南韓爆發反進口美國牛肉抗議
撰文 Donald Kirk
2008/05/06, 週二
以李明博總統為首的南韓政府近日迫於美國方面的壓力、同意取消從美國進口牛肉的禁令,可是卻遭到了國內民族主義和保護主義分子的強烈反對。這意味著以當局政府為代表的新保守主義勢力與反對者之間的新一輪較量已經展開。
2003 年12月23日美國農業部向外界宣佈在華盛頓州發現一例瘋牛病。這一消息在全球範圍內引起了恐慌,包括南韓在內的30多個國家紛紛下令緊急暫停進口美國牛肉。
就在李明博以為其政府已經為鞏固美韓關係掃除了一切障礙的時候,上萬名南韓民眾手持點燃的蠟燭在首爾街頭靜坐、抗議當局關於從15日起恢復進口美國牛肉的決定。
這一事件讓當局大為緊張,警方甚至一反常態、明令禁止民眾組織燭光禱告集會。2002年底一輛美軍裝甲車在演習期間撞死2名南韓女學生,引發大批民眾從各地湧入首爾市中心發起燭光祈禱集會,這一全國性的抗議浪潮持續長達數月之久。此後燭光禱告便成為了南韓人民示威抗議的主要形式。
不過,當局嚴禁燭光禱告集會恐怕只會激發更多的反美國牛肉抗議。
示威者金先生對當地媒體表示,“我們對食品安全產生了危機感。如果政府強行禁止我們的集會,那麼抗議只會愈演愈烈。”
上月29日南韓MBC電視台的時事節目《PD手冊》報道稱,如果全面進口美國牛肉,瘋牛症危險會升高,而且“大韓民族具有面對瘋牛病較脆弱的基因型的比率超過90%,因此與美國和歐洲人相比,更容易患上瘋牛症”。 這一節目播出後,40萬名網友在互聯網上抗議政府進口美國牛肉。這些事件使得抗議聲浪越發高漲。
與此同時,在野黨也抓住這個機會大肆批評李明博當局和布什政府的關係過於親昵。李布兩人早前在戴維營舉行了峰會。兩國政府還於去年簽署了南韓農民團體強烈反對的自由貿易協定。
儘管南韓農業部聲稱美國牛肉沒有健康風險,但仍舊於事無補。
農業部表示食用美國牛肉會致命的說法是“毫無根據的”,患上瘋牛病的的機率非常小。但這番講話反倒弄巧成拙。一名示威者引用說,食用美國牛肉仍然有致命的可能。
一方面當局警方試圖遏制示威浪潮,另一方面李明博政府則加大力度宣傳進口美國牛肉是安全的。由於南韓人愛吃燒烤牛肋骨(Kalbi)和切片牛肉(Bulgoki),因此南韓在實行禁令前是美國牛肉的第三大市場,年進口額高達8.5億美元。
美國農業部食品安全次長雷蒙(Richard Raymond)也試圖對南韓民眾的擔心和疑惑進行解釋。他說歡迎南韓專家前來視察美國牛肉的生產流程。他還表示感染瘋牛症的機率是零,而且兩國協定美國出口牛肉必須去除有危險的部分,如已被證實可能含有病毒的脊骨和腦髓等。
有意見認為,澳大利亞和新西蘭的進口牛肉要比南韓自產的牛肉更加便宜,而在此基礎上進口美國牛肉將使牛肉價格進一步降低。但另一方面,南韓的畜牧業農民卻又害怕市場競爭。
這一次南韓民眾抗議進口美國牛肉的聲勢,似乎同以往抗議美韓同盟及抗議南韓政府派軍前往伊拉克和阿富汗的規模不相上下。
示威者有的高舉畫有瘋牛和諷刺李明博布什的巨型漫畫,有的則改編歌詞諷刺進口牛肉協議、李布峰會以及美韓同盟。
此外,兩國關於恢復進口美國牛肉的協議還成了保護主義分子阻撓美韓自由貿易協定的有利武器。經過1年半的磋商談判,兩國終於在去年中簽署了協定。不過,南韓的反對者正試圖利用牛肉事件來遊說國會延遲批准或完全否決這項協定。
部分南韓民眾對FTA的強烈反對,反映出擔心自由貿易會威脅自身利益的農民階級,與試圖利用自由貿易來攻擊美韓同盟關係的左派勢力已經結成了長期的反FTA聯盟。事實上,南韓當局也沒有理據讓農民和左派相信,FTA與關稅、限額等貿易壁壘相比能夠給南韓人民帶來更多的收入。
一年前首爾同意從美國進口無骨牛肉,但是卻在最初幾批牛肉中發現碎骨片,因此對這幾批牛肉做出退還處理,同時全面禁止進口美國牛肉。
4月18日,南韓政府就牛肉貿易問題與美方達成協議。這一協議是在李明博和布什即將舉行戴維營峰會前宣佈的。根據這一協議,南韓將恢復進口美國帶骨牛肉,同時取消屠宰牛必須是30個月以下的小牛這一限制。
可以肯定的是,牛肉進口協議的破裂將會宣告兩國已經簽署的FTA協定瓦解。2008大選年,美國民主黨候選人希拉里和奧巴馬均以保護國內工業和就業崗位為由,表示反對美韓自由貿易協定。
倘然南韓禁止進口美國牛肉,那麼美國國會批准通過美韓FTA協定的希望必定會泡湯。
而兩國FTA協定的瓦解又將產生非常廣泛的惡性影響。儘管美國承諾將會維持駐韓美軍現有28000人的兵力,但是關於其它問題的談判如戰時軍事指揮權的轉移卻有可能擱淺。
另外,李明博政府日後推動國內經濟改革的政策,以及對於北韓的強硬立場,包括要求平壤放棄核計劃並要求對棄核工作進行核實等等,都可能會失去國內民眾的支持。
從另一個角度看,關於食品進口的爭論也反映出南韓民眾在心理上對一向物美價廉的食品市場產生了“慣性”。在南韓,買一餐的食材包括蔬菜、肉類和魚類的費用只夠在美國吃一頓快餐。他們也似乎忘記了,與豐衣足食的南韓相比,北韓人民仍舊生活在食不果腹的貧困當中,只要捐贈少量的大米就能拯救數百萬面臨饑荒威脅的生命。
有人建議美國的牛肉出口商可以效仿現代集團已故創始人鄭周永、將滯銷的牛肉捐贈給北韓。10年前,鄭周永將1000頭肉牛送到了非軍事區的另一邊,可是這些牛的命運至今仍是一個迷。多數人認為它們成了北韓統治階級的腹中物。
毫無疑問,北韓當局對外界的捐助當然是求之不得。而南韓民眾抗議進口美國牛肉和重燃反美情緒的事件,恰恰正中了北韓領袖金正日的下懷。
譯者 楊洋
貓讓人類渺小而卑微的終極必殺技,是她可以睡在盒子裡,讓你感覺她在賣席夢絲
我和我鄙夷的對象,原來距離如此接近
永遠不需要向別人解釋你自己,因為喜歡你的人不需要,不喜歡你的人不會相信。
The Trick Is Keep Breathing
GLORY TO THE SHINING REMOVER OF DARKNESS
順順走, 慢慢來, 自得其樂, 不留痕跡
美韓軍演一波波,北韓聲討李明博叛賊,新聞稿如下:
李明博政權向朝鮮同胞的胸口"開槍放炮插匕首",實在令人恨之入骨,且看北韓的"正義鐵拳",將向仇人發出咆哮!!...........................真是經典啊!
說到我想去的地方,那就厲害了,藍天白雲,椰林樹影,水清砂白,坐落於印度洋上的世外桃源:馬爾代夫...也鬧政變了啊
Distraction is the only thing that consoles us for our miseries, and yet it is itself the greatest of our miseries.
--- French philosopher Blaise Pascal
it’s not nice to piss you off. and i know. but i was poking and sort of prodding, and kinda hoping, and always watching, for a reaction.
--- The Indie Queens are Waiting
Baby don't you know that it is understood, if you take away the sunshine, you also take away the starlight.
--- Architecture in Helsinki
我們自以為在演洛基,KO了就能光榮謝幕,沒想到門一踹卻是打不完殭屍,而我只有一把散彈槍,和一條OK蹦...
很奇怪,"魔球"裡最感人的兩幕,一個是小布聽女兒在樂器店裡唱歌,一個是小布在車裡聽女兒唱歌.......是誰說這是棒球片的?
Life is a Maze, Love is a Riddle.
活得好,不外乎:吃好丶睡好。除此之外,沒別的了。
年少時候,我們追求無限可能,複雜難懂的東西,例如愛情;年老之後,我們嚮往回歸原點,單純實在的東西,例如信仰..........和金錢。
修身,齊家,治國,平天下,僅做到一項,吾願足矣。有誰能做到全部,恭喜你...........ㄟ,醫生啊,這裡有病人。
And I want to be like lovers in an old romantic song, where the music fades away before the love it can go wrong.
--- jill barber
Young Galaxy, We have everything
Fance - Full Speed Ahead
The Book of Joe
我和我鄙夷的對象,原來距離如此接近
永遠不需要向別人解釋你自己,因為喜歡你的人不需要,不喜歡你的人不會相信。
The Trick Is Keep Breathing
GLORY TO THE SHINING REMOVER OF DARKNESS
順順走, 慢慢來, 自得其樂, 不留痕跡
美韓軍演一波波,北韓聲討李明博叛賊,新聞稿如下:
李明博政權向朝鮮同胞的胸口"開槍放炮插匕首",實在令人恨之入骨,且看北韓的"正義鐵拳",將向仇人發出咆哮!!...........................真是經典啊!
說到我想去的地方,那就厲害了,藍天白雲,椰林樹影,水清砂白,坐落於印度洋上的世外桃源:馬爾代夫...也鬧政變了啊
Distraction is the only thing that consoles us for our miseries, and yet it is itself the greatest of our miseries.
--- French philosopher Blaise Pascal
it’s not nice to piss you off. and i know. but i was poking and sort of prodding, and kinda hoping, and always watching, for a reaction.
--- The Indie Queens are Waiting
Baby don't you know that it is understood, if you take away the sunshine, you also take away the starlight.
--- Architecture in Helsinki
我們自以為在演洛基,KO了就能光榮謝幕,沒想到門一踹卻是打不完殭屍,而我只有一把散彈槍,和一條OK蹦...
很奇怪,"魔球"裡最感人的兩幕,一個是小布聽女兒在樂器店裡唱歌,一個是小布在車裡聽女兒唱歌.......是誰說這是棒球片的?
Life is a Maze, Love is a Riddle.
活得好,不外乎:吃好丶睡好。除此之外,沒別的了。
年少時候,我們追求無限可能,複雜難懂的東西,例如愛情;年老之後,我們嚮往回歸原點,單純實在的東西,例如信仰..........和金錢。
修身,齊家,治國,平天下,僅做到一項,吾願足矣。有誰能做到全部,恭喜你...........ㄟ,醫生啊,這裡有病人。
And I want to be like lovers in an old romantic song, where the music fades away before the love it can go wrong.
--- jill barber
Young Galaxy, We have everything
Fance - Full Speed Ahead
The Book of Joe
6.14.2008
6.13.2008
[社論] “暴風”過後出臺民生對策為時已晚
朝鮮日報 (2008.06.12 16:43) 企劃財政部11日公佈了《改善企業環境推進計畫》,內容包括:解除或減少京畿道坡州、汶山和東豆川一帶319平方公里(達首爾汝矣島面積的109倍)軍事設施保護地區;將首都地區創業企業的取得稅及註冊稅由目前的6%降至2%.此外,該計畫還包括為解決工廠用地不足問題,擴大農地及山地搬用面積等47項內容。
廣播通信委員會則推出了為370萬名低收入人群,一年減免5000億韓元移動通信費用的方案。此外。知識經濟部、金融委員會和中小企業廳也公佈了扶植創辦創業、同時擴大中小企業資金貸款的中小企業及技術創業援助對策。國土海洋部則表示,如果在明年6月底前購買未出售的地方公寓,就減免50%的取得稅和註冊稅,且即使是擁有兩套住宅的人,只要在兩年內出售現有房屋,就不會徵收轉讓稅。
在10日晚至11日淩晨爆發歷史上最大規模的燭光示威後,經濟相關部門紛紛推出上述對策,這究竟意欲何為?是想用這些淺薄的對策平息憤怒的民心,還是為了展現無論國家多麼混亂,政府都在為經濟和民生不斷努力的一面?
在暴雪天拿起掃把要到院子裏掃雪的人十有八九是不正常之人,或是故意要討好主人而裝模作樣的人。實際上,此次公佈的政策是為了減輕因高油價和高物價而受苦的百姓的生活負擔,通過鼓勵技術創業來提高中小企業競爭力,並廢除阻礙企業投資的不必要的規章制度,及制定未出售公寓的對策。如果不是在特殊時期,國民肯定會欣然接受。但政府卻等到國民通過燭光示威全體抗議後,才假惺惺地公佈,反而讓人產生反感。
朝鮮日報 (2008.06.12 16:43) 企劃財政部11日公佈了《改善企業環境推進計畫》,內容包括:解除或減少京畿道坡州、汶山和東豆川一帶319平方公里(達首爾汝矣島面積的109倍)軍事設施保護地區;將首都地區創業企業的取得稅及註冊稅由目前的6%降至2%.此外,該計畫還包括為解決工廠用地不足問題,擴大農地及山地搬用面積等47項內容。
廣播通信委員會則推出了為370萬名低收入人群,一年減免5000億韓元移動通信費用的方案。此外。知識經濟部、金融委員會和中小企業廳也公佈了扶植創辦創業、同時擴大中小企業資金貸款的中小企業及技術創業援助對策。國土海洋部則表示,如果在明年6月底前購買未出售的地方公寓,就減免50%的取得稅和註冊稅,且即使是擁有兩套住宅的人,只要在兩年內出售現有房屋,就不會徵收轉讓稅。
在10日晚至11日淩晨爆發歷史上最大規模的燭光示威後,經濟相關部門紛紛推出上述對策,這究竟意欲何為?是想用這些淺薄的對策平息憤怒的民心,還是為了展現無論國家多麼混亂,政府都在為經濟和民生不斷努力的一面?
在暴雪天拿起掃把要到院子裏掃雪的人十有八九是不正常之人,或是故意要討好主人而裝模作樣的人。實際上,此次公佈的政策是為了減輕因高油價和高物價而受苦的百姓的生活負擔,通過鼓勵技術創業來提高中小企業競爭力,並廢除阻礙企業投資的不必要的規章制度,及制定未出售公寓的對策。如果不是在特殊時期,國民肯定會欣然接受。但政府卻等到國民通過燭光示威全體抗議後,才假惺惺地公佈,反而讓人產生反感。
外電:牛肉風波使亞洲經濟第四韓國前途暗淡
朝鮮日報駐東京特派記者 鮮于鉦/駐華盛頓特派記者 李河遠 (2008.06.12 12:42) 主要外電紛紛就10日擠滿首爾街頭的大規模燭光集會報導說“即使是在經常舉行示威的韓國也非常罕見”。還有報導指出,比起“李明博政府的危機”,位居亞洲第四的韓國經濟更令人擔憂。
美聯社11日報導說:“人氣電視新聞節目的一則聳人聽聞的報導加重了人們對美國牛肉的擔憂。”美聯社還針對李明博報導說:“擔任現代建設首席執行官(CEO)期間曾因優秀的推進力獲得了‘推土機’的美譽,表現出了企業家的優勢,但這些在持續數周的示威參加者眼中卻成了缺點。”
美聯社評價說:“‘推土機’在前進之前正處於空擋,無法驅動。因此,李明博任期內能做什麼令人懷疑。”
《紐約時報》報導:“李明博因提倡在對美關係中採取新的實用主義方式而在去年12月舉行的大選中獲勝。然而,最近此起彼伏的示威對李明博來說是致命一擊。部分專家認為,李明博現在很有可能受到壓力,今後無法輕易答應美國政府的要求。”路透社透露說:“韓國自20年前開始進行自由大選以來,以最大票差獲得勝利的李明博目前的支持率已經跌至20%以下,這是令人眩暈的命運反轉。同時也使亞洲第四經濟大國的命運又增加了一片烏雲。”
《華爾街日報》也報導說:“韓國實現民主化已經20年時間,但街頭示威仍然在政策制定方面發揮強大作用。”
日本《日經新聞》在新聞頭版進行報導外,還在國際版單獨刊載了“問答”形式的報導,就“牛肉風波的原因”分析說:“在韓國,從上屆政權執政時期開始,貧富差距問題就引發了根深蒂固的社會不滿情緒。國民要求復蘇經濟,並對被譽為‘經濟總統’就任的李明博充滿期待,但受世界原油價格上漲等因素的影響,貧富差距更加拉大,這令他們非常感到失望。這種反政府情緒通過網路時代的資訊網迅速擴散。”
朝鮮日報駐東京特派記者 鮮于鉦/駐華盛頓特派記者 李河遠 (2008.06.12 12:42) 主要外電紛紛就10日擠滿首爾街頭的大規模燭光集會報導說“即使是在經常舉行示威的韓國也非常罕見”。還有報導指出,比起“李明博政府的危機”,位居亞洲第四的韓國經濟更令人擔憂。
美聯社11日報導說:“人氣電視新聞節目的一則聳人聽聞的報導加重了人們對美國牛肉的擔憂。”美聯社還針對李明博報導說:“擔任現代建設首席執行官(CEO)期間曾因優秀的推進力獲得了‘推土機’的美譽,表現出了企業家的優勢,但這些在持續數周的示威參加者眼中卻成了缺點。”
美聯社評價說:“‘推土機’在前進之前正處於空擋,無法驅動。因此,李明博任期內能做什麼令人懷疑。”
《紐約時報》報導:“李明博因提倡在對美關係中採取新的實用主義方式而在去年12月舉行的大選中獲勝。然而,最近此起彼伏的示威對李明博來說是致命一擊。部分專家認為,李明博現在很有可能受到壓力,今後無法輕易答應美國政府的要求。”路透社透露說:“韓國自20年前開始進行自由大選以來,以最大票差獲得勝利的李明博目前的支持率已經跌至20%以下,這是令人眩暈的命運反轉。同時也使亞洲第四經濟大國的命運又增加了一片烏雲。”
《華爾街日報》也報導說:“韓國實現民主化已經20年時間,但街頭示威仍然在政策制定方面發揮強大作用。”
日本《日經新聞》在新聞頭版進行報導外,還在國際版單獨刊載了“問答”形式的報導,就“牛肉風波的原因”分析說:“在韓國,從上屆政權執政時期開始,貧富差距問題就引發了根深蒂固的社會不滿情緒。國民要求復蘇經濟,並對被譽為‘經濟總統’就任的李明博充滿期待,但受世界原油價格上漲等因素的影響,貧富差距更加拉大,這令他們非常感到失望。這種反政府情緒通過網路時代的資訊網迅速擴散。”
聯合早報 李明博要看樸槿惠臉色
來源:聯合早報 星島環球網 www.stnn.cc
南韓議會選舉又是以保守派獲勝收場。不過,南韓《北韓日報》一篇標題“東山再起的樸槿惠成本屆選舉最大贏家”的文章,不僅總結了這次選舉的特徵,還預示南韓保守政壇未來的發展方向,一要看李明博的執政能力,二要看樸槿惠的政治動向。
南韓國會299個議席中,李明博的大國家党單獨獲得153席,勉強超過半數,但距離政權絕對穩定需要的158席仍有距離,這是李明博的第一隱憂。其次,被排擠卻以無党派候選人身份參選的前大國家党人,他們高舉“親樸連帶”旗幟竟然全部當選。這批異軍突起的“親樸派”,單在南韓西南的嶺南地區就囊括了20席。這些人今後不論是復党還是留在黨外,對李明博都是個隱憂。
唯一讓李明博稍微放心的結果是,前執政的統合民主党只獲得80席,不僅與上屆選舉時(當時稱為開放國民党)的152席相比已經勢力一落千丈,連其黨代表孫鶴圭、前總統候選人鄭東泳等中心領導人也都宣告落選。
兩次選舉帶來的結果是,李明博執政今後面對的首要敵人已不是反對党,而很可能是來自保守陣營內部的反對派,特別是樸槿惠派系的牽制。
“親樸連帶”揭竿而起
這次南韓議會選舉還有兩個特徵,一是投票率再度創下新低,46%的低投票率顯示此次選舉缺乏吸引力,包括朝野政黨的領導人都是前大國家党人,讓選民感到混亂,因而放棄投票;二是大國家党雖然獲得半數議席,但當選得票率都不高,他們所獲選民支援程度,實際上還不足四分之一,明顯是個弱勢政府。
青瓦臺與國會雖然都是大國家党的天下,對政治冷眼旁觀的人實際是大多數。雖然李明博急功近利要有建樹,實際環境又限制他不能為所欲為。李明博五年任期并不輕鬆。
選舉所以有這樣的結果,幾乎就是去年12月總統選舉的延續。比如,朝野政黨的大風吹、大國家党內派系鬥爭的繼續燃燒,都是總統選舉的後遺症。
前執政黨兩次選舉所以一敗塗地,首先是盧武鉉的五年執政,雖然改善了南北北韓緊張關係,卻在內政方面被媒體譏諷為NATO(No Action Talk Only),就是“言而不行”的政權,使南韓剛起步的左翼政治又遭到唾棄。其次是,前民主党只顧改變党名,從開放國民党再回到統合民主党,甚至推舉前大國家党人孫鶴圭為新党魁,匆忙應付兩次選舉,那有不繼續被挫敗的“天理”呢?
南韓保守政壇原本看好樸槿惠可以當選首任女總統,不料李明博反而捷足先登。樸槿惠雖然在党內競選中敗給李明博,但她還表現得頗有政治風度,包括替李明博選舉站臺,成為李明博特使訪問中國等等。不料,她的支援者卻在党內篩選候選人過程中遭到粗暴排擠,使樸槿惠被迫喊冤,她公開說:“我被欺騙了,國民也被欺騙了!”。這20多名被排擠的樸槿惠支援者,公然高舉“親樸連帶”或“親樸無党派連帶”的旗幟參選,而且都在嶺南當選,這是南韓政壇的奇跡,也是親李派的夢魘。
李明博蜜月期結束
樸槿惠這次以88.5%高得票率第四次當選國會議員。她本人沒有退黨,仍有30余名中選支援者留在党內,新國會便有50余人是親樸派,大國家党即使不分裂,對李明博也是長期的威脅。今年7月召開党大會,如果她下定決心要走自己的路,是有足夠能力可以把大國家党搞到鶏犬不寧的。
樸槿惠原本對李明博的經濟政策、北方政策就有所保留,甚至也不贊成現在搞什麼勞民傷財毫無意義的南北大運河計劃,如果她強烈要求李明博必須三思而行,難道他能夠嗤之以鼻嗎?
不過,南韓實施的是權力集中青瓦臺的總統制,國會不能罷免總統,總統也不能解散國會,對立只有使政治迷失方向,甚至使“CEO總統”加速擱淺。李明博曾誇下海口要實現“747”願景,就是實現年經濟增長率7%、10年內實現人均收入4萬美元、10年內使南韓發展成為世界第7大經濟強國,這些都可能成為泡影。
李明博上臺不足一個月就已承認,他跟國民的蜜月期已經結束。有人說是國際經濟形勢影響的結果,也有人說是國民對他的期待過高的反動,但不能否認的是,李明博將“CEO總統”形容為治理國家的靈丹妙藥。他就職後宣佈,與南韓102財界巨頭建立24小時熱線聯繫,要公務員提早淩晨上班推動“披星戴月運動”,等等,人們懷疑他依然沉迷于選舉心態,甚至把總統職務當市長來操作。
李明博的南北政策,更顯現出他破壞有餘,建設不足,難怪他的民調支援率已從上臺初的70%下降到50%;曾投票給李明博的人之中,三個就有一個說在議會選舉中不投票支援大國家党。議會選舉揭曉,李明博的親信,包括李在五、李芳鎬、鄭鐘福等果然都落選,證明選民已開始對李明博表示失望。“親樸連帶”的異軍突起更說明,李明博若不改變作風,未來執政道路將極不平坦。
來源:聯合早報 星島環球網 www.stnn.cc
南韓議會選舉又是以保守派獲勝收場。不過,南韓《北韓日報》一篇標題“東山再起的樸槿惠成本屆選舉最大贏家”的文章,不僅總結了這次選舉的特徵,還預示南韓保守政壇未來的發展方向,一要看李明博的執政能力,二要看樸槿惠的政治動向。
南韓國會299個議席中,李明博的大國家党單獨獲得153席,勉強超過半數,但距離政權絕對穩定需要的158席仍有距離,這是李明博的第一隱憂。其次,被排擠卻以無党派候選人身份參選的前大國家党人,他們高舉“親樸連帶”旗幟竟然全部當選。這批異軍突起的“親樸派”,單在南韓西南的嶺南地區就囊括了20席。這些人今後不論是復党還是留在黨外,對李明博都是個隱憂。
唯一讓李明博稍微放心的結果是,前執政的統合民主党只獲得80席,不僅與上屆選舉時(當時稱為開放國民党)的152席相比已經勢力一落千丈,連其黨代表孫鶴圭、前總統候選人鄭東泳等中心領導人也都宣告落選。
兩次選舉帶來的結果是,李明博執政今後面對的首要敵人已不是反對党,而很可能是來自保守陣營內部的反對派,特別是樸槿惠派系的牽制。
“親樸連帶”揭竿而起
這次南韓議會選舉還有兩個特徵,一是投票率再度創下新低,46%的低投票率顯示此次選舉缺乏吸引力,包括朝野政黨的領導人都是前大國家党人,讓選民感到混亂,因而放棄投票;二是大國家党雖然獲得半數議席,但當選得票率都不高,他們所獲選民支援程度,實際上還不足四分之一,明顯是個弱勢政府。
青瓦臺與國會雖然都是大國家党的天下,對政治冷眼旁觀的人實際是大多數。雖然李明博急功近利要有建樹,實際環境又限制他不能為所欲為。李明博五年任期并不輕鬆。
選舉所以有這樣的結果,幾乎就是去年12月總統選舉的延續。比如,朝野政黨的大風吹、大國家党內派系鬥爭的繼續燃燒,都是總統選舉的後遺症。
前執政黨兩次選舉所以一敗塗地,首先是盧武鉉的五年執政,雖然改善了南北北韓緊張關係,卻在內政方面被媒體譏諷為NATO(No Action Talk Only),就是“言而不行”的政權,使南韓剛起步的左翼政治又遭到唾棄。其次是,前民主党只顧改變党名,從開放國民党再回到統合民主党,甚至推舉前大國家党人孫鶴圭為新党魁,匆忙應付兩次選舉,那有不繼續被挫敗的“天理”呢?
南韓保守政壇原本看好樸槿惠可以當選首任女總統,不料李明博反而捷足先登。樸槿惠雖然在党內競選中敗給李明博,但她還表現得頗有政治風度,包括替李明博選舉站臺,成為李明博特使訪問中國等等。不料,她的支援者卻在党內篩選候選人過程中遭到粗暴排擠,使樸槿惠被迫喊冤,她公開說:“我被欺騙了,國民也被欺騙了!”。這20多名被排擠的樸槿惠支援者,公然高舉“親樸連帶”或“親樸無党派連帶”的旗幟參選,而且都在嶺南當選,這是南韓政壇的奇跡,也是親李派的夢魘。
李明博蜜月期結束
樸槿惠這次以88.5%高得票率第四次當選國會議員。她本人沒有退黨,仍有30余名中選支援者留在党內,新國會便有50余人是親樸派,大國家党即使不分裂,對李明博也是長期的威脅。今年7月召開党大會,如果她下定決心要走自己的路,是有足夠能力可以把大國家党搞到鶏犬不寧的。
樸槿惠原本對李明博的經濟政策、北方政策就有所保留,甚至也不贊成現在搞什麼勞民傷財毫無意義的南北大運河計劃,如果她強烈要求李明博必須三思而行,難道他能夠嗤之以鼻嗎?
不過,南韓實施的是權力集中青瓦臺的總統制,國會不能罷免總統,總統也不能解散國會,對立只有使政治迷失方向,甚至使“CEO總統”加速擱淺。李明博曾誇下海口要實現“747”願景,就是實現年經濟增長率7%、10年內實現人均收入4萬美元、10年內使南韓發展成為世界第7大經濟強國,這些都可能成為泡影。
李明博上臺不足一個月就已承認,他跟國民的蜜月期已經結束。有人說是國際經濟形勢影響的結果,也有人說是國民對他的期待過高的反動,但不能否認的是,李明博將“CEO總統”形容為治理國家的靈丹妙藥。他就職後宣佈,與南韓102財界巨頭建立24小時熱線聯繫,要公務員提早淩晨上班推動“披星戴月運動”,等等,人們懷疑他依然沉迷于選舉心態,甚至把總統職務當市長來操作。
李明博的南北政策,更顯現出他破壞有餘,建設不足,難怪他的民調支援率已從上臺初的70%下降到50%;曾投票給李明博的人之中,三個就有一個說在議會選舉中不投票支援大國家党。議會選舉揭曉,李明博的親信,包括李在五、李芳鎬、鄭鐘福等果然都落選,證明選民已開始對李明博表示失望。“親樸連帶”的異軍突起更說明,李明博若不改變作風,未來執政道路將極不平坦。
執政圈就人事改組原則達成共識
朝鮮日報記者 權大烈 (2008.06.12 14:27)
據11日記者獲悉,為了選拔新長官和青瓦台首席秘書官,李明博總統提出了幾項原則。其核心內容是,不能再出現“高所嶺(高麗大學、所望教會、嶺南地區出身)”、“江富子(江南的房地產富豪)”之類的言論。
執政圈一位相關負責人表示:“李明博總統9日同前國會副議長李相得、廣播通信委員會委員長崔時仲共進早餐時,就此次人事改組必須符合國民標準的意見達成了共識。”其核心內容就是:“第一,更換總統室室長柳佑益;第二,絕不選拔財產過多的人;第三,安排湖南、忠清地區出身人士”。
據說,總統對“財產10億至20億韓元可以不說,但絕不能超過30億韓元”的意見表示有同感。另據悉,將優先考慮湖南出身人士擔任目前處於空缺狀態的監查院院長。
青瓦台一位負責人表示:“據我所知,總統對人事部門提出了三條人選標準,即‘非嶺南、非高麗大學、財產30億韓元以下’。總統似乎認為,如果此次再出現‘高所嶺’和‘江富子’之類的爭議,就很難恢復國民對政府的信任。”
現政府第一屆內閣的平均財產規模達31.4億韓元,青瓦台首席秘書官的平均財產規模達35.5億韓元。另外,2月份公佈內閣成員名單時,15名國務委員中有5人是嶺南地區出身人士,國情院院長、民政首席秘書官、檢察總長、員警廳廳長等全被嶺南出身人士佔據。
朝鮮日報記者 權大烈 (2008.06.12 14:27)
據11日記者獲悉,為了選拔新長官和青瓦台首席秘書官,李明博總統提出了幾項原則。其核心內容是,不能再出現“高所嶺(高麗大學、所望教會、嶺南地區出身)”、“江富子(江南的房地產富豪)”之類的言論。
執政圈一位相關負責人表示:“李明博總統9日同前國會副議長李相得、廣播通信委員會委員長崔時仲共進早餐時,就此次人事改組必須符合國民標準的意見達成了共識。”其核心內容就是:“第一,更換總統室室長柳佑益;第二,絕不選拔財產過多的人;第三,安排湖南、忠清地區出身人士”。
據說,總統對“財產10億至20億韓元可以不說,但絕不能超過30億韓元”的意見表示有同感。另據悉,將優先考慮湖南出身人士擔任目前處於空缺狀態的監查院院長。
青瓦台一位負責人表示:“據我所知,總統對人事部門提出了三條人選標準,即‘非嶺南、非高麗大學、財產30億韓元以下’。總統似乎認為,如果此次再出現‘高所嶺’和‘江富子’之類的爭議,就很難恢復國民對政府的信任。”
現政府第一屆內閣的平均財產規模達31.4億韓元,青瓦台首席秘書官的平均財產規模達35.5億韓元。另外,2月份公佈內閣成員名單時,15名國務委員中有5人是嶺南地區出身人士,國情院院長、民政首席秘書官、檢察總長、員警廳廳長等全被嶺南出身人士佔據。
George Wilson 回響於 2008-06-12 13:34
韓國政壇女勇士擊敗李明博
大國家黨、親朴聯隊、自由先進黨都是同一群集,共有185席。李明博如想有做為,想修憲都必須尊重朴槿惠。此次國會大選朴槿惠把李明博身邊幾個親信愛將,全部打落水狗。李明博雖然強勢,還是打不過朴槿惠。朴槿惠為了照顧提名落選的戰友,脫離大國家黨,臨時組成親朴聯隊,短短一個月內就得到兩百多萬票的政黨票。大國家黨雖過半,但走起路來還是一跛一跛的。
朴槿惠多兇悍請看(笑畫) 大姐很生氣 後果很嚴重 (朝鮮新聞)
http://chinese.chosun.com/big5/site/data/html_dir/2008/03/13/20080313000010.html
清廉與政治力如何兼顧
治理一個國家光靠清廉是不夠的,李明博與馬英九都一樣缺乏政治力。馬團隊內閣即將出爐,媒體已經眾說紛紜吵翻天了,氣勢已開始減弱,不知是媒體醜化,還是那個夭壽說的,「這次贏了兩百多萬票所以沒有什麼省籍情節」。贏兩百多萬票不是天上掉下的禮物,是DPP與阿扁實在太爛了。小馬哥應該瞭解贏的是賭爛票,不是認同票。看來經濟情況不會一下就好,我建議大家還是先看緊荷包,捏緊褲袋,觀察一陣子。
韓國政壇女勇士擊敗李明博
大國家黨、親朴聯隊、自由先進黨都是同一群集,共有185席。李明博如想有做為,想修憲都必須尊重朴槿惠。此次國會大選朴槿惠把李明博身邊幾個親信愛將,全部打落水狗。李明博雖然強勢,還是打不過朴槿惠。朴槿惠為了照顧提名落選的戰友,脫離大國家黨,臨時組成親朴聯隊,短短一個月內就得到兩百多萬票的政黨票。大國家黨雖過半,但走起路來還是一跛一跛的。
朴槿惠多兇悍請看(笑畫) 大姐很生氣 後果很嚴重 (朝鮮新聞)
http://chinese.chosun.com/big5/site/data/html_dir/2008/03/13/20080313000010.html
清廉與政治力如何兼顧
治理一個國家光靠清廉是不夠的,李明博與馬英九都一樣缺乏政治力。馬團隊內閣即將出爐,媒體已經眾說紛紜吵翻天了,氣勢已開始減弱,不知是媒體醜化,還是那個夭壽說的,「這次贏了兩百多萬票所以沒有什麼省籍情節」。贏兩百多萬票不是天上掉下的禮物,是DPP與阿扁實在太爛了。小馬哥應該瞭解贏的是賭爛票,不是認同票。看來經濟情況不會一下就好,我建議大家還是先看緊荷包,捏緊褲袋,觀察一陣子。
8.27.2007
Biography by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
The Sex Pistols may have been the first British punk rock band, but the Clash were the definitive British punk rockers. Where the Pistols were nihilistic, the Clash were fiery and idealistic, charged with righteousness and a leftist political ideology. From the outset, the band was more musically adventurous, expanding its hard rock & roll with reggae, dub, and rockabilly among other roots musics. Furthermore, they were blessed with two exceptional songwriters in Joe Strummer and Mick Jones, each with a distinctive voice and style. The Clash copped heavily from classic outlaw imagery, positioning themselves as rebels with a cause. As a result, they won a passionately devoted following on both sides of the Atlantic. While they became rock & roll heroes in the U.K., second only to the Jam in terms of popularity, it took the Clash several years to break into the American market, and when they finally did in 1982, they imploded several months later. Though the Clash never became the superstars they always threatened to become, they restored passion and protest to rock & roll. For a while, they really did seem like "the only band that mattered."
For a band that constantly sang about revolution and the working class, the Clash had surprisingly traditional roots. Joe Strummer (born John Graham Mellor, August 21, 1952) had spent most of his childhood in boarding school. By the time he was in his early twenties, he had busked on the streets of London and had formed a pub rock band called the 101'ers. Around the same time, Mick Jones (born June 26, 1955) was leading a hard rock group called the London SS. Unlike Strummer, Jones came from a working-class background in Brixton. Throughout his teens, he was fascinated with rock & roll, and he had formed the London SS with the intent of replicating the hard-driving sound of Mott the Hoople and Faces. Jones' childhood friend Paul Simonon (born December 15, 1956) joined the group as a bassist in 1976 after hearing the Sex Pistols; he replaced Tony James, who would later join Generation X and Sigue Sigue Sputnik. At the time, the band also featured drummer Tory Crimes (born Terry Chimes), who had recently replaced Topper Headon (born Nicky Headon, May 30, 1955). After witnessing the Sex Pistols in concert, Joe Strummer decided to break up the 101'ers in early 1976 in order to pursue a new, harder-edged musical direction. He left the band just before their first single, "Keys to Your Heart," was released. Along with fellow 101'er guitarist Keith Levene, Strummer joined the revamped London SS, now renamed the Clash.
The Clash performed its first concert in the summer of 1976, supporting the Sex Pistols in London. Levene left the band shortly afterward. Hiring as their manager Bernard Rhodes, a former business associate of Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren, the Clash set out on the Pistols' notorious Anarchy Tour late in 1976. Though only three concerts were performed on the tour, it nevertheless raised the Clash's profile and the band secured a record contract in February of 1977 with British CBS. Over the course of three weekends, the group recorded their debut album. Once the sessions were completed, Terry Chimes left the group, and Headon came aboard as the band's drummer. In the spring, the Clash's first single, "White Riot," and eponymous debut album were released to great critical acclaim and sales in the U.K., peaking at number 12 on the charts. The American division of CBS decided The Clash wasn't fit for radio play, so it decided to not release the album. The import of the record became the largest-selling import of all time. Shortly after the U.K. release of The Clash, the band set out on the whirlwind White Riot tour supported by the Jam and the Buzzcocks; the tour was highlighted by a date at London's Rainbow Theatre, when the audience tore the seats out of the venue. During the White Riot tour, CBS pulled "Remote Control" off the album as a single, and as a response, the Clash recorded "Complete Control" with reggae icon Lee "Scratch" Perry.
Throughout 1977, Strummer and Jones were in and out of jail for a myriad of minor indiscretions, ranging from vandalism to stealing a pillowcase, while Simonon and Headon were arrested for shooting racing pigeons with an air gun. The Clash's outlaw image was bolstered considerably by such events, but the band also began to branch out into social activism, such as headlining a Rock Against Racism concert. Released in the summer of 1978, the single "(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais" demonstrated the band's growing social consciousness. Shortly after the single peaked at number 32, the Clash began working on their second album with producer Sandy Pearlman, a former member of Blue Öyster Cult. Pearlman gave Give 'Em Enough Rope a clean but powerful sound designed to break the American market. While that didn't happen -- the album peaked at 128 on the U.S. charts in the spring of 1979 -- the record became an enormous hit in Britain, debuting at number two on the charts.
Early in 1979, the Clash began their first American tour, entitled "Pearl Harbor '79." That summer, the band released the U.K.-only EP The Cost of Living, which featured a cover of the Bobby Fuller Four's "I Fought the Law." Following the later summer release of The Clash in America, the group set out on its second U.S. tour, hiring Mickey Gallagher of Ian Dury's Blockheads as a keyboardist. On both of their U.S. tours, the Clash had R&B acts like Bo Diddley, Sam & Dave, Lee Dorsey, and Screamin' Jay Hawkins support them, as well as neo-traditionalist country-rocker Joe Ely and the punk rockabilly band the Cramps. The choice of supporting acts indicated that the Clash were becoming fascinated with older rock & roll and all of its legends. That fascination became the driving force behind their breakthrough double album, London Calling. Produced by Guy Stevens, who formerly worked with Mott the Hoople, London Calling boasted an array of styles, ranging from rockabilly and New Orleans R&B to anthemic hard rock and reggae. Retailing at the price of a single album, the record debuted at number nine on the U.K. charts in late 1979 and climbed to number 27 on the U.S. charts in the spring of 1980.
The Clash successfully toured the U.S., the U.K., and Europe in early 1980, during which time the pseudo-documentary Rude Boy was released in England. During the summer, the band released the Dutch-only, dub-inflected single "Bankrobber," which they recorded with DJ Mikey Dread; by the fall, the British branch of CBS was forced to release the single due to popular demand. Shortly afterward, the band went to New York to begin the tension-filled, self-produced sessions for their follow-up to London Calling. In November, a U.S.-only EP of odds and ends entitled Black Market Clash was released. The following month, the triple-record set Sandinista! appeared in the U.K. and the U.S. The critical reaction to the album was decidedly mixed, with American critics reacting more favorably than their British counterparts. Furthermore, the band's audience in the U.K. was shrinking slightly -- Sandinista! was the first record the group released that sold more copies in the U.S. than the U.K.
After spending much of 1981 touring and resting, the Clash reconvened late in the year to record their fifth album, with producer Glyn Johns, a former engineer/producer for the Rolling Stones, Who, and Led Zeppelin. Headon left the band shortly after the sessions finished; the press statement said he parted with the group due to political differences, but it was later revealed that the split was due to his heavy drug use. The band replaced Headon with their old drummer, Terry Chimes, around the spring release of Combat Rock. The album was the Clash's most commercially successful effort, entering the U.K. charts at number two and climbing into the American Top Ten in early 1983, thanks to the Top Ten hit single "Rock the Casbah." During the fall of 1982, the Clash opened for the Who on their farewell tour. Though the tour helped Combat Rock scale the U.S. charts, the Clash were routinely booed off the stage on every date of the tour.
Although the Clash were at the height of their commercial powers in 1983, the band was beginning fall apart. Chimes was fired in the spring and was replaced by Pete Howard, formerly of Cold Fish. During the summer, the band headlined the U.S. Festival in California; it would be their last major appearance. In September, Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon fired Mick Jones because he "drifted apart from the original idea of the Clash." Jones formed Big Audio Dynamite the following year, while the Clash hired guitarists Vince White and Nick Sheppard to fill his vacancy. Throughout 1984, the band toured America and Europe, testing the new lineup. The revamped Clash finally released their first album, Cut the Crap, in November. The album was greeted with overwhelmingly poor reviews and sales; it would later be disowned by Strummer and Simonon.
Early in 1986, Strummer and Simonon decided to permanently disband the Clash. Several years later, Simonon formed the roots rock band Havana 3 A.M., which released only one album, in 1991; following the record's release, he concentrated on painting. After reuniting with Jones to write songs for Big Audio Dynamite's second album, 1986's No. 10 Upping Street, Strummer drifted between a musical and film career, appearing in Alex Cox's Straight to Hell (1986) and Jim Jarmusch's Mystery Train (1989). He also scored Permanent Record (1988) and Cox's Walker (1987). Strummer released a solo album, Earthquake Weather, in 1989. Shortly afterward, he joined the Pogues as a touring rhythm guitarist and vocalist. By 1991, he had quietly drifted away from the spotlight. For the remainder of the decade, Strummer was quiet, appearing on only one other recording -- Black Grape's 1996 Top Ten hit "England's Irie."
Though Strummer and Simonon were both quiet, and Jones was busy with various incarnations of Big Audio Dynamite, rumors of a Clash reunion continued to circulate throughout the '90s. When "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" appeared in a Levi's television commercial in 1992, the song was re-released in the U.K. by CBS, and it shot to number one, fueling reunion speculation. The rumors appeared again in 1995 and 1996, when the Sex Pistols decided to reunite, but the Clash remained quiet. Live: From Here to Eternity, assembling material recorded between 1978 and 1982, was released in 1999, shortly followed by the documentary film Westway to the World.
The Sex Pistols may have been the first British punk rock band, but the Clash were the definitive British punk rockers. Where the Pistols were nihilistic, the Clash were fiery and idealistic, charged with righteousness and a leftist political ideology. From the outset, the band was more musically adventurous, expanding its hard rock & roll with reggae, dub, and rockabilly among other roots musics. Furthermore, they were blessed with two exceptional songwriters in Joe Strummer and Mick Jones, each with a distinctive voice and style. The Clash copped heavily from classic outlaw imagery, positioning themselves as rebels with a cause. As a result, they won a passionately devoted following on both sides of the Atlantic. While they became rock & roll heroes in the U.K., second only to the Jam in terms of popularity, it took the Clash several years to break into the American market, and when they finally did in 1982, they imploded several months later. Though the Clash never became the superstars they always threatened to become, they restored passion and protest to rock & roll. For a while, they really did seem like "the only band that mattered."
For a band that constantly sang about revolution and the working class, the Clash had surprisingly traditional roots. Joe Strummer (born John Graham Mellor, August 21, 1952) had spent most of his childhood in boarding school. By the time he was in his early twenties, he had busked on the streets of London and had formed a pub rock band called the 101'ers. Around the same time, Mick Jones (born June 26, 1955) was leading a hard rock group called the London SS. Unlike Strummer, Jones came from a working-class background in Brixton. Throughout his teens, he was fascinated with rock & roll, and he had formed the London SS with the intent of replicating the hard-driving sound of Mott the Hoople and Faces. Jones' childhood friend Paul Simonon (born December 15, 1956) joined the group as a bassist in 1976 after hearing the Sex Pistols; he replaced Tony James, who would later join Generation X and Sigue Sigue Sputnik. At the time, the band also featured drummer Tory Crimes (born Terry Chimes), who had recently replaced Topper Headon (born Nicky Headon, May 30, 1955). After witnessing the Sex Pistols in concert, Joe Strummer decided to break up the 101'ers in early 1976 in order to pursue a new, harder-edged musical direction. He left the band just before their first single, "Keys to Your Heart," was released. Along with fellow 101'er guitarist Keith Levene, Strummer joined the revamped London SS, now renamed the Clash.
The Clash performed its first concert in the summer of 1976, supporting the Sex Pistols in London. Levene left the band shortly afterward. Hiring as their manager Bernard Rhodes, a former business associate of Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren, the Clash set out on the Pistols' notorious Anarchy Tour late in 1976. Though only three concerts were performed on the tour, it nevertheless raised the Clash's profile and the band secured a record contract in February of 1977 with British CBS. Over the course of three weekends, the group recorded their debut album. Once the sessions were completed, Terry Chimes left the group, and Headon came aboard as the band's drummer. In the spring, the Clash's first single, "White Riot," and eponymous debut album were released to great critical acclaim and sales in the U.K., peaking at number 12 on the charts. The American division of CBS decided The Clash wasn't fit for radio play, so it decided to not release the album. The import of the record became the largest-selling import of all time. Shortly after the U.K. release of The Clash, the band set out on the whirlwind White Riot tour supported by the Jam and the Buzzcocks; the tour was highlighted by a date at London's Rainbow Theatre, when the audience tore the seats out of the venue. During the White Riot tour, CBS pulled "Remote Control" off the album as a single, and as a response, the Clash recorded "Complete Control" with reggae icon Lee "Scratch" Perry.
Throughout 1977, Strummer and Jones were in and out of jail for a myriad of minor indiscretions, ranging from vandalism to stealing a pillowcase, while Simonon and Headon were arrested for shooting racing pigeons with an air gun. The Clash's outlaw image was bolstered considerably by such events, but the band also began to branch out into social activism, such as headlining a Rock Against Racism concert. Released in the summer of 1978, the single "(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais" demonstrated the band's growing social consciousness. Shortly after the single peaked at number 32, the Clash began working on their second album with producer Sandy Pearlman, a former member of Blue Öyster Cult. Pearlman gave Give 'Em Enough Rope a clean but powerful sound designed to break the American market. While that didn't happen -- the album peaked at 128 on the U.S. charts in the spring of 1979 -- the record became an enormous hit in Britain, debuting at number two on the charts.
Early in 1979, the Clash began their first American tour, entitled "Pearl Harbor '79." That summer, the band released the U.K.-only EP The Cost of Living, which featured a cover of the Bobby Fuller Four's "I Fought the Law." Following the later summer release of The Clash in America, the group set out on its second U.S. tour, hiring Mickey Gallagher of Ian Dury's Blockheads as a keyboardist. On both of their U.S. tours, the Clash had R&B acts like Bo Diddley, Sam & Dave, Lee Dorsey, and Screamin' Jay Hawkins support them, as well as neo-traditionalist country-rocker Joe Ely and the punk rockabilly band the Cramps. The choice of supporting acts indicated that the Clash were becoming fascinated with older rock & roll and all of its legends. That fascination became the driving force behind their breakthrough double album, London Calling. Produced by Guy Stevens, who formerly worked with Mott the Hoople, London Calling boasted an array of styles, ranging from rockabilly and New Orleans R&B to anthemic hard rock and reggae. Retailing at the price of a single album, the record debuted at number nine on the U.K. charts in late 1979 and climbed to number 27 on the U.S. charts in the spring of 1980.
The Clash successfully toured the U.S., the U.K., and Europe in early 1980, during which time the pseudo-documentary Rude Boy was released in England. During the summer, the band released the Dutch-only, dub-inflected single "Bankrobber," which they recorded with DJ Mikey Dread; by the fall, the British branch of CBS was forced to release the single due to popular demand. Shortly afterward, the band went to New York to begin the tension-filled, self-produced sessions for their follow-up to London Calling. In November, a U.S.-only EP of odds and ends entitled Black Market Clash was released. The following month, the triple-record set Sandinista! appeared in the U.K. and the U.S. The critical reaction to the album was decidedly mixed, with American critics reacting more favorably than their British counterparts. Furthermore, the band's audience in the U.K. was shrinking slightly -- Sandinista! was the first record the group released that sold more copies in the U.S. than the U.K.
After spending much of 1981 touring and resting, the Clash reconvened late in the year to record their fifth album, with producer Glyn Johns, a former engineer/producer for the Rolling Stones, Who, and Led Zeppelin. Headon left the band shortly after the sessions finished; the press statement said he parted with the group due to political differences, but it was later revealed that the split was due to his heavy drug use. The band replaced Headon with their old drummer, Terry Chimes, around the spring release of Combat Rock. The album was the Clash's most commercially successful effort, entering the U.K. charts at number two and climbing into the American Top Ten in early 1983, thanks to the Top Ten hit single "Rock the Casbah." During the fall of 1982, the Clash opened for the Who on their farewell tour. Though the tour helped Combat Rock scale the U.S. charts, the Clash were routinely booed off the stage on every date of the tour.
Although the Clash were at the height of their commercial powers in 1983, the band was beginning fall apart. Chimes was fired in the spring and was replaced by Pete Howard, formerly of Cold Fish. During the summer, the band headlined the U.S. Festival in California; it would be their last major appearance. In September, Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon fired Mick Jones because he "drifted apart from the original idea of the Clash." Jones formed Big Audio Dynamite the following year, while the Clash hired guitarists Vince White and Nick Sheppard to fill his vacancy. Throughout 1984, the band toured America and Europe, testing the new lineup. The revamped Clash finally released their first album, Cut the Crap, in November. The album was greeted with overwhelmingly poor reviews and sales; it would later be disowned by Strummer and Simonon.
Early in 1986, Strummer and Simonon decided to permanently disband the Clash. Several years later, Simonon formed the roots rock band Havana 3 A.M., which released only one album, in 1991; following the record's release, he concentrated on painting. After reuniting with Jones to write songs for Big Audio Dynamite's second album, 1986's No. 10 Upping Street, Strummer drifted between a musical and film career, appearing in Alex Cox's Straight to Hell (1986) and Jim Jarmusch's Mystery Train (1989). He also scored Permanent Record (1988) and Cox's Walker (1987). Strummer released a solo album, Earthquake Weather, in 1989. Shortly afterward, he joined the Pogues as a touring rhythm guitarist and vocalist. By 1991, he had quietly drifted away from the spotlight. For the remainder of the decade, Strummer was quiet, appearing on only one other recording -- Black Grape's 1996 Top Ten hit "England's Irie."
Though Strummer and Simonon were both quiet, and Jones was busy with various incarnations of Big Audio Dynamite, rumors of a Clash reunion continued to circulate throughout the '90s. When "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" appeared in a Levi's television commercial in 1992, the song was re-released in the U.K. by CBS, and it shot to number one, fueling reunion speculation. The rumors appeared again in 1995 and 1996, when the Sex Pistols decided to reunite, but the Clash remained quiet. Live: From Here to Eternity, assembling material recorded between 1978 and 1982, was released in 1999, shortly followed by the documentary film Westway to the World.
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