Crocefisso

Those crazy Germans. :lol:

It could also lead to a full-scale revolution in NK resulting in democratic rule (although I admit this is unlikely). I think that we can pretty much rule out something along those lines happening - NK makes Gaddafi's Libya look like a beacon of liberalism, while its propaganda is far, far more effective than any Arab spring country. Even communist Russia converted to "democracy" eventually; you certainly can't rule out NK. The situation isn't great there, it's entirely possible that public opinion could boil over if KJU comes across as weak or otherwise fails to live up to his father and grandfather's reputations. Of course the Kim family dynasty will come to an end eventually, but the idea that it's going to unravel quickly as a result of Kim Jong-il's death is the sort of nonsense that our Foreign Ministers tell us. Perhaps in ten years time after a bitter and factional power struggle in the party, but there's no way that a carefully created propaganda infrastructure is going to collapse in an Arab Spring type way just because of this one man's death. And I disagree. History is full of examples of weak heirs to the throne (KJI was a monarch, if not by title) failing to hold together a country that their father did. The situation in NK is already fairly delicate; I don't think it will take much to push the population over the edge. The situation is only delicate on an international level. Domestically, we do ourselves a disservice by downplaying, as we too often do, the effectiveness of the state propaganda mechanisms in North Korea.

They should. *looks at the Crew* 8-) *Looks at the multiple threads about the subject already in website discussion* *Remembers that website discussion exists and runs there at once*

It could also lead to a full-scale revolution in NK resulting in democratic rule (although I admit this is unlikely). I think that we can pretty much rule out something along those lines happening - NK makes Gaddafi's Libya look like a beacon of liberalism, while its propaganda is far, far more effective than any Arab spring country. Even communist Russia converted to "democracy" eventually; you certainly can't rule out NK. The situation isn't great there, it's entirely possible that public opinion could boil over if KJU comes across as weak or otherwise fails to live up to his father and grandfather's reputations. Of course the Kim family dynasty will come to an end eventually, but the idea that it's going to unravel quickly as a result of Kim Jong-il's death is the sort of nonsense that our Foreign Ministers tell us. Perhaps in ten years time after a bitter and factional power struggle in the party, but there's no way that a carefully created propaganda infrastructure is going to collapse in an Arab Spring type way just because of this one man's death.

They should. *looks at the Crew* 8-)

I love reading 'wisdom' from aeons ago that seems quaint and charming to modern people. Some examples from the book I'm reading: "Court caps in recent years have grown much taller than formerly. People who own old-fashioned boxes must add an extra lid to accommodate the new caps." "So deep was his faith in radishes that even such a miracle could occur." "A person with bad handwriting should not be embarassed to write his own letters."

It could also lead to a full-scale revolution in NK resulting in democratic rule (although I admit this is unlikely). I think that we can pretty much rule out something along those lines happening - NK makes Gaddafi's Libya look like a beacon of liberalism, while its propaganda is far, far more effective than any Arab spring country.

Doooooo it :grin: If you don't shoot you always miss. You should definitely give it a try. Besides, being on the EP is almost as much fun as being a Crewbie. :P Good luck to everyone who applies! You know, I might as well try it. Who knows, I know I am decent at writing (kinda rusted though0 already. Maybe I'll work on my application for kicks. It's really not that scary. :-D

Though it may seem that Kim Jong-il's death might be a good thing, it is in fact quite the reverse: his son and successor is not prepared to lead, and the probable power struggle within the party could do lasting damage to Korea (north and south).

Every now and again I feel the need to reiterate on this thread: black pudding omelette is probably what God eats.

^ Interesting theory - women might well be seasonal. Can we find a female on these forums to confirm this?

If you'll forgive the intrusion, do you have symptoms? Or else why do you feel the need to put your mind at ease?

The uncouth are most irritating.

Reading Kenko's Tsurezuregusa: Essays in Idleness. In spite of being from the 1330s, it's more civilised than most books published today.

Blasphemer! Latin is my second language. :-D

Epoca by Paolo Conte. Amazing.

Brilliant.

Thanks very much for the feedback, Hawks. I must confess, I've done little work on the Cantos since August, so I cannot foresee any near future publication of another completed Canto. Poem I swim with ease from one side of the Infinity Pool to the other - yet when it comes to its namesake we are all drowned, no matter how hard we swim.

Agreed - I often buy them things I like, with the intention of borrowing it indefinitely at a later date. :shades:

The problem here on the Jurassic Coast is the opposite - too many pensioners disobeying the speed limit in the opposite way, too many indecisive mums.

Anyone who wants an article comparing RS to sex needs less of the former and more of the latter. :shades:

Indeed.

^ I am a fairly sociable person, and even I hate having others do tasks in a way I'd rather they didn't - I think it just boils down to some innate arrogance, rather than lonerness? :P

Good job.

I've just finished The Hermetic Tradition. Must say, it was a very strange book.