Kim Jong-Il to provide Hawaiian fireworks for 4th of July
posted at 2:55 pm on June 18, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
What could be more American than “bombs bursting in air” on the Fourth of July, Michael Kinsley notwithstanding? Hawaii may get more Americana than it wants for its Independence Day celebrations, thanks to North Korea’s nutcase dictator, Kim Jong-Il. Kim has threatened to shoot a long-range ballistic missile at our 50th state, taking provocation to the edge of a cassus belli:
North Korea may fire a long-range ballistic missile toward Hawaii in early July, a Japanese news report said Thursday, as Russia and China urged the regime to return to international disarmament talks on its rogue nuclear program.
The missile, believed to be a Taepodong-2 with a range of up to 4,000 miles (6,500 kilometers), would be launched from North Korea’s Dongchang-ni site on the northwestern coast, said the Yomiuri daily, Japan’s top-selling newspaper. It cited an analysis by the Japanese Defense Ministry and intelligence gathered by U.S. reconnaissance satellites.
The missile launch could come between July 4 and 8, the paper said.
While the newspaper speculated the Taepodong-2 could fly over Japan and toward Hawaii, it said the missile would not be able to hit Hawaii’s main islands, which are about 4,500 miles (7,200 kilometers) from the Korean peninsula.
Previous launches of the Taepodong-2 have proven unsuccessful, although incrementally improving, so it’s hard to determine with certainty that it could not hit the Hawaiian archipelago. Anything launched in that direction, though, would be an act of war, if the US so chose to act on it. Kim either has a death wish, or he’s taken the measure of Barack Obama and knows that he will suffer few consequences for the launch.
Joe Biden warned the US that dictators would test Obama and create international crises to see how the inexperienced Commander in Chief would respond. Biden also warned that Obama’s response would look wrong, and that the Left would have to rally to his side. That was widely interpreted to mean that Obama would simply refuse to respond at all to provocations, but it’s hard to imagine that a missile launch at an American state would get no response at all.
So what will Obama do? Pretend it didn’t happen, ask for another strongly-worded memo from the UN, or start providing real consequences for Kim’s actions? Say, perhaps, a test of the missile defense system on any launch from the Korean Peninsula? So far, the Obama administration has prompted nothing but escalation from Kim, who apparently believes that he’s tested Obama enough and found him wanting.










Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: 1 2 3 Next »
Yet, Alaska and Hawaii don’t NEED thos inceptor missiles….
THANKS GATES, YOU POMPUS BUTT KISSING JERK!
upinak on June 18, 2009 at 2:57 PM
It’s Hawaii, Obama’s home state. That means there’s at least a small chance Obama would act to defend it.
amerpundit on June 18, 2009 at 2:58 PM
By the rockets’ RED glare.
Maquis on June 18, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Two suns in the sunset.
DaveC on June 18, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Well, shyt. I’m going in late August for a vacation there and it’s already paid for. Better not be a nuke.
Way to go, Barry. Way to go. F’ing FAILURE!!!
>:(
RedNewEnglander on June 18, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Man with spine of steel was unavailable for comment.
JammieWearingFool on June 18, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Kim Jong-Illin’
The Race Card on June 18, 2009 at 3:00 PM
What happened to the dialogue??? Everything was going to change. Now I’m losing hope…
/sarc
Oil Can on June 18, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Fear not, for surely, as the Messiah swatted the lowly fly, he will reach out his mighty hand and swat the missile, and there will be much rejoicing. Amen.
TheQuestion on June 18, 2009 at 3:00 PM
You know what this threat calls for?
More dialogue, of course!
JammieWearingFool on June 18, 2009 at 3:01 PM
I miss G.W.! Surely our missiles would destroy them before they were close. Not believable but what is these days.
LSUMama on June 18, 2009 at 3:01 PM
Kim’s an attention whore. Barry needs to call him and tell him they’re still BFF and that Ahmad doesn’t mean a thing to him.
JiangxiDad on June 18, 2009 at 3:02 PM
Wow, I don’t recall anyone shooting missiles at the US before.
I guess this is “change” we can believe in . . .
Since Hawaii only has what, 2 electoral votes, I can’t see Barry getting all worked up about it.
NoDonkey on June 18, 2009 at 3:02 PM
Obama is FDR II?
red winger on June 18, 2009 at 3:02 PM
Don’t fear the Reaper!
upinak on June 18, 2009 at 3:02 PM
That’s not his home state. :)
Besides… The One has stated that we have no right to interfere in other nation’s sovereignty.
Skywise on June 18, 2009 at 3:02 PM
Kim, who apparently believes that he’s tested Obama enough and found him wanting.
BetseyRoss on June 18, 2009 at 3:02 PM
Surely you don’t think they’d be trying this if W were still President?
Or McCain.
Or Hillary even, for God’s sake.
NoDonkey on June 18, 2009 at 3:03 PM
Fireworks on the 4th provided by NKorea. Iranian diplomats are suppose to celebrate with us at our embassies – does anyone know if that is still on? Might be history maker.
I am still going to a parade. No bunkers for me.
If it can travel 4000 miles already- is finding another 500 really that difficult for the scientists? Is it just having good weather at higher altitudes, an adjustment to a fin??
journeyintothewhirlwind on June 18, 2009 at 3:03 PM
Actually the truth is that he is working with Lil Kim to nuke Hawaii.
“I was just about to release by Birth Certificate . .”
- The Cat
MirCat on June 18, 2009 at 3:04 PM
A delay of 3 or 4 days then a statement suggesting he is “troubled” should do it. Anything more might upset Kim and make him irrational.
a capella on June 18, 2009 at 3:04 PM
He will create or save hundreds of NK missles.
tomas on June 18, 2009 at 3:04 PM
Seems more and more like Kim wants to fulfill his destiny before he kicks the bucket.
JetBoy on June 18, 2009 at 3:04 PM
First flies. Now, flying dongs.
faraway on June 18, 2009 at 3:04 PM
He wants to be. I guess that’s why Kim’s new Pearl Harbor threat is no biggie.
JiangxiDad on June 18, 2009 at 3:05 PM
Barry can’t continue to vote present for his full four years, can he?
We’re so scroomed.
txsurveyor on June 18, 2009 at 3:05 PM
Nice headline, Ed. Could you get any more sensationalist?
The reality is sobering enough; you don’t need to embellish it. It is factually untrue that “Kim has threatened to shoot a long-range ballistic missile at our 50th state”. Neither he nor anyone else in NK has threatened anything of the sort. The report is based on Japanese and American intelligence, and is filled with “mays” and “coulds”. The report may well turn out to be accurate, and it may not. But given the track record of intelligence agencies these days, I find it curious you are willing to make the leap at this point in time.
Splashman on June 18, 2009 at 3:06 PM
if obama can’t stand up to l’il kim, he’s toast. and so may we be…
homesickamerican on June 18, 2009 at 3:06 PM
Not to worry. In a show of strength we just use our missle defen.. oh wait. CRAP!
faol on June 18, 2009 at 3:06 PM
The same could be said about Barry.
JiangxiDad on June 18, 2009 at 3:06 PM
Quisling with spine of foam rubber waffling in the wind.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on June 18, 2009 at 3:06 PM
Nobody would ever be stupid enough to bomb Pearl Harbor in peace time.
faraway on June 18, 2009 at 3:06 PM
Knowing how Obama is with dictators (who are his heros and who he aspires to be) he probably wouldn’t do anything. After all, he possibly could want the courthouse in Honolulu destroyed. Is there such a thing as a military coup in this Country? Can the Government approach Obama to stand down if he doesn’t protect this Country? He’s too busy taking it over to do what he’s supposed to be doing. Obama is a dangerous creature.
suzyk on June 18, 2009 at 3:07 PM
Something is going to happen with the North Korean ship, before we get to the 4th of July.
Star20 on June 18, 2009 at 3:07 PM
If I were the commanding officer of Hawaii’s military base, I’d launch something back without authorization. Obama would have to quickly decide to either back him up and say, yeah, I authorized that; or he’d have to admit that the commander of the U.S. forces in the Pacific is out of his control. Either way, Hawaii would be protected and Krazy Kim would get the message.
aero on June 18, 2009 at 3:07 PM
You are an idiot and a Ment Allee Ill supporter.
I have been tracking this for months. You obviously can’t read between the lines.
upinak on June 18, 2009 at 3:07 PM
Yet, Hawaii might just fit under the bus. I hope not.
shick on June 18, 2009 at 3:07 PM
Just curious what the 4000 mile range of his latest missile is for.
JiangxiDad on June 18, 2009 at 3:07 PM
Dang it….we have a new tourism-related business venture in Waikiki with its grand opening scheduled for July 4. I sincerely hope this NK nonsense doesn’t keep tourists away.
HawaiiLwyr on June 18, 2009 at 3:08 PM
Not at all. If you’ll notice, he’s already taken Israel to task and insulted the UK a few times.
a capella on June 18, 2009 at 3:08 PM
Swim for your Life!?
upinak on June 18, 2009 at 3:09 PM
Palin: “Don’t point your Dong at Alaska”
faraway on June 18, 2009 at 3:09 PM
Obama is a menace to our nation and the planet.
elduende on June 18, 2009 at 3:09 PM
Obama’s spin will be that we are ignoring all the states that Kim can’t hit. It’s only 10% of the country that’s threatened after all. No biggie.
petunia on June 18, 2009 at 3:09 PM
So Obama is going to be like FDR regarding Pearl??
Just sit there and wait. I hope EVERY Democrat rots in hell for giving us this traitor as President.
Jeff from WI on June 18, 2009 at 3:10 PM
This is an opening for Palin. If she says anything before Obama it’ll look good.
shick on June 18, 2009 at 3:11 PM
Fox news say the US military is tracking a NK ship suspected of carrying weapons, missile parts, or nuclear material. This little nk slug slime is really trying to plow up snakes.
L
letget on June 18, 2009 at 3:11 PM
I feel much better now.
davidk on June 18, 2009 at 3:11 PM
Headline:
Reality:
File under “alarmist bullsh*t.”
Grow Fins on June 18, 2009 at 3:11 PM
population wise you are correct.
Land wise about a 1/3rd of the United States. But then Alaska and Hawaii aren’t part of the U.S.
Ask a vender when you try to get something shipped here and see what happens when they say they are charging you due to the item flying into another country.
ugh.
upinak on June 18, 2009 at 3:11 PM
Very witty!
HawaiiLwyr on June 18, 2009 at 3:11 PM
You guys crack me up. As should be obvious to anyone with at least 4 functioning synapses, I’m not arguing with the intelligence report. I’m arguing with Ed’s headline and misleading statement. A question mark on the headline would suffice, along with the deletion of the “threatened” statement I cited above.
If you have an argument, argue it. Otherwise you’re just hot air.
Splashman on June 18, 2009 at 3:12 PM
Yet, it can reach Alaska via the NK shores. BUT since it is on a boat… what say you now oh troll of no wisdom?
upinak on June 18, 2009 at 3:12 PM
HotAirJosef on June 18, 2009 at 3:13 PM
Yeah, that’s going to come to a head pretty quickly. As I understand it, our guys can’t board or force them into another port, but it sounds like they are probably carrying nuclear elements and this isn’t that ship’s first violation.
a capella on June 18, 2009 at 3:13 PM
Maybe when his real home of origin Kenya is threatened.
TheSitRep on June 18, 2009 at 3:13 PM
So it only gets close to the Hawaiian islands, big deal, everyone knows that nuk-ya-ler warheads need pinpoint accuracy to inflict any damage.
I already know that Ogabe won’t do jack-shitte about a missile launched toward American territory, someone might get mad and poll negatively on his popularity.
Bishop on June 18, 2009 at 3:14 PM
…he’s taken the measure of Barack Obama and knows that he will suffer few consequences for the launch.
-Ed
Seems about right to me.
SKYFOX on June 18, 2009 at 3:14 PM
Actually splashy (since you can’t wade in it anymore) I have argued it.
Where do you live? What do you do? Can you imagine what it is like to live in either Alaska or Hawaii and have to hear this madness from a MadMan whom happen to have a itchy trigger finger?
Nope, I think you probably live on the east coast.
upinak on June 18, 2009 at 3:14 PM
I presume the next missile is going to be aimed at Wasilla, Alaska at this house of Americanism.
Governor Palin, get your gun and go shoot somethin’!
HotAirJosef on June 18, 2009 at 3:14 PM
Might this switch Hawaii from a blue state to a red state?
rbj on June 18, 2009 at 3:15 PM
As a state, they would have to have at least 3. One for each senator and at least one for their house representative. That being said, they actually have 4 electoral votes.
mwdiver on June 18, 2009 at 3:15 PM
Gotta love how North Korea says it would be an “act of war” for us to shoot down any missile they launch towards Hawaii…
JetBoy on June 18, 2009 at 3:15 PM
Hawaii is liberal, they’ll treat it like Obama. They’ll wait until they’re a smoldering heap. Alaska is very different. If they can’t get the Feds to defend them properly, they’ll declare independence and do it themselves.
Jeff from WI on June 18, 2009 at 3:15 PM
Deer-In-Headlights In Chief (DIC)
bluelightbrigade on June 18, 2009 at 3:16 PM
What you want a higher body count?
(I keed I keed)
Hopefully this is Kim just talking smack – no pun intended.
Larry Farr on June 18, 2009 at 3:16 PM
As long as they can’t reach Mecca.
Ted Torgerson on June 18, 2009 at 3:16 PM
Palin to Kim :Go ahead Kim, make my day!”
Jeff from WI on June 18, 2009 at 3:17 PM
Lil Kim is afraid of a girl! (Sarah Palin)
He could actually hit Alaska, yet does not.
tomg51 on June 18, 2009 at 3:17 PM
Exactly – If they get hit, a protest march is in order, then they can complain about Fox News provoking the NORKS.
NoDonkey on June 18, 2009 at 3:17 PM
Shoot. It. Down.
trigon on June 18, 2009 at 3:18 PM
“The One” will raise his hand and guide the missile safely into the sea. So it has been said as it will be told.
bwconq on June 18, 2009 at 3:18 PM
File under “alarmist bullsh*t.”
Grow Fins on June 18, 2009 at 3:11 PM
Agreed. North Korea would never be able to improve the range or accuracy of their missiles, no way no how; their existing range is it.
The Japanese fleet will never reach our shores either; we have too many picket ships and search planes, while Pearl Harbor is heavily defended.
Bishop on June 18, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Funny.
shick on June 18, 2009 at 3:19 PM
How ironic, Kim Jung Il will be the person that saves our anti-missle system from Obama…
“I’m so ronry.”
shooten on June 18, 2009 at 3:19 PM
Are you being sarcastic?
upinak on June 18, 2009 at 3:19 PM
Joe Biden is the smartest man on Earth!
MadisonConservative on June 18, 2009 at 3:20 PM
Joe Biden had inside info. He relies on Miss Cleo.
petefrt on June 18, 2009 at 3:20 PM
Hawaii isn’t Indonesia.
wildcat84 on June 18, 2009 at 3:20 PM
Yeah.
Second the motion :-)!
HotAirJosef on June 18, 2009 at 3:20 PM
Has anyone noticed that while so many give him the “President Pantywaist” treatment on foreign affairs, he seems to be steely cold in dealing with opposition to his headlong rush to a socialist society.
maninthemiddle on June 18, 2009 at 3:20 PM
Is that how the sea stops rising?
I know we are already in deep water – or according to the other thread about the flies – deep doo-doo….
Larry Farr on June 18, 2009 at 3:20 PM
File under “alarmist bullsh*t.”
Grow Fins on June 18, 2009 at 3:11 PM
If someone aimed a rifle at you and they missed would they have still aimed a rifle at you?
fourdeucer on June 18, 2009 at 3:21 PM
ugh, If I have to take ques off Biden.. then I want to vomit.
upinak on June 18, 2009 at 3:21 PM
“Hawaii is just a small, insignificant state” – Barry.
Vashta.Nerada on June 18, 2009 at 3:21 PM
Kum-bay-AH my lord, Kum-BaY-ah
BoSox_or_Bust on June 18, 2009 at 3:21 PM
Maybe Biden leaked priveledged information?
shick on June 18, 2009 at 3:21 PM
You guys crack me up. As should be obvious to anyone with at least 4 functioning synapses, I’m not arguing with the intelligence report. I’m arguing with Ed’s headline and misleading statement. A question mark on the headline would suffice, along with the deletion of the “threatened” statement I cited above.
If you have an argument, argue it. Otherwise you’re just hot air.
Splashman on June 18, 2009 at 3:12 PM
——————————–
So why don’t you sit down, shut up, and start your own blog
and do it the right way.
Otherwise you’re just hotair
meerkat on June 18, 2009 at 3:21 PM
Man with spine of
steelPlay Doh was unavailable for comment.JammieWearingFool on June 18, 2009 at 3:00 PM
CTSherman on June 18, 2009 at 3:22 PM
Perhaps an Airborne Laser will be used to blow the sucker up.
HotAirJosef on June 18, 2009 at 3:22 PM
Bishop you know you should not use facts or irony when debating the mentally challenged (or liberal) person. It hurts their feelings. Well it would if they actually understood facts or irony.
Larry Farr on June 18, 2009 at 3:22 PM
What will we do when Iran gets a nuclear weapon in orbit?
tarpon on June 18, 2009 at 3:23 PM
No, you haven’t. I stated that two of Ed’s statements (headline and “Kim threatened”) are misleading, because they state as fact, that which is not fact. If you can link to a report that states Kim will definitely provide fireworks for Hawaii on 7/4, and can link to a report that states Kim or anyone in NK has “threatened” to fire a missile toward Hawaii, do it now.
But you can’t, of course. Instead you’ll throw around some more juvenile insults. Par for the course around here.
As I said in my original post, the reality of Kim’s nuclear and ballistic missile capability is sobering enough. Ed should have resisted the urge to embellish.
Splashman on June 18, 2009 at 3:24 PM
Nope. That was hair tonic.
MadisonConservative on June 18, 2009 at 3:24 PM
Yes, he is – and I did not mean you in my earlier remark (laugh)
Larry Farr on June 18, 2009 at 3:24 PM
Have you forgotten that the age of the nuke is over?
shick on June 18, 2009 at 3:24 PM
What will we do when Iran gets a nuclear weapon in orbit?
tarpon on June 18, 2009 at 3:23 PM
_________________________________
splashman will protect you
meerkat on June 18, 2009 at 3:24 PM
Speakup on June 18, 2009 at 3:24 PM
500 miles short is still a little close for comfort.
Which unfortunately this administration won’t.
UltimateBob on June 18, 2009 at 3:25 PM
Comment pages: 1 2 3 Next »