Via Clint Taylor, we learn that the Harvard Alumni Association has taken radical chic beyond the Margaret Cho level of naming one’s designer pet for Baader-Meinhof terrorists and has upped the Otherness ante—offering $636-a night luxury tours of North Korea, with enlightened Harvard Alums soaking in the local customs to the point of being instructed to “bow as a gesture of respect at the statue of Kim Il Sung and at his mausoleum.”
Notes Harvard Alum Deborah Orin:
Harvard even tries to pretend that bowing down to thugs is perfectly normal—explaining that it’s because “North Korea, like every country, has its own unique protocols.”
Which means, of course, that throwing breadcrumbs or hanks of cotton candy to the starving North Korean children is severely frowned upon.
Where this trend could get really interesting is when the Yale Alumni Association, not to be outdone, begins planning trips to those tribal regions of Afghanistan where the Taliban still operates in stealth—and instructs its attendees on the luxury tour of ancient rock and dirt that, should they come across a local woman whose face is uncovered or whose fingernails are painted, they are required, by the “unique protocols” of the culture they have chosen to immerse themselves in, to pick up one of those ancient stones and crack open the filthy harlot’s skull like it was the brainpan of some slutty walnut.
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see also, Powerline.
Won’t be long before Harvard’s planning a trip to Ramallah to bow down before the noble shahid as he prepares to kill the Jew occupier. Heck, every country has its own protocols—in this case, the Protocols of the Elders of Zion.
Why, this is going to be even better than the class of 1938’s summer cruise along the Rhine!
Is the cannibalism included, or does it cost extra?
I think it is proper for them to bow down to what they worship. It shows the proper respect to what they venerate, and shows the rest of us the content of their characters.
Word: Shouldn’t england start with a capital E?
This has to be a parody, right? Please tell me it is…Iowahawk, right?
We need something stronger than “tone deaf” to politely describe something like this. I am bereft of words at this point.
I probably shouldn’t say this, but if I had a chance to see North Korea, I would probably take it.
The 20th Century has been a bizarre carnival of evil, but we in this country have been mostly sheltered from it. I would go. How often in your life do you get to encounter pure evil first hand?
I would also be very sympathetic towards the victims of North Korea, and eternally grateful that I live in a free country that I could go home to.
However, I don’t think I could handle the bowing to the “Great Leader”. I’d have to explain to the Norks that where I come from, we bow away from the target. Then, we drop our pants …
In case you’re wondering, this Korean phrase:
means “Our wise and benevolent leader, Kim Il Sung, provides on the spot guidance regarding”
It was the North Korean conversational equivalent to Islam’s ‘peace be upon him’
Perhaps the Harvard fold can learn it before their trip.
errr…. folk, not fold.
As a former USAF Korean Cryptographic Linguist, I’d *love* to travel in the DPRK.
What they really need is a Holiday In Cambodia
Pol Pot… Pol Pot…
I guess i’d be more worried if they continue the practice after the trip. killin’ and bowing aren’t quite on the same level.
Bumper,
They might let you in, but…
I like the optional excursion to the work-camp “spa” in the N Korean countryside. A cup of rice and plenty of exercise every day…those alums will be in bikini shape in no time!
Those lucky N Koreans…they just don’t get fat, you know?
Dang, I feel the same way that Jay does. I mean, to have a chance to take my camera to North Korea …
But then there’s the whole being used for propaganda thing which sort of kills the deal.
Turing word: How low will you go?