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?

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?

Come, now. Do you really think the "Cold War" was anything more than
creating a "boogy man" to generate fear here (like is being done so much
more effectively today)?

On Jan 25, 3:40*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?

I used to work with a Romanian that listened to the BBC when he was
living in that hell-hole. The guy knew his modern history quite well.
Without shortwave, you would have something like Checkov on Star Trek,
who believed the Soviet pravda.

There is a story, probably not on the internet due to how many years
ago it happened, where a BBC official got the special treatment from
Ceausescu. Apparent Ceausescu had a chair that would nuke the
occupant. I did a google search and can't find the story, but my
recollection is the BBC person got cancer after the "treatment."

On Jan 27, 8:21*pm, " wrote:
On Jan 25, 3:40*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?

I used to work with a Romanian that listened to the BBC when he was
living in that hell-hole. The guy knew his modern history quite well.
Without shortwave, you would have something like Checkov on Star Trek,
who believed the Soviet pravda.

There is a story, probably not on the internet due to how many years
ago it happened, where a BBC official got the special treatment from
Ceausescu. Apparent Ceausescu had a chair that would nuke the
occupant. I did a google search and can't find the story, but my
recollection is the BBC person got cancer after the "treatment."

And we always thought Vlad Drakul was inhuman... In some
instances old stalinists were extremely innovative. Anyone still
remembers the poison darts ( shot from a specially made umbrella )
which killed a bulgarian dissident in London ?

wrote:
reatment."

And we always thought Vlad Drakul was inhuman... In some
instances old stalinists were extremely innovative. Anyone still
remembers the poison darts ( shot from a specially made umbrella )
which killed a bulgarian dissident in London ?

They weren't darts; they were round, like tiny BBs, with pores that held
a ricin based poison.

On Jan 28, 5:49*am, Bob Dobbs wrote:
wrote:
Anyone still
remembers the poison darts ( shot from a specially made umbrella )
which killed a bulgarian dissident in London ?

I didn't think it was a dart as much as a pellet full of ricin.

--

Operator Bob
Echo Charlie 42

The book "Spycraft" goes into such killings.

Ceausescu and wife were executed. Too kind a death IMHO.

On Jan 28, 7:46*am, dave wrote:
wrote:

reatment."



* * * And we always thought Vlad Drakul was inhuman... In some
instances old stalinists were extremely innovative. Anyone still
remembers the poison darts ( shot from a specially made umbrella )
which killed a bulgarian dissident in London ?

They weren't darts; they were round, like tiny BBs, with pores that held
a ricin based poison.

Oh yes, they were miniature BB's indeed. Poor fellow suffered
for a while before he expired. Ricin is an old trick. Polonium is the
new trend.