http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hZkeq-IGuP0P3iwYECAuWPJG2rzA (http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hZkeq-IGuP0P3iwYECAuWPJG2rzA)
QuoteKim sacrifices himself for NKorea: state media
8 hours ago
SEOUL (AFP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il has sacrificed holidays and time with his family to devote himself to his country, according to the communist state's media.
Official radio monitored by Seoul's Yonhap news agency said Kim spent almost two months on his trademark "field guidance" tours from late December to mid-February.
"I have stayed away from home for two months and lived in a train to give field guidance to various economic sectors in a forced march," it quoted Kim himself as saying on his 67th birthday on February 16.
"I cannot deny having had a desire to take holidays and rest with my family at home, but I couldn't do it because I was so concerned about people's lives."
Kim is widely believed to have suffered a stroke last August. The once-portly leader appears gaunt and much older and thinner in recent photos.
Nevertheless, he has more than tripled his public appearances this year, according to state media reports.
In April the ruling communist party newspaper Rodong Sinmun said Kim felt fatigue because of his tough schedule.
"A man is not made of iron and must take care of his own body. But I have no time to do so," the leader was quoted as saying during a field trip.
"Why wouldn't I be tired and need more sleep? Even though I'm tired, I endure it."
The newspaper depicted him as tough but tender in a report two days after the North's April 5 rocket launch. Kim was "choked with sobs" at the need to use the money on the launch rather than to improve people's livelihoods, it said.
"Our people will still understand," it quoted him as saying.
The North suffered famine in the 1990s which killed hundreds of thousands and still relies on foreign aid to alleviate severe food shortages.
What a great guy, give the man a break will ya, he obviously cares... ;)
:lmfao: I wonder if the North Korean people actually believe shit like this or silently laugh at it (since they wouldn't dare voice public criticism).
Quote from: Caliga on June 08, 2009, 11:10:41 AM
:lmfao: I wonder if the North Korean people actually believe shit like this or silently laugh at it (since they wouldn't dare voice public criticism).
One would hope so, but they've been brainwashed for 60 years, so who knows.
Makes me think they are setting up an announcement that he's died due to overexertion for the people.
Quote from: frunk on June 08, 2009, 11:41:18 AM
Makes me think they are setting up an announcement that he's died due to overexertion for the people.
:yes: :shifty:
Kremlology at it's best!
Quote from: jimmy olsen on June 08, 2009, 11:32:01 AM
Quote from: Caliga on June 08, 2009, 11:10:41 AM
:lmfao: I wonder if the North Korean people actually believe shit like this or silently laugh at it (since they wouldn't dare voice public criticism).
One would hope so, but they've been brainwashed for 60 years, so who knows.
at this very moment, somewhere in the deep tubes of NK cyberspace, Timmay Kim Lee has just posted this news story, preceded by the comment "Good Stuff!"
You mean he wrote it on a chalkboard. :(
Quote from: Caliga on June 08, 2009, 12:18:46 PM
You mean he wrote it on a chalkboard. :(
yes. in block capital letters. and he waved it as high as his stunted dwarf-like arms could reach.
Quote from: saskganesh on June 08, 2009, 12:26:30 PM
Quote from: Caliga on June 08, 2009, 12:18:46 PM
You mean he wrote it on a chalkboard. :(
yes. in block capital letters. and he waved it as high as his stunted dwarf-like arms could reach.
...and after he got done he looked down at his protruding ribcage and thought "Apolling!" but didn't dare say it. :(
Quote from: Caliga on June 08, 2009, 11:10:41 AM
:lmfao: I wonder if the North Korean people actually believe shit like this or silently laugh at it (since they wouldn't dare voice public criticism).
Given what I know about North Korea, most will believe. In my experience in Soviet Union, most people who were raised in Stalin's time, when the brainwashing was by far the most severe, were completely unable to critically analyze anything in politics. All the "imperfections" of the daily life were blamed on the incompetent bureaucrats who did not carry forward the progressive visions of the Party.
Quote from: DGuller on June 08, 2009, 12:32:07 PM
Given what I know about North Korea, most will believe. In my experience in Soviet Union, most people who were raised in Stalin's time, when the brainwashing was by far the most severe, were completely unable to critically analyze anything in politics. All the "imperfections" of the daily life were blamed on the incompetent bureaucrats who did not carry forward the progressive visions of the Party.
Sounds a bit like typical medieval societies.
It was always the king's corrupt advisors to blame- the sun shone out of the monarch's arse no matter how bad he was.
Quote from: Tyr on June 08, 2009, 12:38:27 PM
Sounds a bit like typical medieval societies.
It was always the king's corrupt advisors to blame- the sun shone out of the monarch's arse no matter how bad he was.
That's actually close to the Russian term for this, which is "Good czar, bad advisers".
Dear Leader :wub:
Quote from: Caliga on June 08, 2009, 11:10:41 AM
:lmfao: I wonder if the North Korean people actually believe shit like this or silently laugh at it (since they wouldn't dare voice public criticism).
I think they believe it. I remember a story about some foreign eye doctor that went to North Korea and restored their sight.
http://rokdrop.com/2007/03/12/lisa-ling-special-on-north-korea-on-you-tube/
QuoteIt was amazing to watch the eye doctor restore eye sight to people who had been blind for years and they immediately walk up to pictures of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il to thank them for giving back their eye sight without a word of thanks to the Nepalese doctor. The most chilling scene was when one old woman pledged to work harder in the salt mines for the glory of Kim Jong-il for returning her eye sight.
Quote from: DisturbedPervert on June 08, 2009, 01:14:49 PM
Quote from: Caliga on June 08, 2009, 11:10:41 AM
:lmfao: I wonder if the North Korean people actually believe shit like this or silently laugh at it (since they wouldn't dare voice public criticism).
I think they believe it. I remember a story about some foreign eye doctor that went to North Korea and restored their sight.
http://rokdrop.com/2007/03/12/lisa-ling-special-on-north-korea-on-you-tube/
QuoteIt was amazing to watch the eye doctor restore eye sight to people who had been blind for years and they immediately walk up to pictures of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il to thank them for giving back their eye sight without a word of thanks to the Nepalese doctor. The most chilling scene was when one old woman pledged to work harder in the salt mines for the glory of Kim Jong-il for returning her eye sight.
Seriously, the Salt Mines? Could they be any less cliche?
Quote from: Caliga on June 08, 2009, 11:10:41 AM
:lmfao: I wonder if the North Korean people actually believe shit like this or silently laugh at it (since they wouldn't dare voice public criticism).
Given what the Swedish people believes after 80 years of communist rule even with the availability of a wide open internet, it would certainly not surprise me.
It sort of makes you think, though. If North Koreans are so happy despite being one meal away from starving to death, then maybe they're onto something? Maybe living more like North Koreans would make us happier about our lot. I guess we'll find in a couple of years, if Obama has his way.
Quote from: DGuller on June 08, 2009, 01:55:41 PM
Maybe living more like North Koreans would make us happier about our lot. I guess we'll find in a couple of years, if Obama has his way.
We can all escape to Texas for peace and freedom once it secedes.
Quote from: DGuller on June 08, 2009, 01:55:41 PM
It sort of makes you think, though. If North Koreans are so happy despite being one meal away from starving to death, then maybe they're onto something? Maybe living more like North Koreans would make us happier about our lot. I guess we'll find in a couple of years, if Obama has his way.
Why do you diss our lord & savior? I guess Jesus got the same treatment.
Quote from: garbon on June 08, 2009, 01:58:07 PM
Quote from: DGuller on June 08, 2009, 01:55:41 PM
Maybe living more like North Koreans would make us happier about our lot. I guess we'll find in a couple of years, if Obama has his way.
We can all escape to Texas for peace and freedom once it secedes.
I'm not sure about that, it's going to be under Mexican influence.
Quote from: DGuller on June 08, 2009, 01:55:41 PM
It sort of makes you think, though. If North Koreans are so happy despite being one meal away from starving to death, then maybe they're onto something? Maybe living more like North Koreans would make us happier about our lot. I guess we'll find in a couple of years, if Obama has his way.
Lol... :lol:
But then, Pres Obama is creating a lot of new Czars! ;)
Quote from: DGuller on June 08, 2009, 02:04:32 PM
Quote from: garbon on June 08, 2009, 01:58:07 PM
Quote from: DGuller on June 08, 2009, 01:55:41 PM
Maybe living more like North Koreans would make us happier about our lot. I guess we'll find in a couple of years, if Obama has his way.
We can all escape to Texas for peace and freedom once it secedes.
I'm not sure about that, it's going to be under Mexican influence.
:yes: Absolutly.
Quote from: DGuller on June 08, 2009, 02:04:32 PM
I'm not sure about that, it's going to be under Mexican influence.
Mexico can hardly hold its own country together. I suppose Mexican cartels could try to move in more aggressively but I think Texans will recall the Alamo. :swiss:
Quote from: KRonn on June 08, 2009, 02:09:26 PM
Quote from: DGuller on June 08, 2009, 01:55:41 PM
It sort of makes you think, though. If North Koreans are so happy despite being one meal away from starving to death, then maybe they're onto something? Maybe living more like North Koreans would make us happier about our lot. I guess we'll find in a couple of years, if Obama has his way.
Lol... :lol:
But then, Pres Obama is creating a lot of new Czars! ;)
I'm all for it:
Czars good
advisors bad!
:USA:
Quote from: DGuller on June 08, 2009, 12:55:39 PM
Quote from: Tyr on June 08, 2009, 12:38:27 PM
Sounds a bit like typical medieval societies.
It was always the king's corrupt advisors to blame- the sun shone out of the monarch's arse no matter how bad he was.
That's actually close to the Russian term for this, which is "Good czar, bad advisers".
Indeed. Socially and politically infantile societies tend to adopt the idea that the leader is fine, but his kind rule if prevented from reaching the people by the forces of corruption that surround him. More advanced, but still immature societies hold that everyone in a position of authority is a selfish asshole, and they are always sticking it to the people at every turn. Mature societies realize that the truth is that the people themselves are total assholes who deserve nothing but scorn and mistreatment, and that they get the government that they deserve.
To get a glimpse of the views of one of the rare foreigner allowed in North Korea: http://www.amazon.com/Pyongyang-Journey-North-Guy-Delisle/dp/1896597890
Quote from: Oexmelin on June 08, 2009, 04:14:56 PM
To get a glimpse of the views of one of the rare foreigner allowed in North Korea: http://www.amazon.com/Pyongyang-Journey-North-Guy-Delisle/dp/1896597890
A great book. Have you read his other books about East Asia? IIRC he did Shanghai.
Quote from: Queequeg on June 08, 2009, 04:51:05 PM
A great book. Have you read his other books about East Asia? IIRC he did Shanghai.
Yep. He did Shenzhen (not Shanghai), Burma, and a small collaboration about India (I don't know if this one has been translated, though: L'Association en Inde).
Btw, this is the animated feature he is supervising while in China: http://papyrus.spirou.com/ (you can recognize the drawings in his works)
I believe that the brainwashing was believed to be very effective but its effectiveness has either been very diminished or is gone entirely. Apparently the 90s famine was the turning point because it forced many North Koreans to communicate with the outside world (trying to buy food from towns over the Chinese border) and so on. There's now a small black market and people are aware of how different their situation is from South Korea and from China at least.
I hate commies.
Quote from: Oexmelin on June 08, 2009, 05:37:08 PM
Quote from: Queequeg on June 08, 2009, 04:51:05 PM
A great book. Have you read his other books about East Asia? IIRC he did Shanghai.
Yep. He did Shenzhen (not Shanghai), Burma, and a small collaboration about India (I don't know if this one has been translated, though: L'Association en Inde).
Are they as good as Pyongyang?
Anyway, I imagine the kinds of sacrifices Kim Jong-Il makes for North Korea are similar to the kinds Mola Ram makes for Kali. :)
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indyjones.it%2Ftempiogal%2Fmola.jpg&hash=36011354ab7c6d785c1bc2c9353e47c7abff5f62)
Quote from: derspiess on June 08, 2009, 10:30:40 PM
<_< Swedes.
My friend left a bottle of absolut peach in my apartment. I combined it with Ocean Spray Cran-Apple Juice. It felt like 10,000 fruits exploding in my mouth. :Embarrass:
Quote from: garbon on June 09, 2009, 12:43:24 AM
Quote from: derspiess on June 08, 2009, 10:30:40 PM
<_< Swedes.
My friend left a bottle of absolut peach in my apartment. I combined it with Ocean Spray Cran-Apple Juice. It felt like 10,000 fruits exploding in my mouth. :Embarrass:
Like you haven't had fruits exploding in your mouth before.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on June 09, 2009, 05:12:13 AM
Quote from: garbon on June 09, 2009, 12:43:24 AM
Quote from: derspiess on June 08, 2009, 10:30:40 PM
<_< Swedes.
My friend left a bottle of absolut peach in my apartment. I combined it with Ocean Spray Cran-Apple Juice. It felt like 10,000 fruits exploding in my mouth. :Embarrass:
Like you haven't had fruits exploding in your mouth before.
:face:
:lol:
If you look up North Korea on Google news, any time there's a story about it the photo that is included is of Hillary sorta doing a facepalm. :cool:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fpolitics%2Fimg%2Fclinton_hillary_060509.jpg&hash=2b0ae1d7fa03cf33dc743db388dd5460d150965a)
Dear Leader sacrifices so much for his people, and look how you people talk about him. :(
Quote from: jimmy olsen on June 09, 2009, 05:12:13 AM
Like you haven't had fruits exploding in your mouth before.
I'm glad you played along. :hug:
Quote from: DGuller on June 08, 2009, 01:55:41 PM
It sort of makes you think, though. If North Koreans are so happy despite being one meal away from starving to death, then maybe they're onto something? Maybe living more like North Koreans would make us happier about our lot. I guess we'll find in a couple of years, if Obama has his way.
War is Peace; Freedom is Slavery; Ignorance is Strength.