Cheonan sinking - doubts

Thank you Gary for this. Here is a very interesting documentary investigating the flaws and inconsistencies in the evidence and 'facts' gathered surrounding this year's sinking of the South Korean ship Cheonan off an island adjacent to the North Korean west coast. Rather disturbing details are given showing how this sinking cannot possibly be the work of a North Korean torpedo and of the political maneuvering by the south Korean government to ensure that everything conforms to their political agenda. This film gives a very interesting perspective into what is actually happening on the Korean peninsula. Though the shelling of the island of Yeongpyong last month has been portrayed as the evil action of the rogue North Korean leadership, the latest statement by Pyongyang saying that retaliation to the latest provocative joint US/south Korean live fire drills a few days ago was 'just not worth it' shows that DPR Korea not only knows what really is happening but that they are actually not the ones who are itching for conflict. It must be noted that last month's shelling was in response to south Korean live fire drills carried out deliberately and provocatively close to North Korean shore. So why must the south Koreans conduct more drills then unless they want to build up tension? The north Koreans are routinely reviled as 'unpredictable', which really means that the West is frustrated that they are not the ones calling the shots. The north Koreans are Machiavellian in their planning and actions, and they need to be in order to survive. It can be safely said that the West is pissed off that their decades-long predictions that North Korea is on the verge of collapse have failed to eventuate, and look very unlikely to happen any time soon. Though any war in Korea would mean mass causalities, widespread destruction and a huge negative effect on the World's economy, there are many in south Korea who see that they need to take over the North, not least based on Christian fundamentalist reasons - in order to spread the word of God and Jesus to those godless north Koreans. Hence the latest (non) news report of a Christmas tree near the DMZ. Anyway, I'll let you see the film to make your own decision. What is good to see is that the south Korean tendency for activism is still alive and kicking.

The poster says so!

While on the subject of North Korea, the latest in Korean finger pointing and point scoring is the bizarre and ridiculous claim by CIA-funded propaganda mouthpiece Radio Free Asia that a 'brand new' North Korean propaganda poster clearly proves that DPR Korea really did sink the Cheonan. As many North Korean-focused blogs are reporting:

Radio Free Asia based its report on an interview with the businessman, who took the photo of the poster on a recent trip to North Korea. The poster is shown on the RFA Korean Web site. The RFA did not specify the date the photo was taken but, citing unnamed sources, said it was likely the poster was made after the Cheonan sinking to encourage military heroism among North Korean soldiers.

The RFA quoted the Chinese businessman as saying, “Officials in North Korea have claimed that the South Korean government’s accusation of North Korea as the culprit in the Cheonan incident is a false charge, but the propaganda poster showing the breaking of a ship in two pieces seems to conflict with their claim.”

The RFA also cited a North Korean defector who said a rumor circulated within the North Korean military after the Cheonan sinking that “the heroic navy landed a blow.”

Despite an indirect condemnation by the UN Security Council Friday, North Korea is reiterating its claim of innocence. The state-run Korean Central News Agency reported Tuesday that the country remains resolute in digging out the truth behind the Cheonan incident.

Much needless speculation has been mulled over whether the ship depicted in this poster is the Cheonan or not. However, a collector of North Korean propaganda posters has come out saying that it is not a new poster nor is it a picture of Cheonan as it had been created by the Baekho Art Studio of Pyongyang many years ago. Much ado about nothing! Just wait until Radio Free Asia sees the DPR Korean poster showing missiles destroying Congress in Washington!

The difference between 'condemnation' and 'deep regret'

From A Tiny Revolution

There are three steps in this chapter of the Horrifying Scumbag Playbook.

STEP ONE: Your lackeys have murdered someone in full view of the entire world. Whoops! Time to express "regret."

Statement by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran, expressing regret about the murder of Iranian citizen Neda Agha-Soltan and others by the Basij militia:
"All of us regret the fact that some people were killed...I was saddened, as well all the Iranian people were saddened."

Statement by Barack Obama, President of the United States, expressing regret about the murder of U.S. citizen Furkan Dogan and others by Israel:
The President expressed deep regret at the loss of life in today's incident, and concern for the wounded.
• • •
STEP TWO: Call for an investigation. No one wants to learn the truth more than you!

Statement on the Iranian government website, calling for an investigation of the murder of Neda Agha-Soltan and others:
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday requested the Judiciary chief to hold inquiry into Neda Agha-Sultan’s murder...the president told Ayatollah Shahroudi “to instruct the judiciary establishment to follow up the case of her death...”

Statement on the White House website, endorsing an investigation of the murder of Furkan Dogan and others:
...the United States [supports] the completion of a prompt, impartial, credible, and transparent investigation.
• • •
STEP THREE: Now's the fun part: your Official Enemy has murdered someone in full view of the entire world. You're outraged! Also, you stand with the victims!

Statement by Ahmadinejad, condemning the murder of Furkan Dogan and others, and expressing solidarity with Palestinians:
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday strongly condemned the atrocities committed by the Zionist regime against the human rights activists on board Flotilla of six aid ships...President Ahmadinejad voiced Iran’s solidarity with the Palestinian nation and said the Islamic Republic of Iran is determined to back the Palestinian nation and its true supporters.

Statement by Obama, condemning the murder of Neda Agha-Soltan and others, and expressing solidarity with Iranians:
I strongly condemn these unjust actions, and I join with the American people in mourning each and every innocent life that is lost...
And I think it's important for us to make sure that -- that we let the Iranian people know that we are watching what's happening, that they are not alone in this process.

I would also like to add that the latest statements from the G8/G20 summit in Toronto produced a strong condemnation of the Cheonan sinking but the Gaza Flotilla only warranted a deep regret