Politics are all about disparate opinions, but I've noticed that there is a great amount of anger driving most of our posts. When you post your opinion while in a state of rage it becomes muddied and your point becomes lost amid the confusion. This may be an exercise in futility, but I thought I'd post something relatively benign and ask people to stay on topic, without attacking someone else's differing opinion. The topic I've chosen for this exercise is North Korea. What is your opinion of it and, if applicable, why? The point of this exercise is to help you learn to control your anger, in order for you to state your opinion in the most understandable way possible, and to respect others opinions as they should yours.
My opinion: I don't like the North Korean government. I don't know any North Koreans personally, but they're probably nice people if they're anything like the South Koreans. Why: I don't like communist regimes.
Yeah, def. a good one! (laughs) But Lehigh has a point, the grading thing was meant more as a joke than anything, but it's too inflammatory to some. If the moderator agrees, I'd like to have the last two paragraphs of my original post deleted. I agree with Stujoe, if I were to rate this thread, I'd give it less than one with those last two paragraphs on here... and barely one w/o 'em. It's just not necessary and it's too inflammatory. Douse the flames! (laughs)
Officially, it's a Socialist Republic, though I read that many consider it to be a "Totalitarian Stalinist Dictatorship", which I agree is more accurate. (Yes, I read from Wiki) I would go further and say that while that may be what it is in general, but "all is not what it appears to be". The totalitarian-stalinist part, is definitely the norm there ...the ruling party, lead by the "Fearless" or "Dear Leader" kim Jong-Il, is brutal in enforcing their authority. Any perceived dissent is quickly crushed by it's massive "police" force and armies, leaving the general populous no choice but to do as they are told. As for it being a dictatorship though ...I'm not so sure. Yes, Jong-Il is the leader and has absolute authority over all things, but I sense more going on than we can see from the outside. To me, the ruling party (though in truth there is really only one, with some sub-party affiliations allowed) likes the idea of a figurehead, to use as a means to placate the general population by having them focus on the "Dear Leader", and to have representing their country to the World. From what I see, it looks like they are about to try something slightly different soon. With Kim Jong-Il's reign nearly over, they don't seem eager to have his son take over. Either way though, I'd put an asterisk next to the dictatorship, his "absolute rule" is more likely an allowance by the true rulers. I'd even go so far as to say they may eventually decide to do without a figurehead and become more like Myanmar, a military-ruled government.
"Socialist", "Communist", "Totalitarian", "Stalinist", "Dictatorship", "Democratic Party"... what's the diff?
(laughs) ...Yeah, I figured you'd say that! That's why I decided to include "relatively benign" in my original post... (laughs)
