What began as rowdy shoving and fisticuffs involving hundreds on both sides turned more violent as the day progressed. Some protesters broke through a newly erected fence and charged at unarmed soldiers with sticks, injuring scores.

The Defense Ministry said 11 soldiers suffered serious injuries and were airlifted by helicopter to a military hospital just south of Seoul. It was not known if any of the injuries were life-threatening, a defense official said.

It isn't just the GIs I see a reason to defend....

I get irritated at thoughts about the situations people are put in. I obsess over the US-SK allinace because of the position it puts our military and society -- a very dangerous position in the middle of people who love to dislike us for that very position.

And I am getting pretty steamed about the position the Roh administration has put these soldiers in.

It is inexcusable.

What was going to happen was predictable. Easily.

To not take measures to prevent what did occur is .....

You don't send a few beat cops into a neighborhood where a riot is taking place.

You don't put a hospital candystriper in the operating room.

You don't put people in positions where they don't have the power, knowledge, skill, authority, or whatever ------ to handle likely events.

Putting regular soldiers in the position they are in at Pyongtaek should make some mothers of those soldiers angry enough to punch Roh in the face when they can get close enough to him.........