On Jan 25, 6:40*pm, wrote:
Since the Cold War in Europe lasted some 50 years, just how could
Shortwave Radio be considered valuable at that time? *North Korea has
been Communist since 1945 and Shortwave Radio has changed nothing in
that situation so far. So, are we all being lead to believe that our
infomation broadcasts to N. Korea is going to change anything?

Such a tremendously complicated subject has been a basis for
numerous books. Hundreds of millions of common folks have relied upon
knowing WHAT was happening in their own countries. SWL behind Iron and
Bamboo curtains was (and still has) remained (for some misfortunates)
the only source of information. The once mighty USSR was not defeated
militarily or economically. On the contrary, it disintegrated from
within due to it's own population getting restless and tired of same
old government promises of bright future that never materialized. SW
listening for a long time WAS the only available means of REAL news
even under the most brutal dictatorships after 1945. Gorbachov himself
admitted,in an interview, that while being locked up in his summer
retreat compound in Foros (Crimea) that ALL his telephones went dead .
Including the strategic Red phone!!! Under such conditions his one
and only link with the outside world was a small Sony portable which
provided ALL the the news ( from August 18 2001 BBC interview)... Can
we say any more than that?