The Da Vinci Code is set to debut Friday and military chaplains are preparing to respond to the claims the movie makes about Christianity:

Chaplain Paul Passamonti plans to stand near a theater exit to hand out copies of a book that refutes the Da Vinci Code.

Another military chaplain in Europe, Collin Grossruck, is encouraging the faithful to send him an e-mail if they have any questions about Gnostics, Opus Dei, the secret gospels or the Holy Grail. The Army captain says he wants to set the religious record straight because many soldiers are spiritually discouraged by aspects of Dan Brown best-selling book, turned movie.

The book insists the Bible is a deliberate deception, and that [people] spirituality, which gives them comfort and strength, is wrong historically, said Grossruck, a Protestant chaplain. That’s a pretty heavy load.

I’ll probably go see the movie tomorrow.  So far the reviews are not encouraging.  A good read for those who have read the Da Vinci Code is to also read the book Da Vinci Decoded.  This book really provides some great information that disputes many of the key points Dan Brown makes in his book.

There is a great editorial in the Chosun Ilbo that highlights exactly what is motivating the Camp Humphreys protests.  Here is a snippet:

In the minds of the Pan-National Committee, the Republic of Korea is a country that should never have been born or should be absorbed into the North Korean system as soon as possible. That became clear during the protests against the Pyeongtaek base. Protestors planted not the Taegukgi ? the South Korean flag — but pan-Korean flags in the rice fields. They attacked troops from the Republic of Korea with split bamboo sticks and cut barbed-wire fences to trespass on military facilities. The Pyeongtaek coalition says on its homepage it opposes the relocation of U.S. bases “because it is designed to launch a preemptive attack on North Korea.” That betrays a mindset more concerned about the security of the Kim Jong-il regime than the Republic of Korea. They live here, but their true fatherland is elsewhere.

Amidst all this, the president after a long silence mumbles something about how some nights he can¿t sleep for worry about the Republic of Korea. The prime minister says everyone involved ¿should take a step back and look at the situation calmly.¿ How much further can troops step back if they are ordered not to retaliate when they are attacked with sharpened bamboo sticks? A ruling-party lawmaker, mingling with the protestors, said, “The U.S. is a land owner, the South Korean government a farm manager and the people are tenant farmers. It makes one weep to see the manager and the tenant farmers fight.”

The 2002 candle vigils over the deaths of the two schoolgirls provided the impetus that propelled the Roh Moo-hyun administration to power, an administration that has asked, “What’s wrong with being anti-American?” Is it because of this debt in their mind that those in government close their eyes to the attacks on our democracy? Or is it because they agree with the protestors, even if they cannot say so openly? Having entrusted their country to such a government, it is the people who should have sleepless night.

Pretty well put if I do say so myself.

The outrageousness of the Roh Moo-hyun government continues in Korea. The government is allowing the groups responsible for all the violence against Korean army soldiers and policemen to keep their government subsidy money:

A government committee will not halt subsidies to civic groups who were involved in illegal rallies and sometimes-violent demonstrations against government policies.
A joint committee working to promote a culture of peaceful rallying, consisting of representatives of the civic sector and the government, had a heated debate Wednesday night, and ended the meeting by postponing any plans for change.
Korean central and local governments provided subsidies last year totaling 175 billion won ($184 million) to some 19,000 civic groups, according to the Ministry of Government Affairs.
The government committee is headed jointly by Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook and Father Ham Sei-ung, a prominent figure in the civic movement.
Father Ham said, “Many members said that it is hard to tell whether a civic group’s members accidentally got involved in illegalities and violence or whether it happened under the group’s decision.”

How the hell do you accidentally do this to a policeman?:

The Korean government continues to be an absolute disgrace in their tacit support of these hate groups that attack and injure the mandatory service draftees. Surprisingly they didn’t completely sell out the police:

The committee also decided to cancel a plan to have riot police wear nametags when posted at rallies.
The plan was urged by civic groups, in a bid to keep riot police from using excessive force, by making it possible for protesters to identify abusive policemen.
However, Father Ham said, “We decided not to adopt the plan, as it could infringe on the rights of the riot policemen.”

Doesn’t bashing the police over the head with metal pipes and bamboo poles infringe on their rights as well?

Courtesy of the Marmot are these pictures which are some of the best photos from inside
North Korea I have ever seen.  These pictures come from a Russian computer scientist Artemiy Lebedev who recently went to
North Korea.  The webpage is in Russian, but who cares, the pictures are stunning and worth viewing.  Below are all four links to view his photos.Part 1Part 2Part 3Part 4

The New York Times is reporting that the Bush Administration is exploring the signing of a peace treaty with
North Korea:

As described by administration officials, none of whom would speak on the record about deliberations inside the White House, Mr. Bush’s aides envision starting negotiations over a formal peace treaty that would include the original signatories of the armistice ¿ China, North Korea and the United States, which signed on behalf of the United Nations. They would also add
South Korea, now the world’s 11th-largest economy, which declined to sign the original armistice.Japan, Korea’s colonial ruler in the first half of the 20th century, would be excluded, as would
Russia.A National Security Council spokesman declined to comment on any internal deliberations on
North Korea policy and referred all questions to the State Department, which has handled the negotiations with the North. The State Department spokesman, Sean McCormack, declined to discuss the recommendations made to Mr. Bush and said, “The most important decision is with
North Korea ¿ and that is the strategic decision to give up their nuclear weapons program.”“They signed a joint statement,” he added, “but they have yet to demonstrate that they have made a decision to abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs.”

I wouldn’t put to much stock in this talk of a peace treaty.   I think the US may be trying to call
North Korea’s bluff because the Norks have long complained about not having a peace treaty signed.  The Norks have no intentions of giving up all of their nuclear weapons because they ensure regime survival.  I don’t think a peace treaty will cause the Norks to denuclearize because it is not in their interest to do so.  Even a peace treaty that allows the Norks to keep the nukes they already have which is anywhere from 5-15 depending on what estimate your read is not in their interest as well.  Why you ask?  IMHO the North Koreans want to keep the US military in
Korea where they are currently at.  The current status quo is perfect for them.  The US military stationed in South Korea gives
North Korea legitimacy as a world threat not to be taken likely because the world’s lone super power is taking them seriously enough that they have 32,000 soldiers forward deployed to deal with them.  So if the US is taking
North Korea so seriously, than why shouldn’t everyone else?  This status quo allows the North Koreans to make outrageous demands for aid which are usually granted which keeps the regime a float.Additionally the majority of the US soldiers are located within North Korea’s artillery range which means if war did happen the US forces could be easily destroyed thus reducing the threat of an actual military intervention into
North Korea to rid them of their nuclear weapons program.  It is best for North Korea to keep the
US forces right where they are at and a peace treaty would not keep this status quo.  In other words, don’t get your hopes up.

The Asia Times has got it wrong beginning with the title: US Feels Sting of South Korean Priest

The US is not the ones feeling the sting of the South Korean priest, the Korean government most notably the Ministry of Defense and the 20 year old mandatory service draftees being assualted by the priests followers are. South Korea has more to lose than the US if the base consolidation plan fails. Failure of this plan would most likely mean the redeployment of at least the 2nd Infantry Division and possibly other elements of USFK. USFK has no intentions of staying in the Yongsan and 2ID footprints for much longer. The loss of USFK means the end to many USFK jobs that South Korean civilians hold along with the loss of international investment once USFK pulls out. Let’s face it, interenational investors feel much more secure in their investments when they know the US military is safeguarding it.

Here is where else the Asia Times is getting it all wrong:

“No US base,” they shout in Korean. “Save our land.”

It is a daily ritual staged in defiance of thousands of South Korean police against a plan to turn the region of rice paddies and orchards into one of America’s largest overseas bases.

The police control the countryside, blocking off traffic, but the farmers cling to this enclave of sturdy brick homes in a standoff that embarrasses the United States and South Korea – and reveals some of the weaknesses in a deteriorating alliance.

It is not the US being embarrassed here. It is the Korean government that is an embarassment. Any government that would allow young mandatory service draftees to be beaten and assaulted like the young men stationed outside Camp Humphreys regularly are is a joke. This is a perfect example of why mandatory service needs to end in Korea. If the government had to worry about reenlisting these guys, I can guarantee they wouldn’t treat them as meat to feed to the protesters to beat on.

Here is something else that really strikes a nerve with me:

The priest, Moon Jeong-hyun, 69, returned here less than a week after holding out for most of a day on the roof of the school building with nine other priests and two National Assembly members defying the riot police, who drove the activists from the building, some of them kicking and screaming.

A distinctive figure with a flowing beard, often seen holding a video camera as he records prayer meetings and confrontations, Moon and his cohorts were promised they would not be arrested before descending down a ladder from the roof on May 4.

The government let this guy go even though he broke the law. This guy is a criminal responsible for the assaults and injuries of many young police officers and soldiers. Here is another criminal that really shouldn’t surprise anyone that was also let go:

Some wonder if the South’s governing Uri Party is actually encouraging the standoff in which an assembly member from the party, Im Jung-in, is playing a leading role.

Im was up on the roof with the priests before they all came down on May 4 – and has appeared again at rallies in the village. He talks frequently on his mobile phone with party officials, and his presence in the village symbolizes support for the farmers and activists in the government.

This is just more evidence of what an embarrassment the current Korean government is. An assembly member from the ruling party is openly endorsing the assault and injury of the nation’s policemen and soldiers. What a disgrace and the Asia Times thinks the US should be embarrassed?

Oh, there is more:

“South and North Korea are reconciling with one another,” says another priest visiting the village. “We don’t need US forces in Korea at all.”

That’s a view that US officials fear may come to dominate the outlook of a South Korea government already seen as left of center as thousands of police face the unpleasant task of finally removing the diehards from their homes – and the troublesome priest from the village chapel.

I’m not sure if ass kissing and appeasement with nothing in return is really reconciliation but apparently the Korean government and the Asia Times thinks so. Also if this person is so bold to say the US is not needed in Korea than he needs to protest his local congressmen instead of attacking soldiers and police officers. Remember Korea has more to lose than US if the base consolidation plan fails.

Remember the guy that exposed himself on the Gwangju subway? Well he has now been fined by a Korean court:

Pfc. Joseph B. Freydenfeldt of Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, drew the sentence from Gwangju District Court on May 4 and was given one month to pay, a court official said. The court fined him 1 million South Korean won, or $1,077. Freydenfeldt and two other soldiers involved in the incident also have been punished by their unit under Article 15 of U.S. military law, a spokeswoman for 8th U.S. Army in Seoul said Monday. Gwangju police said Freydenfeldt exposed himself while the other two laughed, made sexually explicit motions and took digital pictures as Freydenfeldt sat next to a female passenger.

What a bunch of idiots. The fine from the Korean court may seem pretty light but keep in mind that he was also hit with an Article 15 that was assuredly a Field Grade level one after his battalion commander and command sergeant major had to apologize to the city mayor for their conduct. A field grade article 15 means the soldier can be knocked down two ranks which means a significant loss of pay along with taking a half months pay for two months, not to mention the 45 days of extra duty and restriction they will have to endure. Those were some extremely expensive photos.

These taxi cab related incidents are happening even more frequently than major alcohol related incidents though I wouldn’t be surprised alcohol was involved in this:

A U.S. soldier was detained and questioned by South Korean police Sunday for allegedly robbing a taxi driver and allegedly attempting to rob a second driver in Seoul, according to police officials.

The soldier, who police identified only as Private W, was released to U.S. military custody after the initial round of questions, police said.

They said the soldier threatened a taxi driver with a knife and a chunk of brick around 11:20 a.m. Sunday in Seoul’s Gangnam district. After stealing 70,000 won (about $70) from the man, police said he hailed a second cab and attempted to rob that driver. Police said they detained him on the scene.

Didn’t anyone learn anything from the sentence the Stuff ’em in the Trunk Gang received from the Korean courts? This idiot will rightfully go to jail if he did in fact commit the crime, but the important thing is that USFK needs to educate soldiers on what will happen to them if they mess with these cab drivers. I’m curious if this guy knew about what happened to the Stuff ’em in the Trunk gang? I have been saying this for awhile but it may be time to put non-AAFES taxi’s off limits from about 8PM to 6AM to keep the drunks away from the cab drivers at night. Pretty sad but that appears to be the best solution to solve this on going problem.

Be sure to read the latest Going to the Blogs article currently up over on the Joong Ang Ilbo website.  This week the article focuses primarily on the violence currently going on outside of Camp Humphreys.

I knew it was only a matter of time before the anti-US groups protesting the Camp Humphreys expansion would bring up the “environmental damage” that the US causes to the environment in order to further delay the expansion.

Over the years, they had rebuilt their lives and started new farms. But it was difficult with the American base next door. In 2003, I climbed into the area’s irrigation canals with rice farmer Chong Tay Wah. They were filled with untreated oil run-off from the
U.S. base.

“When the water comes from the U.S. base, the river turns black,” he explained, “and when it doesn’t rain much, the water is really, really black. This is the water that we use for our farming. Before, we could fish from the streams, but now we can’t because the fish all smell like oil and they’re black. It was very delicious before. I caught the fish and ate them, but it’s all over now.”

Under the Status of Forces Agreement that governs the American Army in South Korea, the
U.S. military is exempt from most environmental laws.

Rice farmer Cong Taw Wah told me that most of the time the farmers had to clean up after the Army.

“When the oil is released into the stream, we take the oil out of the stream,” he said. “We put on rubber clothes, and we float paper on the stream. Because of the polluted water, when we enter the water we get hurt. It looks like mosquito bites. Our whole leg turns red. Then we burn the paper in a big fire, and the smoke goes up in the air.”

False information being put out once again.  I don’t know if I can put this anymore clearly, but soldiers in the US Army cannot pour oil into a drainage ditch.  The US military has stringent environmental standards enforced by civilians that work for USFK.  I am willing to compare the environmental standards USFK follows to any ROK Army installation or a Korean industrial area.  USFK bases are actually a oasis from the polluted environment that usually surrounds the compounds.

Look at Yongsan Garrison in Seoul as a perfect example.  After that base is turned over the Korean government is talking about turning it into a park because it is so clean. The claims about USFK not following environmental laws because of the SOFA Agreement are similar to the claims that USFK personnel never get tried in Korean courts after committing crimes, yet USFK personnel are sentenced all the time in Korean courts and there is still a sizable group of people out there who think this does not happen.  It is the same thing with these “environmental damage” claims.  It is all about the big, bad SOFA Agreement again.  Look for the anti-US groups to try and make this issue a second front in their campaign to drum up support from an increasingly disinterested Korean public.