North Korea Explodes the Big ONE

[cliff355]

Additionally, whats wrong with being #1?

The only problem with being #1 is it usually just means the guy who can whup you didn't show up. Right now the National Guard and "Reserves" are overseas, and there are countries out there that have armies with million-man rosters.

IMHO, there are three things which should be done immediately:

1) Review some job descriptions. "Reserves" are used when there is danger of being overrun and the Nation the National Guard is supposed to be guarding is on this side of the Atlantic.

2) Get some engines built that will run our Silverados and F150s on something other than gas and don't tell me it can't be done. If the U.S. is really #1 this will be a simple task and a joyous thing to stick in OPEC's ear. They can then go back to milking goats and crapping in the sand dunes and will not have any oil money to spend on "refining Uranium" etc. etc.

3) Square away the boarders and coastlines so people can't just come and go as they please. I'm not saying don't let the illegal aliens in - but at least pat them down first. Any country that can't get that done doesn't sound like #1 to me.

 

[Bobwhite]

Being #1 also insures that every up and comer wants to take you down. Everyone who doesn't enjoy your status wants to see it happen. Being #1 means you will have lots of enemies who want to actively knock you off that perch and they will have lots of backers who want to see it happen. It is big headache.

 

[Fiddleback]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/10/10/korea.nuclear.test/index.html

How does a direct threat of a nuclear strike on the US unless NK demands are met affect you guys opinions???

'"We hope the situation will be resolved before an unfortunate incident of us firing a nuclear missile comes," South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted a North Korean official as saying. "That depends on how the U.S. will act."'

 

[Bobwhite]

I think it proves my last point. We are #1 and there are those who want to take us down. There are those that want to see it happen. There are those who want us to do something about it, but aren't going to commit to helping. There are those who will back us. Being #1 forces us to have to take action, because to not will insure our loss of stature. There will be a fight and we will not be allowed to sit it out by any of those other parties. Being #1 backs us into a corner. We have to fight, there will be no choice.

 

[munk]

I get a kick out of China's condemnation of the event. Yeah, right. What a shock- N Korea has the bomb. Who'da imagine that? The international community will be shocked when Iran gets the bomb. The UN will huff and puff and spend some more money.

Andy, I'm sorry if I sounded too pendantic and stuffy.

It's only a matter of time before the Munk Compound is forced to aquire the Bomb.



munk

 

[cliff355]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/10/10/korea.nuclear.test/index.html

How does a direct threat of a nuclear strike on the US unless NK demands are met affect you guys opinions???

This sounds like another international strong-arm robbery attempt, but the thing to remember is that before you can blow away a robber you have to make sure he has the means, proximity and intent to inflict you with death or great bodily harm.

This bugger may have the intent, but his proximity is pretty remote. As far as "means" goes, about all NK can do is duct tape one of their improvised nuclear devices onto one of their glorified bottle rockets and hope for the best.

Therefore, I would not open fire if I were the Prez, though I might add "Missle Defense System" to the prioritized list above. Someday they may figure out how to build a real rocket, or someone may give them a few. They may even brew up a real bomb at some point.

 

[Grob]

Kim Jong Il is a despot without the slightest concern for the wellbeing of his people. The only thing he really cares about is regiem survival and that is percisly the reason he cannot use his alleged nukes.(please note I use the term alleged as their existance has by no means been proven, the next few weeks will tell I'd say its 50/50). Because he only cares about his own power and survival, and using his alledged nukes againsed say south korea or china (the only targets in range) would result in near instantaneous anhilation we can assume that Mr. Kim as sone other purpose in mind for his nukes(deterence or bargining chip) or that the recent test was a fake.

Edit: If indeed the purpose of these alledged nukes is deterence Mr. Kim has a very poor grasp of the stratigic lay of the land in that part of the world. It isnt really worth anyones while to tangle with north korea with or without nukes. South Korea sure as hell coulnt do it, Soel would be a pile of rubble within the hour and japan would not fair well either. The US cannot invade North Korea for the same reasons it has invested too much in South Korea and Japan (economicaly, politicaly, and socialy) to allow them to suffer that kind of damage and the loss of millions of inocent lives. I would like to add to my list of possible reasons for Mr.Kim's bomb internal presures from the military elite and Mr. Kim's desire to hold on to power.

Grob

 

[Lion's Roar]

Just thinking out loud here. We try to add rationality to this event, try to figure out the dynamics, and that's cool. I wonder if Kim is intelligent, or if he's just out of his mind, or a combination. I wonder if there is some insane "method to the madness" that he is rationalizing, or if it's distorted ego-driven craziness.

The Pope's remarks about Islamic from the outside looked like he was spurring on another Crusades war, but he actually got just the reaction that he wanted from them, thus proving his point. Sometimes it's hard to see what's happenning behind the curtain.

No conclusions, just thoughts.