The Off Topic Topic

[Grey Fox]

I find it weird that you guys focus on the action of North Korea so much.

[Barrister]

I would totally visit North Korea if I could.  Tours there are all tightly controlled in where you can go and what you see (and no unauthorized photos!) but it would still be an opportunity to see a completely despotic stalinist country up close and personal.

Of course it helps that I don't have a US passport.

[garbon]

And re:  what garbon posted while I was typing--I agree that travelling to NK is a pretty good sign of either feeling privileged, being reckless, or just plain being nuts.  But none of that deserves 15 years of imprisonment, much less death.

Yeah, not so much deserves but to be expected re: NK.

[garbon]

I would totally visit North Korea if I could.  Tours there are all tightly controlled in where you can go and what you see (and no unauthorized photos!) but it would still be an opportunity to see a completely despotic stalinist country up close and personal.

Of course it helps that I don't have a US passport.

I generally try not to give money directly (so tourism dollars) to governments that I despise or that despise me.

[dps]

I would totally visit North Korea if I could.  Tours there are all tightly controlled in where you can go and what you see (and no unauthorized photos!) but it would still be an opportunity to see a completely despotic stalinist country up close and personal.

Have you fucking lost your mind?  Why would anyone want to see that "up close and personal?

[Malthus]

I find it weird that you guys focus on the action of North Korea so much.

Whose actions should we be focusing on?

[Maladict]

I would totally visit North Korea if I could.  Tours there are all tightly controlled in where you can go and what you see (and no unauthorized photos!) but it would still be an opportunity to see a completely despotic stalinist country up close and personal.

Have you fucking lost your mind?  Why would anyone want to see that "up close and personal?

I would. But probably not if I was an American.

[Valmy]

White men in the US are still among the most incarcerated populations in the world. I was not aware we routinely get away with committing crimes. But then I also do not think 15 years in a labor camp is a reasonable punishment for taking a poster. But maybe in Canada shoplifters get shot in the back of the head?

I thought we were trying to fight against mass incarceration and overly harsh sentences but I guess this professor thinks we need more of it. She also seems to know all about this one guy and everything he did just based on the fact she knew a few guys like him at UD.

I think we know enough with: he was an American who went on a tour group to NK. Right there you are either full on your self-worth/how you'll be protected or you are reckless. Neither one seems like something to laud.

True. He was ridiculously foolish if he did what the NK government says he did. The idea that white dudes never get punished or go to prison for our crimes is just not true though. Besides last I checked white kids are not the only ones who do stupid reckless things.

[Malthus]

I would totally visit North Korea if I could.  Tours there are all tightly controlled in where you can go and what you see (and no unauthorized photos!) but it would still be an opportunity to see a completely despotic stalinist country up close and personal.

Have you fucking lost your mind?  Why would anyone want to see that "up close and personal?

There are safer ways of doing that.

http://www.denverpost.com/2006/05/02/lithuanias-stalins-world-theme-park/

Myself, I'd never go to NK, for a bunch of reasons.

- gives cash to an evil regime
- not safe
- bad taste to view the suffering victims from a position of relative privilege

[Malthus]

I note that you don't claim to still fall under the "young" category. 

I'm young at heart! 

[Grey Fox]

I find it weird that you guys focus on the action of North Korea so much.

Whose actions should we be focusing on?

Warmbier's

[CountDeMoney]

I would totally visit North Korea if I could.  Tours there are all tightly controlled in where you can go and what you see (and no unauthorized photos!) but it would still be an opportunity to see a completely despotic stalinist country up close and personal.

Have you fucking lost your mind?  Why would anyone want to see that "up close and personal?

It's the only real mystery left on earth.  Would be awesome to see, a window to another world.

[Malthus]

I find it weird that you guys focus on the action of North Korea so much.

Whose actions should we be focusing on?

Warmbier's

The kid was accused of stealing a poster of their beloved leader.

Assuming he's guilty (and given the state of trials in NK, that's a big assumption), he stole something worth - what - a couple of bucks at most?

Not usually considered worthy of a death sentence in civilized countries.

[garbon]

I find it weird that you guys focus on the action of North Korea so much.

Whose actions should we be focusing on?

Warmbier's

The kid was accused of stealing a poster of their beloved leader.

Assuming he's guilty (and given the state of trials in NK, that's a big assumption), he stole something worth - what - a couple of bucks at most?

Not usually considered worthy of a death sentence in civilized countries.

Also, we don't actually know his actions beyond going to North Korea.

[Barrister]

I would totally visit North Korea if I could.  Tours there are all tightly controlled in where you can go and what you see (and no unauthorized photos!) but it would still be an opportunity to see a completely despotic stalinist country up close and personal.

Have you fucking lost your mind?  Why would anyone want to see that "up close and personal?

Helps you appreciate the freedom that we do have.

I get the "I don't want to give money to a dictatorial state" argument.  If I were to go I'd be somewhat conflicted for that reason.  But I would still go.