Since there is no actual (publicized) fighting there, I think most Americans assume that we are NOT at war in Korea. They overlook any reports on the news about farmers being dragged across the DMZ or soldiers being dragged over as well. Tell that to anyone of the 37,000 soldiers stationed there who well know that it is only an armistice (ceasefire) signed by two generals with no peace treaty!

What I think is most amazing is that I have heard comments from others who state that North Korea should be allowed to have nuclear power and their testing of these weapons should be ignored since it is a part of that attempt. What? Education is necessary among the people of this country. Weapons grade plutonium and that needed for power are not the same. We are not preventing them from having nuclear power. Why doesn't everyone know about the Shinpo (or is it Sinpo?) Light Water Reactor Plant? It has been planned for years and years to be located in North Korea and was to be funded by the U.S., Japan, Australia, Canada, NZ, SKorea, Finland, (more too I think) and the EU for 4.5 billion built by Kepco. That was all based on an agreement in 1994 when North Korea agreed to freeze its nuclear program. Am I wrong here? Somehow they will get the nuclear power from the world and still have their weapons...






>Mike;
>
>The Korea exit model? We have about 30,000 troops still there. Technically there is a cease fire and we are still at war. I think if you had one American in Iraq he/she would be a target. For the last three years the administration has stated that we would be in Iraq for another ten years. Does that seem reasonable?
>
>Every year we just tack ten years on to the present date and that is our date of departure. Remember we have been “out of Korea” since 1953, 53 years to be exact.
>
>Vietnam was another story all together. We signed a treaty (Paris Peace Accords), which was to end direct American involvement. I recall the term “Peace with Honor” being used. Iraq is not like Korea or Vietnam. One thing we learned in Vietnam was that you could not change the hearts or minds of the people. Nor did you know what was in their minds. Our presence was a source of irritation to too many.
>
>The state that Iraq is in is deplorable. The latest figures of unemployment were announced at 60%. Imagine the social and economic pressure that has on any society? Add the hatred the various groups have for each other and you have a volatile situation.
>
>We could send over a few evangelical missionaries and save the souls of the Iraqis. Then we could bring back our troops and have peace. At least that is one plan. :)
>
>I do think that we must immediately get together with other nations and get our act together. We cannot win the way this is going and we are going to need help. I do not necessarily mean military intervention from other nations, to assist us on our crusade.
>
>We had better tighten up our ship and work together to rid the world of terrorists. An international coalition to destroy terrorism is what the world needs. It will not prevent terrorist acts but we could agree to destroy terrorist camps, etc. without concern from international reaction, if we act together.
>
>As for Iraq, if they want to kill each other they will. We cannot prevent that.
>
>Tom
>
>
>>John,
>>
>>Well, I stepped in it there, didn't I? <s> That is a really admirable military career. On November 11, the only appropriate words are "Thank you." That's sincere, however far apart our political views are.
>>
>>In that spirit, and in the ongoing belief that reasonable people can discuss things even if they don't necessarily agree, let me toss a few things out there.
>>
>>You explicitly linked the invasion of Iraq to the fight against terrorism. Is that really your belief? FWIW, personally I think our little adventure in Iraq, which has turned into our long adventure, has increased the terrorist threat against us, not reduced it.
>>
>>Question 2: as always, a disproportionate number of the casualties in Iraq have been Marines. They get the toughest missions so it's no criticism of them. How do you feel about all those Marines coming home in caskets? I am thinking specifically of a feature article in Newsweek last week about a Marine who was killed in Iraq. It quoted many of his emails home. His mission was to train Iraqi soldiers. He was semper fi to the max, hard core, questioning only the ability of the Iraqi army and police force to take up the slack if we leave. His disrespect for their ability to do so was palpable. Just in the space of 3 pages I liked and respected that guy. A valiant death in a good cause or a good life wasted?
>>
>>What should our exit strategy from Iraq be? No one seems to have the answer to that one, neither the administration nor its assailers. I don't claim to, either. The one thing I have read that makes some sense is that at this point we should follow the Korea exit model. We are not going to "win"; there is no possibility of that. We are not fighting any defined enemy and there is no one to surrender to us. But we can't just bail out, either. All that would do is insure the extermination or evacuation of the remaining Sunnis. So what do we do? In Korea we left without either winning or losing, but we left in a way that all sides could feel they were better off, and with uncatastrophic consequences.
>>
>>Just questions. Answer or not, it's up to you. And happy Veteran's Day.
>>
>>Mike
>>
>>
>>
>>>I know Tracy's a vet and she knows I know. I don't think she was irritated at all.
>>>
>>>USMC 1970-1978 (Worked with 2nd Marines 4th ITT (interrogator-translator Team) out of Camp Geiger, NC.
>>>USN 1980 -1992 (Senior Russian Linguist/Analyst Mediterranean Operations).
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>I don't know if you know this but Tracy is a vet. And she didn't spend her time there darning the men's socks. Hence her irritation, which I thought she understated. PC has nothing to do with it.
>>>>
>>>>Out of curiosity, what branch of the service and what unit were you in?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>I'm sorry, I meant men as a collective noun, I should have been more politically correct. :)
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>Not to mention the military women :o)
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Thanks much, however, it looks like the last one for a while where the military men can feel proud of their service and not made to feel like ignorant know-nothings....
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>I will be off tomorrow, so I would like to wish all the past and present Veterans a good day. Lets let them all know that they were and are appreciated.