Category: Uncategorized

It’s still hard to believe so much time has passed. Three years ago yesterday, I was in the Trial Defense Office in Seoul, folding my uniforms and packing my suitcase, preparing to fly to Japan to litigate about a dozen motions I had filed in a court-martial case there. The TV was on, and I was watching Diane Sawyer talk about J-Lo or “Survivor” or Robert Blake whatever non-story circus was preoccupying us that day. When they cut to the...

My comments are on NKZone, along with new developments on the North Korean Human Rights Act. It’s coming up for a vote in the Senate next week, with the help of Senator Lugar. You may also want to read this article on the Hong Kong elections, where observers are predicting a high turnout. If the pro-democratic forces win, how would China react? If the Chinese cheat, how would the people react? Both sides seem to be on a collision course.

It’s still hard to believe so much time has passed. Three years ago yesterday, I was in the Trial Defense Office in Seoul, folding my uniforms and packing my suitcase, preparing to fly to Japan to litigate about a dozen motions I had filed in a court-martial case there. The TV was on, and I was watching Diane Sawyer talk about J-Lo or “Survivor” or Robert Blake whatever non-story circus was preoccupying us that day. When they cut to the...

The Sixty Minutes “exclusive” on Bush’s National Guard service (yawn) is the mirror image of the Swift Boat story–not terribly relevant to this, this, this, or even this, but a great indicator of how bad our news media have become. It’s a reminder of how tempting it is to believe something, if you want to believe it badly enough. The Sixty Minutes story appears to be based on a collection of fourth-rate forgeries. Look at the documents here, here, here,...

Iran will commemorate 9/11 . . . by showing Fahrenheit 9/11. Hezbollah wasn’t enough, I guess. Nope, no question whose side he’s on. At this point, the only Michael Moore movie I’d ever agree to watch would co-star Abu Musab Zarkawi. Give my regards to Fallujah, fat boy. Remember this next time the Council on Foreign Relations pines about “if we’d only talk to the Iranians, we could understand each other.” As for me, I think I understand them just...

Soon Ok-Lee has a new Web site up. This one is a must-see. Beautifully presented, tasteful, moving. Check it out.

Ha! Yankee, go home . . . when I turn 30!

The Sixty Minutes “exclusive” on Bush’s National Guard service (yawn) is the mirror image of the Swift Boat story–not terribly relevant to this, this, this, or even this, but a great indicator of how bad our news media have become. It’s a reminder of how tempting it is to believe something, if you want to believe it badly enough. The Sixty Minutes story appears to be based on a collection of fourth-rate forgeries. Look at the documents here, here, here,...

Iran will commemorate 9/11 . . . by showing Fahrenheit 9/11. Hezbollah wasn’t enough, I guess. Nope, no question whose side he’s on. At this point, the only Michael Moore movie I’d ever agree to watch would co-star Abu Musab Zarkawi. Give my regards to Fallujah, fat boy. Remember this next time the Council on Foreign Relations pines about “if we’d only talk to the Iranians, we could understand each other.” As for me, I think I understand them just...

Soon Ok-Lee has a new Web site up. This one is a must-see. Beautifully presented, tasteful, moving. Check it out.

Ha! Yankee, go home . . . when I turn 30!

I have two new posts up at NKZone, where Rebecca McKinnon has graciously appointed me as a co-blogger. Both are on the subject of trade with North Korea and my efforts to dig up more facts about it. I will keeping blogging non-Korea stuff here exclusively. Hopefully, posting will return full-throttle in a few weeks, after the next Little One gets dried off.

I have two new posts up at NKZone, where Rebecca McKinnon has graciously appointed me as a co-blogger. Both are on the subject of trade with North Korea and my efforts to dig up more facts about it. I will keeping blogging non-Korea stuff here exclusively. Hopefully, posting will return full-throttle in a few weeks, after the next Little One gets dried off.

Work responsibilities have left no time for blogging and probably won’t for the next few days. And then, there’s the upcoming birth of the newest Free(half-)Korean. The little spare time I have left is going toward building her a cradle out of red oak. Like everything I’ve built since my first visit to the Tapshimni antique market, which is a thousand times better and more authentically Korean than Insadong, it will be in a Chosun Dynasty-influenced style. Pictures to follow...

Work responsibilities have left no time for blogging and probably won’t for the next few days. And then, there’s the upcoming birth of the newest Free(half-)Korean. The little spare time I have left is going toward building her a cradle out of red oak. Like everything I’ve built since my first visit to the Tapshimni antique market, which is a thousand times better and more authentically Korean than Insadong, it will be in a Chosun Dynasty-influenced style. Pictures to follow...

My letter worked. The offending sign is down and the Post Office sends its apologies. They say it was all a mistake. Obviously all the Koreans who work there and passed through the door hundreds of times just never happened to notice.

For now, check out this story in the NYT. Everyone seems to have concluded that diplomacy is failing to defang Iran and North Korea. The usual gang of Clinton holdovers is blaming us for not offering enough protection money. The Bush administration is now thinking covert action. Uh, good timing, guys. The basic premise is undeniable. Of course, to read anything in the Times these days you have to put up with plenty of completely gratuitous swipes at Bush and...

My letter worked. The offending sign is down and the Post Office sends its apologies. They say it was all a mistake. Obviously all the Koreans who work there and passed through the door hundreds of times just never happened to notice.