 Monday, September 15, 2003
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Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht frist and lsat ltteer is at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae we do not raed ervey lteter by it slef but the wrod as a wlohe. ceehiro.
Amazing, isn't it?
Languagehat, via Slashdot.
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Insightful article in the Asia Times about the dilemma that North Korea poses for China:
Today, few if any [Chinese officials] would disagree that this onetime ally has become China's No 1 headache and puts several of its essential strategic interests at risk - no matter what the outcome of the present standoff over North Korea's nuclear programs.
The status quo is unacceptable because of nuclear tensions, North Korean missile development, and the growing refugee crisis across the border; moreover, to counter the threat, Japan is increasingly militant and talk of a nuclearized Japan is common. The Chinese, of course, remember the rape of Nanking in World War II in which the Japanese Kwantung Army massacred some 300,000 civilians.
However, regime change is equally unpalatable to them, especially if done under the auspices of the United States, since it would place their primary regional competitor -- the US -- on their doorsteps. Moreover, since the majority of South Korean trade is with China, this revenue would be lost as the South spends to reconstruct the North.
Still, it would seem that the US can allay at least some of their fears. For example, with a unified, democratic Korea, there remains little need to maintain a huge US military presence in Northeast Asia, and there would be little motivation for Japan to rearm. Further, the refugee influx would probably cease almost immediately.
The economic impact of unification is not to be underestimated -- North Korea is far, far worse off than was East Germany -- but here the Chinese need to take the long view and recognize that the Korean economy will recover over the course of a decade or two. And the US could probably sweeten the deal with special trade deals with China.
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The New York Times reports that:
Chinese armed forces have moved into new positions along the country's border with North Korea, charged with defending an 870-mile crossing that is often violated by hungry refugees from the isolated Communist state.
Chinese foreign ministry officials confirmed in a statement issued this afternoon that troops from the People's Liberation Army had replaced police along the border, though they did not confirm Hong Kong news reports that the move involved as many as 150,000 soldiers.
For years starving North Koreans have waded across the Yalu to escape their country, and ultimately make it to South Korea. It's hard to know if the Chinese are simply trying to keep penniless refugees out of an already economically depressed Manchuria, or if they're trying to subtly place pressure on the Pyongyang government. Either way, this won't help the people.
But here's something interesting: the figure 150,000 is approximately half the number of troops China sent in to repel the US invasion of North Korea in 1950. It seems a very large number indeed to simply keep refugees out.
Is there something else going on?
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Joongang Ilbo:
The most powerful typhoon in at least a century ravaged the southern part of the Korean Peninsula over the weekend, killing at least 87 persons and leaving 28 missing. The winds and rain flooded the homes of more than 8,900 people, destroyed nearly 860 buildings, washed away roads and bridges, triggered landslides and sank 43 ships. Preliminary damage estimates were put at 450 billion won ($384 million).
Odd coincidence that an equally powerful hurricane is in the Atlantic at the moment.
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Macworld:
Apparently when Apple Computer first started, The Beatles sued them for the use of the corporate name. In addition to a hefty cash settlement, Apple agreed to only use the corporate name for computer products and not enter the music markeplace.
Years later, The Beatles sued and won another lawsuit when Apple shipped computers that allowed music to be played through attachable speakers. That lawsuit charged breach of a trademark agreement since Apple had agreed to steer clear of the music business. Fox News estimates Apple has paid US$50 million in the lost suits so far.
(Via Peter O'Kelly).
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Aug Oct
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