While Americans are being told that their social security is not secure and that our society can't afford to take care of everyone's medical problems, could it be that we are complicit in a multi- billion dollar strategy to destroy a sacred coastal region? While we are told that huge cuts to our federal budget are necessary, we plan on supporting a hegemonic presence of military might to shore up flagging economic and moral authority around the world.
Here in Gangjeong Village life is rather spartan. Electricity is readily available but is used sparingly. Bath towels are the size of our hand towels and bicycles are a common mode of transportation. But the people are content with their way of life. They have friends, family and a faith in a world that has been kind and supportive. They have good health because of good food, clean air and water, and plenty of exercise. Life is good for now, but the handwriting is on the wall and they rightly feel that their way of life is nearing extinction.
The naval base under construction here is a product of outmoded, unrealistic thinking; the same thinking that brought us the recent wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya. It is a moral catastrophe being wrought upon people who's voice in this matter is goes unheard. While lecturing other nations around the world on their human rights abuses, our country take liberty to destroy the lives of anyone in the world that stands in the way of empire.
The people of Gangjeong Village say NO to the US naval basing. They say NO to war and wish that they could live in peace with all people.
A huge U.S. Naval presence here means that they will be a prime target in the imagined future conflict between the U.S. and China. Why should these gentle people pay such a heavy price for our unsustainable way of life?
Chalmers Johnson in his trilogy of books starting with "Blowback" outlines how empire crowds out democracy and that democracy and empire are really incompatible.
If we, the people cannot stop our government from these reckless overseas pursuits then I'm afraid that our form of constitutional democracy is lost. And that would be a tragedy for our children and grandchildren, not just the people of Jeju Island.
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