[Guest post by DRJ]
Last week, Hillary Clinton likened North Korea to an unruly child who was acting out and should be ignored. North Korea responded by criticizing Hillary for her “vulgar remarks” that it said demonstrated “she is by no means intelligent” and comparing her to a “primary schoolgirl” and “a pensioner going shopping.”
Dealing with North Korea is very difficult but I don’t think this grade school-style diplomacy is helping.
— DRJ
Pronounced "Patter-EE-koh"
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i think the two personality cults have so much in common that they fail to see their likeness in each other.
Ear and Dear Leader need to go away for a long weekend somewhere, and w*rk it all out, as it were.
redc1c4 (fb8750) — 7/23/2009 @ 10:41 pmUnless, of course, she’s accurate. Not unlike President Reagan’s simplistic, in-your-face-diplomacy labeling the Evil Empire what it was and to goad Gorby to ‘tear down this wall.’ Both comments less than diplomatic in nature. But effective. NK might just take its missiles and leave the world stage in a huff and go home.
DCSCA (9d1bb3) — 7/23/2009 @ 10:44 pmI liked the comment last week when someone said that we do not allow teenage girls to walk around with nuclear weapons.
JD (f3535f) — 7/23/2009 @ 10:45 pmI think we should follow Marc Weibrot’s lead – as in today’s oped LA times – Hillary has nefarious friends who are getting ready to profit from North Korea.
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-weisbrot23-2009jul23,0,7566740.story
Of course, I likely will not listen to someone lecture me about Latin America with the last name “Weisbrot” – and don’t you DARE question such a philosophy…a wise Latina taught me that.
Californio (f32f25) — 7/23/2009 @ 10:50 pmPitch-perfect. Well played, Hillary.
JD (4217af) — 7/23/2009 @ 11:04 pmI think that Hillary should step it up. Say something like “Kim Jong Il needs his diaper to be changed so he’ll stop crying. But no pinkie (pacifier) until he’s drunk all his milk”.
nk (834afc) — 7/23/2009 @ 11:05 pmDCSCA,
It’s interesting that you equate Reagan’s plain-spoken, assertive style with Hillary’s Mommy diplomacy. Who knows? Maybe Kim Jong-Il and other North Korean leaders are ready to embrace their feminine side.
DRJ (6f3f43) — 7/23/2009 @ 11:20 pm#7: there you had to go and ruin everything with those nasty fact things…. what were you thinking?
redc1c4 (fb8750) — 7/23/2009 @ 11:29 pm#1 red-boy that was on target.
Thomas Jackson (8ffd46) — 7/23/2009 @ 11:35 pm#7 –Who knows? Maybe Kim Jong-Il and other North Korean leaders are ready to embrace their feminine side.
Nah, they are probably laughing too hard.
Pons Asinorum (03d2d0) — 7/23/2009 @ 11:43 pmHe had so much more fun with Madeline Albright.
MayBee (3ea00e) — 7/23/2009 @ 11:45 pm#2 — Comment by DCSCA — 7/23/2009 @ 10:44 pm
Not unlike President Reagan’s simplistic…
False; hardly simplistic (except to the uniformed — the “geez, that looked so easy even I could do it” crowd). President Reagan implemented a build-up of strategic forces, missile defenses, and covert operations spanning the world. Once in a position of strength, THEN he negotiated with great effect. Those that think it was “simple” have no knowledge of events, and therefore, their conclusions are meaningless.
…in-your-face-diplomacy labeling the Evil Empire what it was and to goad Gorby to ‘tear down this wall.’
Completely opposite what Sec of State and her crack team of experts is doing. They are scared to act decisively and do not understand that an inconsistent foreign policy (Iran, Honduras) shows confusion, incompetence and weakness. Calling someone a “teenager” is not the same as putting the-fear-of-god into them (via strengthened military), standing for principle (The Great Communicator), and calling it like it is (NK is not a teenager, USSR was an evil empire).
Both comments less than diplomatic in nature. But effective.
Both comments were from the heart and quite sincere, and therefore BELIEVED. There was NO doubt about his leadership or views. President Reagan’s love of country and belief in America was not even questionable. Not so with the current Administration — not even close.
NK might just take its missiles and leave the world stage in a huff and go home.
This is the greatest opportunity NK has had in decades. The Democratic party is in power and its leadership is at war with our principle intelligence service. We are fighting two wars with a weak economy which has been made worse by the President (a point that China has noted repeatedly). Best of all, a President who is weak.
Pons Asinorum (03d2d0) — 7/23/2009 @ 11:47 pm#12- False; hardly simplistic Wrong. True, Quite simplistic. And advised against by aides at the time. But insisted upon and effective. Accept it. You’ll sleep better.
DCSCA (9d1bb3) — 7/24/2009 @ 12:26 amTake your meds, Mr. Mitty. Take your meds.
Eric Blair (204104) — 7/24/2009 @ 12:28 am#7- No, I equate Reagan’s simplistic diplomatic statements with Secretary of State Clinton’s simplified comments in terms of effectiveness. Harry Truman was plain-spoken and assertive. Hardly Reaganesque.
DCSCA (9d1bb3) — 7/24/2009 @ 12:30 amAnd by your (and current) standards, a Republican.
Yeah, I know. You had a long chat with him, yourself, during one of your previous stories…and he was always a Lefty.
Eric Blair (204104) — 7/24/2009 @ 12:33 amWhy does the US (and the world) allow Korea to talk to us like they do? The US invaded Iraq on mere suspicion of having WMDs. Turns out they didn’t have them. Now N Korea is testing missles to carry WMDs, and we let them ridicule a top government official while we sit on our hands. If ever a country needed to be invaded, it is definitely N Korea.
Ben (b4ec62) — 7/24/2009 @ 1:22 amCould it be that they were both right? 🙂
Of course, in comparing our Secretary of State to “a pensioner going shopping,” the North Koreans were operating from their own culturalo experience, where they know that a pensioner going shopping has no money to buy anything, and there is nothing to buy anyway. Seems kind of apt in this case.
The diplomatic Dana (3e4784) — 7/24/2009 @ 3:39 amTo all those libs who were embarrassed by GWB in world affairs: I ask, are you happy now? Do you really appreciate the President apologizing the world over and taking sides with Iran, Cuba and Venezuela? Do you really hate this country that much?
krusher (791666) — 7/24/2009 @ 4:11 amGee, I just loves me some “smart diplomacy”.
Dr. K (eca563) — 7/24/2009 @ 4:17 amSo, the “Adults” are in charge now.
The State Dept.’s rebuttal will be “Neiner Neiner Poopy Pants”.
Techie (482700) — 7/24/2009 @ 4:46 amLooks like the North Koreans just proved her right.
imdw (9811a2) — 7/24/2009 @ 5:19 amIn the war of words. Let’s see what the Watusi Wuss does in the war of nuclear proliferation.
nk (b6fb1d) — 7/24/2009 @ 5:33 amAs funny as this is on the surface, we should consider that NK could be having a hissy because China might be working more closely with the US these days. And if so, it’s mostly because NK’s reckless behavior is encouraging China to do so.
I am not saying that is what’s happening, as the increased cooperation from China that we have seen recently has been pretty limited. But if this is how things are going behind the scenes, it would be a good thing. If that’s how things turn out, the administration may well deserve some credit, even if it’s mostly NK alienating its biggest patron.
Karl (ade276) — 7/24/2009 @ 5:50 amShe must have run out of those reset buttons! Smart Power!!!
mossberg500 (064c5b) — 7/24/2009 @ 5:52 amNot that it doesn’t apply in the case of NK, but don’t Democrats always resort to the “unruly child” characterization for anyone who disagrees with them? In their circles, this is elevated debate.
beer 'n pretzels (932ce1) — 7/24/2009 @ 6:35 amLooks like the North Koreans just proved her right.
Comment by imdw — 7/24/2009 @ 5:19 am
Exactly, the North North Koreans told her to FOAD.
daleyrocks (718861) — 7/24/2009 @ 6:36 amKarl – When do you think that we can expect to start seeing the super extra-special diplomacy that the Dems have been droning on and on and on about the last several years? Or, is the apology tour prolly the pinnacle?
JD (616de0) — 7/24/2009 @ 6:36 amWell, Obama complained that GWB wasn’t talking to the North Koreans. Now Hillary is talking to them. What could go wrong ?
MIke K (2cf494) — 7/24/2009 @ 6:50 amNot that it doesn’t apply in the case of NK, but don’t Democrats always resort to the “unruly child
Aw, they don’t do that anymore – haven’t you heard about the new craze that’s sweeping the nation? If anyone dares to criticize teh one and his supreme awesomness, they’re exposed as wanton racists.
Dmac (e6d1c2) — 7/24/2009 @ 6:51 amExcellent point, JD. I think that the Obama admin should be summed up five months into the job. I mean, we could have done that with Bush, right? I believe at this time in 2001 Bush was in the middle of a 5 month vacation that ended on September 11th. Sound familiar? I am not so sure that we should be complaining too much, since the Obama admin is actually working. Furthermore, I think we can all agree that the NK policy was a disaster under Bush, and any change from doing nothing except labeling the entire country ‘evil’ (would that work on us if the tables were turned? would they win over our hearts and minds with a blanket statement like that?) is a welcome one.
Seattle Slew (4dff28) — 7/24/2009 @ 6:53 amSeattle Slew – I think we can all agree that it’s time for Obama to break out the long and glorious history of the Korean people and culture speech, sort of like he did in Cairo a few months ago, right. How’s that working out for him?
“I think that the Obama admin should be summed up five months into the job.” You folks didn’t even give Bush five months if you want to go back and check your facts, but you probably don’t want to do that, do you?
daleyrocks (718861) — 7/24/2009 @ 6:58 amSeattle Slew, have you stopped to consider just how all your opinions are based on “facts” that are not true?
SPQR (26be8b) — 7/24/2009 @ 7:08 amI see DCSCA put his ignorance of history on display again. It was the failure of Harry Truman’s administration to be “plain spoken” that caused the original Korean War.
SPQR (26be8b) — 7/24/2009 @ 7:10 amSeattle Slew – So you are advocating leaving countries like Iran and North Korea alone to do their own things because they will not play nice among the community of nations. I think I understand the diplomatic stance you are recommending.
daleyrocks (718861) — 7/24/2009 @ 7:12 amSeattle Slew came here with purely insults to JD in two different threads. Don’t engage it.
nk (b6fb1d) — 7/24/2009 @ 7:12 amMr Rocks suggested:
Fund our assistance, darlin’?
The inquisitive Dana (3e4784) — 7/24/2009 @ 7:45 amOh, don’t argue with Seattle Slew; that’s just beating a dead horse.
The Dana who grew up in Kentucky (3e4784) — 7/24/2009 @ 7:48 amVery good, Dana.
Ignorance about North Korea seems to be common on the left and especially with trolls. They survive because China chooses to provide food and fuel. If China decides to let them go, they will survive about 6 months. South Korea does not want to see them collapse because they would be inundated with starving refugees. If you think the East Germans were a burden to West Germany, that would be nothing compared to what would happen. China has the same issue. One of my students was a graduate of Beijing U where her mother was a professor. Northern China near Manchuria is over run with NK refugees that they can’t afford to feed and clothe. SK doesn’t want them either, hence the despicable practice of sending the refugees back to NK where they die.
Talking or not talking is not the problem. China makes the decisions. One way to get China to take a second look at their policy would be to encourage Japan to rearm and develop nuclear weapons. China would then get very interested.
MIke K (2cf494) — 7/24/2009 @ 7:58 amHillary’s not aging well, mentally or physically.
Peg C. (48175e) — 7/24/2009 @ 8:00 amIt is not that Seattle Slew does not know things, it is just all of the things it knows are wrong.
Boooooooooooosh !!!!!
JD (55b145) — 7/24/2009 @ 8:12 amActually Kim said “If only she had on a school girl’s outfit and pigtails, I’d show that naughty girl what’s under my Elvis jumpsuit!”
Alan F. (4d0202) — 7/24/2009 @ 8:17 am5 month vacation. Lie. You gave him the benefit of the doubt early in his term? Lie. You and your ilk never quit savaging him from the election going forward. No, I do not agree that Bush’s policy was a disaster. I would agree that Clinton’s was, sending Madeline to dance with Kim Il Jong and getting him autographed souveniers while they continued their nuclear program apace. You are a vile little cretin that is giving a bad name to a true champion. A lying coward, you are.
JD (55b145) — 7/24/2009 @ 8:20 am#13 — Comment by DCSCA — 7/24/2009 @ 12:26 am
DCSCA:
Calling Presidents Reagan’s diplomacy “simplistic” belies a lack of knowledge of events. When challenged, you fail to research and refute with facts. This reveals a closed-mind, filled with logical inconsistencies and half-truths. All of which renders your conclusions meaningless.
It also enabled you to mock an American Naval Officer who served in war and sacrificed for his country, to your shame.
Your ability to take the service of such a noble officer — and twist and mock it — is proof of the meaninglessness of your conclusions. It demonstrates your ability to ignore facts or refuse to acknowledge them in full. As such, you are blinded to the sacrifice made for you, and for the country, by this man and those like him.
Selfishness and ingratitude are not always a moral choice. Sometimes it is a choice made out stupidity and close-mindedness.
(Feel free to read about the complexity, mistakes, and victories of President Reagan’s foreign policy, as opposed to wishing or insisting upon facts. The reading part is easy; it is the learning part that is up to you. Here is a good place to start. !! Warning you will need an open mind !!).
Pons Asinorum (03d2d0) — 7/24/2009 @ 11:11 amAnd I might just flap my arms and fly to the top of Mt. Everest.
Seriously, if you think Hillary’s frivolous words will make North Korea abandon its nuclear ambitions, your cranium has achieved what scientists throughout history have not: a perfect vacuum.
Steverino (69d941) — 7/24/2009 @ 11:31 amFollowed by Susan Rice tattle-tailing on the NoKo’s to the UN secretary-general for ‘Being meanie poopie heads!”
KingShamus (402345) — 7/24/2009 @ 11:38 amIts interesting that the north korean response to Hillary is similar to that of the wingnuts.
imdw (f41ee5) — 7/24/2009 @ 5:58 pmIt is interesting to note that leftist responses to the United States are similar to that of our enemies.
Pons Asinorum (03d2d0) — 7/24/2009 @ 7:17 pm