistic stages starting in 1904-05 where it engaged the Russian navy. Then in 1910 the Nipponese annexed Korea into its own little colonial sphere (just like the European powers were doing in Africa and like the Americans did with Spain in Cuba and Puerto Rico [Spanish-American War]). The Japanese created a split society whereby natives of Korea became a “sub-class” through various legal reforms (just like Jim Crow Laws or Apartheid or to a lesser extent, the Platt Amendment). When the Japanese military capitulated in 1945 they put together yet another State, this one comprised mainly with nationalistic Koreans (Yo Un’hyong) that promised to maintain “order” (to keep the Koreans from retaliating against Japanese businesses and families for years of occupation).
When the American’s and Soviets entered the Peninsula they looked at this de facto State (can there ever be a “legitimate” one?) and followed two separate paths. The American’s ignored the various Unions and syndicates that had been formed and created a new State of hand picked individuals, most of whom were bureaucrats from the previous “oppressive” Japanese puppet State (just like the American’s are doing in Iraq - placing former members of the regime back into various positions). The Soviets on the other hand apparently liked the Unions and Syndicates on their side of the 38th parallel (not surprising) and just went with the flow without creating yet another State.
Then, in an eerily similar scenario, the American’s put forth an initiative with the United Nations that eventually created a presence in Korea. The resolution called for a “United Nations Temporary Committee on Korea” (just like the American’s did recently with Iraq minus UN approval). The Soviets did not recognize the UN Commission when it landed in Korea and at that point, both factions held seperate elections and drafted seperate constitutions (they didn’t wear whigs and sansculots so no wonder they failed). These ‘established’ the Republic of Korea and the Democractic People’s Republic of Korea.
From this point on, both sides clamored at being the legitimate “authority” for the entire peninsula, making bellicose statements and brandishing their sabers towards one another. Then on June 25, 1950 the North attacked the South. An armistice was concluded upon on July 27, 1953 after 3 million Koreans, 1 million Chinese and 54,000 Americans had been killed (a brief outline as to what occurred during the war can be found here).
Note: this is similar to how the Democrats were the majority in the South as were the Republicans in the North, thereby splitting apart and fighting one another with some intervention by France and Britain. Gladstone’s England originally aided the South but was told by the Northern ambassador, C.F. Adams, that if they continued to aide the Confederacy, the North would view it as an act of war and proceed to “attack” British Trade and Canada. At the same time Lincoln tried to get Napoleon III to assist his cause to crush the South (or liberate or love on or whatever makes him look good apparently). Russia however was the only European power to side with the North during the Civil War and that moral support comes from Czar Alexander II who justified the slaughtering of the Polish (from 1863-64) by using Lincoln’s Logic “We must keep the Motherland together: no rebellion.”
Over the past 50 years, there have been several small skirmishes and assassinations between the two Korean factions; this article (enthusiastically) describes several of these.
Contemporary History (the only stuff neo-con’s remember)
North Korea probably has no real intention to annihilate the planet, South Korea or the American West Coast. They merely want to be recognized as a Power (with a capital P) and are doing what they think is necessary to get that recognition. Whether it is for the free itinerary delivered yearly by State Departments that comes with the territory of having The Bomb or being invited to more Buddahmas parties, Premiere Kim has his sights set on bi-lateral talks with the American State.
This is where the White House and Pentagon fulfill the fable: “Pride comes before a fall.” Rather than sitting down face to face to fill out the membership forms and exchange secret hand shakes, the Hawks (neo-cons) are now setting in place a “Cuba-lite” trade embargo. This in an of itself could be economically disastrous for North Korea as shown by the decade-long embargo on Iraq and the 40 year embargo on Cuba and cause for more desperation on the part of Kims Kids. Remember, in the eyes of Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Farah, O’Reilly, Peikoff & Sullivan, the only State allowed to build and use nuclear devices is America or its buddies (Israel, Britain and… well no one else because of the Iraqi invasion).
Apparently the Chinese State is not too keen on the idea of a nuclear North Korea either, especially since the Chinese can read between the lines: the Pentagon will not budge and may in fact act sometime soon. Similarly it appears the Russians are expecting North Korea to attempt other backdoor schemes into the elite Dr. Strangelove Club.
However, this blogger doubts that no matter how Turgidson the American military is, they would not partake in a full out invasion of North Korea, for the reasons listed here. Though, seeing the intelligence and education levels of the American populace, one wonders if renaming the 9-11 hijackers with “Yamazuli” and “Wangtofu” might spur them on for another “acceptable” war — after all, Koreans have slanted eyes, yellow skin and eat flied lice.
