Kim tests another nuke
posted at 10:45 am on May 25, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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John Bolton called it earlier this week, and Kim Jong-Il proved him right. This time, the North Koreans got their money’s worth out of a nuclear test, setting off a device that produced a yield similar to that of the Hiroshima blast in 1945:
North Korea on Monday appeared to have detonated a nuclear device, its second such test in three years.
The U.S. Geological Survey said it detected a magnitude-4.7 earthquake in the region, and South Korea’s Cabinet convened in an emergency session, according to Yonhap, South Korea’s semi-official newswire.
Yonhap also said the North had confirmed the test.
Combined with the previous failure, the North Koreans have enough data to gain important technical improvements in their design. The Washington Times notes that the first failure practically guaranteed another test, regardless of the state of relations between Pyongyang, Washington, and the rest of the six-party members. The failure almost certainly threatened the lives of the people in the program, mainly for the embarrassment it showered on Dear Leader. Now they have proven their design upgrades, which means that Pyongyang can proceed on a path of arming itself — and enriching itself by proliferating the designs and the weapons to others.
How many bombs does Kim still have? Experts predicted that Kim only had enough plutonium for six to eight weapons before shuttering the Yongbyon reactor that produced it. After two tests, Kim has to be running low on bombs — or perhaps just plutonium devices. The six-party talks tried getting Kim to admit to working in parallel on highly-enriched uranium weapons, the same kind of bombs Iran is pursuing.
Barack Obama issued a cautious reaction, one that Kim will find much to his liking:
Today, North Korea said that it has conducted a nuclear test in violation of international law. It appears to also have attempted a short range missile launch. These actions, while not a surprise given its statements and actions to date, are a matter of grave concern to all nations. North Korea’s attempts to develop nuclear weapons, as well as its ballistic missile program, constitute a threat to international peace and security.
By acting in blatant defiance of the United Nations Security Council, North Korea is directly and recklessly challenging the international community. North Korea’s behavior increases tensions and undermines stability in Northeast Asia. Such provocations will only serve to deepen North Korea’s isolation. It will not find international acceptance unless it abandons its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.
The danger posed by North Korea’s threatening activities warrants action by the international community. We have been and will continue working with our allies and partners in the Six-Party Talks as well as other members of the U.N. Security Council in the days ahead.
“Warrants action”? Well, I’d guess that Obama wants another strongly-worded memo from the UN Security Council. After the last missile launch, China and Russia refused to agree to even that much until a lot of arm-twisting produced … a weakly-worded memo. We now have had three administrations pursue negotiations through the UN and through regional talks, mostly consisting of showering Kim with money, food, and fuel, and getting almost nothing concrete in return. Even Yongbyon’s destruction, one of the few tangible results of the diplomacy, is in the process of being reversed.
We’ll see if Obama offers anything more emphatic in dealing with Pyongyang. Thus far, Kim seems remarkably unimpressed with the new American President, as do the Iranians. But hey, they’re just tiny countries compared to the old Soviet Union, so they’re not a threat … right?
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I’m no Obama fan, but I don’t think it’s accurate to say we were spared this kind of crap under Bush – didn’t NK test a nuke 3 years ago as well?
And this isn’t Bush’s fault, either. It started at least with Clinton (if not earlier) and a blind desire to simply trust the obviously untrustworthy NK regime and actually help by giving them technology with which to do this.
Don’t expect Team Obama or their sycophants in the media to talk about anything pre-Bush, however.
And the Obama-griefing going on here, from what I can tell (my own including) is more griefing of Obamabots who were dead certain that the world would change, seas would start receding, birds singing, terrorists spreading love, etc, once Obama was elected. Their world-view was entirely based on the fact that all evil was because of George Bush, and once he was gone, all would be well with the world again.
Midas on May 25, 2009 at 12:01 PM
How’s that HopenChange goin?
pearson on May 25, 2009 at 12:02 PM
The only way to shut down North Korea, Iran and Syria is to pass universal healthcare.
All of you with Blue Cross policies are screwed.
The only path to peace is universal health reform/
AnneinCa
Knucklehead on May 25, 2009 at 12:03 PM
When NK ally China is holding your purse strings, it limits the cards you have at your disposal.
ddrintn on May 25, 2009 at 12:04 PM
Like NK really cares about finding international acceptance.
KLI50 on May 25, 2009 at 12:09 PM
I suspect that North Korea can do anything they want to and Iran as well. This administration has no bite and no bark. The administration was tested and it failed and will continue to show the world we are weak.
workingforpigs on May 25, 2009 at 12:09 PM
No coincidence that this happened on Memorial Day.
Brad on May 25, 2009 at 12:10 PM
How long before we have another Iranian hostage situation?
SouthernGent on May 25, 2009 at 12:12 PM
I don’t get people’s obsession with talk talk talk. Foreign relations with North Korea are not effected by style. Only substantive changes in power, force, violence, and the will to use these levers will cause a change in North Korean behavior.
I can see only two (relatively) good responses to make.
The first option is to ignore North Korea. Don’t waste our prestige on useless bombast that makes us look like a hollow drum. Just say nothing. Silence is often the most threatening response when you have no leverage. We wait until the situation favors our position.
We simply wait until an emboldened North Korea sticks its head in a noose, and then we act.
Unfortunately I doubt Obama has the guts it takes to act until North Korea does something really stupid (like threatening Japan with nukes). Nor do other players in the region have the confidence in American will to act to trust our silence.
That leaves option 2: Change the incentives for the surrounding players (particularly China)
Step 1: Give Japan one of our aircraft carriers.
This of course violates several restrictions on Japanese military power. It would be a difficult thing for Japan to throw off these restrictions stemming from their loss of WWII- particularly as it would generate a lot of angry feelings in the region. If shove into it by the United States though, it will change the equation. Instead America will get the brunt of other countries discontent- but so what? We can take it. If anything, a strong Japan creates a greater incentive for other Asian countries to keep America involved in the region.
If we want to check the shift against us of the power balance in the region we need to shake things up. A powerful Japan does that more than anything else we can do. Japan is going to have to rearm eventually, by acting early, we can create a stronger alliance between Japan and the US, which has several long term benefits.
Of course the primary target of this move is China. China does not want a militarily powerful Japan. China will be furious. Our response should be that China is obviously unable to control their client state North Korea. North Korea is in the Chinese sphere of influence. We don’t blame them for this, we understand how hard it is to control a client state like that, but considering the violent and unpredictable nature of North Korea, America has no choice but to strengthen our own allies in the region.
Note: I think an aircraft carrier is best because of the shock value, but as less threatening alternative, instead negotiate an agreement between Japan and America to deploy a missile defense system based in Japan. (The problem with this is that Russia won’t like it, while an aircraft carrier is more targeted at getting Chinese attention).
Step 2: Hint that America is considering a move to support the armament of Japan with nuclear weapons.
Step 3: Mention that North Korea necessitates continual American intervention in the region. If North Korea wasn’t making all these problems, America wouldn’t need to be as engaged. Specifically, American forces wouldn’t need to be stationed in South Korea.
Step 4: Suggest to China that North Korea is just as much a threat to China as it is to Japan. Particularly point out that North Korean economic policies have had a negative impact on China. Suggest that Chinese action to stop these threats would be perfectly understandable, and ask what we can do to help.
At some point the North Koreans will become much more amendable to diplomacy. If not, well, China is better positioned to deal with North Korea than any of the rest of us. We just need to make it in the interest of the Chinese to do so.
Of course, the South Koreans are likely to be nervous about such an arrangement, but what can we do? Is it any worse than the current situation with a nuclear armed North Korea?
Sackett on May 25, 2009 at 12:13 PM
You are far too rational in your thinking. It’s all about “face”.
OldEnglish on May 25, 2009 at 12:14 PM
heh.
JiangxiDad on May 25, 2009 at 12:16 PM
This is both disturbing and repulsive. Seriously, how many billions do we squander keeping the hermit king in check? What plausible material value is there in NK? Answer: None. Light it up. Maybe he’ll make a movie about it if he survives (which he won’t).
reflexx on May 25, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Two words, MISSILE DEFENSE.
Tony737 on May 25, 2009 at 12:22 PM
That’s the problem though, isn’t it? Politically and militarily, China gains by having North Korea as a foil – it makes them more relevant on the world stage.
China wants Taiwan – without any “fuss” from the West.
OldEnglish on May 25, 2009 at 12:25 PM
By that I assume you mean we hand over all our missile defense capabilities to NK in return for their promise not to test any more bombs. I can’t think of anything else related to missle defense that an Obama administration would go for.
DarkCurrent on May 25, 2009 at 12:26 PM
Results to Iran from NK…
Your nuke works. STOP
Your Special Edition Imadinnerjacket Ball-in-a-Cup needs more work. STOP
Please send 2nd half of cash for “2 for 1″ consumer testing report immediately. STOP
selias on May 25, 2009 at 12:30 PM
How is it that their foils do the dirty work, while ours don’t. Let’s w/draw our troops from S. Korea.
JiangxiDad on May 25, 2009 at 12:30 PM
“Two words, MISSILE DEFENSE”
I agree totally. Well I did until the economic meltdown. Do you have any idea how much that costs?? It is not viable. While some are trying to live in a peaceful and beautiful world some know it for what it is. Our shield is failing.
reflexx on May 25, 2009 at 12:31 PM
I walked by a tv with fox news going, and they were discussing this. The question prosed was..what are the U.S., and her allies going to do about this?
I thought to myself….allies? What allies? Do we have any left, or did they mean, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, etc…
Scary times, ladies, and gents. Scary, scary times.
capejasmine on May 25, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Hmmm, Memorial Day may be a good time to pause and digest some reality of the past few weeks.
Besides the overt DPRK nuke and missile dance of the last 24 hours I wonder…what could ever be the uniting thread in these seemingly disparate developments…?
off the top of my head and by no means even remotely complete…..
FACTS:
1) Chinese naval ascendancy across the Pacific –
2) Chinese status as largest creditor to the US – (yea! lets socialize healthcare)
3) strategic neglect of erstwhile allies like Japan, Australia, Singapore in the Pacific and around the planet.
4) Pelosi in China – what the hell is she doing there anyway? – I trust her to represent US strategic interests as much as I trust Hugo Chavez to do so.
5) report on DPRK succession concerns yesterday
6) Iranian involvement in DPRK nuke and missile program.
7) Pakistani involvement in DPRK nuke and missile program
8) Pakistani military increasing their nuke stockpiles. (while we fund their military and they pretend to fight the taliban). Fears of a Pakistani collapse.
9) The AfPak theater becoming a real slog for US forces.with Iran aiding the insurgents (again)
10) the Iraqi theater starting to fall apart.
11) the ruling Alawites in Syria bowing to Sunni pressure to reopen the Sunni jihadi pipeline into Iraq.
12) Arab governments preparing for war.
13) Israel preparing for war.
14) Israeli intelligence networks getting rolled by Iran/Hezbollah in Lebanon…(is there obama complicity here??? I’m serious)
15) Biden (Biden????) in Lebanon supposedly campaigning for Fuad Sinora and the M-14 movement (they are going to lose). In essence Hezbollah/Iran using “democracy” to knock out one of our pieces of the chess board
16) Chavez causing all sorts of mayhem in Venezuela (Its a competition to see who can nationalize more of their respective economies faster him or obama)and Latin America.
17) the Euros, reports suggest despite public adulation are openly if privately disdainful of obama.
18)the rise of piracy not only in the Straits of Molucca but by seaborne Jihadists based in the horn of Africa.
19) New life for the FARC. Guerrilla attacks increasing in frequency and sophistication in Colombia after 6 years of decline.
20) the reemergence of the Shining Path in Peru.
20) the obama regime in DC. mortgaging our economic power with his socialist policies and placing us in voluntary strategic retreat across the planet with his geostrategic delusions.
obama is a disgrace and a travesty for this country and that’s why sh1t is happening, that’s the unifying thread.
Someone in the comments suggested that Obama could not be blamed for the events in the DPRK, I disagree vehemently. In geopolitics, like economics, perception is often more important than actual power. The perception across the planet 4 months (4 f’ing months!?!?) after obama is that the US is either an un-serious player or a non player.
When the cat is away…the mice will reevaluate the vacuum left, assess their geostrategic priorities and prepare for war.
I can’t wait to hear that apology to Germany for WW2 or the pathetic speech he gives the Arabs and Muslims (a culture mind you…that respects force and strength over touchy feely pseudo intellectual clap trap.)in Cairo.
Hmmm, I think there’s an orgy of death and destruction on the horizon but at least we can pat ourselves on the back and say we elected this cretin our first black president.
Missile defense may be a start but if you really want to stop the madness we need to be rid of obama.
elduende on May 25, 2009 at 12:37 PM
I do wonder what Japan and N. Korea are going to do about it, and what type of help they will ask us for publicly, if any.
JiangxiDad on May 25, 2009 at 12:38 PM
Not a problem.
Barry will have David Letterman compose a top ten list on why tiny, nuclear NK is no threat .
DeweyWins on May 25, 2009 at 12:38 PM
While the nation debates the merits of Ms California, Meg McCain, Powell, Limbaugh, and tourism in Las Vegas.
We deserve our fate.
Limerick on May 25, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Withdrawing our forces makes us look even more like chickensheet. As OldEnglish said, face is important. I can guarantee you that if we withdrew our troops from SK, the result would be media around EA reporting how we’d run away in fear of NK. It would embolden them and weaken our position even further.
Instead we should let it be known that any WMD attack on SK will result in total annihilation of NK. But we won’t do that of course.
DarkCurrent on May 25, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Actually, JD, I agree. The time has past where those troops are of any practical use in a major conflict. They would be sacrificed for no good reason in a nuke exchange, since we would not strike first, and it still wouldn’t keep South Korea free from takeover.
OldEnglish on May 25, 2009 at 12:42 PM
A summary of Candidate Obama’s positions:
Barack Obama
It’s not like the first ballistic missile test lit a fire under him to get any of this going, however.
MayBee on May 25, 2009 at 12:42 PM
to them.
Can’t agree with the rest of your comment. Publicly, S. Korea has been a reluctant ally, as far as I can see. We seem more concerned with the N. Korean threat than they do. I think it’s time they step up to the plate if the situation for them is so dangerous. I think it’s time to call their bluff. We can’t do it alone, and we can’t do it without allies.
JiangxiDad on May 25, 2009 at 12:43 PM
I agree. However, did anyone tell these guys we have really big WMDs? We have lost our will as a nation. If a tyrant threatens us and we do nothing about it shame on us. Times have changed. Are we going to change with them or suffer the fate of… (add your civ here). Reality sucks I know but we can ill-afford the cost of containing these idiots.
reflexx on May 25, 2009 at 12:49 PM
And, from a practical point of view, therein lies the problem.
I agree with you on the “face” aspect, but I don’t like the idea of useless sacrifice. Those who died defending South Korea, the first time round, died whilst achieving something good. Whereas, those who were slaughtered in the Vietnam mess died for nothing. More than fifty thousand young lives wasted because we were not prepared to finish the job.
Since, this time around, we probably wouldn’t even react, leaving the troops in South Korea virtually seals their fate, sooner or later.
OldEnglish on May 25, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Crumbs for thought:
Some seem to give the nutroots in allied countries too much weight. What of the neo-cons in those allied countries?
Are we saying we don’t matter here? That America should be written off because right now the nutroots shout loudest?
I’m as much to blame as anyone. Maybe I need to pay less attention to the taps on my knee.
Limerick on May 25, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Jimmy Farter
John the Libertarian on May 25, 2009 at 12:52 PM
That’s how I see it too,and have for a long time. We should w/draw to Japan, and help defend Japan if they are willing to defend themselves.
JiangxiDad on May 25, 2009 at 12:52 PM
And with Congress out of town, Obama thought he’d be able to dominate the news cycle with his SCOTUS nomination tomorrow.
Sorry, guy.
BuckeyeSam on May 25, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Well, we thought of moving back to California to watch the ocean recede, but since it would make us closer to North Korea we’ve decided to stay where we are.
Michelle Dubois on May 25, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Has someone addressed the SK trade policy? Seriously, it is disturbing. And we pay money to defend these people?? Reality check: They Hate Us!
reflexx on May 25, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Indeed we do. Unfortunately at least as far as the foreign arena is concerned that’s going to entail a lot of dying and suffering before the naive, narcissistic, and sanctimonious realize the mistake and make the turn to political realism.
elduende on May 25, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Housecleaning is best done at home. If America is to be destroyed – as way of life – it will be from within.
Ignore most of your so-called allies, and clean those stables out, Hercules.
OldEnglish on May 25, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Sad but true is that tripwires have been a long standing military tradition. How long would have V Corps lasted in the Fulda Gap had the Soviets decided to move? How about the Asia Pacific Fleet. Ordered to stand their ground as the IJN drove south from Yokohoma to Java they were sacrificed for time. Did the USS Houston do right when she and HMAS Perth turned south into a Japanese invasion beach?
Tripwires and rear actions have a purpose. Some times men have to stay and fight while their nation prepares.
Limerick on May 25, 2009 at 12:58 PM
We wouldn’t lose face to just NK. We’d lose face with all of EA and completely undermine our credibility in the region. That would make it much harder to deal with China, as well as harder to keep Japan as an ally rather than an independent actor.
DarkCurrent on May 25, 2009 at 12:58 PM
Bolton, 2012
far wiser than Teddy Roosevelt on alliances from the shores of Tripoli:
great script, Lion In The Wind
maverick muse on May 25, 2009 at 12:59 PM
This advancing “situation” with North Korea will definitely require more townhall meetings by the POTUS.
You have to admit that so much gets solved by these “in your face” discussions, they keep the voters so well “informed” about their future, and they keep Obama from getting tied down to his desk in the Oval Office. They also tend to mitigate the need to make any of those pesky international decisions.
Perhaps when he gets to Vegas he’ll double-down and if he wins he’ll declare victory. TOTUS will dub it V-V Day.
Yoop on May 25, 2009 at 1:01 PM
Indeed, but would you trust the current mobs around the West to prepare?
There is no Churchill in sight, only Quislings.
OldEnglish on May 25, 2009 at 1:03 PM
The S.Koreans have been propagandizing unity with the North over any alliance with the US.
But in memory of our fallen soldiers, it would be good to unload hell on the North while we’re there, even if in parting grace.
maverick muse on May 25, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Face is not an American concept, so whether our adversaries think we’ve lost it or not is not paramount. What is, is that we plot our own strategy, instead of reacting to theirs. To that extent, I would leave S. Korea, as a starting point.
I find the situation analagous to Israel. Can you imagine coming to Israel’s defense if they were indifferent to the threat, or a reluctant ally of ours? We can’t even manage to come to their defense when they put themselves on the line every day.
JiangxiDad on May 25, 2009 at 1:05 PM
And have a batch of victory t-shirts printed. That’ll show them who won.
OldEnglish on May 25, 2009 at 1:06 PM
I know somebody already said it, but I also doubt whether anyone is preparing, or whether we’ve been played for suckers too long.
JiangxiDad on May 25, 2009 at 1:06 PM
Affirmative.
OldEnglish on May 25, 2009 at 1:07 PM
True, face is not an American concept. I’m not concerned with the US losing face with Americans. I’m pointing out that by losing face in such a huge way, we will find it more difficutlt to deal with allies and adversaries in EA, for whom it is important.
I’m not sure how abandoning SK (unappreciative though they may be) actually advances American strategy.
DarkCurrent on May 25, 2009 at 1:11 PM
LMAO.
As for O’bama, right place, wrong time.
Del Dolemonte on May 25, 2009 at 1:11 PM
I have never seen two countries give more forceful arguments that they must be turned to glass than Iran and North Korea, this week. The time for targeted strikes has long passed.
progressoverpeace on May 25, 2009 at 1:12 PM
Puts people on notice that we’re allies, not their main defenders. S. Korea can handle N. Korea, so why shouldn’t they?
JiangxiDad on May 25, 2009 at 1:13 PM
NK is aware that American personnel being harmed in any attack against the south will predictably lead to a very strong US response. Even Obama wouldn’t be able to avoid it. This serves as a deterrent.
DarkCurrent on May 25, 2009 at 1:17 PM
I agree that this is what it’s probably about.
While everyone in the Obama administration is talking about how Iran is years away from a nuclear bomb, Iran is acquiring one or more (complete with missiles) from North Korea, NOW.
Daggett on May 25, 2009 at 1:18 PM
“We” do not. Don’t dump sh!t made by Lefties on conservatives for deserving punishment for not being the majority.
As per stay/depart from S.Korea, WE should do whatever is in OUR best interest per national security. We have installations and troops there. If a battle is to be fought against N.Korea, we shouldn’t simply abandon our fortresses unless they serve no purpose, which is nonsensical. Does Japan, in its self defense & US alliance, see the advantage of US forces remaining in S.Korea for the battles to come? Let them train to take the position IF WE ARE TO ABANDON our Korean installations. DON’T turn anything over to the SKoreans whose ROK begged for our presence to begin with, and fail today to show necessary loyalty to USA required for pursuant alliance.
maverick muse on May 25, 2009 at 1:18 PM
I agree with your general argument about our need to deal with “face” issues for the good of our Asian allies – as they would suffer from our loss of face.
On the other hand, though, withdrawing from South Korea opens up our ability to deal with North Korea and stops South Korea from pulling their “Hate America” fest at every election. I often get tired at nations that wish for war with America and are not presented with their wish. With South Korea, it’s almost as bad, as they constantly complain about America and dare us to leave. They should be presented with the idea that they might well get their wish. South Korea will lose face, not us, and they should for the ingrates they’ve been. No one respects any nation that allows dependent allies to spit all over them.
Of course, all of this is moot, since The Precedent is, himself, an enemy of America and unwilling to do anything in defense of our country.
progressoverpeace on May 25, 2009 at 1:19 PM
From Palin’s twitter
deidre on May 25, 2009 at 1:21 PM
Kim Jong is a nasty little horror show.
jeanie on May 25, 2009 at 1:21 PM
I guess I have something in common with that ugly marionette after all.
conservnut on May 25, 2009 at 1:24 PM
Unfortunately, I don’t think the North believes this, anymore. I don’t believe it, with the idiot messiah in the White House. The US has no deterrent left, at all. We are looking to prosecute our own people for splashing water on terrorists, and this is not lost on our enemies.
I know what you mean, but I don’t trust the idiot messiah to do anything, even for such an act of war against us. I believe that this sort of non-reaction to provocationa nd war against us and our interests is what Biden was addressing when he gave his “gird your loins” babble session. He said that the idiot messiah’s reaction was going to look like it was wrong, but they needed the press/big dems to stand behind him, anyway.
progressoverpeace on May 25, 2009 at 1:24 PM
I doubt if the average “Joe” in SK doesn’t appreciate America’s defense of SK.
mockmook on May 25, 2009 at 1:25 PM
Agree, SK could handle NK. It not as if they don’t make their own defense investments. They have the world’s 6th largest active duty force. All adult males are required to serve in the military. We’re not their only defense, but we provide additional credibility and make the calculus much more complex for NK.
DarkCurrent on May 25, 2009 at 1:25 PM
Huseins new plan,just leaked by biden.
Send in the Knights who say NEE,
not the Knights that say NICKKH.
Great way to remember Memorial Day,what is it gonna take to get Congress to by pass this moron another Pearl
Col.John Wm. Reed on May 25, 2009 at 1:30 PM
Obama’s outstanding leadership,coupled with his,
American Apology Tour,certainly has put fear into
North Korea!!
And the North Koreans are liars,just like Irans peaceful
nuclear work is!!
canopfor on May 25, 2009 at 1:31 PM
You’d be surprised. JiangxiDad and progressoverpeace are right on that point.
DarkCurrent on May 25, 2009 at 1:32 PM
Regarding face as honor, to claim that Honor is not an American concept may reveal which disillusioned generation to which you belong. Or to claim that only Asians or Semites for example have honor or “face” represents a horrible superiority complex. THAT references the last topic you and I discussed with regards to communism in China. Pulling out of Korea would benefit China.
We should not even consider pulling out of Korea unless it is absolutely necessary for our own military and national interest. If indeed SKorea has no loyalty to the USA, then we should at least get China to forgive our financial debts to them before leaving that OK Corral. So long as we’re there, WE CAN THREATEN NKOREA and have our position vs. China in order to get whatever we are able out of the situation.
maverick muse on May 25, 2009 at 1:34 PM
Has anyone blamed bush yet?
sonofdy on May 25, 2009 at 1:36 PM
if the North Koreans have nukes…their friends, the Iranians cannot be far behind!!
looks like the dogs of war are ready to be loosed
Obama just needs to bow to Kim and things will be OK..show them that we mean them no harm!!!
right4life on May 25, 2009 at 1:39 PM
President Bush got one of his biggest welcoming and enthusiastic crowds in South Korea when he visit. I remember because I was stunned.
Cindy Munford on May 25, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Prediction for next TOTUS speech:
“Some people say we should do nothing about this nuclear test. I say that this is too important for silence.
Some people say that we should react with our military. I say that this is not the time to overreact.
Some people say that I am like Mr. Spock. I say that this is truly logical.
Some people say that you can defeat Martians with peanut butter cookies. I say…”
Daggett on May 25, 2009 at 1:43 PM
we should withdraw from South Korea, so as not to be ‘provocative’…its of course the Imperialist RACIST policies of the US that have FORCED North Korea to arm themselves..
they are just a peaceful agrarian community…at one with nature..and with each other…its only the plague of capitalism that FORCES them to arm themselves…
right4life on May 25, 2009 at 1:43 PM
I’m sure there are many South Koreans who appreciate the US presence. There are also many others who don’t. I don’t know which is the majority, but the anti-US forces are definitely more vocal. They did recently elect a conservative leader, so perhaps sentiment is moving in the direction of sanity.
DarkCurrent on May 25, 2009 at 1:45 PM
wouldn’t be surprised if we face the following scenario:
China invades taiwan
North Korea invades South Korea
Russia invades the Ukraine…
and of course the middle east goes up…
once one happens, the others will quickly seize the opportunity and make their moves…and the US will be powerless…
right4life on May 25, 2009 at 1:45 PM
I hope you all know that today, Kim Jong-il is leading the People’s Army Chorus in a rousing rendition of:
Obama bama bo-bama
Banana fana fo-fama
Fee-fi yo-mama
Obama!
Loxodonta on May 25, 2009 at 1:46 PM
I was not arguing our stance vis a vis ROK/DPRK… what Limerick was getting at was that we are seeing the fruits of electing obama and that our retreat across the planet has had very foreseeable consequences yet we still persist in pursuing these policies. On top of that, most people in this country could care less or are too ignorant to see the relationship between his policies and what is coming. In a sense we are going to “pay” for our ignorance ergo we deserve what is going to happen to us as a nation for electing obama.
elduende on May 25, 2009 at 1:47 PM
Ah, crud.
Count to 10 on May 25, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Anyone else think Kim sort of looks like Columbo in that picture?
Daggett on May 25, 2009 at 1:53 PM
Hmmm. I can definitely see the Russia invades Ukraine one. I think China will only go after Taiwan if it thinks the rest of the world won’t notice (I’m not an expert by any means, though). The problem with the North invading the South is that it will eliminate their only hostage, their ability to level the SK capitol with artillery. But, that might be what they really want the nukes for: the ability to take Tokyo hostage with nukes as they move on the South.
Count to 10 on May 25, 2009 at 1:53 PM
Obama debate anyone?
Kyrie!
Ahmadinejad rejects Western nuclear proposal…
…wants to debate Obama at UN
sends war ships to sea
maverick muse on May 25, 2009 at 1:54 PM
I’ll be glad when someone figures out that we can’t talk these “people” to death or submission, take your pick.
Cindy Munford on May 25, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Loxodonta on May 25, 2009 at 1:46 PM
But Obama won’t follow McCain’s chorus:
Bomb bomb, Iran
We KNEW we’d miss Bush!
maverick muse on May 25, 2009 at 1:57 PM
elduende on May 25, 2009 at 1:47 PM
Lamentations
maverick muse on May 25, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Yes. A curtain of chaos is about to descend on the world. All of the predators know who and what the idiot messiah is. The only ones who will be surprised are the morons who voted for the Traitor-in-Chief and the fools in Europe.
progressoverpeace on May 25, 2009 at 2:00 PM
I think these people are working together to bring down the US…and even if they weren’t they would take advantage of chaos to make their move…
its gonna be a WILD RIDE…
right4life on May 25, 2009 at 2:05 PM
A dying, pyscopathic dictator – who enjoys starving, toruturing and murdering his own people – gets to play with nuclear weapons before he dies. This is very, very scary for Seoul and Tokyo.
grgeil on May 25, 2009 at 2:06 PM
maybe we could arrange a fly by with O force one, it scared the folks in New York, why not use that in N. Korea…
workingforpigs on May 25, 2009 at 2:08 PM
I wonder if there could be an orchestrated take over of the country by China. I know China doesn’t want the refugees but if there was enough aid…
Okay so that outcome is less than ideal but the kook has an operational bomb now. And is testing delivery systems. Plus they have a close friendship with Iran.
China may be the only hope. And it could be a surprise shock and awe kind of thing… With world support and aid it could work.
petunia on May 25, 2009 at 2:08 PM
Didn’t John Bolton predict that this would happen about a week ago? Strange that the Precedent claims he had no warning of the tests.
Idiot Fauxbama.
Key West Reader on May 25, 2009 at 2:11 PM
You know, I’ve heard this idea that China is worried about a flood of Nork refugees, but I don’t buy that for a second. China has never had any problems dealing with masses of people and if China didn’t want Norks then I have no doubt that none would get into China.
For the life of me I can’t figure out who started this fantasy about China being worried about a bunch of peasants streaming over their borders, but it doesn’t pass the smell test.
The Norks have to be totally defanged and neutralized. There is just no way around this.
China is not “the hope” in dealing with the Norks. China is part of the problem. The only hope is to rattle China enough to get them to put their thumb on the Norks. But, that’s not going to happen. Our country declared suicide, loudly and clearly, on Nov 4th.
progressoverpeace on May 25, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Nice. No problemos muse.
elduende on May 25, 2009 at 2:27 PM
O/T but speaking of explosions:
Y-not on May 25, 2009 at 2:32 PM
I hope not! But if we did. It was a suicide pact that included allowing the murder of
Japan and S. Korea who haven’t developed their own defenses as much because they depended on our support.
We may have no choice but to accept any solution China has
to solve this problem. Surely the world war that is bound to happen if N.K. attacks Japan or S.K. is not what China wants!
And Il is impossible to predict. Even the Chinese must see that it is a danger to everyone including them.
Not only is China the problem but so is the U.N.
As much as China the U.N. has allowed this to happen.
I don’t see any American President starting the Korean War 2! OH the irony if Obama goes into Korea!
Bush got rid of Iraq… Obama Korea? Israel Iran? Axis of Evil handled. Well a gal can dream.
petunia on May 25, 2009 at 2:38 PM
Here’s Governor Palin’s Tweet:
“# More N Korea nuke tests: why consider US missile program cuts now? AK military program helps secure US. Now is NOT time to cut our defense.
about 2 hours ago from TwitterBerry”
http://www.twitter.com/akgovsarahpalin
hrh40 on May 25, 2009 at 2:49 PM
I could only wish he was that stupid…
Chaz706 on May 25, 2009 at 2:52 PM
They are already planning for America to lose power. In fact thier spending patterns seems to indicate that they are counting on it. Australia is boosting her armed forces as are every sane government in the world. Note obama is talking draw downs.
sonofdy on May 25, 2009 at 2:55 PM
Elections have consequences. Really bad elections have terrible consequences. Those who voted for the idiot messiah couldn’t care less about anyone in the world, save the poor muslims and Norks and any other enemy of the US.
We always have a choice. We are a superpower. Of course, The Precedent and his brain-dead supporters have declared all military action to be a war crime, essentially, but if we had a true American in the White House and actual America-lovers in Congress we would certainly have many choices.
I don’t think China has anything to worry about. Why would they? Is someone going to attack China? And, if they did, what would that do to China? China doesn’t even fear the US so why would they fear anyone else. Now, they might not want to tangle with Russia, but that isn’t part of the equation, as Russia is salivating over the prospect of getting its satellites back and gaining some real power over the gulf oil fields.
Actually, Kim Jung Il is very easy to predict. Many of us have been accurately doing so for years. Iran is easy to predict, too. That’s why both of those countries need to be turned to glass.
Very true. The UN is one of the dumbest institutions ever conceived of and is more dangerous than just about anything around. Anyone who treats the UN with anything other than the contempt and disgust that the existence of any empowered, peerless, competitionless entity deserves ought to be committed. Any politician who supports the UN should be thrown out of our government.
Technically, we’re still in Korean War 1.
Unfortunately, Israel is gonig to deal with Iran and then the US (under the Traitor-in-Chief and the lunatic America-hating Congress) and Europe are going to try and destroy Israel. That is what cowards do.
Bush would have dealt with Iran, had the treasonous left not beaten him to a total pulp after Iraq was handled and the left felt safe enough, once again, to start up with their seditionist tripe.
The fact that we are inches away from a “Truth Commission” (talk about banana republic!) over splashing water on terrorists’ faces while Iran and the Norks are shooting off missiles and blowing up nukes says it all.
progressoverpeace on May 25, 2009 at 3:00 PM
I thought when your nation was already broke, the solution wasn’t to spend even more money? Or do you think military expenses magically negate themselves?
Dark-Star on May 25, 2009 at 3:48 PM
So is anybody going to pay attention to the Governor of Alaska about missile defense and how her state is within target range? Not too mention the Governor of Hawaii.
No, we are instead asking the “international community” to step in and take care of the bad guys. Hence, nothing will happen and they will continue to taunt us throughout the next 4 years and weaken our military position even further. You cannot have right without might or might without right and we are setting ourselves up for a huge fall.
Please make sure to notice that Iran moved six warships into international waters this weekend. This was most likely not a coincidence and it summons memories of the WWII positioning over 60 years ago.
shomegirl on May 25, 2009 at 3:59 PM
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