Political issues

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

Sorry I started a new thread but I didn't know where to post this. I feel political issues are a drive to a country's survival.

Bush’s interest laid further than attending the Olympics in Beijing, China. He concentrated on many issues that were on his mind to discuss with the South Korean leader, Lee Myung Bak. Despite his warm welcome of a 21-gun salute and prayers of 30,000 South Korean well wishers, later South Korean police had to fire water cannons at thousands of protesters. The issues that lay at the top of his visit was: North Korea’s commitment to dismantle its nuclear program, Plans to overhaul the half-century-old U.S South Korean military alliance, and South Korea’s role in Afghanistan.
In USA Today, August 6, 2008, (p. 8A), some South Koreans feel that President Bush is too soft in its dealings with North Korea, however there are others who feel he’s moving to fast to guarantee diplomatic achievement. In either case, Washington desires more proof that North Korea discloses the extent of its nuclear program.
Negotiation between the Bush administration and Lee’s predecessor, Roh Moo Hyun, in order to reduce US forces in South Korea and pull them back from the border with North Korea, where it is heavily armed. Troops of approximately 28.5000 to prevent a probable attack. By pulling back troops, Roh feels that South Korea will retain sovereignty. On the other hand, President Lee feels that North Korea will misinterpret this as the alliance between the US and South Korea is weakening.
The last issue on the table was South Korea’s role in Afghanistan, and was not at all unimportant to President Bush and Dennis Wilder, Bush’s chief adviser on Asia. Both emphasized that they would like to see South Korea play a bigger part in the fight against the reappearing Taliban in Afghanistan.

[Anonymous]

If the Chinese people feel they are left with suicide as an alternative to make a statement in the political market, how else could you explain the Todd Bachman story?

A 47 year old, divorcee had something to say but left only a mark on an "ancient shrine" when he took his life along with Todd Bachman.

Are there other interpretations to this incident? It would be curious to find out if there will ever be an announcement on this investigation or a back-story of the Chinese assailant.

[Anonymous]

Over the past few months I have been following the internal politics of a southeast Asian neighbor Thailand. It has been getting worrisome with the airport closure, and demonstrations. Thailand (a very stable contry in comparison to its bordering countries) has always had its share of corruption, military dictatorships, and coups. The recent issues with the ousted prime minister and legal challenges of who is in charge are nothing new, but what has concerned most Thais is the lack of royal leadership which has always been present in former crisis. The king, Rama IX has been absent in his denouncing or support of the current protests. Back in 1992, when I was in Thailand (April I believe) the military had a coup and students demonstrated. The king quickly forced the disputing parties to kneel before him and work things out.

Thailand is a constitutional monarchy, but the king has always had a large influence over the population. Age and infirmity has taken its toll over the, what 60+ years of reign and his energy is waning. That's a concern, because without his stabilizing influence what happens next? The current prince doesn't have the widespread popularity that the current king has and it is unclear how the democracy can survive.

Add to that the civil unrest with the largely Muslim populated four provinces in the south, and border skirmishes in the east, leaves us wondering what is next for "the land of smiles."[Edit by="dcolato on May 6, 6:09:03 PM"][/Edit]

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