A
man is detained by police during a protest against U.S. beef
imports, President Bush's visit and demanding the
resignation
of South Korean President Lee Myung-bak.
The Hankyoreh, South Korea
Bush Like a 'Loan
Shark' Here to 'Collect'
"What's really dangerous is
that American capital considers the entire world its prey. In its arrogance
over being on a throne of power, it won’t be satisfied until everything belongs
to it."
The entire country is in a
flurry over U.S. President George W. Bush’s visit. As I write these words, in
downtown Seoul there are protests opposing his visit and gatherings welcoming
him, and I’m told on the news that the police are on high alert. Police say
they're going to fight back with liquid tear gas-laced water cannons and color
guns if protests turn "illegally violent."
Riot
police use water cannons with colored water to identify
protesters
during a rally against President Bush's visit, Aug. 5.
Police declarations of war
against the public have become annoyingly repetitive, and again this time
around it looks like they've defined people who participate in candlelight
vigils as potential terrorists. To them it's a stark dichotomy: you're either a
citizen or a rioter. When the police told those participating in the
candlelight protests that they were "threatening citizens’ safety, they
laughed out loud saying, "Uh, we are citizens!" What citizens were in
need of police protection? There is such a thing as pseudocyesis
[false pregnancy], so perhaps this could be called "false citizenry."
Should everything noisy be
put down indiscriminately by the authorities? Shouldn’t that habitual response
have changed by now? The world moves in a series of causes and effects. When
there's noise, the method of approach should be to figure out what the cause
is. Threatening citizens as has been done in the past is no longer acceptable.
Whoever may visit my country, I'd like to be able to receive that person and
then send him on his way with heartfelt sincerity. The Korean way of thinking
is to send anyone - even a drifter who calls on one’s home - off after having
fed him a warm meal. The Korean heart wants to afford people that kind of
hospitality, so when Koreans tell someone they aren't welcome, you have to ask
why.
PRESIDENTS LEE AND BUS
HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE: WATCH
The way the United States
treats Korea is not the only problem. Let’s set aside for a moment, the
hypocrisy and ignorance of how the U.S. divides the world into good and evil
and maintains a constant global tension, while making itself out to be an
apostle of peace and justice. What's really dangerous is that American capital
considers the entire world its prey. In its arrogance over being on a throne of
power, it won’t be satisfied until everything belongs to it. All of this and its
habit of never hesitating to go to war for money are the greatest factors
threatening world peace.
SOUTH KOREAN NEWS REPORT ON
BUSH'S ARRIVAL
Because of the unquestioned
consumer patterns of America's capitalism, the United States dirties the global
environment more than anyone else. So when the American president comes to town
like a loan shark who has arrived to collect, what reason do we have to welcome
him with open arms?
Posted by WORLDMEETS.US
What Americans need most
right now in terms of transforming their thinking is a return to the question
of why. The United States needs to ask itself why most of the world doesn't
like it, hates it and doesn't want to associate with it.
I have friends around the
world who are embarrassed to be Americans. I have met them in my travels and
find that they love the America that they know as home and as a place they were
born and raised in. But they're internally conflicted because of being ashamed
by America because of its politics.
I too love Korea insofar as
it's the home I was born and raised in. I love the warm way of the heart that
is inherent in our culture. But when it comes to the political sphere, as a
Korean I am frequently ashamed of Korea. And not just because of domestic
Korean politics. There have been many times I haven't wanted to identify myself
as Korean because I was embarrassed at the behavior of Korean capital in
countries not as well off as ours.
VIDEO SHOWING AIRPORT SECURITY
FOR BUSH
Isn’t it strange? The friends
I’ve made traveling the world, people who desire lives of freedom and peace, were
all sensitive to shame. They hadn’t started any wars, but they were ashamed of
their president and their countries’ power apparatus and wished that they could
make amends. I hope the American President remembers that if the United States
is still around a hundred years from now, it won't be because of those who are
now in power, but because of the wandering Americans who feel shame and
repentance and know how to examine themselves. And so I hope he isn't too
offended at the inhospitable reception he receives from Korean citizens. Before
being offended, I hope he first asks the question, "Why?"
[Posted by WORLDMEETS.US August 6, 6:05pm]
While many South Koreans are indeed angry - at the their own leaders, the U.S. government and George Bush, at least as many are glad to see President Bush - and held a massive demonstration to welcome him in Seoul Tuesday, Aug. 5.
[LATEST NEWSWIRE PHOTOS: South Koreans 'Welcome' President Bush].
