For every hostage killed, pledge to send in 1,000 troops into Afghanistan to dig through every fox hole and smoke out every last Taliban militant.  Considering that they've killed a second male missionary, that would bring the total up to 2,000 and implementation could commence... oh... NOW. 

As you can tell, I'm not above calling certain "humans" a waste of skin or wishing them a cruel and unusual death.

But Mr. Special Envoy from the ROK should really take a lesson in hard-line diplomacy and realize that "negotiating" with them or buying off terrorists will only ensure that the next time they're hard up for money or power they'll return to capturing South Koreans (and any other foreigner) as bargaining chips and ticking time bombs. 

But of course, the realism settles in and Korea will never take that hard line stance because it has no balls.  It never has.  Thousands of years of being conquered, raped, pillaged, and destroyed by its neighbors.  Tough enough to survive through it but never strong enough to stand up against it and ensure that it doesn't happen again.  Koreans get beaten time and time again, and with a bloodied face and lifted fist trembling in rage they mumble, "you bastard."  That, my friends, is the meaning of "HAN" in all its historically-pertinent glory.  It is not some greater passion or heartache for an injustice, it is festering anger, putrid hate, and a grudge that cannot evolve from its rigid impotence.

It is pathetic.

...and even you still-rational radicals who need to reach left of self to touch Stalin...

Please watch this video.  At least twice~!  And visit the site (HotAir.com) for a change of pace to the DailyKos kooks and Jon Stewart sound bites.
Do not immediately and stubbornly trust what the mainstream media force-feeds you.  Be wary of what anyone says, for that matter, and don't discount your own reason.  But you know all this.  Supposedly.  And yet when I talk to you I get the same discouragement and hopeless bickering seen on TV.  Hm.  Well, this video provides a breath of fresh air, especially to all you who seem to be so sure that Iraq is never going to get better.  Here's your proof, and this isn't really news to those following conservative blogs, since this stuff has been happening in increments throughout the war but the media just moves from one hotspot car-bomb mania to the next, only highlighting disgruntled congressmen (Harry "This war is lost" Reid) who don't know much about what's really going on and yet want to micromanage the war and waste all their time with investigations where there has been NO constitutional breach, only to take the greatest assault on the Constitution themselves. 

Finally, if that doesn't convince you to click on that link, I'll make my take my last stand...

"If you don't watch this video you don't love me~!"

(Ah, the advantages of being a lovable girl...) hehe~

As an aside, I've had a great time thus far getting back in touch with old friends and talking with them about the issues of the day.  And though I'm usually brushed off as the crazy conservative voice, I'm encouraged that no matter where anyone stands on the political spectrum they find me approachable and reasonable.  But the more I talk with people I realize it's sources of information that cause the greatest divide. 

I watch mainstream media, I love a good laugh on the Colbert Report, I appreciate silly banter and have my problems with the administration but more with Congress.  (Bush is currently twice as popular as Congress).  But to me, it's very obvious what they choose to report... and even more interesting what they don't talk about, what they don't report.  So I encourage you to look at other sources of information, especially if you find yourself always nodding to what you hear around you.  As I gain more information, I find myself (respectfully) disagreeing with people more and more and contradicting them. 

That, to me, is the right path, because it makes me really believe what I say and say what I mean because everyone else is watching my every move, waiting for an "a-ha~!" moment to prove me wrong.  But if you can't, ask yourself if you're choosing to be correct or simply choosing to make yourself feel good. 

And while we're at it, how about asking the most fundamental question, "Do you want to succeed in Iraq?" Because for World War II and Korea (before the US was castrated) this was not even a question.  Korean Americans should especially remember that.

And another random thought: Republicans didn't constantly whine and complain but stepped up and supported wars that Democrats initiated (WWII - Roosevelt, Korea - Truman, Vietnam - Kennedy).  Hm.

-----------------------------------

And here's a thought for "compassionate conservatism": 

My heart goes out to the Korean Christian medical missionary hostages and the one who was brutally murdered by extremists whom I question if they even have souls.  And to protect those hostages whom I love I desire to obliterate those who threaten their very existence.  So I have compassion, respect, and love for those who do that work for me, and destroy the enemy for the sake of innocent captives taken prisoner and threatened throughout the past, present and future.  These terrorists/jihadis/mujahideen may be human, but they are not humane. 

The gospel and life itself are three-pronged.  There's the compassion and love for all, hatred and wrath for those against the beloved, and God who oversees it all (and who gave us His word).  And in this world, Genesis 1:28 is fulfilled by our love and dedication as well as our efficiency in destroying the enemy.  God has already given us the word, from the beginning and the end:

Genesis 1:28 - "God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.  Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."

Revelations 2:26-27 - "To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations -- 'He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery' -- just as I have received authority from my Father."

And this is why terrorists wounded in the field are given the same medical care as our soldiers, next to their beds in Iraq, even though upon their release they'll only keep attacking Americans, soldiers, Korean medical missionaries, etc.  It's a bit too nice, in my humble opinion, but it's the American Christian way.  Kind of a stark contrast with those murderous jihadis who glorify suicide bombings of innocent civilians, eh?  Those must be some frickin' hot virgins.

-----------------------------

[edit]: Man, I've got some crazy runaway sentences here.  hehe.  But still grammatical~! (Take that, Dickens... haha.. yeah right)

Which I'll probably get in trouble for, but whatever.  I'm saying what's on my mind.

It's getting excruciatingly difficult for me to deal with people who think skin deep, or stop their logical processes after an abstract-so-it-must-be-seemingly-profound thought or phrase.  These people tend to be good little liberals who went to college and are quite intelligent, but when we talk I feel like I'm getting talking points memos from Jon Stewart but without the comedic timing.  Which really sucks.  I like comedic timing.  It makes up for a lot.

Anyway, I'm realizing that I can't argue with people because our banks of information are filled with different currency.  I get my information from myriad sources so I usually know what people are talking about and why they're angry, but they don't understand what I'm saying because it's foreign.  So instead of arguing with my foreign currency I convert it and translate it for them.  That's when I see that the problem is that he/she is uninterested in filling in the holes of logic or obtaining the answer to the why's and how's that frustrate us all.  It's disappointing, but understandable.  But it still doesn't excuse ignorance.  I just won't hound them for it.

One nagging itch I've had about this whole Korean hostages situation in Afghanistan is my disappointment in these "Christian missionaries".  Who goes to a known danger zone as a medical missionary, only to be captured and pleading for their lives?  Just don't go!  Or go with some guts and stake your life on what you believe.  And no one would have thought lesser of them had they just not gone.  Sigh.  Maybe it's because I'm translating sermons right now from early 20th century Korean (mostly North Korean) revivalists, but... man.  They don't make 'em like they used to.  But really, going of your own volition and then grieving your home country by pleading them to compromise their mission... I'm not claiming one thing or another but it sure looks like a political stunt... or a embarrassing exhibition of mettle.  Either way, I'm grieving, it's just for a different reason---shame.  But still, the world is watching and I hope this keeps them from getting hurt.  Damn the Taliban. 

And now, I'm officially evil.  Or perhaps just not eloquent.  ugh.

But something I'm thankful for is that now that I have all this time and am reading a lot but thinking even more, the day-to-day has become a bit heavier.  Sobering, really.  And it's tough to find answers when you're taking each fact on relative or conditional value, pending the acquisition of further information.  But endeavoring such a feat, simply trying, has brought one thing to light---the evidence of the Spirit who guides me.  I don't tire of the quest and the esoteric gems I gain render me humbly indebted and grateful. 

And now, I'm officially pretentious.

...haha. I promise the next post will be lighter, maybe pictures, even. 

So, I'm back home.  Indefinitely.
It's given me a lot of time to think. 
And vegetate.  Ah, the thrill of lethargy.

I did well on the test, thanks to all of you who were rootin' for me.
I've spent the last week or so jet lagged like no other.
I think I'm all better now.  I can finally stay up past 7pm~!
And for the first time in my life I'm not working or preparing for something.
It feels goooooood.  But I can already feel the boredom coming.
Went and checked out a martial arts class today.
I think I'll stick to dancing.
And reading. 
I'm simultaneously digesting 3 pillow-sized nonfiction politically commentating anthologies.
For now.

Woohoo~! Give it up for nerd-dom.