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Martian · 06-08-2009, 09:26 AM

Someone outside of Canada watches the Mercer Report?

Rick Mercer is our answer to John Stewart. Or the other way around really, since Mercer was here first.

This Is Also Not About Canadian Politics, although I have lots to say about the current government. My opinions run strong on that one.

The issue here is whether or not Obama can afford to ignore this situation. In a way, it's his Yes We Can campaign backfiring on him -- his supporters and detractors alike are now discovering that he cannot, in fact, deliver the World with a rainbow, and this in turn forces him to scramble. Reasonable, moderate political moves are questioned ad nauseum. This whole situation has the potential to serve as gasoline on the fire, and I don't believe for an instant that there's anyone in Washington or Pyongyang who isn't highly aware of that fact.

It will need to be handled delicately. These women may not be released any time soon, but I don't think ignoring them outright is going to be an option. In many ways, I see this as shaping up to potentially be the first real test of the current US government.

EDIT - The CBC's take on the issue, and Obama's response to it:

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/0...d.html?ref=rss

I read a BBC article earlier that touched more on the political machinations inherent in a situation such as this, but cannot now find it. I'll keep looking.

cybermike: In the current political climate, whether or not the two women were actually in North Korea is a non-issue. Of course those in Pyongyang are claiming they were, because it gives them legal grounds for all of this, which could otherwise be construed as a very serious offence. Regardless, the fact remains that North Korea is holding two US citizens and has passed on a very harsh sentence to these women in a trial that was not open to the public. Given that Washington was gearing up to vilify North Korea (likely a precursor to impose further sanctions), the timing is a bit suspect to say the least. The question now really lies in what Obama can and should do here. It's not politically prudent to leave these two women where they are, but securing their release is delicate as well. The best course is probably the most unsavoury one -- do everything possible to create an appearance of action, while taking no actual measures to change the situation.

It's an unfortunate reality of politics that opinion and appearances have greater measure than fact and reason.

EDIT #2 - A Reuters article that covers some of the same ground as the BBC one:

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNe...dChannel=10531

Honestly, the escalating situation in North Korea scares me more than anything else going on in the world today.

06-08-2009, 09:26 AM	#7 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	Someone outside of Canada watches the Mercer Report? Rick Mercer is our answer to John Stewart. Or the other way around really, since Mercer was here first. This Is Also Not About Canadian Politics, although I have lots to say about the current government. My opinions run strong on that one. The issue here is whether or not Obama can afford to ignore this situation. In a way, it's his Yes We Can campaign backfiring on him -- his supporters and detractors alike are now discovering that he cannot, in fact, deliver the World with a rainbow, and this in turn forces him to scramble. Reasonable, moderate political moves are questioned ad nauseum. This whole situation has the potential to serve as gasoline on the fire, and I don't believe for an instant that there's anyone in Washington or Pyongyang who isn't highly aware of that fact. It will need to be handled delicately. These women may not be released any time soon, but I don't think ignoring them outright is going to be an option. In many ways, I see this as shaping up to potentially be the first real test of the current US government. EDIT - The CBC's take on the issue, and Obama's response to it: http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/0...d.html?ref=rss I read a BBC article earlier that touched more on the political machinations inherent in a situation such as this, but cannot now find it. I'll keep looking. cybermike: In the current political climate, whether or not the two women were actually in North Korea is a non-issue. Of course those in Pyongyang are claiming they were, because it gives them legal grounds for all of this, which could otherwise be construed as a very serious offence. Regardless, the fact remains that North Korea is holding two US citizens and has passed on a very harsh sentence to these women in a trial that was not open to the public. Given that Washington was gearing up to vilify North Korea (likely a precursor to impose further sanctions), the timing is a bit suspect to say the least. The question now really lies in what Obama can and should do here. It's not politically prudent to leave these two women where they are, but securing their release is delicate as well. The best course is probably the most unsavoury one -- do everything possible to create an appearance of action, while taking no actual measures to change the situation. It's an unfortunate reality of politics that opinion and appearances have greater measure than fact and reason. EDIT #2 - A Reuters article that covers some of the same ground as the BBC one: http://www.reuters.com/article/topNe...dChannel=10531 Honestly, the escalating situation in North Korea scares me more than anything else going on in the world today. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame Last edited by Martian; 06-08-2009 at 10:35 AM..