Tuesday, August 15, 2017

GUAM - Where To?

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Guam , the recent hot news item, is a small, exotic island in the North Pacific Ocean, home to some 160 thousand citizens. Its indigenous people are called 'chamorro', and tourism is an important factor in its economy.

The island is mostly known as an american military base. This fact makes  it easy for North Korea to threaten Guam with missiles, as it knows that China and Japan (the other big players in the area), despite the mistrust and rivalry between the two, are not happy with the american military presence there.  

A lot in this crisis and in the crises to come, will depend  on the USA's ability to practice restraint. Its former presidents have done nothing serious to prevent Iran and North Korea from developing nuclear power. So,  the USA has to face now a very complex and volatile reality.

The option to use military force against North Korea is neither a good one, nor a desirable one.
It's a different world now, one which finds it hard to accept american military presence away from its own shores, and won't agree to USA use of nuclear weapons .

In the meantime, let's hope  restraint on both sides will prevail, and  Guam, this little Pacific pearl, is not going to be sacrificed .


*web map

28 comments:

  1. I agree with you, I hope that both sides use restraint and that the citizens are not sacrificed, you worded that perfectly. It is indeed a different world now and not for the good.

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    1. The nuclear club is not an exclusive one any more; so great care and restraint is required to avoid world destruction.

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  2. Exactly I really hope so. It is something to be worried about as both are not very sensible. The world is in a bad state

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    1. The world is about to disappear if heads of state won't act responsibly.
      I must admit I don't trust the judgement of all these young 'leaders': Kim (N.Korea), Macron (France),Trudeau (Canada),Tzipras (Greece). They still have a lot of growing up to do. Clinton and Obama (USA) , who were also young when elected, will not be kindly remembered.

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  3. Very well said, dear Duta! I agree wholeheartedly.

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    1. I'm glad you agree with me, Linda.
      By the way, a small curiosity: Kim (N.Korea)has got his education in...Switzerland, the peaceful and neutral,little european country. I read about it several years ago, in an interview of an israeli who was with him at school.

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  4. Indeed, the North Korea situation seems to be escalating right now. Like so many, we are praying and casting our care on the One who cares and knows how to intervene. May they hear His voice and stabilize and may many lives be spared.

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    1. True. I'm sure the people of Guam and of the other islands in the region are praying to God now to intervene and prevent escalation and military attacks against them.

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  5. Please keep in mind that I did NOT vote for the American Idiot in Chief. He knows nothing of diplomacy as he continually pokes (like a school yard bully) the crazy child leading North Korea. I totally disagree with you on your assessment of Clinton and Obama. We'd be much better off if those ADULTS were still in charge. I know history will be VERY favorable of Barack Obama, even if Israelis did not like him. Actions speak louder than words, and he shelled out a fortune to keep Israel safe through funding the Iron Dome. Trump talks a good game, but reality is that you will never see his words become reality. He's a compulsive liar and self inflating blow hard.

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  6. Joyce I respect your having a determined political view.
    However, you should respect half of the american nation for their choice of "the idiot in chief." By not doing so, and not accepting a democratically elected president you contribute to the destruction of America.

    America now is a highly divided nation; a divided nation is also a weak nation, and many in the world will try to take advantage of that. So, think again.

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  7. I agree; let's hope and pray that restraint is in order. And being a Canadian just north of the U.S. makes it very scary for us.

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    1. Considering all circumstances, Restraint is indeed the name of the game, and it seems to me things are going into this direction.

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  8. I agree with you as an American. I don't want us to be involved with N Korea etc.

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    1. I think every sane person, regardless of the nation he belongs to, will want the beligerant parties to 'lower their profile'.

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  9. That’s cool post!
    Can you follow me? I follow you :)

    Have a nice day!
    murasakiiroanu.blogspot.com

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  10. HiAnna,

    Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comment.

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  11. Well said, DUTA...in both in your post and your responses.

    Fact - Donald Trump is the US President. He won the election. I wish those who lost stopped being sore losers. They're the ones who are guilty of pulling their nation apart. They certainly aren't helping the situation.

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    1. Thanks. I appreciate your words.

      I'm afraid that what's going on in America is not democracy, but pure anarchy. I feel sad and worried about it. America 's my country's only and best ally; it is also a source of inspiration - we copy everything from her (inclusive the bad things),like monkeys.

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    2. Again, I agree with your sentiments, DUTA. :)

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    3. It feels good to have someone agree with your words. Most bloggers seem to be in the'politically correct' mode.

      I don't like to write on political issues, but sometimes things happen, and you just can't go on ignoring them.

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    4. I'm not of the "politically-correct" mode, DUTA! To me it's a load of nonsense.

      Too many folk are being too "precious" these days...it's seems to be the fashion...the "in" way of thinking and doing.

      Many are acting like children (brats) who've had their lollipops taken away from them! ;)

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    5. This is how empires fall: the Roman empire, the Otoman empire etc.. We shall see now what happens to our modern empires: russian, american, chinese, european.

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    6. Sadly, it is happening...but the people are too blinkered and too concerned in their own self-interests, and enjoy hearing their the sound of their own voices to realise their folly.

      I wonder often how my head stays attached to my neck...because lately, more so than ever before, I'm continually shaking it in disbelief, anger and frustration.

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    7. Indeed, Lee. I see what you mean, and you're right, of course.
      Thanks.

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  12. These are definitely trying times for that part of the world. I bet it's beautiful there and hope all is safe. I agree with you about N Korea. Nothing good is happening there. Good post, Duta!

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    1. Guam is beautiful - so they say. Hopefully, it stays safe and keeps on attracting tourists.

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  13. It's a crazy situation. It sets society back many years. I looked it up, myself. I was quite curious.

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    1. The world is not going back but foreward to a disaster, as the nuclear club has now some new ,unreliable members, the latest addition being North Korea and Iran. May God help us!

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