The Darkness of North Korea

0.1 · Post by **0.1** » 2003-01-10 03:13pm

Here is an article in Newsweek about NK's leader.

http://www.msnbc.com/news/855119.asp?0bl=-0

If you believe any of what Newsweek reported, this guy is probably on the same level as most other dictators, if not worse.

I don't know about the comparison to the U.S., I don't see mass starvation here, or chronic shortage of electricity, but I could be wrong, CNN and all the other meida outlets could be covering it up.

Enlightenment · Post by **Enlightenment** » 2003-01-10 07:03pm

0.1 wrote:I don't know about the comparison to the U.S., I don't see mass starvation here, or chronic shortage of electricity, but I could be wrong, CNN and all the other meida outlets could be covering it up.

The absolute quantity of wealth held by North Koreans and Americans is obviously very different but the relative percentages of income distribution between serf and aristocrat are little different between the two countries.

HemlockGrey · Post by **HemlockGrey** » 2003-01-10 07:42pm

And...?

Kurgan · Post by **Kurgan** » 2003-01-10 09:27pm

I so guess their plans is:

1) Spend all money on weapons.

2) Use weapons to invade richer neighbors

I pity the poor people who are cursed with such incompetant and amoral leaders!

BlkbrryTheGreat · Post by **BlkbrryTheGreat** » 2003-01-10 11:10pm

I like how the Photo of the whole Earth lets you see how the Amazon and Sahara at night, and how big they really are (which is, of course, HUGE).

Falcon · Post by **Falcon** » 2003-01-10 11:10pm

Enlightenment wrote:
0.1 wrote:I don't know about the comparison to the U.S., I don't see mass starvation here, or chronic shortage of electricity, but I could be wrong, CNN and all the other meida outlets could be covering it up.
The absolute quantity of wealth held by North Koreans and Americans is obviously very different but the relative percentages of income distribution between serf and aristocrat are little different between the two countries.

The relative standard of living between 'poor' and 'wealthy' Americans is very slight compared to the same distribution nearly anywhere else in the world. Even the poorest Americans (heck, even those on welfare), live with plenty of food, transportation, air & heat, etc...

Kurgan · Post by **Kurgan** » 2003-01-11 02:57am

I so guess their plans is:

*Sigh* I really wish there was an edit function... ; p

SeebianWurm · Post by **SeebianWurm** » 2003-01-11 03:41am

There is. To the right of the quote button on your own posts is "Edit/Delete Post"

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2003-01-11 03:46am

If you look at a similar picture of North America, it appears as if Canada is the same way, even though you can tell (once you draw the borderline) that the southern part of Ontario where I live is actually home of one of the brightest concentration of lights in the entire continent.

It's because we have this huge northern tundra where nobody lives so it's all dark, and some huge prairie provinces like your midwestern states, not that this is the same situation as NK.

0.1 · Post by **0.1** » 2003-01-11 04:26am

The absolute quantity of wealth held by North Koreans and Americans is obviously very different but the relative percentages of income distribution between serf and aristocrat are little different between the two countries

For the relative precentage of income distribution between serfs and aristocrats to be similar, you'd be much closer to a socialist, possibly a true communist society. (i.e. if the masses starve, so does the heads of state)

If you're saying that there is a wide spread variation of income distribution, yep, there is that difference, and there are homeless in the U.S. just like there are elsewhere. But then again, can you find anywhere in the world where there is not such a large disparity in income distribution in the population?

Enlightenment · Post by **Enlightenment** » 2003-01-11 06:52pm

0.1 wrote:But then again, can you find anywhere in the world where there is not such a large disparity in income distribution in the population?

United States:

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.8%
highest 10%: 30.5% (1997)

Finland:

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 4.2%
highest 10%: 21.6% (1991)

Source: CIA World Fact Book 2002.

The United States has one of the steepest income distribution curves in the western world.

Faram · Post by **Faram** » 2003-01-11 07:00pm

Enlightenment wrote:
0.1 wrote:But then again, can you find anywhere in the world where there is not such a large disparity in income distribution in the population?
United States:

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.8%
highest 10%: 30.5% (1997)

Finland:

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 4.2%
highest 10%: 21.6% (1991)

Source: CIA World Fact Book 2002.

The United States has one of the steepest income distribution curves in the western world.

Sweden
lowest 10%: 3.7%
highest 10%: 20.1%

Norway
lowest 10%: 4.1%
highest 10%: 21.8%

Denmark
lowest 10%: 2%
highest 10%: 24%