It Takes a Patriot

Perhaps with the exception of Tony Blair, it's difficult to find leaders with backbone in Europe. This is not to say they don't exist though. We're reminded of that today in an article by former Czech President Vaclav Havel saying it's time to act on North Korea.

Known for telling it like it is, Havel does just that. He rightly blames the South Korean government for its "sunshine policy, which, however well-intentioned, is based on constant concessions and appeasement. The policy costs South Korea hundreds of millions of dollars, but it is not helping in the effort to save innocent lives. In the end, the policy only keeps the leader of Pyongyang in power."

It's true that the South Korean government (under the feckless President Roh) is the number one enemy of their brothers and sisters in the North. Fearful of the economic and social repercussions of millions of malnourished, uneducated North Koreans immigrating to their land; they'd rather live in peaceful coexistence. The policy is ridiculously naive and to boot, risks alienating South Korea's greatest ally: The United States. Accompanied with this so-called "sunshine policy" is a growing anti-Americanism that is at root for why Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld is pulling troops out of the DMZ.

The courage of men like Havel (and Reagan for that matter) remind me why the Democracy Project mission is so crucial. Let's keep up the fight. If you read this blog, let us know. We need feedback, we need support, and yes, your money would be nice. But less than money, we want a crew to rally and work for freedom for North Koreans, Cubans, the Chinese, the Tibetans, the Sudanese in Darfur, and many millions of others.