Random Thoughts Thread

[puke_face]

On a serious note, I hope the international community takes physical action on North Korea before they do build a small nuclear arsenal.

After having seen and read two accounts of *ahem* guided tours in North Korea recently, I don't understand what they'd be making them out of since there are so little resources. The frozen tears of their citizens?

I was thinking the same. Isn't most everything they have imported/donated from somewhere else?

[Retrodude]

Which begs the question: If they are attempting to build nukes, who's giving them the materials? I don't want to make any assumptions, but it's something that ought to be seriously investigated.

[BoneSnapDeez]

This is gonna be me tonight.

[Stark]

This is gonna be me tonight.

Trying to finish up another RPG?

[BoringSupreez]

I just realized that Brik hasn't posted or even visited the forums in a year. I wonder what happened?

[Ack]

Which begs the question: If they are attempting to build nukes, who's giving them the materials? I don't want to make any assumptions, but it's something that ought to be seriously investigated.

A couple of things on North Korea that you guys may not realize:

1. The nation is actually rich in mineral deposits, estimated in value to be about $6 trillion. These include multiple uranium mines. There are other abundant natural resources. The mountainous nation is poorly designed for agriculture however, which works better in the south.

2. Foreign aid flows in to prevent starvation of the populace, which is a generally commendable idea. But North Korea operates under a Military First rule, which means that supplies are generally given towards the military first, include food, petroleum, etc. Western nations have taken steps to try and make sure this no longer happens, but with limited success.

3. North Korea has the 4th largest military in terms of active soldiers, behind only China, USA, and India. Factor in reserve military and trained paramilitary, and North Korea rises to the top of the list. They also have the largest number of soldiers in both active and reserve catagories in comparison to their general population.

4. North Korea is known as a major counterfeiter of foreign currency and brings in revenue through the trafficking and distribution of heroin and meth in nations such as Australia, Japan, Taiwan, and Turkey.

5. North Korea shares a physical border with both Russia and China and has been an important ally of both in the region. During the Cold War, Russian scientists helped establish nuclear research facilities in North Korea, including a facility to extract plutonium in Pyongyang, a factory for producing concentrated uranium in Pakchon, and a nuclear research site at Yongbyon. Yongbyon also houses a nuclear power reactor which is currently unfinished but is known to have been started prior to 1994. The Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.

6. North Korea has established multiple sites for testing ballistic missiles and for the construction of their space program, which generally utilize similar technology.

7. North Korea is a known partner with Iran concerning its nuclear program.

8. North Korea is believed to have gained nuclear knowledge and secrets from Pakistan in the 1990s in exchange for ballistic missile technology.

They have their ways, and there are plenty of people willing to do business with them.

[elmagicochrisg]

I just realized that Brik hasn't posted or even visited the forums in a year. I wonder what happened?

His blog is still up, so I guess he just moved on...

http://retrogameon.blogspot.com/

[BoneSnapDeez]

This is gonna be me tonight.

Trying to finish up another RPG?

Studying...

But I'm not pulling an all-nighter. I'm done. Burnt out, exhausted from working all day, then shoveling in the afternoon. Wife was in the hospital for some time too (pregnancy complications), but is fine now. I'm just winging this one. Eff it.

[Retrodude]

Billy Elliot was AMAZING!!!!! I'd never seen the movie and all I knew of the stage show was that awful performance at the Tonys a few years back, which actually put me off seeing it for awhile. I'm extremely glad I did see it, though, because it is very, very impressive. The "Angry Dance" at the end of act one sizzles with an intensity that was completely absent when they did it at the Tonys and now I realize they just did a piss poor job of showing it then. Aside from that, the story is very sweet and emotionally involving and chock full of that quirky British humor we know and love. If you have the chance to see it while it's on tour, I can't recommend it highly enough.

[pakopako]

Brian McFadden did a strip called "State of Unemployment" back in 2011.

Here's a copy I found online:
Panel 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

I am very much at Panel 6. So much that I'm paying for room, board, and a 10-hour bus trip so I can work for free this Valentine's week.