North Korea is dependent on China, but China doesn't have great control because North Korea's leader is an unstable demagogue with nuclear capabilities who runs a personality cult of a prison and calls it a country. (I have strong feelings about North Korea)

So China has more influence in North Korea than anyone else in the world, but there's a) not much they can do and b) they don't really want to do much because North Korea provides a buffer for them, especially against countries like South Korea and Japan. It's a very delicate situation.

But it's also a country led by a literal supervillain who's building a nuclear weapon he can shoot at us from space, soooooooooo...................
..............
.......................
.................................yeah.

Be careful you don't spam, Pwale, three posts in a row is considered unnecessary spam.

I have a few questions in regard to all to all this, trying to remain civil and not name call people, while you enlighten me of the basis for your opinions.
Did you vote for Hillary or did you vote third party? Do you believe the voting system is inherently flawed given that only two (mostly corrupt parties) run the show and only their candidates will really ever be selected for office? That it requires billions of dollars to run and be elected, weeding out almost all decent candidates from the average populace?
I am genuinely curious to see where Trump called anyone an N word so if you could link me that would be interesting, I can't seem to find that in a reliable publication anywhere and with the vast amount of fake news that occurred during this election, it's mind-boggling to find out what's true and what isn't unless it was heard in person and recorded via video.
While yes, I agree Trump said certain things and came off a certain way that is deplorable, I have yet to see those sentiments in any of his intended policy, again, curious if you could point it out.

As a personal opinion, I am deeply offended to be called racist just because we live in a racist system. Every country in the world is founded on some form of racism and oppression, not just America, and not just white people at the lead. Just because I was born in American does not make me racist.

In addition, the statement that we should ease off China and not upset them is ridiculous given the fact that they have been violating human rights on an epic scale for hundreds of years. But they're scary so we should just leave them to it, right?

Why does China need a buffer from South Korea and Japan?

I know Japan and South Korea have massive issues... but no one needs to go there. Japan is in itself issues that no one needs to speak of. I do know that China kidnapped from Japan and refused to return the people back to their familes, even after they died; but still confused on that.

Eva I agree that China isn't that great of a place. I've heard too many bad stories coming out of the country about how their own people are treated. Sad that it's something that the world can't fix. Otherwise maybe North Korea, a place everyone needs to be rid of would be gone. But I could have high hopes on that one. God the leader of N.K. is a fricken moron. The crap I read about him recently about his wife... Something no one should read to be honest. Even if you are informing yourself on the world.

Eva wrote:Be careful you don't spam, Pwale, three posts in a row is considered unnecessary spam.

I have a few questions in regard to all to all this, trying to remain civil and not name call people, while you enlighten me of the basis for your opinions.
Did you vote for Hillary or did you vote third party? Do you believe the voting system is inherently flawed given that only two (mostly corrupt parties) run the show and only their candidates will really ever be selected for office? That it requires billions of dollars to run and be elected, weeding out almost all decent candidates from the average populace?
I am genuinely curious to see where Trump called anyone an N word so if you could link me that would be interesting, I can't seem to find that in a reliable publication anywhere and with the vast amount of fake news that occurred during this election, it's mind-boggling to find out what's true and what isn't unless it was heard in person and recorded via video.
While yes, I agree Trump said certain things and came off a certain way that is deplorable, I have yet to see those sentiments in any of his intended policy, again, curious if you could point it out.

As a personal opinion, I am deeply offended to be called racist just because we live in a racist system. Every country in the world is founded on some form of racism and oppression, not just America, and not just white people at the lead. Just because I was born in American does not make me racist.

In addition, the statement that we should ease off China and not upset them is ridiculous given the fact that they have been violating human rights on an epic scale for hundreds of years. But they're scary so we should just leave them to it, right?

Did you vote for Hillary or did you vote third party? I voted for Clinton.

Do you believe the voting system is inherently flawed given that only two (mostly corrupt parties) run the show and only their candidates will really ever be selected for office? Of course it is inherently flawed, and for many, many, many more reasons than that.

That it requires billions of dollars to run and be elected, weeding out almost all decent candidates from the average populace? This is definitely a huge problem. I personally have been involved with advocacy efforts to overturn Citizen's United since 2011.

I am genuinely curious to see where Trump called anyone an N word so if you could link me that would be interesting, According to media reports, and certain people involved in the show, (example: http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/ ... _word.html ) Donald Trump repeatedly used the n-word on the set of The Apprentice. I cannot direct you to video footage because none has been released. The footage in question is currently in the hands of an old friend of Trump's who has vowed never to release it. There is no proof other than hearsay.

I have yet to see those sentiments in any of his intended policy, again, curious if you could point it out. Two words. Muslim. Registry.
Edit: Also, stop-and-frisk, school choice, he opposes and appoints people who oppose the federal minimum wage, etc.

Also, my three posts were in response to other people's stuff. I like to keep different points separate. It was clearly not spam, so I'm not worried. But thanks for your concern.

In addition, the statement that we should ease off China and not upset them is ridiculous given the fact that they have been violating human rights on an epic scale for hundreds of years. But they're scary so we should just leave them to it, right?
Absolutely not. By the way, that post wasn't a personal endorsement, it was an analysis. Sometimes in this thread we try to break down what's happening behind the scenes. I do think, however, that diplomatic solutions are preferable to trade wars or military conflicts.
And the People's Republic of China hasn't existed for hundreds of years, so while their current regime is authoritarian and brutal, they haven't been that way for hundreds of years. Here's a great, brief summary of Western imperialism and China's rise to the superpower it is today: http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/main_pop/ ... ialism.htm

I'm sorry if my post about racism was offensive to you. Please understand, I did not mean to imply that you are prejudiced (implicit bias is different from prejudice--implicit bias is biological, prejudice isn't). I don't know you, but I know that I as a white person benefit from a racist system. If I benefit from a racist system, it is fair to say that racism is part of my life. I work very hard to confront that injustice, and part of confronting it is acknowledging it.

saiyouri wrote:Why does China need a buffer from South Korea and Japan?

I know Japan and South Korea have massive issues... but no one needs to go there. Japan is in itself issues that no one needs to speak of. I do know that China kidnapped from Japan and refused to return the people back to their familes, even after they died; but still confused on that.

Historically, there is a lot of rivalry and conflict between Japan and both Koreas, between Japan and China, and between China and South Korea. It's part of what makes the regional politics so complicated.
At the moment, I think the biggest thing is that Japan and South Korea are strategic threats to Chinese expansion. I don't think they could compete militarily or economically, but because of our treaties the US would defend both Japan and South Korea in the event of any armed conflicts, so that serves as a slight deterrent for China.
At least, that's the conventional wisdom. It doesn't seem to be working very well. But if you're interested in learning more, I suggest researching China's island building in the South Pacific. (They're literally making new islands)

They are trying to make more islands?? Why the hell for? Their country is huge, yes it seems not big enough for their own people, but what reason would they need more land to control? To me it sounds like they want more power and that seems a bit wrong.

I'm actually glad that America and South Korea get along. They seem to be a good country with decent values, at least that I haven't heard anything bad. (Not counting their views on looks and plastic surgery which I heard is spreading through China as a common thing.)

I might try to look into them building islands... Seems a bit... off I guess.

saiyouri wrote:They are trying to make more islands?? Why the hell for? Their country is huge, yes it seems not big enough for their own people, but what reason would they need more land to control? To me it sounds like they want more power and that seems a bit wrong.

I'm actually glad that America and South Korea get along. They seem to be a good country with decent values, at least that I haven't heard anything bad. (Not counting their views on looks and plastic surgery which I heard is spreading through China as a common thing.)

I might try to look into them building islands... Seems a bit... off I guess.

South Korea is actually a mess right now. Their president was just impeached. 2016, am I right? Worst year ever.

As for the island building....this investigative piece from the New York Times is long, but it's by far the best explanation out there that I've seen. And it has lots of pictures, so that's good. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015 ... a-sea.html

So then really, the Trump N-word thing is just hearsay, not based in any fact. People can literally say whatever they want about a person but if there is no truth, no basis in fact, why does everyone keep parroting it like it actually happened? This has happened so much in this election with all the candidates on a wide variety of topics it's absolutely absurd. "I heard this" So I'm going to tell everyone else that it's true. That is one of the biggest problems with USA today, people don't care to do research, don't care to prove truth behind rumor, they hear something and they run with it like one giant, terrifying game of telephone.

There will be no muslim registry, not once has Trump said this and when asked to clarify multiple times he has said that is not his intention. He has harkened to the screening of individuals from terrorist run countries, which was already in place under Bush and Obama, and said that he will intensify that.

We are a capitalistic society and while that may not be the best way for the USA to be run, it is how it is, currently. That said, trade is crucial to our country running properly and if we are getting raw deals across the board, we will continue to decline and other countries like China, will own us. Of the foreign countries that own parts of the USA's massive debt, China and Japan are at the top. Yet apart from hacking and slashing necessary systems to the USA's support structure and people, we have no way of ever paying that debt off with the state of the trade agreements as they are. No one is gunning for world war or armed conflict, at least Trump isn't. He has only said he wants to stabilize the US economy and ability to stand and produce on it's own before we are run dry with other endeavors. Hillary was the one that wanted us to continue to wage war (for free mind you) for other countries, to try and stabilize the world in that way, when us getting involved in armed conflict was what caused that instability in the first place.

I sincerely disagree that "implicit bias" is biological. I would say it is more socially inherited, who you are raised by, with and around etc. I am curious how you work to confront injustice if it is not your actual job, honestly.

I'll definitely read that article later.

Read this morning that Comedian Tom Arnold has tapes of Trump saying horrible things. Including calling his children names or something of the sort and his son retard. Also him using the N-word. All from the Apprentice.

Yes he claims to have them, why won't he release them?! It's just dumb. Like, if you have proof give us proof! We will eat that shit up and be done with him. But not only did a lot of people with bad things to say about him WAIT until almost the end of the election race, but they won't share their proof and it's just maddening.