North Korea supplies fireworks on 4th
posted at 9:15 am on July 4, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
As has become his custom, Kim Jong-Il helped the US celebrate its Independence Day by shooting off a few rockets. In fact, North Korea launched seven ballistic missiles off of its eastern coast, which would have sent them in the direction of Japan. They appear to have been the short-range Scuds and not the long-range Taepodong-2s:
North Korea fired seven ballistic missiles off its eastern coast Saturday, South Korea said, a violation of U.N. resolutions and an apparent message of defiance to the United States on its Independence Day.
The launches, which came two days after North Korea fired four short-range cruise missiles, will likely further escalate tensions in the region as the U.S. tries to muster support for tough enforcement of the U.N. resolution imposed on the communist regime for its May nuclear test.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said three missiles were fired early Saturday, a fourth around noon, two more in the afternoon and the seventh at about 5:40 p.m. (4:40 a.m. ET). The Defense Ministry said that the missiles were ballistic and are believed to have flown more than 250 miles.
As USA Today notes in its report, Kim isn’t allowed to shoot off his Scuds or any other kind of ballistic missiles. The UN has specifically banned such launches as part of the sanctions against Pyongyang. Apparently — and I could be wrong about this — the specter of another strongly-worded memo hasn’t cowed Kim into submission.
Could a Taepodong-2 be next? South Korea says no, and that the missile Kim threatened to fire hasn’t made it to the launch pad yet, making a launch today highly unlikely if not flat-out impossible. The US has its tracking systems and missile-defense radar deployed just in case we have to do a real-world test of the technology, though. That could have convinced Kim to keep the T-2 off the pad and stick with Scuds. It’s what we should have done in April when we knew the last T-2 would fly, but at least we’re doing it now.
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At leask N. Korea is celebrating the 4th with some fireworks. My town cancelled the celebration.
Vincenzo on July 4, 2009 at 9:19 AM
He’s just ronry.
Thunderstorm129 on July 4, 2009 at 9:20 AM
why can’t “someone” take out the launch pads? didn’t “someone” do something similar to the launching pads or storage shed in the Middle east years ago (when we were a world leader in freedom)?
kelley in virginia on July 4, 2009 at 9:24 AM
Better late than never?
TooTall on July 4, 2009 at 9:25 AM
I wonder if the staff writer at USA Today was giggling as he typed out those sentences.
At any rate, I’m glad we are not going to have to eat nuked pineapple.
myrenovations on July 4, 2009 at 9:26 AM
Armed with a 1″ johnson, Li’l Kim will keep shooting missles until someone (like us) shoot a couple of our own…directly on his mansions.
What happened to the neutron bomb, which leaves the buildings intact, but aleviates the cock roaches?
Cleveland Steamer on July 4, 2009 at 9:27 AM
This clown knows we can destroy North Korea in matter of minutes, but knows precisely how far he can go without having to pay any price.
perroviejo on July 4, 2009 at 9:27 AM
Obama will side with North Korea in 5… 4… 3…
CC
CapedConservative on July 4, 2009 at 9:35 AM
We oughta shoot those missiles down above the the launch pad and give THEM a 4th of July fireworks display.
Tony737 on July 4, 2009 at 9:35 AM
I think that was done by one of our “new enemies”… Israel.
CC
CapedConservative on July 4, 2009 at 9:37 AM
I’m waiting for Russia to re-invade Georgia, where almost immediately I expect Obama to blame the Georgians for making Putin have to “come down there”.
Thunderstorm129 on July 4, 2009 at 9:38 AM
I think Obama canceled the Airborne Laser system that could have done this. Said it “wasn’t nice” or something.
johnsteele on July 4, 2009 at 9:38 AM
The Russians will wait until Obama comes home and starts talking to the press about how productive his talks with them were. Then the tanks roll.
myrenovations on July 4, 2009 at 9:40 AM
Al Gore’s carbon credit account just got drained.
Rovin on July 4, 2009 at 9:41 AM
It’s because “someone” needs a functional pair of huevos. I understand that arugula causes shrinkage in that dept.
In the past we used to elect men to the position of “someone.” Alas, these are not those days.
mugged on July 4, 2009 at 9:42 AM
U.N. resolutions….woooooooooo. Those have always worked. Why not ticket Al Qaeda next for disturbing the peace?
Patrick S on July 4, 2009 at 9:42 AM
If Kim shoots off 50 more, that’ll be one each state of the union.
Loxodonta on July 4, 2009 at 9:45 AM
since i don’t live in Hawaii, i was never concerned that NoKo would shoot me personally. but i didn’t read on any conservative blogs where anyone in Hawaii was screaming for bambi to do anything.
granted, i guess we knew NoKo didn’t have a missile that could go that far, but still….
kelley in virginia on July 4, 2009 at 9:46 AM
Kim flipping off the UN is the one thing he’s done that I can respect.
mugged on July 4, 2009 at 9:50 AM
And in other, more pertinent news…Michelle Obama? What say you? The Most Gorgeous Woman in America or in the Entire World???
CapitalistPig on July 4, 2009 at 9:51 AM
Remember when Reagan bombed Ghaddafi’s house? I’m not saying that’s the solution here, but certainly a different approach than the dreaded strongly worded letter.
trubble on July 4, 2009 at 9:52 AM
Kim Dung Hill knows that he is dealing with Carter 2 now.
jgapinoy on July 4, 2009 at 9:53 AM
I think that he’ll make an announcement that he just talked to our ambassador in Atlanta and that there is no Russian invasion in Georgia…and that he’s now checking Alabama to make sure there isn’t one there either.
Oldnuke on July 4, 2009 at 9:53 AM
I’m sure Kim is cowering in the corner worrying that the U.N. might get REALLY mad.
Jeff from WI on July 4, 2009 at 9:53 AM
if michelle, my belle, is “all that & a bag of chips”, then let’s send her to NOKO to negotiate.
kelley in virginia on July 4, 2009 at 9:54 AM
Didn’t Palin have something to say to Obama about scaling back on missile defense?
Oh, that’s right? We need to gut the economy more while we retool to create manufacturing facilities to produce all those pairs of Birkenstocks to be worn by all those workers going from house to house, weatherizing American homes.
BuckeyeSam on July 4, 2009 at 9:54 AM
I’m starting to really like that Kim guy. At least he looks like he has some guts and a plan that’ll work. We’re stuck with our king, Barry The Weak
Jeff from WI on July 4, 2009 at 9:55 AM
North Korea will cringe with fear at her mighty bare arms.
Jeff from WI on July 4, 2009 at 9:56 AM
Back when we punched bullies in the nose, rather than sending them flowers and asking them to please be nice to us. Yeah, I remember those times fondly.
Thunderstorm129 on July 4, 2009 at 9:56 AM
Just wait till he tells everyone Georgians speak “southern”.
Thunderstorm129 on July 4, 2009 at 9:57 AM
I never thought I’d see the day when another U.S.President would make Carter look tough.
Jeff from WI on July 4, 2009 at 9:57 AM
Barry loves to go on dates…with Michelle..with worl;d despots..
Jeff from WI on July 4, 2009 at 9:58 AM
test
shick on July 4, 2009 at 10:02 AM
Let Al Gore and his burdensome beasts roast on their discredited carbon. Season s/s Kimkabobs for the dogs. Qui me amat, amet et canem meum: Who loves me, loves my dog too.
Meanwhile, happy BBQ y’all, and enjoy our liberty giving thanks to our brave men and women in uniform. May God be with our troops and their families.
Happy 233rd Fourth!
maverick muse on July 4, 2009 at 10:04 AM
Amen!
Jeff from WI on July 4, 2009 at 10:05 AM
We could bomb their launch sites, but NK will go nuts and start a shooting war. Obama can`t have that so he`ll do nothing.
ThePrez on July 4, 2009 at 10:05 AM
I think that he’ll make an announcement that he just talked to our ambassador in Atlanta and that there is no Russian invasion in Georgia…and that he’s now checking Alabama to make sure there isn’t one there either.
Oldnuke on July 4, 2009 at 9:53 AM
Good one Oldnuke!!!!
yoda on July 4, 2009 at 10:06 AM
LOL
Jeff from WI on July 4, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Massive amounts of American blood spilled to mount Korean hills to preserve Korean liberty. God forbid Kim taints hallowed ground. Obama hasn’t the vaguest clue.
Impeach the Imposing Fraud Obama
maverick muse on July 4, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Shermaninovs March To The Sea
Jeff from WI on July 4, 2009 at 10:10 AM
Do we really think China will come after us if we took out NK facilities? It’s a bit embarrassing getting jerked around by a third world nation. Shoot, with their history if we could do it covertly from the ground everyone will think they did it wrong. Again.
Cindy Munford on July 4, 2009 at 10:11 AM
Aloha means goodbye as well.
RobCon on July 4, 2009 at 10:11 AM
We could follow through with the original plan to leave a devastated no-man’s-land swath that Kim’s shooting warriors could not penetrate.
But Obama’s reserving that plot against American citizens.
maverick muse on July 4, 2009 at 10:12 AM
The MSM getting ready for a big day of following Obama around to film his day at a picnic or lighting off a sparkler?
Jeff from WI on July 4, 2009 at 10:12 AM
Why would China come after us, they already OWN us.
Jeff from WI on July 4, 2009 at 10:14 AM
look, i never read anywhere in the last month where anyone from Hawaii said “hey, you stupid idjit in the White HOuse, we don’t think Kim’s threats are funny”.
yes, i realize that the threat was probably not real, but did anyone in Hawaii or on the west coast complain to bambi??
kelley in virginia on July 4, 2009 at 10:14 AM
Cindy Munford on July 4, 2009 at 10:11 AM
China has China’s mind and our debt. Ancient Chinese Secret: vicious torture, excrutiating, long lasting, terminal. See dollar no more. New global currency already in the making.
maverick muse on July 4, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Ancient Chinese Secret Huh?
Jeff from WI on July 4, 2009 at 10:17 AM
For more bail-outs.
If “Jay Walking” in LA is any clue, how many non-
Asian people in California know where Korea is, let alone “what” N.Korea is.
maverick muse on July 4, 2009 at 10:18 AM
Jeff from WI on July 4, 2009 at 10:17 AM
Well known politically “insensitive” fact.
maverick muse on July 4, 2009 at 10:18 AM
You keep saying this. What is your argument here? That if the people of a state don’t complain, then there’s no need for the US Government to do it’s job and protect this country from all threats?
Thunderstorm129 on July 4, 2009 at 10:19 AM
LOL
Jeff from WI on July 4, 2009 at 10:20 AM
So do they “forgive” the debt by killing us off or just make us irrelevant? What is keeping us from taking out NK’s reactors and launch pads? I would think we could do it with minimal collateral damage to their starving population. Or are we still in the “what would the neighbors think” mode?
Cindy Munford on July 4, 2009 at 10:21 AM
How many of our gifted white or black citizen know either. Ever see the stupidity out there.
Jeff from WI on July 4, 2009 at 10:21 AM
The antics of Kim Jong-Il remind me of a four year old throwing a temper tantrum, except the four year old knows it won’t accomplish anything.
fogw on July 4, 2009 at 10:22 AM
In reality, we don’t need to, as I’d guarantee there’s at least 1 if not 2 Los Angeles Class Attack sub parked off their coast right now. They won’t do anything because they’d be vaporized if they did.
Jeff from WI on July 4, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Thunderstorm129 on July 4, 2009 at 10:19 AM
I think not. Kelley’s rubbing their nose in Obama’s doodoo.
maverick muse on July 4, 2009 at 10:24 AM
When maggie Thatcher was preparing to retake the Falklands from the Argies, the people of England cheered and waved flags – without having the faintest idea that the Falklands even existed, let alone where they were.
OldEnglish on July 4, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Their coast: North Korea or China?
Following the last month’s naval confrontations by China vs. America, given our lousy CinC agenda, I’d seriously wonder that our subs are parked off the China coast, whether the Yellow Sea or north in the Sea of Japan. Then again, I have complete confidence in our military, just not the Commander in Chief whose jeopardy role completely interferes with our national security.
maverick muse on July 4, 2009 at 10:29 AM
OldEnglish on July 4, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Britannia!
Americans, too, must never fall short our own ideal!
maverick muse on July 4, 2009 at 10:37 AM
Me thinks the “Sleeping Giant” will be Japan this time. The President may have to call on Japan for help this time.
yoda on July 4, 2009 at 10:42 AM
Speaking of the real Georgia, the Russians will complete on Monday (the day Bambi arrives in Moscow) an Enormous soviet style military exercise in the Caucuses. I really do wonder whether Obama will give Putin Georgia and Ukraine in exchange for help in afghan and elsewhere.
JiangxiDad on July 4, 2009 at 10:44 AM
Sadly, no longer true.
Please don’t follow us into oblivion.
OldEnglish on July 4, 2009 at 10:44 AM
I am sorry but is our fearless leader under the impression that he can give sovereign nations away like party favors? Great! I don’t know why I say that, he might as well, he has no plans to protect them.
Cindy Munford on July 4, 2009 at 10:48 AM
He’d probably do it just for the higher oil and gas prices that would follow.
OldEnglish on July 4, 2009 at 10:48 AM
One of his mentors. Roosevelt, did.
OldEnglish on July 4, 2009 at 10:50 AM
Way to go HRC! Those “intensive negotiations” are working like a charm. You’ll be remembered as one of the ___ secretaries of state ever.
P.S. Tell KJ-I he’s not invited to the White House weenie party either. That’ll fix him.
whitetop on July 4, 2009 at 11:07 AM
I’ll be gone today and I’d like to wish everyone a Happy 205-213th 4th of July.That was the last time I recognized my country. Today my country attacks freedom, supports despots, where supposedly FCC monitored TV allows comedians to joke about raping little girls, (back then this man would be shouted down until he was unemployed which would of taken less than a day because the network would know FCC sanctions were coming.) Back then we had a REAL leader, not a snot nosed punk weakling with the world view of a true 60s scumbag hippie. Back then we wouldn’t allow a group of lying scientists & politicians hoodwink us into the greatest sham in world history.
Nope, it sure wasn’t perfect back then,but this is no longer the America that lead the world in innovation, the country that defended freedom in the world, the country that used common sense to solve it’s problems,not a socialistic European way. The country that the Founding Fathers started and died for is dead too. We’re living in the hollow husk of it’s dead and decaying body.
So again, Happy 4th of July, a toast to our dead friend. We’ll remember her fondly!
Jeff from WI on July 4, 2009 at 11:12 AM
Jeff from WI on July 4, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Ouch!!
Happy 4th of July to you too Jeff from WI.
yoda on July 4, 2009 at 11:56 AM
They are not going to attack anyone.
This “show” is all for two reasons:
1. Internal propaganda purposes
2. Product demonstration
#2 Is what we need to worry about. The potential buyers can cause us and the World some real damage.
Chimp 6 on July 4, 2009 at 12:28 PM
chimp: also, we will ultimately give ‘em more stuff so they will quit firing rockets. see how that works? parents raise their children that way nowadays, too.
kelley in virginia on July 4, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Building up the Americans’ respect for the authority of the UN will help subordinate that country, the independence of which we are celebrating today.
Kralizec on July 4, 2009 at 1:06 PM
Who’d have guessed?
Daggett on July 4, 2009 at 1:27 PM
Thunderstorm129 on July 4, 2009 at 9:20 AM I vaguely remember a movie where Kin Dung Hill was wonwe and even sang a sad song. Then he turned into a roach.
On your other post, flowers and kind words are right until you have said your piece or drawn a line. Remember the olive branches and arrows? When making nice and being kind wear out:
THEN YOU INFLICT DAMAGE AND PAIN!!!
IlikedAUH2O on July 4, 2009 at 3:27 PM
Not that Former Presidential Candidate Goldwater would ever advocate such a thing.
IlikedAUH2O on July 4, 2009 at 3:29 PM
“I will cut investments in unproven missile defense systems”
WoosterOh on July 4, 2009 at 3:48 PM