Kim threatens “fire shower of nuclear retaliation” or something
posted at 12:14 pm on June 25, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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Yesterday, my friends Jeff & Lee at KKMS Radio asked me what would happen next in North Korea, which had dropped off the radar screen for the most part during the Iranian uprising. I predicted that the attention-seeking dictator Kim Jong-Il would shortly make a wild threat in order to get some media attention. Right on time:
North Korea vowed Thursday to enlarge its atomic arsenal and warned of a “fire shower of nuclear retaliation” in the event of a U.S. attack, as the regime marked the 1950 outbreak of the Korean War.
The anniversary came as the U.S. Navy followed a North Korean ship suspected of carrying weapons in violation of a U.N. resolution punishing Pyongyang’s May 25 nuclear test, and as anticipation mounted that the North might test-fire short- or mid-range missiles in the coming days. …
State-run newspapers in Pyongyang ran lengthy editorials accusing the U.S. of invading the country in 1950 and of looking for an opportunity to attack again. The editorials said those actions justified North Korea’s development of atomic bombs to defend itself.
The North “will never give up its nuclear deterrent … and will further strengthen it” as long as Washington remains hostile, Pyongyang’s main Rodong Sinmun newspaper said.
In a separate commentary, the paper blasted a recent U.S. pledge to defend South Korea with its nuclear weapons, saying that amounted to “asking for the calamitous situation of having a fire shower of nuclear retaliation all over South Korea.”
Has there ever been a dictator with such a need for global attention? Kim acts like a spoiled child, throwing tantrums as a means to get concessions. Parents can teach their children to stop throwing tantrums by ignoring them, but unfortunately that doesn’t work with nuclear-armed dictators.
The US continues to follow the North Korean ship, the Kang Nam, apparently on its way to Burma. The US and other nations believe that the Kang Nam carries missile parts, a violation of UN sanctions. As yet, though, no one has decided to intercept the ship before it gets to its destination. Kim has warned that he would consider such interdictions an act of war, and if the US risks that kind of response, they had better find something of interest when they do. A cargo of minerals would still be a violation of sanctions, but it would embarrass the US and its allies. The ship may have to dock in Hong Kong for refueling, and I suspect that the US will try something a little more covert first.
Meanwhile, Kim still plans his missile tests for the 4th of July. He has declared a “no-sail” zone around the Korean peninsula for “military drills,” but people widely expect that he’s clearing the area to launch short- and medium-range missiles. This would be another UN violation, which will result in a strongly-worded memo from the UN, which will result in another temper tantrum from Kim. He has this down to a science.
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Make him stand in the corner.
hillbillyjim on June 25, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Someone needs to call Team America
CMonster on June 25, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Kim is a lunatic.
Does anyone know what religion he is?
Is he a moonie or an atheist?
MaximusConfessor on June 25, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Yes, Obama.
Too easy, Ed.
Daggett on June 25, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Is Kim still invited to the weenie roast?
Disturb the Universe on June 25, 2009 at 12:30 PM
I have been following this for months. I really do think Kim Jong Il is going to try something….
I also wonder where his Son is.. the next dicator.
upinak on June 25, 2009 at 12:31 PM
One can never find a Somali pirate when one really needs one.
OldEnglish on June 25, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Has there ever been a dictator with such a need for global attention?
KimBozo acts like a spoiled child, throwing tantrums as a means to get concessions. Parents can teach their children to stop throwing tantrums by ignoring them, but unfortunately that doesn’t work with nuclear-armed dictators.FIFY
txag92 on June 25, 2009 at 12:31 PM
I just wish the great orator, who found ways of flipping people the bird (while not actually flipping people the bird y’know) when talking about his “enemies”, could find his way to doing the same to North Korea.
But no… Obama is skeered of NK…
BTW, whatever HAPPENED to the great Destroyer chase of 2009?
Skywise on June 25, 2009 at 12:31 PM
He is the demi-god of the Dear Leader Cult of One. Sort of like someone else we know.
hillbillyjim on June 25, 2009 at 12:32 PM
Agreed. I thought it was part of the job description.
Upstater85 on June 25, 2009 at 12:33 PM
I believe we are still in “escort” mode which will probably end with us helping them find a buyer for their nukie goodies.
myrenovations on June 25, 2009 at 12:33 PM
Yes!! As a human rights abusing dictator, he IS invited to come to Washington and celebrate our Independence Day holiday & cook out.
Jeff from WI on June 25, 2009 at 12:33 PM
If he does actually fire a rocket toward Hawaii on the 4th and we have to shoot it down, what will our “Dear Leader” do? Probably become incontinent.
kingsjester on June 25, 2009 at 12:34 PM
Haha
That should have been the exit question:
Are Obama and Kim competing against each other in the attention department?
Upstater85 on June 25, 2009 at 12:34 PM
Where has that “Smart Diplomacy” gone?
PappaMac on June 25, 2009 at 12:35 PM
Nothing worse than the Pillsbury Dough Boy on amphetamines.
sdd on June 25, 2009 at 12:35 PM
The only option is to preemptively strike all know missile and nuclear sites as well as the long range artillery pointing at the south. Only when Kim Jong-Il has no ability to make serious threats anymore will this crisis go away.
It is kind of like a police man arguing with a mentally disturbed man who is holding a gun, he could break down and cry or shot the cop. So the cop must get the gun first because otherwise he endangers his own life.
dpierson on June 25, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Yes, he needs the attention. Iran took it all.
Also, I really, really think he wants to bomb SOMEBODY before he dies. It’ll happen. And I hope we hit back Hard..that is, if he can get a missile to even launch properly.
bridgetown on June 25, 2009 at 12:36 PM
He just wants to be loved. Right, libs?
LibTired on June 25, 2009 at 12:36 PM
I think as punishment for all this nonsense, we should immediately take over their airwaves and pipe in Obama’s healthcare infomercial from last night non-stop for a year.
That would surely illicit a surrender from Kim and his posse. I know it would have that effect on me.
Thunderstorm129 on June 25, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Oh, come on Ed, who would ever think about attacking Hawaii?
Like that would ever happen. Um, wait, oh it did.
dentalque on June 25, 2009 at 12:38 PM
The crowd didn’t look too enthusiastic to me as they went through the perfunctory drill of pumping their fists for the dear leader.
Disturb the Universe on June 25, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Let me ask:
Does anyone think Kim won’t do it?
upinak on June 25, 2009 at 12:40 PM
He’s a Kimist.
And yes, Pres. Obama’s scared of the Dear Leader. For good reason — he’s seen the security briefings and knows some of what goes on there. This is the rabid dog that China keeps on a moderately long leash. Reduces the number of neighborhood kids on the lawn.
When idiots tried to challenge Pres. Bush on Iraq, asking why not NK, the answer was clear — any attack on NK would be a major problem, and a major mistake without immediate need. It’s a whole different ballgame in the Juche paradise.
It may eventually be necessary to go there, and we can win — but it’ll make Iraq look like a walk in the park on a balmy day. All sorts of reasons.
Prufrock on June 25, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Why doesn’t Kim attack Alaska? He’s afraid he’ll be “mistaken” as a Caribou.
Upstater85 on June 25, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Thanks for the little taste of Nork culture. This is apparently going gangbusters in Iran, too.
Rhinoboy on June 25, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Why attack Hawaii, when Obama will probably give you tons of money not to?
Upstater85 on June 25, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Fidel Castro in his prime comes to mind. Hugo Chavez too.
Yes, the US needs to be able to make a strong case of more than probable cause before doing anything but simply following the ship is a worthless activity without the resolve to interdict at a moments notice if the dynamic changes.
Exit question: Given the complete bungling of a simple response like defending the Iranian protesters, does anybody really think the filthy liar in the White House has the courage to interdict a North Korean cargo vessel. These days, Obama is too much of a coward even to talk about North Korea.
highhopes on June 25, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Everyone step back and breath. Clearly we don’t want to meddle in the policies of a country that is way across the ocean somewhere.
Upstater85 on June 25, 2009 at 12:45 PM
I really wish we could just shoot Kim and Mahmoud in the heads and get it over with.
NathanG on June 25, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Shooting Dinner Jacket won’t accomplish much… there’s a whole line of dictators wanting to fill in his spot.
Kim? Eh, same pretty much goes for him.
Upstater85 on June 25, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Per SheepHerder Smith, “The USA doesn’t phucking torture”. So that would be out.
PappaMac on June 25, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Smart power yo, respect it.
MatthiasReynolds on June 25, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Obama is not going to react in anyway to NK because the poll numbers on the situation are not out yet.
HoustonRight on June 25, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Precisely. He’s going to bank on CNN not covering this… Pesky Fox News… getting the hatin’ on!
Upstater85 on June 25, 2009 at 12:49 PM
The US would never go into North Korea. It just isn’t a winnable option. Technologically superior weaponry will only go so far when the other side doesn’t value the lives of its troops. That’s not to say lobbing a few nukes in retaliation isn’t going to happen at some point in the future.
The real key is China. Instead of simply slapping sanctions on North Korea (which doesn’t care), the US needs to start punishing China for what they are allowing to happen in their sphere of influence.
highhopes on June 25, 2009 at 12:49 PM
Nothing a 4th of July BBQ evite can’t fix.
Chuck Schick on June 25, 2009 at 12:49 PM
Heh. Yeah, I was (unfortunately and unexplainably) watching a little of Rick Sanchez’s awful show on CNN and one of the twitters (emphasis on twit) was like “Why don’t we stop meddling in other countries’ affairs unless it affects us directly?” Ummmm…..the changing of government in Iran could affect us in many ways like I dunno the elimination of the nukes, the crippling of Hamas and Hezbollah, the insurgency and meddling in Iraq. God left-wingers are such dumba**es.
NathanG on June 25, 2009 at 12:49 PM
Dear Kim Jong Il,
Please rain down fire on Washington DC> Preferably while congress is in session.
Your pal,
A Patriot
daesleeper on June 25, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Seems to me the strategy would be to get him to target China instead of the US. Then let China “solve” the problem.
Skywise on June 25, 2009 at 12:51 PM
RACIST!
OK, now that I got that out of the way…
Yeah, you make good points. I mean Stewart is still going on and on about Axis of Evil. As much as I at one time questioned the tact of Axis of Evil, I don’t recall Kim Boy threatening to fire storm States in the Union under Booosh…
Clearly some form of “meddling” is needed — and it doesn’t entail the US paying the NORKS off.
Upstater85 on June 25, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Obama to rescind weenie roast invite to China post haste.
Disturb the Universe on June 25, 2009 at 12:52 PM
He may be insane, but he ain’t stupid.
hillbillyjim on June 25, 2009 at 12:53 PM
OH WAIT..If Kim test fires a missile then won’t he leave a carbon footprint. Then there’ll be hell to pay.
HoustonRight on June 25, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Obama has a few more parties, golf games, joy rides on Air Force One, and private sector jobs to save before he can be bothered by Dinnerjacket & Pantsuit and his son pantywaste.
fourdeucer on June 25, 2009 at 12:54 PM
That and he doesn’t multi-task. Think about it. Six months in office and everything has been a campaign for a single issue. Yesterday it was healthcare. Over the weekend, it was what a good father he is so Iran was off the table until things got so bad his office rushed out a generic press release very late Saturday.
Simply put, Obama is so damned stupid and inept when it comes to issues of leadership, he can only focus on one item at a time. He will not deal with North Korea until it is at the top of the pile and this week it is all about selling off America’s health system.
highhopes on June 25, 2009 at 12:54 PM
And here’s Obama’s strong worded letter to Kim
Upstater85 on June 25, 2009 at 12:55 PM
Not all atheists are Communist dictators, but all Communist dictators are atheists, silly. It’s a risk one takes by being an atheist.
Akzed on June 25, 2009 at 12:56 PM
I’m not worried because the North Korean missile can’t reach Hawaii. I know I know, once they didn’t even have a missile that could reach across their own borders, so what, it’s not like they can improve their current technology to increase the range.
Bishop on June 25, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Not to mention the fact that he has no one with any true experience to offer any sane guidence.
HoustonRight on June 25, 2009 at 12:57 PM
In a bid to be more substantive, Michelle Obama to travel to N. Korea to help Kim Jong nil plant a garden and do some curls.
Problem fixed.
Thunderstorm129 on June 25, 2009 at 12:58 PM
Yeah! The whole world knows that THE party to go to each year is the US Embassy 4th of July picnic. China would be so crushed if we recalled our e-vite that they would do anything to get back on the list.
highhopes on June 25, 2009 at 12:58 PM
How’s that “sit down and talk with our enemies” thing working out for you Barry?
VTWaldrup on June 25, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Perhaps a petition would be more effective?
Daggett on June 25, 2009 at 12:59 PM
I prefer chocolate rain to fire showers.
lorien1973 on June 25, 2009 at 12:59 PM
I say that Kim is no lunatic. He’s just a product of the environment in which he finds himself. When there are no consequences to bad behavior the bad behavior continues. He can do all this and what bad thing will happen to him? bho will share his metrosexual feelings with us as will France and NOTHING will be done.
Where have all the cowboys gone?
Mojave Mark on June 25, 2009 at 1:00 PM
“Presidenting is hard” – B. Obama
Thunderstorm129 on June 25, 2009 at 1:00 PM
Nobody’s asked yet, but no, it’s not a toupee…
…Or is it?
No, absolutely not…
…Or is it?
Definitely real…
Or not…
whitetop on June 25, 2009 at 1:00 PM
To the contrary, Obama would probably pay lil Kim money to bomb Hawaii as it would serve a number of benefits in Obama’s mind:
1. The birth certificate question would be negated.
2. By removing Hawaii off the map, Obama can save money that he would have spent on healthcare for more than 1.2 million people.
VibrioCocci on June 25, 2009 at 1:00 PM
I guess hiring and surrounding yourself with all the people that made you successful as a Chicago street thug means you’re a little thin on geopolitical strategists able to analyze the nuclear proliferation consequences in Asia.
Well never mind, I’m sure Hillary Clinton stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
highhopes on June 25, 2009 at 1:01 PM
Kim-junk-ilk and BHO for hot dogs and potato-salad –then everything will be “nice again!”
rebuzz on June 25, 2009 at 1:01 PM
damn…thought I had a solution. Can we just waterboard Shep?
Thunderstorm129 on June 25, 2009 at 1:01 PM
+1
maybe some nice argula?
cmsinaz on June 25, 2009 at 1:01 PM
arugula…sorry for the misspell
cmsinaz on June 25, 2009 at 1:02 PM
Watching Shemp get the vapors over any given issue IS torture.
Patrick S on June 25, 2009 at 1:02 PM
That would be going backwards, loosing a state, that is.
He still has to aquire 7 more states to have the ‘57′
Islamic states of America.
VTWaldrup on June 25, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Especially with those missing 2 million Muslims that might turn up any day and demand coverage.
I can just see the telprompter announcing that Hawaii is no more. It will be rolled out as a cost saving initiative made necessary by what he inherited from the Bush administration. Going down to 56 states will be hailed by the media as an example of Obama’s managerial ability.
highhopes on June 25, 2009 at 1:05 PM
Maybe I’m a little too trigger-happy, but I’m pretty sure that threats of a full fledged attack from a nuclear-armed, psychotic dictatorship would warrant a serious smackdown in a sane world. Kim’s full of hot air (no relation), understood. But shouldn’t we be ready to send a message that the US does not take kindly to threats of any sort, let alone the threat (empty or not) of a nuclear strike? I say follow Ed’s advice and knock their test missiles out of the sky and put the fear of God in ‘em.
raxx on June 25, 2009 at 1:06 PM
Hello, American President. Do you see I am disrespectful to you? Can’t you see I am serious?!?! Join me or die! Don’t make me unleash my lucky best angry fire shower and banish you to the land of wind and ghosts.
-Mr. Sparkle
red winger on June 25, 2009 at 1:06 PM
If there was a guy like him in a bar, anywhere in the world, he would have been bitch slapped out the door a longggggggg time ago.
Its time!
Star20 on June 25, 2009 at 1:07 PM
The Korean War, which pitted the UN and South Korea against the North, technically has never ended. There is an armistice in place, but no actual treaty between the parties.
The President should simply state that any aggressive actions by the Norks will be treated as a violation of the armistice, which therefore authorizes the US to take any action it deems appropriate in response.
Hey, a guy can dream, can’t he?
The Monster on June 25, 2009 at 1:08 PM
Gheeeeeyyyyy.
TheUnrepentantGeek on June 25, 2009 at 1:08 PM
If Kim attempts this, and the missile hits Hawaii, he’ll get wiped out. He doesn’t want this, there’s no way.
So, it’s all just bluster, nothing more.
Richard Romano on June 25, 2009 at 1:09 PM
New nickname for Lindsey Lohan?
TheUnrepentantGeek on June 25, 2009 at 1:09 PM
P.S.
Throw that little doggie Bo on the barbie, maybe I come to your lousy BBQ.
Disturb the Universe on June 25, 2009 at 1:09 PM
Hey, let’s have a weenie roast for A’jad and his pals on Mauna Loa on the 4th of July, and invite Crazy Kim to target practice.
If Kim misses, we’ll know how good his missiles are (not very), and if he hits, and least he will have taken out a useful target.
Steve Z on June 25, 2009 at 1:10 PM
I just don’t think the US takes him seriously, so they usually ignore him. Plus, China isn’t thrilled at the idea of the US beating the snot out of their puppet.
Thunderstorm129 on June 25, 2009 at 1:10 PM
Obama leads by windsock influence, he has never shown any sign of being proactive.
fourdeucer on June 25, 2009 at 1:10 PM
thought the dogs name was spelled “BHO” but pronounced “BO”
humorless narcacisst
VTWaldrup on June 25, 2009 at 1:11 PM
They had to leave the H for Hussein out of the dog’s name or the Muslims would riot.
Disturb the Universe on June 25, 2009 at 1:14 PM
If we can actually do it. An attempt and miss would be worse than doing nothing.
highhopes on June 25, 2009 at 1:17 PM
I am sure Obama would have started praising the North Koreans for something but even he is hard pressed.
RobCon on June 25, 2009 at 1:21 PM
Second that. If we do knock ‘em out of the sky it would accomplish two things:
1. Waste Kim’s resources and instead of attention he would get embarassment.
2. Any prospective buyers of the technology would put their checkbooks up and walk away.
HoustonRight on June 25, 2009 at 1:22 PM
This mighty midget, crazy as he is, has to realize that if he fired a missile at the US or one of it’s ships, or rained “a fire shower of nuclear retaliation”, his country would be microwaved in a matter of hours.
Oh wait, I forgot about Obama. I keep thinking the US still has a President with a pair. Dammit.
Geronimo on June 25, 2009 at 1:31 PM
http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/local/KSXX0037?lswe=Seoul,%20SOUTH%20KOREA&lwsa=Weather36HourBusinessTravelerCommand&from=searchbox_typeahead
From the weather.com website…forecast winds today and tomorrow in Seoul, South Korea are from the south and southwest. If this wind direction is frequent during summer, a “shower of nuclear fire” on South Korea would have its fallout blown over North Korea.
A nuclear attack on Seoul would be mass murder-suicide! Can Kim afford a weathervane?
Steve Z on June 25, 2009 at 1:31 PM
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Teh_One@noobprez: u suk
freeaccount1012@YanjiPubricRibrary:WhAt MaTtEr WiT u, JeRrUs MuCh?!
Teh_One@noobprez: jealous of wut? ur 1 rokkit? lolz!
freeaccount1012@YanjiPubricRibrary:OnE aRr It TaKeZ!
Teh_One@noobprez: did u want sumting, or are you just ronery?
freeaccount1012@YanjiPubricRibrary:GiVe Me MoAr MoNeEz!
Teh_One@noobprez: call algore
freeaccount1012@YanjiPubricRibrary:FeAr TeH tIgEr!
Teh_One@noobprez: fine ‘tiger’ $20 but dats it
freeaccount1012@YanjiPubricRibrary:WiN!!!!
TMK on June 25, 2009 at 1:34 PM
Maybe the First Puppy exudes a less than flowery fragrance, and was named for Body Odor.
Steve Z on June 25, 2009 at 1:34 PM
This is the perfect example of why penis to ego ratio should be a determining factor in the choice for a president.
leetpriest on June 25, 2009 at 1:35 PM
Don’t be so hard on the little fella! He’s just ronrie!
Pulchritudinous Patriot on June 25, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Most everything that comes out of N.Korea is pure comic book bluster meant for domestic entertainment.
However one thing is very real–the more than 10,000 artillery pieces that can reduce Seoul, S.Korea, pop. 10 million, to rubble in less than 20 minutes. For this we have no defense. Kim’s million man army, 3000 tanks, potential nukes and complete underground world he has built mean nothing in the grand scheme of things but his artillery pieces have allowed him and his father before to hold S.Korea hostage.
Our hands are tied. We can do nothing until he strikes first.
patrick neid on June 25, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Thanks for that lulz!
Thunderstorm129 on June 25, 2009 at 1:49 PM
I don’t think missing would be worse than doing nothing. Even if we missed on the first shot, is there not time to fire another? Or better yet, fire directly on NK’s ship?
Not firing at all show’s that we are
1) all talk
2)incapable of defending ourselves or
3)unwilling to defend ourselves.
Even firing and missing, while embarrasing, still shows that we are willing to do what is nessasary to protect our people. It would be a good message to send to the world. Sadly, that is not the message the big O wants to send, thus putting a big fat target right on our country.
anj413 on June 25, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Don’t the norks know that’s Barry’s birthplace?
Eastern Lunatic Asylum Superintendent4162 on June 25, 2009 at 2:04 PM
I wonder id the value of Hawaiian real estate is about to take a major nosedive?
TheBigOldDog on June 25, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Isn’t it about time that we just drop a nuke on Pongyang and get it over with?
GarandFan on June 25, 2009 at 2:20 PM
It sure would be a shame if some mercenary “pirates” were to take over that ship. Certainly is a risk these days with pirates all over the place.
burnitup on June 25, 2009 at 2:24 PM
But its bad to meddle and we should never be preemptive.
Speakup on June 25, 2009 at 2:30 PM
Is this like the “mother of all wars”?
These guys have the coolest slogans…we just have simple ones.
“How about we come over and kick you’re ass”
Not as poetic, but it seemed to have worked a few other times.
right2bright on June 25, 2009 at 2:36 PM
I think it’s funny that the UN is angry and wrote a strongly worded letter telling Kim how angry they are. Get ‘em Hans Brix!
I also find it funny that Kim responds by firing a single long range missile. Really Dear Leader? One missile? You can fire all the short and medium range missiles you want, but only one long range? And it takes you weeks to set it up? Bring it big nuts, the US Navy is waiting for ya, D#%K!
Maybe a little Aloha up yer ass will calm you down.
–Aloha–
alohapundit on June 25, 2009 at 2:37 PM
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