Not everybody is toasting North Korea’s agreement to drop its nuclear weapons program, especially its step toward normalizing relations with the United States. Among the dissatisfied is Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., who told the Los Angeles Times that he may hold up the deal’s funding in Congress because it doesn’t address North Korea’s human rights violations. Brownback’s point is well-taken, but it shouldn’t stand in the way of ridding the region of this terrifying nuclear threat.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
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10 Comments
Whenever the United States has moved towards more normal relations with it’s antagonists, the situation has generally moved closer to where the US would like to be. On the other hand, when the US has taken a belligerent, confrontational, nonpragmatic stance, things have generally not improved or have actually gotten worse.
China, Vietnam, and the old Soviet Union are examples of relatively successful engagement. Cuba and North Korea, and to some extent Iraq, are examples of unsuccessful US isolationist policies. Bringing the North Koreans closer to being in the international fold will do more for the human rights violations in that country than will being high handed with them
Brian,I agree with you, but it must also be assumed that such changes will not be overnight. It’s been 16 years since Tienamen Square, and the struggle for rights in China is still far from over. We need patience and perseverance, and to provide leadership in our actions, as well as our words. It’s the truth that sets people free, not posturing and propaganda.
Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan? So, he really exists? There goes ID out the window.
But, but, but Jimmy Carter promised N.Korea didn’t have any nukes! Oh wait…
JM,That’s what God does! He makes sure all his potential rivals are dumber than stumps! That’s REAL intelligent design!
Why does the goverment care about Human rights in Korea, but is willing to kiss the giant ass that is China and ignore the gross violatins there? $$$’s me thinks.
Another example where the whole religious rights agenda is out of control.
How can anyone think human rights will be important if we all glow in the dark?
Hey Sum,It’s all about equality!”We will all go together when we go,All suffused with an incandescent glow,No one will have the enduraceTo collect on his insurance,Lloyds of London will be loaded when they go.
We will all burn together when we burn,There’ll be no need to stand and wait your turn,When it’s time for the falloutAnd St. Peter calls us all out,We’ll just drop our agendas and adjourn!”-Tom Lehrer-
“You gather more flies with honey than vinegar”, is that how the old saying goes? Reel in North Korea, then use influence to bring world focus on the human rights situation there, same with China. Pissing off the leaders of those countries will not encourage things to change, but maybe peer pressure will.
great post Damoon