tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post1453682790693637567..comments2024-02-23T23:53:54.842+09:00Comments on Gusts Of Popular Feeling: When critics of American foreign policy write Koreans out of their own historymatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10296009437690229938noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-63878462536283268022021-12-10T11:49:12.114+09:002021-12-10T11:49:12.114+09:00Great piece. I've found that critique of recen...Great piece. I've found that critique of recent (let's say, 20th century on) history has become more colored by present sensibilities. In other words, the application of how we see things in light of today's events to the events of the past, not taking into account the context of the times. Few progressive thinkers of today seem to consider the balancing act in which the US had to engage through the cold war -- finding that line between the "friendly" and "Communist" dictator where certain things were manipulated or overlooked in the name of keeping a country on our side. I spent half of the pre-Olympic 80s in Korea, and it seemed the US could only push Chen so far to control his actions. But there's no doubt the US had some kind of positive influence. Where Korea is right now could be considered in part to the protective umbrella of the US in those times. That's not to say a lot of mistakes weren't made for sure, but the end result is certainly showing. We're all learning our lessons.<br /><br />Also, I've noticed a definite slant to Cummings's writings, so I could certainly see where you were coming from in that respect (as well as with the other authors you cite).AminKorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12569554496574518921noreply@blogger.com