Why Are We Back In Iraq?

Perhaps there's a reason for the rampant plagiarism that existed at Bobby Eberle's Talon News and GOPUSA Websites. Perhaps Bobby Eberle had once been a victim of plagiarism himself.

On January 9, 2003, Bobby Eberle wrote this essay: No Easy Answers to Situation in North Korea.

On May 24, 2003 this essay, ascribed to The Chair, appeared at a German Website, which is part of a Model United Nations class: The Situation in North-Korea. The Chair changed less than a dozen words from Bobby's essay, but no credit or link was given.

Bobby, I feel for you, man. Plagiarism sucks.

Bobby - As thousands of U.S. troops head toward the Persian Gulf, a situation is brewing which might ultimately be more dangerous, more destabilizing, and more complex than the current conflict with Iraq. As with Iraq, the North Korean regime is hostile and oppressive; as with Iraq, North Korea possesses weapons of mass destruction; unlike Iraq, North Korea's weapons are nuclear. This past October North Korea admitted that it is conducting operations to enrich uranium -- a vital process in the manufacture of nuclear weapons. These operations are in direct violation of several treaties and agreements signed by the North Korean government.

Chair - As thousands of U.S. troops were heading toward the Persian Gulf, a situation was brewing that might ultimately be more dangerous, more destabilizing and more complex than the conflict with Iraq. As with Iraq North Korea possesses weapons of mass destruction; unlike Iraq, North Korea's weapons are nuclear. This past October North Korea admitted that it is conducting operations to enrich uranium – a vital process in the manufacture of nuclear weapons. These operations are in direct violation of several treaties and agreements signed by the North Korean government.

Bobby - First, North Korea's actions are a violation of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) of 1968 which North Korea signed in 1985 and which, under Article III, requires inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to verify nonnuclear weapons states are using nuclear technology only for peaceful means. Second, in 1991, North Korea signed a treaty with South Korea in which the entire Korean peninsula was to remain nuclear-free. Third, North Korea's actions violate the Agreed Framework negotiated with the United States in 1994. It is the third point that is the real "thumb in the eye" for the United States. In 1993, North Korea was threatening to withdraw from the NPT. It had shut down its nuclear reactor at Yongbyon and was removing the spent nuclear fuel rods.

Chair - First, North Korea's actions are taken by the national community as a violation of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) of 1968, which North Korea signed in 1985 and which, under Article III, requires inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to verify that non-nuclear weapons states are using nuclear technology only for peaceful means. Second, in 1991, North Korea signed a treaty with South Korea in which the entire Korean peninsula was to remain nuclear-free. Third, North Korea's actions violate the Agreed Framework, negotiated with the United States in 1994. It is the third point that is the real "thumb in the eye" for the United States. In 1993, North Korea was threatening to withdraw from the NPT. It had shut down its nuclear reactor at Yongbyon and was removing the spent nuclear fuel rods.

Bobby - South Korea and Japan, two of North Korea's nearest neighbors, depend heavily on the United States for defense. There are approximately 37,000 U.S. troops in South Korea and another 50,000 in Japan. North Korea has a million-man army almost all of which is positioned near the demilitarized zone bordering South Korea. China borders North Korea to the North and is a consistent supplier of nuclear technology to its Southern neighbor. The U.S., along with South Korea, Japan, and the European Union, has cut off fuel oil supplies to North Korea. This type of economic pressure should continue.

Chair - South Korea and Japan, these states depend heavily on the United Nations to act. There are approximately 37,000 U.S. troops in South Korea and another 50,000 in Japan. North Korea has a million-man army, almost all of which is positioned near the demilitarized zone bordering South Korea. China borders North Korea to the north and is a consistent supplier of nuclear technology to its southern neighbor. The U.S., along with South Korea, Japan and the European Union, has cut off fuel oil supplies to North Korea. This type of economic pressure should continue.

Bobby - In addition, diplomatic measures should be used to the fullest extent possible to pressure North Korea into ending its nuclear ambitions.

Chair - Furthermore the humanitarian and human-right-situation in North Korea is to be discussed and the use of diplomatic measures to pressure North Korea into ending its nuclear ambitions has to take these under account.

Perhaps Bobby thought it was okay for Talon News & GOPUSA to commit serial plagiarism because of his belief in the concept of "an eye for an eye."

Of course, there's always the possibility that Bobby just got his hands on that essay first...but, just this once, I'll give the Doctor the benefit of the doubt.

More Talon News cut-and-paste journalism to come, much more.

# posted by Ron Brynaert : 3/01/2005 02:52:00 PM