tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post2169590653033572133..comments2024-02-23T23:53:54.842+09:00Comments on Gusts Of Popular Feeling: The murder of D.W. Stephens, or Spot the terroristmatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10296009437690229938noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-91163137967206202682007-08-17T17:21:00.000+09:002007-08-17T17:21:00.000+09:00Why did Korea acquiesce so easily to Japanese domi...Why did Korea acquiesce so easily to Japanese domination? How come these scattered assasinations and bombings, but no revolution? Are you really *proud* of the miniscule number of "freedom fighters" and their occasional bombings? Its actually sad that they are national heros. At least Kim Il Sung half-heartedly fought -- in Manchuria.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-80533796201543544082007-08-17T10:52:00.000+09:002007-08-17T10:52:00.000+09:00That was a powerful visual ending to that article....That was a powerful visual ending to that article.ZenKimchihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00081373174186807282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-51025854196428762642007-08-17T00:17:00.000+09:002007-08-17T00:17:00.000+09:00well in the Stephens case it was more like a 'targ...well in the Stephens case it was more like a 'targeted killing.' He was one of the chief policy-advisors in the colonial straddling of Korea. He needed to go. Same with the Shanghai bombing. No terrorism there, since it was a clear act of resistance to colonial oppression and also targetted to kill those who prop up the imperial regime.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-65013119664449823172007-08-16T19:17:00.000+09:002007-08-16T19:17:00.000+09:00Haksaeng said: "I would consider the attack on Ste...Haksaeng said: "I would consider the attack on Stevens more in the political assassination category than I would in the terrorism category. The two Koreans were attempting to punish him for his acts"<BR/><BR/>I would place it in the murder category. Civilized human beings arent allowed to walk up and shoot eachother over political disagreements anymore than they are over marital disagreements. The Koreans couldve expressed their outrage any number of ways - trying to teach other people about the dire sitaution in their country, writing an essay, etc. But instead they murdered the guy who insulted them. Barbaric.<BR/><BR/>Pak says: "If an independent Iraq one day enshrines some of the terrorists who have taken so many American lives and honors them as national heroes, what right do we have to contest their decision? We may continue to loath them, but--as it was so eloquently put--whether they're judged a national hero or national shame depends on whether the Iraqis agree with them."<BR/><BR/>If the Iraqis decide to honor someone who placed an IED that destroyed a Humvee, any future American would regard the Iraqis as:<BR/><BR/>1) Stupid for honoring people who kill but a handful of US soldiers, while they kill thousands of Iraqis in pointless suicide bombings on markets, bus stations, etc<BR/><BR/>2) Cowardly, for honoring a guy who doesnt even have the courage to risk his life by picking up a gun, who instead resorts to sneakily planting bombs w/ low risk to himself (and low risk of success) - "Is that the *best* they can do? Those Eye-raki's must be really short on national heros!"<BR/><BR/>3) Pathetic - again, they wont even meet the enemy face to face, thats why the US kills 10-20 terrorists for every US soldier they kill. But hey if they way to sacrifice their own lives at such a high rate in the hopes that that 1 US soldier's life will get into the US media and sway public opinion, thats their strategic choice. But it reflects on the worthlessness with which they regard their own lives. Barbarian 'sagopangshik'.<BR/><BR/>So, any future American would regard a nation that stupidly honors such barbaric cowards as ... stupid, cowardly, and barbaric. Good thing American's dont know/care about Korea's national "heros" (these assasins, Kim Ku) - not all were assassins and cowards, but a suspiciously high number of them were.<BR/><BR/>How many troops did the Japanese station in Korea? Surprisingly few! I dont know the number, but I'd respect Koreans alot more if they declared independence and actually had the guts to fight a war instead of resorting to a couple cowardly assassinations here and there.<BR/><BR/>(I'd respect Korea even more if they modernized faster and pre-empted their annexation by Japan by building a strong military. Thats the real lesson of the Japanese colonial period that educated Koreans used to understand.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-38672387938939175982007-08-16T17:09:00.000+09:002007-08-16T17:09:00.000+09:00It might be useful to compare how India and Pakist...It might be useful to compare how India and Pakistan gained their independence from Britain, on their own accord, while Korea had to rely on the US. Many in India chose the non-violence path, thanks to the guidance of Gandhi, who was well read and educated, and although a "resistance fighter", he clearly was never a "terrorist". <BR/><BR/>Does Korea have any one who fits that mould?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-87018776469435185092007-08-16T05:18:00.000+09:002007-08-16T05:18:00.000+09:00Interesting thoughts on what makes an act an insta...Interesting thoughts on what makes an act an instance of terrorism. Unhappy history between allies like the Stevens assassination is something we'd like to put behind us, I'm sure. However, in spite of the tragedy of lost life, such cases are a chance to get a different perspective on terrorism, especially with the war we're now embroiled in. If an independent Iraq one day enshrines some of the terrorists who have taken so many American lives and honors them as national heroes, what right do we have to contest their decision? We may continue to loath them, but--as it was so eloquently put--whether they're judged a national hero or national shame depends on whether the Iraqis agree with them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-25980933794639718272007-08-16T04:02:00.000+09:002007-08-16T04:02:00.000+09:00What is or is not terrorism is based both on your ...What is or is not terrorism is based both on your definition of terrorism and on the purpose of an attack. I would consider the attack on Stevens more in the political assassination category than I would in the terrorism category. The two Koreans were attempting to punish him for his acts, they were not trying to bring down or influence either the US or the Japanese governments.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-56724205828174804002007-08-15T15:44:00.000+09:002007-08-15T15:44:00.000+09:00I disagree with the fundamental premise that its o...I disagree with the fundamental premise that its ok to murder certain people and not others, as long as your cause is "noble". Stop and think that assassinations are totally cowardly and immoral to begin!<BR/><BR/>Just because you like Korea and their independence movement, that doesnt make their dirty, sneaky tactics right. (Nor was Japan right in their assassinations and brutality and sneakiness). If the peacefulness of March 1, 1919 had embodied the nationalist movement, perhaps all the post-1945 violent bloody political chaos wouldnt have had the historical roots that legitimized it.<BR/><BR/>By the way the closing lines of the 1919 Korean declaration of independence promise that the nationalist movement will operate "above board" - ie no sneaking assasinations. LIE!<BR/><BR/>Korea's nation was midwifed by these murders, no wonder they have such a tenuous grasp of what is and is not morally acceptable - the ends totally justifies the means for them. There is no action that is immoral, as long as it further's the great cause of independence! ... or any cause?<BR/><BR/>By the way thats why Koreans perperuate their victim mentality. Because victims should be allowed to take revenge (ie kill). And since you brought up Cho Seung-Hui, let me ask you this:<BR/><BR/>Is it any coincidence that in his videos he tried to portray himself as a victim taking legitimate revenge? Not every nutjob goes to such lengths to victimize himself (eg Columbine), this emphasis on self-victimization to legitimate murder is what made his killing spree so "Korean".<BR/><BR/>This August 15, I'm glad im not Korean.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-13616013476533243092007-08-15T07:49:00.000+09:002007-08-15T07:49:00.000+09:00Wow...you gotta be one sick puppy.Wow...you gotta be one sick puppy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-77868540107862717502007-08-15T01:34:00.000+09:002007-08-15T01:34:00.000+09:00What a great article but what a terrible compariso...What a great article but what a terrible comparison.<BR/><BR/>DW Stevens was a pro-Japanese mouthpiece installed after the Koreans were coerced into dismantling their foreign ministry when Japanese troops marched into Seoul February 1904.<BR/><BR/>He was assassinated because he openly supported Japanese control over Korea. <BR/><BR/>The other dude is some wackjob basketcase who went on a random killing spree. Seriously, I don't get your analogy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com