Monthly Archive: June, 2005

China Update. Roger L. Simon is accusing Microsoft of helping China to suppress dissent on-line, even helping it to filter out any discussion of “democracy.” I’d like to know what Bill Gates has to say about this. Mark Steyn thinks all of China’s control-freakery will prevent it from becoming the next great world power.

Regime Change Iran has more here, with pictures here and here. This is certainly a more encouraging development than bombings. Iran has such a well developed dissident movement that a concerted protest seemingly has the potential to topple the government Romania / Ukraine style. Violence not only seems unnecessary, it could only play into the hands of mullahs who want excuses to crack down and intimidate the opposition in advance of its next round of rigged elections. Those elections could...

A more detailed read of the coverage of the Bush-Roh meet confirms my original impression: nothing of much interest was reported at the time. In the coming days, we may learn more. I pity the journalists who had to try to find comment among the bromides and pablum that presidents and their staffs emit during press conferences, so take my cynicism for what it is–cheap and easy. Easiest Story to Have Written Last Week: The Associated Press, via Fox. You...

Welcome new readers from the Dean Esmay and R.J. Rummel blogs. Thanks to both Dean and R.J. for the links.

“It will be fascinating for us and for our audiences to see what life is like there and try to get a snapshot of everyday existence inside North Korea,” [ABC News president] David Westin said. ABC News has now aired its series of reports from inside North Korea, and I waited until I’d seen them before I made up my mind. Having fought my way through the wretched, insufferable, life-sucking crap-tangle known as Real Networks to see the reports, I...

Welcome new readers from the Dean Esmay and R.J. Rummel blogs. Thanks to both Dean and R.J. for the links.

More criticism for South Korean central planning, which has not yet done the wonders that North Korean central planning has done. The Economist is on a tear against the government’s “outdated” economic policies. The Chosun Ilbo sounds miffed, like a vain actress reading a bad review.

“It will be fascinating for us and for our audiences to see what life is like there and try to get a snapshot of everyday existence inside North Korea,” [ABC News president] David Westin said. ABC News has now aired its series of reports from inside North Korea, and I waited until I’d seen them before I made up my mind. Having fought my way through the wretched, insufferable, life-sucking crap-tangle known as Real Networks to see the reports, I...

“It will be fascinating for us and for our audiences to see what life is like there and try to get a snapshot of everyday existence inside North Korea,” [ABC News president] David Westin said. ABC News has now aired its series of reports from inside North Korea, and I waited until I’d seen them before I made up my mind. Having fought my way through the wretched, insufferable, life-sucking crap-tangle known as Real Networks to see the reports, I...

Today is petting zoo day (no, not this petting zoo), so blogging time is constrained for now. I was going through all of the relevant coverage of the Bush-Roh meet, was reading through Bush’s brief welcoming statement, and what do I see? It’s my honor to welcome the President of our very close ally to the Oval Office. I’ll have a statement; the President will have a statement. Then I’ll answer two questions from the American press. I first want...

More criticism for South Korean central planning, which has not yet done the wonders that North Korean central planning has done. The Economist is on a tear against the government’s “outdated” economic policies. The Chosun Ilbo sounds miffed, like a vain actress reading a bad review.

More criticism for South Korean central planning, which has not yet done the wonders that North Korean central planning has done. The Economist is on a tear against the government’s “outdated” economic policies. The Chosun Ilbo sounds miffed, like a vain actress reading a bad review.

Today is petting zoo day (no, not this petting zoo), so blogging time is constrained for now. I was going through all of the relevant coverage of the Bush-Roh meet, was reading through Bush’s brief welcoming statement, and what do I see? It’s my honor to welcome the President of our very close ally to the Oval Office. I’ll have a statement; the President will have a statement. Then I’ll answer two questions from the American press. I first want...

The Chosun Ilbo rants against South Korea’s press-control laws. While I don’t really disagree with limiting the power of any one entity to control too great a share of the media, the remarks of a few South Korean ministers give away the lack of content neutrality to the restrictions here. See the sidebar link.

The WaPo reports: “South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun will press President Bush in a meeting in Washington on Friday to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to a diplomatic resolution of the North Korean nuclear standoff, according to South Korean officials familiar with Roh’s plans. Roh intends to underscore Seoul’s position that any military option is “unacceptable.” In exchange, Roh will offer assurances that South Korea will support sharper U.S. measures to get the North to return to stalled international...

The Chosun Ilbo rants against South Korea’s press-control laws. While I don’t really disagree with limiting the power of any one entity to control too great a share of the media, the remarks of a few South Korean ministers give away the lack of content neutrality to the restrictions here. See the sidebar link.

The WaPo reports: “South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun will press President Bush in a meeting in Washington on Friday to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to a diplomatic resolution of the North Korean nuclear standoff, according to South Korean officials familiar with Roh’s plans. Roh intends to underscore Seoul’s position that any military option is “unacceptable.” In exchange, Roh will offer assurances that South Korea will support sharper U.S. measures to get the North to return to stalled international...

The WaPo reports: “South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun will press President Bush in a meeting in Washington on Friday to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to a diplomatic resolution of the North Korean nuclear standoff, according to South Korean officials familiar with Roh’s plans. Roh intends to underscore Seoul’s position that any military option is “unacceptable.” In exchange, Roh will offer assurances that South Korea will support sharper U.S. measures to get the North to return to stalled international...