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Punch on: Open thread 30/11/2010

Lucy Kippist

by Lucy Kippist

30 Nov 05:00am

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Filed under: Korea, Open Thread

37 comments

Today in 1950, US President Truman announces that he is prepared to authorise the use of atomic weapons to bring “peace” in Korea.

Aussie troops in Korea, 1950

It’s Tuesday at The Punch. What’s on your mind? Share it here.

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37 comments

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    • Tedd says:

      04:59am | 30/11/10

      It would be interesting to find out what the Chinese are thinking, and what Sth Korean & US diplomatic discussions with the Chinese is achieving.

      Perhaps Truman got carried away with the power he got from the atomic bombs he dropped on Japan?

      Reply

    • Markus says:

      10:01am | 30/11/10

      One lecturer I had at university had a lot of experience in the politics of the region.
      Apparently China see North Korea as an embarrassment, but continue to show support for them, at least in lip service, to prevent a major humanitarian incident occuring (worst case being civil war) that would result in 20-odd million North Koreans trying to cross their border.

    • stephen says:

      11:16am | 30/11/10

      Maybe right Markus : 20 odd million NK’s won’t really upset China’s new middle-class,( and they sure won’t be able to get a bath when they get there.)
      I kind a think too, China is letting NK off the leash a little to see what the West will and will not respong to.
      A united S.E. Asia is what China doesn’t want.

    • Reg says:

      05:01am | 30/11/10

      I remember thinking when Truman said that, that he was getting on side with the late-comer to nuclear acceptance, MacArthur, on the basis that first you agree with your opponent then you rein him in. Part of the negotiating tactics for the irrational, even today. I was persuaded very early to being interested in the news by reading the KILLED IN ACTION lists. The list that later became CASUALTIES with its sense of everyday occurrence.

      Reply

    • BobbyDan says:

      05:51am | 30/11/10

      I am so glad I am back here today, knowing that I did not pass away, last night.
      I have checked in todays newspaper and looked in the mirror, so I must be here.

      Reply

    • BobbyDan says:

      07:15am | 30/11/10

      Note to Adam Diver & Grumpy Re: Advice from an Older Person, revisit your posts on “Thanks, but I’m not dying - .....”  yesterday. I have left a few words for you both.

    • I'm an aussie what are you? says:

      06:45am | 30/11/10

      It seems like America is avoiding the Global warming /Climate change \ carbon tax scam due to economic conditions, like the plague.
      So what the heck is out prime minister doing putting our head in a noose to implement this carbon tax, if its just another hare brained idea to boost an allready good economy? It will do just the reverse, as in America, they realise it will create an adverse economy. Not only this, the Global carbon tax is subject to major rorts. This has already been the case in Europe. If you dont believe me use google to search for “carbon tax fraud”
      Lets try and stop pollution by all means, bur lets adopt a local workable plan.
      Theyre stealing our land water, energy and ideas. What else is on their agenda?
      Doesnt Australia come first anymore?

      Reply

    • ian m says:

      07:49am | 30/11/10

      looking good to the corrupt UN is more important these days than looking after we the people.

      This may get posted then again it may not as this site is becoming so politically correct

    • Scarneck says:

      09:13am | 30/11/10

      Of course Australia comes first…I don’t give a damn what the USA are doing…their economy is ‘stuffed’, hyperinflation will finish them, and deservedly so. China is where we should be looking, they are leading the world in reducing emissions. Any country that delays emission reduction (Carbon trading Etc.)  will cost them dearly in the future, they will have ‘missed the boat’ so to speak!!

    • TChong says:

      09:22am | 30/11/10

      ian m , I ask “I’m an Aussie “about his stealing lands claim, and I have been moderated out.
      Yur response, in ,mine blocked. Whatever is going on at Punch HQ, it aint PC correctness

    • End of the World chicken? says:

      09:30am | 30/11/10

      The carbon tax is a scam. And you should know it.
      Stop polution by all means, but even Al Gore’s professor said CO2 is not necessarily the problem. Al, who has business interests and invested in this Global Warming (Conveneintly renamed Climate Change, as it appears to be cooling instead) Is our modern day Chicken Little.
      Thousands of Scientists agree. The science is NOT settled. CO2 is not warming the planet is it? At this point there are many reasons to look towards spending money on modern pwer technology. Not these gear box driven wind power high maintainance fixtures cropping up al over Australia.
      China? They are trying, but also not doing enough… in the right direction! Do your research…

    • I'm an aussie what are you? says:

      09:50am | 30/11/10

      Reply to T.Chong.
      Theyre stealing our land > Simply put: Water is limited, due to selling of water to investement companies,  farmers cannot thrive because of it, banks, with high interests rates foreclose, overseas interests buy our land.< Who sold our water! The government ruling for the people! We have a problem!

    • MarK says:

      07:05am | 30/11/10

      I was wondering why the title of the piece about Keneally yesterday has had a title change and the accompanying captions to the pictures removed.

      Reply
    • Tory Maguire

      Tory Maguire says:

      09:05am | 30/11/10

      Hi Mark, the changes were made after consultation with the Premier, who thought my original characterisation of the photo shoot was unfair in light of the fact she was asked to take part in it by the Telegraph.

    • MarK says:

      09:45am | 30/11/10

      Wow.

      They did a Hans Blix on yah eh.

      Oh well.

      It was a hoot. I guess she has to worry about being made the object of ridicule in November. She will get enough of that in March.

      Shame she couldn’t take the joke though. Disappointing too.

    • Drew(Darlinghurst) says:

      07:07am | 30/11/10

      Three cheers for Wiki-Leaks…may it continue to throw more egg on the United States and other nations like Australia involved in an unjust war!!

      Peace Out

      Reply

    • Land of the Flee says:

      08:56am | 30/11/10

      I hope you realise that because of that comment, Ms Clinton wil lnow call you and probably me a sympathiser to Wikileaks.
      Whats happened to freedom of speech in America?

    • OchreBunyip says:

      09:28am | 30/11/10

      Add me to the subversive list then; if the US government wasn’t so neck-deep in dirty tricks they’d have nothing to fear.I notice the ‘warnings’ issued by the US government are also carefully slanted to make it seem like all governments are at risk, not just the ones who play dirty with world affairs. It is a subtle spin and it seems to be gaining traction.

      I also find it interesting that the focus of outrage is directed at Mr Assange, yet very little is mentioned considering his sources. Someone with some extensive access, or several people with pertinent access, are feeding Wikileaks the information. No doubt they will be identified and apprehended as quickly as Osama Bin-Laden.

    • Jim says:

      07:32am | 30/11/10

      I’m glad you fixed the date from 20/11 to 30/11 Lucy…I was worried we’d gone back in time and would have to watch Mitchell Johnstone’s bowling spell again!

      Reply

    • MarK says:

      08:31am | 30/11/10

      NOoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

    • Lucy Kippist

      Lucy Kippist says:

      08:34am | 30/11/10

      Er, yes, whoops, sorry to alarm you! And thanks to Reg for pointing it out.

    • nosthow says:

      08:12am | 30/11/10

      Well the “magic” starts today in Victoria when big Teddy takes over. Hes promised the world but really folks you and I know he just wont deliver. The stock in trade mechanis the Libs use to compenstate for having no policies and no vision are of course “Tax” and “Slash” and Victoria can now expect those in spades. All the young and gullible who swallowed Teddy rubbish about him slashing the cost of living , fixing heath and public transport etc are about to learn the lesson learned along time ago by us oldies - its all rubbish ! My advice to anyone thinking of moving to Victoria is dont unless you want to end up in the highest tax state of Australia !!

      Reply

    • Cynical says:

      09:02am | 30/11/10

      Groucho Marx said it: Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies. ...

      Highest tax state? Yep that “was” the problem that got the Labor party thrown out. The Federal Government wil try and do the same. Read “Carbon TAX”. A solution for a non existent problem!
      As far as moving there, I might be suspicious that thats what youre aiming to do. Buy shares in anything Ted has shares in. They just went up.

    • Macca says:

      10:16am | 30/11/10

      @nosthow, earlier last week you were claiming the Coalition in Victoria had no policies and were going to get smashed at the election.

      Now you are saying that the new premier has over-promised.

      I worry about you.

    • NicoleG says:

      11:13am | 30/11/10

      @Macca, he has problems remembering what he said yesterday. I wish he’d keep out of that sun.

    • MarK says:

      08:32am | 30/11/10

      “Hes promised the world”

      Well tell us all what he has promised.

      Reply

    • Zeta says:

      08:50am | 30/11/10

      The United State Government - Bombing you back into peace since 1945.

      Reply

    • Tedd says:

      12:30pm | 30/11/10

      The CIA is probably the most self-serving self-perpetuating organisation in the world

    • BT says:

      01:38pm | 30/11/10

      @Tedd, might like to add the World Trade Org and International Monetary Fund to that too.

    • jane wallace says:

      12:18pm | 30/11/10

      i have nothing on my mind as I don’t have a mind.
      However Vietnam was once divided by America into North and south vietnams .
      Vietnam became on country and is now better off than Korea and ireland whose wars were before Vietnam..
      Like ireland, Korea is still split in two and is paying the price..
      Make Korea and Ireland into one complete countries and they will do better even it looks bad at first like Vietnam.

      Reply

    • Eric says:

      01:30pm | 30/11/10

      Sigh. This is what happens when people learn “history” from comic books.

    • BT says:

      03:14pm | 30/11/10

      @Eric, where do you get off? Are your communication skills are so limited that all you can do is insult the intelligence of others? If you disagree with something, state facts or at least present a sound argument. A good debator respects their opposition and argues with conviction, not arrogance and condescension.

    • MarK says:

      04:11pm | 30/11/10

      @BT

      Is it your contention that Jane’s post deserves debate?

      Really?

      I would have thought you treat things on their merits.

    • BT says:

      09:56pm | 30/11/10

      No MarK, that’s called being judgemental and arrogant. Debating is a skill and art, the ability to convince the other that your points are more valid. Eric’s response was devoid of anything other than the most base form of wit -sarcasm.

    • Jason Kelly says:

      04:04pm | 30/11/10

      Re: Korea situation

      It’s well past time for China to instigate regime change in North Korea. China’s leaders will loose what little credibility they may still have left with the rest of the world on this issue if they don’t act right now. Let’s not have to fight there again.

      Reply

    • I like both China and freedom of speech says:

      08:32pm | 30/11/10

      With a litle sense, China will use some of the Confusius wisdom and let the Northern leaders in Korea rot. Their people would be eternally grateful.

    • majid says:

      06:54pm | 01/12/10

      It was the cold war… or the time of intimidation between the two blocks…

      Reply
 
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