I think it's funny. Here's a backward, isolated country with a poontang missle and a war head that is probably and old septic tank, and they are going to supposedly launch this thing into outer space... in the menatime, the US, the most powerful country in the world, is pretending to be worried? Give me a break. If we blasted the damn thing right on the ground, what are they going to do, retaliate and place tariffs on trade???? Invade the US???, we could pound them out of existance in a New York minute.

I'm sure NK is really worried about what that impotent empty suit in Washington thinks about their launch.

Finally, a way to turn this recession around. Hey, it worked after WWII didn't it?

But seriously, nothing will be done...and they can't reach us here, so why worry about the little pipsqueek? If he wants to continue starving his own people, and pretending he can actually harm us, what ever floats his little boat...

Afterall, we ALL know the inept 'O' will not do anything that offends his handlers.

John,

Have you even considered the possibility that if we shoot this piece of junk down we are going to have to use technology we may not want to expose?

You and the following armchair heroes that want to nuke or destroy everyone and everything may want to work on your fear. That is the mentality that has given us the status as the most hated Country in the world.

Presidents are elected, the Military isn't. They nor our technology have changed. Sit at your computer and think of all the childish names you can call the President, I believe the situation will be handled without you.

War? With what army? They beat us once before and we haven't won a war since. War is not the answer.

Just shoot down the missile. That will say enough. If he wants a fight, lure him out of his country....

John,

I am not a Democrat or a Republican but I am a former Marine and know how the Chain-of-Command works. I believe President Bush did what he and his advisers believed to be the right thing. I support our Country regardless of who the President is or the party he is supposed to represent.

As far as producing documentation on us being hated that would be impossible. But I believe if you have traveled any you know it.

Now as far as going to bed that I am going to do, tomorrow I am making rounds at our local VA Hospital.

Kevin: Really? Is that the best you can come up with?

Greg: Do you really think that we would " pound them out of existence in a New York minute"? Do you realise that North Korea has the worlds fourth largest standing military? And then realise that they are not scattered across half the planet? And if you want to talk about available immediate reserves they have the largest military by a long long way? With their standing and reserve military they have almost 9 million military personell available? That is a lot of " pounding ".

Mrkwildcat: Do you understand that the entire purpose of this launch is to test the next generation of their latest delivery system? The whole idea they have is to work their way up to having reliable systems that CAN reach the continental U.S. You can ignore it all you want, but eventually they will succede at that.

Roger: Use technology we don't want to expose? I imagine that most of the "secret" technology we have, the Chinese already know about.

doktorthomas: He ain't going to come out of his country. All he wants is South Korea. If we shoot down his rocket, he very well could use that as an excuse to rain rockets on Japan in a attempt to get us to attack him. Then he will use that as the excuse to invade South Korea. And with the sheer size of his army, even with the technology that South Korea and we have, it might not be enough to stop him. Then there is the fact that he almost certainly has nuclear weapons, and seem crazy enough to use them.

Now however we come to the question of What the he// do we do? It seems that EVERY answer is both the right answer, and the wrong answer.Just sitting back and letting him do what ever he wants, seems to be a dangerous thing. But to do something that most likley would provoke him also seems to be a dangerous thing. But one thing seems obvious to me. With our military deeply involved in Afghanistan and Iraq, along with our commitment to NATO; we haven't really got much military left to go over to support the minimum military we have in South Korea, and the South Korean military.South Koreas army is almost as large as the Norths, but the North has over 7million soldiers available for immediate reserve call up.

John: can't you find a blog that deals with Obama so you can sling your sh/t? Your cr@p is already stale and sounds so immature and stupid it's ridiculous.

Well who is the "dimwitocrat"? You haven't really said anything about what the story is really about. All you are doing is whining like a two year old that didn't get the piece of candy you wanted. ALL I have seen from you is a feeble childish attempt to put down President Obama.

Gary Cooper and Mark Dockery, thanks guys for being gentlemen. I appreciate you shooing away the ill mannered on these posts. Sadly, they have been feeding off of the right wing crap for so long, they are now ill and possibly terminal. Roger, good for you making rounds at the VA hospital and thank your for your service to our country.

Let's all hope that this missle launch is another attempt to rattle our cage and nothing more. Stay tuned.

Gary Cooper... standing arwies are no threat to our high tech weaponry. whatever they do we can do with more force, with 10 times the power and 10 times faster. I would have no problem laying a few missles right down the chimney at their headquarters, creating a radioactive DMZ, and could probably do it with just handful of people. Flatten their azzez.

After you nuke them greg, you are responsible for the citizens. Iraq all over again.

War? With what army? They beat us once before and we haven't won a war since. War is not the answer.

Sorry doktorthomas, but your post is incorrect. We used a very small portion of our military and pushed them from one end of the Korean Peninsula to the other. Then China intervened and Truman overruled MacArthur on the use of nukes. After that it was a whole new ball game. I do agree with you that war is not the answer - not yet anyway.

Gary,

Thank you for your well-reasoned posting. I think that when people suggest bombing North Korea, they're forgetting tha Seoul is within artillery range of the North. Not to mention the tens of thousands of US troops that would take the brunt of any initial invasion by a numerically superior army.

I have no doubt that the US would eventually defeat the North, but our response would be slowed drastically because so many of our resources are tied down in Iraq. The result would be a devastated South Korea and, possibly, a damaged Japan.

As you mentioned, there are no good answers here. And, as a Republican, I'll be the first to admit that the North Korean problem started long before Obama. Bush frittered away our international goodwill on a pointless, costly invasion and there will be no allied support now for a pre-emptive attack on another country. I think that the best we can hope for is that the missle test is a failure or that it crashes into Japan, an event that might force even China to rethink its support of the country.

Just another country that has poverty like no tomorrow but they focus on launches instead of taking care of there people. By the way the US is no better we need to take care of our own then we can save the world. charity should start at home. Lets hope that it is a failure and they stop the program for a while.

To me, North Korea is kind of like that guy who can bench press twice his own body weight. But he only weighs 50lbs. If they're trying to launch a satellite, why? They don't have enough energy in the country for it to do anyone any good? And if it's for weapons, also why? Who do they think they're scaring? They won't even get support from China if something goes wrong, so why even bother setting up a military state? they might be able to push South Korea or Japan around, but they're nothing against Russia or China. I dunno, I guess Kim Jong-Il isn't going to be happy until he's pushed the world too far and he gets himself fried.

As for Obama not being able to give a speech without a prompter... you can probably find a couple of speech errors here and there, but he's pretty rock solid. Even Rush, the guy who started this moronic rumor, screws up sometimes.

As for Obama not being able to give a speech without a prompter... you can probably find a couple of speech errors here and there, but he's pretty rock solid.

dEd Grimley, please google "Obama broken teleprompter." I think you'll change your mind.

is that a taedopong in your pants, or are you just happy to see me?"

I hope Japan plans to shoot it down so they can fight each other because if we do, most of our troops are already in Iraq so that means...drafting.

By the way, How did Japan get Patriot Missles???

TC - They are our Allies, and the Patriot system is old tech. :)

If they're trying to launch a satellite, why? They don't have enough energy in the country for it to do anyone any good? And if it's for weapons, also why? Who do they think they're scaring?

They aren't trying to launch a satellite, its just a front for testing the only missle they have even remotely capable of launching a nuke.

As for who they are scaring, sadly it would scare everyone. Think about this, lets say they end up making this missile work and have a nuke on top. Then next time they dont get what they want they threaten to launch...they get what they want. The fact is that nobody would want to be responsible for ignoring them and then having a city disappear.

You might say "well they only have one why not just shoot it down", the problem is shooting down an ICBM is not a trivial undertaking, we are taking about hitting a warhead that is about the size of a refigerator moving in the atmosphere at 17,000mph. Really truly we have nothing that would reliably hit such a target. You might get it right after it takes off with a patriot or THAAD but even then you have to be position just right and decide that you are going to shoot and launch your interceptor within 30 seconds of N Korea launching theirs. The Union of Concerned Scientists put out a good report about missile defense capability so if you are interested you can read a little more on the capability we have vs what we would like to have.

Obama will whine, and cry. He'll say he's going to get tuff....then the next day go to Iran and kiss their butt.

I was stationed on the DMZ in 1995-1996, and we did a lot of joint work with the South Koreans. We had a few DMZ incidents and two incursions by the North Special Ops, once across the DMZ, and one via submarine (all of whom the South quickly killed) and quite frankly I was not impressed with the North, their SF guys and intel they were provided were terrible. I expected better of the big, bad North Koreans. Personally, I worried more about the South going North than vice versa. I believe the South can handle the North in a conventional conflict. If it escalates or if China once again gets involved, then all bets are off.

Beat these guys in a New York minute? I think that was tried once and didn't work out so well. As far as going to war with Korea, I think we have enough wars to fight now. We have men and women deployed all over the world and not just in Iraq and Afganistan. I think that is just what we need to do, dump another load on our military. There were some guys in Vietnam with multiple tours, but generally one 12 month tour was it and they went home. A lot of our guys have 3 and 4 combat tours with no relief in sight,. I don't think they need more places to fight. Too many armchair quarterbacks here. Somebody at work once commented that there was too much stress in our job. another one of the guys, who was a vietnam vet spoke up and said, You don't know what stress is until you have been shot at! Maybe some of you that are so eager to kick Korea's butt, should enlist and get some experience in Afganistan before you go.

Obama said that there would be a stern rebuke for NK if they went ahead and launched...So now there will be a tickle fest and pillow fight followed by a spanking...And they will hold hands and sing Kumbaya to top it off.....

And our brilliant President wants to do away with our anti-missile program. NICE!

We here on the West Coast are already within range of N. Korean missiles. What is he thinking? We should be in full ahead research mode to improve even on the successful tests we've recently had.

Nothing for defense? The Chinese stimulous package is heavy on defense spending while we are planning on cutting our in half, going into a renewed effort in Afghanistan and looking at the Chinese who now have a missile designed specially for our aircraft carriers.

President Obama! You can sing Kumbiya all you want, but unilateral disarmament is called Surrender! America deserves a better president!

doktorthomas, Nate Gouge,

You need to check facts before you post. NK has launched, it flew over Japan. That said, we beat them all over their peninsula years ago, something that I'm sure no one wants to get into again.

Ummmm, Nate?

The only people talking about a draft need to either close their mouths, or plug an ear to stop the draft. Charles Rangle spoke of it as a scare tactic before the election, it is a straw man. I and many others lived through a real draft, it was ended hopefully never to return in 1973. You need to get a grip on something other than your joy stick.

The bottom line is that President Obama has promised a strong response to this act, now we need to see if it was real or teleprompter BS. It's time for him to sh!t or get off the pot. It could be the moment Joe Biden was talking about during the campaign....will he blink?

Good point...and since they obviously supported Bush's Excellent Adventure in Iraq, why aren't they over there instead of sitting here sounding off on a internet board? And they call the libs cowards because we didn't support that war to begin with? Hypocrisy is fun, isn't it?

Obama is already known in the international community to be a paper tiger. He might say "there will be consequences" but what Barak (whom I refuse to call president)?

This is like the ubiguitous statement from Moms--if you do thus and such, you'll be sorry! Nothing every happens!

Just waiting to hear what Obama is going to do about the launch. He said that he would have stern rebuke if the missile was launched.......waiting........???

Dork--That Biden comment was here in Seattle and quickly buried by the press. He already blinked this week at G20 when challenged at all, he started apologizing for America! Never ever ever apologize for this great land again Mr. Obama! It is not your place nor your right. You are elected to serve the best interests of the United States and let the rest of the work go someplace firey and hot!

Now we shall see what he will do since he promised the NK's he would do something stern! Probably won't sing Kumbiya to them or give them any ipods.

Let's see what the toll is so far...

The NK in the Korean war was supported by China....not this time.

The satellite launch was a hoax....they tested their long range capability (reasonable logic being that they've been trying to provoke a war for how many years now with SK?) And what do they plan on placing in orbit?? A satellite capable of launching nukes?

A mass amount of foot soldiers does not equal the technological advantage of superior military weaponry. If they did attack in mass (which would be their only advantage), 9 million would be reduced quickly. Today's battles are not fought by a ground assault of mass infantry anymore!!! (referring to the types of scenarios seen in WWI, WWII, VN, etc.) Something like that would be a disastrous mistake on NK's part.

Nukes really wouldn't be necessary but in the event one was needed, a tactical nuke strike would only raise world opinion against the US or whichever nation used the nuke. I think ALL nations will be extremely guarded in their decisions about using nukes! If I had to bet.....my bet would be on NK using a nuke first against SK or Japan.

The launch took place...now what? We go to war over something we've done for years? It landed in the south pacific probably close to the same atolls we launch at. If they start preparing another launch, what then? Attack? Not sure if I have a good solution for this other than wait and see what they do.....

Personally, I say let the other countries deal with NK for now. If we're called upon to help, then we'll help. Let some other country lead the way for a change.

When Japan ends up re-militarizing and coming up with a doomsday weapon don't say I didn't warn you, Mr. Kim.

If we won, why is there North and South Korea? One friendly, one foe. A treaty with a DMZ is not a win.

jC did you forget the effectiveness of Desert Storm? A quick very effective attack with overwhelming numbers and armor reduced a powerful nation to nothing in short order. 9 million in a standing military is considerable.

Please explain to me why we did not have the fortitude to shoot the d__— thing down?

So they won't shoot a rocket?? As an ad use to ask ...

" Who do you want answering the phone at 3:00 in the morning?"

You folks are issing something here,. China is a backer of N. Korea...and being as we as a nation now owe tons of money to and continue to borrow heavy funds from ,,, puts this country in a position of not being able to make but so much noise over this...its going to be interesting to say the least if we bring heavy sactions against N.Korea...what will China's response be,,,and then how will this country respond to them...Our government has put this country in a stupid spot by letting our manufacturing go elsewhere to the point we have to depend on country's like China...and many others...For this country to be as strong as it once was we need the manufacturing capability again that we do not have now. If any of you think this country is still so strong, consider that China could bankrupt us with just what we owe them now...and that amount continues to grow.

Gregg your insane? We cant even have the staying power to win in Iraq and Afghanistan and they are barely out of the bronze age. North Korea has a million man army, Chinese and Russian Technology as well as American Technology thanks to Clinton. Now of course we have a President with out the balls to do anything but screw his own people and go on a campaign trail to be President of the World and you think we stand a chance. The libral establishment would shut it down before it started our men would die for nothing. I do agree we should stop any country from threatening us or our allies but we have proven since the Korean War that we can not complete what we start so why would we be taken serious? I do believe that Japan or the U.S. should have shot it down and we wouldn't need secret technology to do it we have plenty of missiles that the world know about that would have done it. Maybe Obama should have come home from the campagne trail to deal with this situation.

Remember, this is NObama we are talking about here. He'd rather go over & hug/emrace Premier Kim rather than exercise our power.

He is such a pussy that I can only imagine how much time before Iran starts to further stir the pot, then Venezuela and who knows else. Where it will stop, we can only imagine.

Also, has anyone else noticed that all of the comments on this particular discussion that are negative to NObama have been collapsed. Guess the bleeding heart liberal Dems who post on here don't like disparaging views verbalized about NObama... sounds like censorship to me

Robert -

If you've ever read from a teleprompter, and had it break on you, you'd know how disorienting it can be. When you're expecting to have something in front of you, and it's not there, it's easy to get confused. Have you ever been driving, and been looking for a street sign and not been able to find it, and lost your bearing? I've seen it happen first hand. From conservative newspeople, even. For the record, the clip in question is just over a minute long. He stumbled for about 45 seconds of a speech. It happens. I've seen Obama give plenty of speeches sans prompter that have gone rather well.

I can't believe O-boy didn't dismantle the whole situation by waving his hand like some kind of Jedi.

Greg - you obviously weren't around when the Korean War was fought. These people killed thousand of people and dumped all the bodies on the beach to rot. There were photos showing the skeleton in masses. They tortured their own people and this leader is no better. He sits eating the finest caviar and winest while the children in his country starve. He's a heartless monster.

Worse possible thing for this guy is to cut off his supply of caviar and wine.

As for the quality of that missile, never underestimate someone like this. He's getting everything he needs from the Chinese. China hates us and while they are more than happy to take all our jobs they have also sent a lot of things into this country that were meant to harm us, our children, and even our pets. This was no accidental and their killing people who sent them over is just a blindfold put over your eyes.

Obama has no gonads.

Interesting posts but this has been going on for a long time.  This dictator has been shaking his fists for years and all he has recieved is a statement to the effect..quit it now...I guess you have to shoot a rocket to get the UN's attentions even though you have been threatening this for years.

Roger: I'll wear the banner of the "most hated" with pride. You want to be loved, move to France where you can practice socialism and "diplomacy". Diplomacy obviously didn't work with these idiots and the world sounds like a bunch of scared 3rd graders drawing their line in the sand. Poor Japan. What happened to the proud warrior nation. I guess we killed all the Japanese with any balls in WWII. The missile flew in their airspace and they didn't shoot the thing down. Pathetic. There is no space program, only a nuclear delivery system being tested. We better deal with them now before they export the technology. To all you weak pathetic liberals who want to play nice....move to California which is surely part of their target package.

Biden was right about BO being 'tested' early on. The problem is the next part of Biden's statement..."people aren't going to like his responsel." That could mean anything from giving them a shot of his silly grin to nuking them!! And with the incompetence of BO, nothing is inconceivable!!

We could kick any-ones azz in the world including the Chinese,they die just like everyone else... They would never attack us,they understand MUD...We have the finest standing army ever assembled....If you think not then you just don't really know what's going on in the world...Plus who gives a rats ass if we are the most hatted? I don't... My step son is just home from Iraq..Where he was stationed all non military services are done by Iraqis...They tell them it will be a sad day for them when the US pulls out....

Iran and Iraq fought for nearly 10 years to a stalemate..we destroyed their will to fight in 100 hours...Don't tell me we couldn't win any war.. If i was president i would have shot down the rocket and told that troll to do something about it..If he attacked any of our allies,we would attach and st reach his neck just like Sadam...

soon if not now we will be thought of as France. Get tough now or just keep trying to win the high school most popular in the world contest by saying, pretty please with sugar on top. We are the U.S B. Hussein! Start acting like it!

Now we are to be impressed by the might of the United Nations Security Council, who is calling an emergency meeting to discuss how to deal with North Korea's missile launch. OOOOOObama says the NK's should be punished (he quickly and sharply denounced the launch, Kim Jung Il must be shaking in his slippers) for the launch which is being deemed a failure as I type. NK's economy is in the dumper, Kim is just looking for another buy out for his nation. We have no leverage as China own trillions of our debt.

I am not impressed with this typical brow beating. Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating war, but what is the paper tiger (Useless Nincompoops Insecurity Cub Scout Council) going to do? Wring their hands as usual? Call for more meaningless "sanctions" which will not be inforced as China and Russia have already said they will be against anything strong?

The UN is a group of wanna be world rulers who for the most part do not have a pot to piss in, let alone a window to open and throw it out of. The USA should get out of the UN and NATO too, as far as that goes, we can't afford the billions we pay to keep them afloat. Dip-lo-mats serve no purpose, but since we are still in the Useless Nincompoops we need someone like Bolton back in there, a man with balls and brains.

Why are comments with dozens of votes "collapsed by the community"? Doesn't that strike any of you as censorship? Shouldn't everyone have a voice, even if you don't agree with them? It seems more like something you would expect to see in North Korea, not the United States.

Two words, Neutron Bomb.

Gregg your right we have the finest Military in the world. My father in law returned from Iraq 4 years ago, my brother inlaw 6 months ago and my brother is there now as well as several cousins and friends. But they can only do what they are told to do and like Korea, Viet Nam, and the first Gulf War our goverment ties their hands and listens to both world and national public opinion and those of us who support our troops and country cant get on the air waves to show our support. Its the libral weenie who get that air time and momentum. War should be fought dirty and totally and then when your enemy is defeated you can help rebuild if they follow your conditions just a Japan did. You need to add common sence to your patriotism or the librals will win and then certainly our enemies will have a stronger will to win. War can not be fought in the battlefield and the public opinion arena at the same time.

Once again an insignificant nation urinates on the feet of of the United Nations with no consequences accept serious discussion.

China is a backer of N. Korea...and being as we as a nation now owe tons of money to and continue to borrow heavy funds from ,,, puts this country in a position of not being able to make but so much noise over this... ...If any of you think this country is still so strong, consider that China could bankrupt us with just what we owe them now...and that amount continues to grow.

Ivan, I seriously doubt that since China needs us as much as we need them. We are one of the biggest consumers of their goods that they would quickly follow us down the toilet if they bankrupted us. Kind of like a symbiotic relationship. They feed off of us but if we die, they will expire as well.

Also, for those talking about NK military numbers, remember this, NK people are so starved and malnourished their military strength, although large, is probably not capable of sustaining a military campaign for very long. They might get in an innefective first shot but after that it would be down hill from there. If their troops don't desert in the first place they wont have the stamina to sustain anything. I'm also willing to bet that their generals are well aware of this.

I say we stop "POLICING" the world .......because all we do is give the "FAR LEFTY DIMWITOCRATS" fire power to run around blaming the U.S. for the "WORLDS PROBLEMS".........we need to just close our borders...............stay to ourselves and keep our diplomatic mouths shut after this one and final response............"We will stay out of every ones problems and watch the rest of the "ANTI AMERICAN" countries get swallowed up by the very countries that threaten the U.S.............if we are attacked for no reason at all by any of the the "AXIS of Evil our world as we all know it will be destroyed........I think they would get the "BIG PICTURE".....

If we have nothing to worry about and all this hype is "HYPOTHETICAL" according to "LIBERAL DUMB IDEAS" than we need to build our military up within our own borders and secure it............beef up our "ATLANTIC and PACIFIC Fleets but recall them home to protect our borders.........we need to close all our bases all over the world and bring them home.........then we lay and watch the fire works all over the world wide go off........but we stay "OUT OF IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I believe the world has forgotten about WW1 and 2 and forget history always repeats itself..........when the more powerful nations swallow up the weaker.......we just let it be and then maybe the world will begin to rethink there outlook of our nation........but I say let them burn!!!!!!!!!!!teach them a "LESSON" and STAY OUT OF IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!MIND OUR OWN BUISNESS..............Start taking care of our own then worry about what everyone else is doing..........but take steps within our borders to "SECURE US TO OUR THREATS FROM ABROAD"......

We just need to isolate ourselves completely and then wait for the new "SLEEPING GIANTS NEW STANCE"......WE HAVE OUR OWN PROBLEMS TO WORRY ABOUT.........PHUCK THE REST OF THE WORLD BECAUSE THEY COULD GIVE A @!$%# ABOUT US AND I SAY LET SOME OTHER NATION OR SUPER POWER SAVE THE WORLD INSTEAD OF US.............This country needs a "WAKE UP CALL" and so does the rest of the world..............and only then will everyone see how "EVIL" the "REAL" world can be while we sit and watch the "FIRE WORKS" from within our borders.....Why should we spill blood for someone Else's freedom and growing hate towards us.......Hell even our own people hate what our flag stands for....... just look at what this "ADMINISTRATION IS DOING".............

PHUCK THE REST OF THE WORLD and only attack when our "BORDERS" are threaten and we need to "TAKE CARE OF US THE U.S." and let the rest of the world who "HATES US SO MUCH "TAKE CARE OF THESELVES"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Im tired of us being the center of all the crap. Why do we have to police the world? Let someone else take the lead for once. You dont see Canada raising a fuss about the launch. It is always US and others. Its never Europe and others. Why cant we be the others? I agree with revolution idea of back out of the worlds issues.

NO, we should declare peace, victory, and reasonableness - and then send our largest 5 nukes into that pathetic excuse for humanity.

N Korea is really functioning to test the waters for Iran, which will certainly be imboldened by the West's utter failure to get N Korea to join the rest of humanity.

Let's nuke N Koea, and publicize to Iran that their turn is coming soon. Perhaps a few zillion radiated childrens' bodies will give the Iranian leader-less-ship a few moments to hesitate. If not, what's a few more nukes heading to Iran gonna cost us?

Paved parking lots are a pretty good certainty when nukes explode over desert sands. This would have the added benefit of allowing our humvees to seek out the nutso religious fanatics, and also allow us to service the pipelines that are bringing their crude to market.

More Nukes More Nukes. Hey Obama Baby! You got it all wrong. If you want to fix the economy, show those Arab crackpots how low the price of oil will become after Iran has a brand new parking lot over 99% of its territory!

forget aid - instead of increasing aid we should decrease it with every violation. Two can play these games. He wants more; he gets less. Let him find out the hard way we aren't dealing. Game's over.

If you've ever read from a teleprompter, and had it break on you, you'd know how disorienting it can be.

dEd Grimley, first of all thank you for having the guts to reply, too many people simply cut and run when they're in a weak position. Now to answer your post, I've had the computer break when I'm giving a PowerPoint presentation (a poor man's teleprompter) and I did just fine. I've also seen sportscasters have the teleprompter break when they're announcing and it takes about two seconds for them to recover so I'm not certain your point is valid. As far as he just screwed up for "only" 45 seconds, that's when they showed mercy and stopped the camera, not when he kept sounding like a high-school dropout. The first time I saw him on television person was during the first presidential debate with Hillary Clinton. I'd heard what a fantastic speaker he was and was looking forward to seeing him in action. Unfortunately he couldn't string two sentences together without saying "uh" five times. That convinced me that we were looking at a media creation, not the second coming of JFK or Churchill. To throw you a bone, none of the above means that he can't be an excellent president, but you need to stop describing him as "pretty rock-solid (without a teleprompter)" - he isn't.

Makes you wonder what the CIA and the navy had to do with the fizzle doesn't it?

revolution time!

What you described can't ever happen in today's world. We can not close our boarders, we can not practice isolationism... it's archaic, and impossible in today's world of Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, 24hour News Channels, Cell Phones, iPods, etc...

We are connected to each other in ways that it would be impossible to seal ourselves off from. The genie is out of the bottle...

Give them bastards a stern talking to, damn it all,

Many of you are way out of your league. (based on your comments).

TC-355222By the way, How did Japan get Patriot Missles???

Bill N..TC - They are our Allies, and the Patriot system is old tech. :)

Ask agm65ccip what the difference between a Patriot and a THAAD is. Also pertaining to THAAD you think it has not been improved since the Kauai Missile Range Tests (Intercepts)(Thank you Israel).

P.R.-737366 - Maybe some of you that are so eager to kick Korea's butt, should enlist and get some experience in Afganistan before you go.

Don't send them here they will friendly fire on us, just like Patrick Tillman, or like the Marines on the FOB (Forward Operating Base, Fish in Barrel) to the west (example of how Conventional Warfare here does not work, "holding turf", like the USSR found out with thousand returning to USSR in body bags). And if you try to train them as Special Warfare it will be years before they are Operational, not the months of training for Conventional Warfare US Military.

JC-525762 - A mass amount of foot soldiers does not equal the technological advantage of superior military weaponry. a tactical nuke strike would only raise world opinion against the US.

Do you really think we have the technological advantage (most US weapons systems designed during the 1980s, Russian/Chinese during the 1990s and up to the 2000s, example: current "advanced" stealth British Ballastic Missile Submarine, looks like USSR Typhoon Class. F-15 Based on Mig-25 "Foxbat"). Also about the Nuclear Munitions Stockpiles; you think after SALT I and SALT II followed by START we have a stockpile of Tactical Nuclear Munitions or leftovers of the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (Europe). Guess again. We still have the really big ones (Strategic), not the small ones (Tactical), might still have some "dial a yield" weapons (aka "dial a nuke"), but their launch platforms, missile sections, missile motors, guidance control and navigation systems, have long since been destroyed (demil'ed, cut up as scrape). The same is true for the previous Nuclear capable Artillery (M110A2). So most "launch platforms" are non existant. And before you volunteer my men or myself to carry a "backpack nuke" SADM (Small Atomic Demolition Munition, MADM (Medium), HADM (Heavy) they were destroyed under SALT I, SALT II, and START. See the following about Technology.

someone with commonsence - North Korea has a million man army, Chinese and Russian Technology as well as American Technology thanks to Clinton.

Don't like all those Free Trade Agreements and ammendments do you, including technological transfer.

greg-367337 - I would have no problem laying a few missles right down the chimney at their headquarters, creating a radioactive DMZ

Also about the Nuclear Munitions Stockpiles; you think after SALT I and SALT II followed by START we have a stockpile of Tactical Nuclear Munitions or leftovers of the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (Europe). Guess again. We still have the really big ones (Strategic), not the small ones (Tactical), I will mention that we do still have some "dial a yield" weapons (aka "dial a nuke"), but their launch platforms, missile sections, missile motors, guidance control and navigation systems, have long since been destroyed (demil'ed, cut up as scrape). The same is true for the previous Nuclear capable Artillery (M110A2).

ChevsMark - The only people talking about a draft need to either close their mouths.

Yeah, it was like the lottery, when you recieved something from the Selective Service Board,like I did, that meant "you did not win this time notice" (Selective Service Card, aka Draft Card). My father volunteered (CW4 Helicopter Pilot, IP/IR, DFC/Bronze Star valor) three times for Vietnam thinking that by doing so his sons would not have to go to War. My older brother was College deferred (ROTC), Commissioned (after my service in Vietnam, and War Over) as ADA (Patriot,THAAD), now LTC (Ret). I had no excuses (FA/later "voluntold" into LRRP/Ranger)(some of the Helicopter Pilots my father trained saved my men and myself on numberous occasions,LRRP emergency extractions). Afterwards my younger sister was born and we (father, older brother, myself) told her if she joined the Army, Navy or Marines we would disown her (we wanted her never to have to go to War). She joined Air Force and was sent to Bosnia, so ended up in Combat anyway, now serving in Pentagon (COL). I went into Reserves after Vietnam Era (therefore no break in Service), got College Degree, ROTC Commissioned, came back in as Wheeled & Tracked Vehicle Maintenance Officer later trained as Nuclear/Chmeical/Missiles/Conventional Munitions Officer, instructor/course writer/evaluator Nuclear Physics (Munitions). Ended up going back into Special Warfare after SALT I, SALT II, START Retrogrades,as part of: http://www.usarmygermany.com/Units/Ordnance/USAREUR_59thOrdBde.htm. "Middle East" involvement since 1981. So because of my "Time In Service" I usually got "Time In Grade" waivers and promoted faster than my older brother and younger sister, also ahead of peers. Now at Northern Afghanistan. This is why I am saying that most of you are out of your league.

With that said:

Larry B-711148 Good point...and since they obviously supported Bush's Excellent Adventure in Iraq, why aren't they over there instead of sitting here sounding off on a internet board? And they call the libs cowards because we didn't support that war to begin with? Hypocrisy is fun, isn't it?

Law, H.R. 4655, "Regime Change", Declaration of current War At Iraq, 1998.

TJM07jC did you forget the effectiveness of Desert Storm? A quick very effective attack with overwhelming numbers and armor reduced a powerful nation to nothing in short order. 9 million in a standing military is considerable.

If you only knew what was done and used prior to the "attack with overwhelming numbers". Hint: EMP/EMR and destruction of Iraqis C3, including the use of AGM-88 HARM to neutralize AA (Anti Aircraft). Also stop thinking in terms of Cold War Era "Conventional Warfare". In that during the Iran Iraq Wars when the Iraqis (US Supported) were losing they were trained in "Guerrilla Warfare" to force an Iranian Occupation out of Iraq. So if you think Iraq is over you can pucker up and kiss my hind titty.

someone with commonsence - North Korea has a million man army, Chinese and Russian Technology as well as American Technology

Disgruntled ER doc - then Venezuela and who knows else. Where it will stop, we can only imagine.

If you knew everything about pre 9/11 Venezula regarding US Oil Corporation Oil Exploitation, Oil Nationalization, Jackals instigating Civil War to stop Oil Nationalization, and why Venezula hates us and stopped shipping 2/3 US Daily Oil pre 9/11. So if you are going to get uppidy, ethical, moral about the Iraqis Northern and Southern Oil Fields, Oil Laundrying by Mexico, Canada, Saudia Arabia, Kuwait (they buy Iraqis Oil at $4 per barrel and sell to US at huge profit) DON'T DRIVE, DON'T USE PETROLEUM BASED PLASTICS OR CHEMICALS (look around you, and don't say alternative energy, that is like saying the toilet paper is on order while you are taking a crap, you don't have it). When your men and you get deployed to Darfur to stablize that country to prevent that mess from spilling into Kenya, then that should give you an indicator that this will never stop. By the way if you ever go to Kenya you will find that it is a status symbol to have a Omani Muslim (Slave Trader) name and not a Swahilli (Slave) name (guess who I am referring to).

GregL-671049 - Iran and Iraq fought for nearly 10 years to a stalemate..

Not when I was there as a US Military "Advisor". The Iran Iraq Wars really ended because of the use of chemical munitions against the Kurdistanis (Kurds), the armed allies of Iran (Persians), Iran promised the Kurdistanis the reunification of Kurdistan (Northern Iraq, Southern Turkery, part of Syria) if the Kurdistanis fought against the Iraqis in violation of the UN Treaty of Lausanne. The Iranians asked the USSR for similar chemical weapons, the USSR told the US, the US response was to put the Pershing I's and II's at Europe into the upright launch mode (informal declaration of Nuclear War) and told the USSR they better not. The USSR denied the Iranian demand for Chemical Weapons. The Iran Iraq War ended. The Iranians (Persians) and the Iraqis (Arabs) withdrew their forces back to their borders. Later the unused Chemical Weapons were returned to their source and retrograded for destruction: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/steel_box.htm. GregL get a clue, do some research. The Iraqis Nuclear Weapons capability ended with the Israelis Air Strike (F-16s, F-15s) on the Nuclear Plant north of Baghdad, 1981.

shawnannoTwo words, Neutron Bomb.

Most of if not all of the neutron bombs (real name, enhanced radiation weapon or munition) are destroyed.

someone with commonsence - our goverment ties their hands.

Just wait till they send all those "book smart" expert civilians and politicals here to Afghanistan and destroy the years of my mens work. Especially, when the Afghans who can't even afford the empty container from a bottle of water, see all the "privilaged" US Politicals and civilians driving around in armored SUVs, silk suits, obese (by their standards), and out right snobbery against the average Afghan (like our Politicians have towards the rest of us). This will only reinforce what the Taliban, Al Quada, Islamic Counsels have been saying all along about Americans (those Foreigners). Next the politicals will come up with stupid rules of engagement that got some of us killed in Mo (Somalia). If I did not give a crap about my boys (I treat them as the sons I never had, I am their "old man") and the good Afghans villagers that we live with; I would have given up left this place many years ago. Then when they send those "Conventional Warfare" US Military from Iraq, we will end up with more FFI (Friendly Fire Incidents) just like we have with those Marines to the west on a FOB (Foward Operating Base) that do nothing and have no control of their AOR (Area Of Responsibility) and are just sitting ducks for snipers and motar attacks. Locate Enemy (ok there they are on FOB), Fix in place (their stuck in the FOB), Destroy. See where your Cold War "Conventional Warfare" mentality gets you just like the USSR Elite Conventional Forces (over 101 Divisions, over 10% USSR GNP) versus US trained Muhajeen (not Taliban, Osama, nor Al Quada) in Viet Cong Guerrilla Warfare.

As far as release of classified information, I had one of my officers check, granted you will have to dig really deep for months, there are declassifed sources of what I stated above.

In the early 1960's, I worked within 50 feet of enough nukes to entirely wipe out Europe, most of Africa, and most of Asia. It would be the pinnacle of hypocrisy to even dream of condemning N. Korea for launching a missile which fizzled anyway. We have stuff to knock out anything N. Korea would launch. Good grief, people, this is the USA. N. Korea is barely 3rd World in many ways.

Wait a minute here folks.... Here is another way to look at this. Here is a poor country, that because of their ideology, are ignored by the world. So, here's the plan. Lets make nuclear bombs. This would go one of 2 ways. 1. We sell the nukes to a country for tons of money. 2. Other countries give us tons of money to disarm. Either way, they gets lots of money to continue to subjugate their countrymen.

Either way, NK gets money.

This is just a ploy for help for North Korea. They are just as broke as everyone else and to get attention at the global level there Mad Man leader has to raise some cane to get noticed. No body wants to deal with them and to prove to himself and his citizens he still has control and even though Kim Jong-il suffered a stroke a short time ago he still needs to prove something to himself and the world. What puzzles me is that North Korea's allies are mainly Russia and China and they are doing nothing in response to this missile launch or are doing very little to help North Korea in any way, shape, or form. There only response is we will use our vote at the UN level and veto any additional sanctions measure imposed. Kinda bogus allies if you ask me. We will back you if you act in a radical way but we will not send you food and supplies. Japan and South Korea that border the Northern Korean country are the ones who should have the most to lose if NK goes off the deep end. The United States only have a responsibility to stand by our allies and our own interests to keep Kim Jong-il in check. I am sick of Our Country sticking there necks out when in reality other countries can fight there own battles most of the time. North Korea has a huge Army but as far as strategy goes they aren't very mobile unless they receive huge amounts of help from else wheres. Currently I see them as only a minimal threat to the United States. We have bigger fish to fry at the moment and still have to oust the growing Radical religious lunatics of the sands of the Middle East known as the Taliban.

Yes sir, Congress has talked mean to them, now theU.N. North Korea will surely run and hide now. Notice they didn't shot the missile over Israel did they. But I think teh CIA and the Navy told them it is taken care of, not to worry. Mr Obama will have to wait till he gets back and can talk with his Tel-la-prompter....but he more than likely will apologize to the North for all the bad things we have done to them over the past 20 years and offer to send a trillion or so dollars to make them friends again.

I personally believe the UN is lacking fortitude, therefore shut the bldg. down in N.Y. and convert it to apartments.

You have China and Russia having veto'd every time action should have taken place in most countries while the U.S. ponied up with troops and money. If our country sent in 100 troops the other nations sent in one if that much.

NK has violated every sanction verbally and knowingly while the UN continues to sit in our country enjoying the benefits we have to offer.

NK is starving and broke and all it would take is to get China to quit sending them food and weapons and the UN while still being bothersome quit offerring bribes to get NK to adhere to what they have agreed to in the past. Since nothing has stopped NK then what good is the UN?

we are all waiting on pins and needles to see what the un has to say? god help us.

I love it when "free speech" loving liberals collaspe my comments. What is the matter libs, can't stand to see the truth? But please continue to do so, it just insures my thoughts and ideas will get more attention.

TJM07 - true a massive strike with advanced weapons can make a difference. NK does not have the same capability as the USA. I'm not saying they are completely out dated but they can't compare to our military. A massive roll out of NK troops into SK would result in huge losses for NK. First, you have the build up, once the intel is out, the US and other allies would be shifting resources to the area along with SK. Second, Irag is much different geographically than Korea thereby creating a more restricted arena for maneuvering.

NK would have to vector it's masses through smaller terrain versus the open desert in Iraq. This would leave them open for massive bombardment from the air.

I do agree with one poster who was talking about once they (NK) have orbit capability, they can drop anything they want from up there....very good point!

Sounds great till you get to the part of Japan " blowing up debris". What do you think they will blow it up to? Probably just more debris.

Japan is worried about large chunks of the missle falling on its territory. Them putting patriots around their capitol is more of a show of readiness to the North Koreans. Im not even sure if those land based systems have the ability to other missles.

Some people -ahem... turn this Newsvine public discourse into their opportunity for ranting hype and propaganda. Is there much substance?

I suppose I've just repeated Mark's comment, but to be honest, it's crap like this that turns me off from coming 'here' to newsvine, only to here the "ooh-ooh--ohhh I'vre figered it out and i knows bests about the werld" comments

Lunchbox - Yes, the Patriot system can hit other missiles. Check up on the first Iraq war and Scud missiles for more info. :)

Here is the missle stats

Finally on January 29, 2007 the US government acknowledged and improved the 1999-2002 data for the first time confirmed the existence of several new Iranian and North Korean missiles under development through a speech and slide presentation by the deputy director of the Missile Defense Agency of the Pentagon Army Brig. General Patrick O’Reilly before the George C. Marshall Institute. In that presentation he described the new two stage Taep’o-dong-2C/3 as having a range of (6,200 Miles) 9,975.8 kilometers and the three stage version with a range of (9,300 miles) 14,963.7 kilometers with a 250 kg warhead. He went further in his slides presentation to show that the No-dong-B has a demonstrated a range of 2,000 miles or 3,218 kilometers (3,000 kilometers) when it is capable of flying (2,485 miles) or 4,000 kilometers. (8) The No-dong-B was described as “a qualitative improvement in the performance” from earlier North Korean missile systems.

There missile can reach the us. The final stage splashed down of the coast of Hawaii. Trying to shoot down high fling missiles is a lot harder then people think. The problem with this missile is it would only be effective if caring a nuclear warhead or chemical or biological agents. It can only hold approximately 500 pounds of explosives. which in the big picture one 500 pound bomb does not do a lot of damage. For a nuclear weapon to be effective or biological or chemical agents the weapon would air burst. making it harder to shoot down do to the fact we do not know when it will really explode. If LA were hit with 500 pounds of antrax, or nerve agent blood, agent then the casulies would be very high. or a nuclear weapon. I do not worry about the countries that have 100's of nuclear weapons i worry about the country with one.

Sorry y'all but the missile they launched had not functioned properly in the past, it has been a failure every time it was tried. No one has said yet if it did what it was supposed to, so there is nothing but speculation.

they already fired it and it was tracked the missile was a successful launch

LOL these are the weakest bunch of trolls on Newsvine. Cmon guys at least give us something intelligent to respond to.

I am glad we did not try to shoot it down. BECAUSE, we would probably miss. That would bring more embarrasment.  We are already the Keystone Kops. There a re societies on this planet that only understand one thing. Force. If you pit force against force, they understand and respect that. If you don't, they will only try to run over you. I am afraid there are a lot of liberal people that have no understanding of this. History shows it to be true. If we turn the other cheek to many times, one of them will cut us off at the neck when we are not looking. I urge you to read your history books.

FYI - It launched and the second stage fired and separated, but the payload didnt make orbit, so it was a "failure" assuming the launching of a satellite was the actual goal.

Let us "HOPE" not, or there will be a definite "CHANGE".

(sarcasm)

Yes, we can!

Another angry dittohead. Rush must have been ranting about Obama again today. same old same old. Blowhards.

Elvis - People don't need Rush to be mad at Obama...hehe :)

WE on the West coast want Obama to tell us he is not going to stop the ABM program as he promised. We are sitting ducks and even one missile with a nuke warhead can blow any West Coast city off the map.

elvis buckwheat,

You really should look at current events before you post. Everyone with a functioning cranium knows Rush is only on Monday-Friday.

I think ABM technology is a bit of a white elephant. We bankrupt the country with hundreds of billions of dollars on missile defense research and deployment, yet it's the dirty bomb with a time delay snuck into Long Beach or Tacoma's harbor in a cargo container that's going to get us. Why not invest the money in better intelligence and protection for the home front?

You really should look at current events before you post. Everyone with a functioning cranium knows Rush is only on Monday-Friday.

You mean functioning tinfoil hat right.

The paltry 2.3 million people who tune in to his show are meaningless in this world.

Elvis - The whole Rush thing... is old and does not work anymore. Can you come up with anything meaningful to criticize those who don't bend over for Obama like yourself?

Just because some people realize what a huge mistake it was to elect an inexperienced socialist leader does not mean the people listen to Rush. Another point: If Obama was doing a great job, it would not matter what a radio host said, there would be proof Obama was doing good. The words of a radio host would not mean anything. Unfortunetely, there is only proof Obama is a big screw-up that is going to hurt the country for decades.

I've found two truths about Dems:

1. When in a corner they blame Bush regardless of the issue

2. They can't stand for anybody to say anything against their leaders indicating they are very close-minded.

Yes Elvis, the Rush thing is old,even the DNC says it's old news so please pick a new catch phrase..

Madone, ALL military battlefield technology is created with the hope that it won't have to be used. The ABM system was the major blow that brought down the Berlin wall and the USSR. If it is needed to stop an attack, I hope it works, but it has been a success already for stopping the Cold War. I fear the open borders more than the sky as far as terrorists are concerned because a country sending a missle at us will be 'cleansed' thereafter, but who could be responded to after another terrorist attack?

madone_99301

I think ABM technology is a bit of a white elephant. We bankrupt the country with hundreds of billions of dollars on missile defense research and deployment, yet it's the dirty bomb with a time delay snuck into Long Beach or Tacoma's harbor in a cargo container that's going to get us. Why not invest the money in better intelligence and protection for the home front?

The USSR, now Russian Federation, have had a working ABM system around Moskow since the early 1960s with continued improvements (135 anti-ballistic missile system). Later the US developed and tested a system to protect the US ICBM Sites (program name Safeguard, missile names Sprint, Spartan). The on going programs are both land and ship based.

Yes, the real threat is a container and "dirty bomb". That is what Sandia and other agencies build and use certain equipment to detect, unfortunely, few and far between. Especially, many untrained Homeland Security. Intelligence especially HUMIT (Human Intelligence) takes years to "develop" and put into place, after the President Clinton Reduction In Force and other cut backs, these "assets" were lost resulting in "intelligence blackouts" in certain areas that will take many years to develop again.

JB-784265
Madone, ALL military battlefield technology is created with the hope that it won't have to be used. The ABM system was the major blow that brought down the Berlin wall and the USSR. If it is needed to stop an attack, I hope it works, but it has been a success already for stopping the Cold War. I fear the open borders more than the sky as far as terrorists are concerned because a country sending a missle at us will be 'cleansed' thereafter, but who could be responded to after another terrorist attack?

The ABM system was never related to the Berlin Wall. And just like everything else the Western Europeans did not listen to the "think tank" (that I was part of at Germany after Iraq) that told them this would happen between 1986-1990 and they needed to take the actions immediately as recommended by our plans to reduce the adverse impacts. And the actions needed for "The Reunification of East and West Germany, concerning the Former Soviet Republics and the USSR" (Unclassified Title). In fact I was outright insulted by being called an auslander, even after attending High School at Germany prior to recieving my Selective Service Card, and later being stationed there off and on for over 20 years. My response was that, "at least I can see what is at the end of my nose" (insult, translated from Deutsch). Our Think Tank (made up of experts of US and Europe) findings and research were disregarded. This resulted in the previous over 101 USSR Divisions being USSR Military one day and laid off the next, then they reorganized themselves into the armed Russian Mob (we warned the Western European Governments this would happen).

The US ABM systems at that time were not very effective against USSR Multiple Independently Guided Reentry Vehicles (Warheads) also equipped with decoys (and even laughed at by the USSR Stategic Rocket Forces, especially after numberous test intercept failures, observed during SALT I, SALT II and START). And the USSR at the time did not care since they used VERY LARGE Megatonage Warheads. So CEP (accuracy) for their GNC (Guidance Navigation and Controls) was also not a concern. The USSR ABM system also used very large proximity fuzed nuclear warheads to intercept US ICBMs (possibly Bombers) with blast and EMP/EMR.

Add to post #3.12

Just so that you know I am not talking out of the other orifice:

Unclassified source pertaining to ABMs:

http://www.khon2.com/news/local/19590269.html

To answer JB-784265 statement about what caused the downfall of the USSR and their Military.

Afghanistan. In that the USSR Elite Conventional Forces were defeated by Guerrilla Warfare (Muhajeen trained by US Military in Viet Cong Tactics). Resulting in thousands of USSR Elite Conventional Forces returning to USSR in body bags during the first years. And like all Guerrilla Warfare Goals, the USSR public sentiment and will to continue the fight in Afghanistan was gone. The losses caused the USSR Military to lose the USSR Political support of the over 10% of USSR GNP.

The overwhelming US INF (Intermediate Nuclear Force) consisting of Pershing I's, II's, new and old 8 inch, GLCMs, etc. made their "Conventional Warfare" attack of Europe impossible, especially after the deployment of enhanced radiation weapons (massive armored vehicles attacks useless). Also the deployment of SADMs, MADMs, HADMs by Special Warfare units to destroy all strategic routes of advance (bridges, overpasses, autobahns, cities, towns, snellstrasses). The final consideration was the number of opposing Conventional Forces with their reinforcement under Return of Forces Europe (Germany)(REFORGER). This resulted in the "Warsaw Pact" nations to rethink the hosting of the useless USSR Military in their countries at their expense. All of this was costing the USSR and Warsaw Pact countries too much. End of "Cold War" (1959-1990) with USSR and Their Allies. Start of Guerrilla Warfare Wars and High Intensity Short Duration Wars World Wide.

Well, he either is and there are still missile launches and wars and killings and earthquakes and hurricanes and the like................Or, he isn't.

My guess: he isn't.

She is with US.

dear me. God help us (if he doesnt want the end to unfold like this, that is).

saltoftheearth68 - She is with US.

I hope it isn't that time of the month.

Obama could have taken some firmer steps to stop this, N. Korea has been doing the big media tease, but Obama sat back as he always does, and does nothing. Just read from the teleprompter. Our country's name is mud. We are no longer the Super Power in teh G-20 but the Stupid Power.

Besides he and the Mrs. are on vacation. Rumor in the magazine with all the weight she's put on recently, is she's gotta a baby bump, don't want to upset her. You know how much she hates we Americans. Would have been nice if their words of kindness were here in American instead of on foreign soil.

May the grace of God prevent WIII

John ,,,,you are the cancer

Actually Wayne, Obama will probably say " We inherited this North Korean problem from the Bush administration "

you are a mental midget.

Simpletons.

Dale, elvis, please obey the code. The posts you are responding to didn't attack you, please show them the same respect.

Bam Bam and gang can send them a strongly worded letter....that should do it.

Robert385246

when some one is attacking my country I think it does attack me,i don't need you totell me what you think it means, you see it your way and I see it mine some of the people posting here are not even Americans but , seam to have more rights to speech than me, you are suppressing free speach by judging what should be said or not said you have a right to say what you said and so do I have the same right , if you start trying to dictate my right to speak ,, im going to have to tell you to simple kiss my ass.

the u.n. needs a teleprompter, problems solved and of course the nasty letter from all those tough u.n. metrosexuals.

I got news for you dale,there isn't free speech on Newsvine..It's a private concern..There are rules..The first one is no personal attacks..

you must not have read my apology to john about the remark of mental midget look it up Posted it today.

Countdown with Keith Olbermann!

Yeah right and I am one of santas elves.

Fact of the matter is NK has done this before and Bush caved and gave them what they wanted. This country has the fourth largest military in the world and takes the minimul resources they have to keep the army up and running at the expense of their own people. What they need is for the US to make another concession and send them food and oil which will probably go to supporting their military. Being in the geographical position they are in where would they find the need for such a lrge Militsry. Where is the regional threat to them? There is none.... So that being said why this posturing? Simple they need another influx of goods from us and other country's. If this is in violation of anything they signed stop all assistance. revolutions can only start from the people themselves.

spreadex,

What do you suggest? Have Obama wag his finger at them? It don't work...Their Army is a joke..I bet they die and bleed just like anyone else..

I would try a blockade and put China on notice all commence will halt,if the interfere..

They wouldn't have anywhere to peddle their junk...

Good post, and best response to NK we could give. If China wants to keep them as a bastard stepchild, so be it. China uses them as a proxy, let them (China) pay for it. The US giving anything to NK is borderline stupid. I was wrong, it's just stupid. And you're right, only the NK people can solve this problem without a major conflagration. Who knows, even the brainwashed and relatively well fed NK military will someday realize their mothers are on the other, losing end.

Canemah,

You are right, it would be stupid of us to reward the NK's for this, but watch, it will happen, Kim and Co. will be bought out, again. Until next time.....

Greg: You didn't really say "Put China on Notice". That is absolutely hilarious. Don't you realize they get mad at us, they call in their loans. They already own about 19% of our GDP. We all better start learning a foreign language. CHINESE.

George King,

They can call all they want..If we actually had a leader with any balls he could put the pressure on them. Finger waving won't work. They may have 19 % of our GDP but the understand MUD much better..Do You?

I can't understand the left..They will capitulate at the drop of a hat..These people only understand force....

You have to have a pres. that has the guts to act. It should be blow to bits, period.

Obama is too busy apologizing and calling the US arrogant on his European trip. He has no time for such trivial matters as missile launches.

Michelle is finally proud of her country..... now, if we could have just elected a president that was proud of his country.

America... you really, really screwed up this time.

Chris: How many treaties have we gone against?

So Chris...should Obama risk World War III just so you and the likes can say the POTUS has a huge set of balls? Enough with the chest thumping! The answer isn't always lets bomb them to hell!! Man we won't be happy to all life has been destroyed on this planet. Maybe its time earth gets hit with another one of those asteroids.

oohhno pssmitty......we should do what all your European style anti-confrontational folks like yourself are that best at....Pay it no mind, just say, hey...you are not supposed to do those bad things...That's all we need to do about it...just go scamper into the corner and allow tyrants like Kim to do as they please...while making your Bush quips or Chest banging talk...you should remember that we have not been attacked again because of the fear of reprisal and diligent efforts to fortify and stop these things before the escalate into people start flying Jets into the WTC and Pentagon as what happened after Big Bill Bloviator left office...Turning away and acting like it will go away does nothing but bolster the terrorists and tyrants confidence in the truth...and what is that truth?...under a staggeringly Liberal and Democrapic Administration...They are safe and sound to do as they please.....

Obama has no right to apologize for America! We are the light of the world. He has no right to say that Anglo Saxons are not still the power of the world. If our part of that group is not it is because of him. He and his debt and his kowtowing (bowing even to the Saudi Prince) is just plain embarrassing and much more so, it is dangerous as it shows weaker than we are.

America should always plan on being the strongest nation in the world. Obama has to stop working for the world and start working for us!

He is the president of the UNITED STATES so why is he giving billions to Africa and even millions to our bitter enemy Hamas? He is ruining American supremacy in the world. NO one ever gives up a position of strenght just to be nice! What is this man's true motivation?

Maybe in the person of the Saudi Prince who paid for his H'vard education.

juno.... get some education please

Brad you are the one that needs some education. When a leader of a country, bowes as deeply to another leader he is surrendering his country to that country. He proved right there that he is controlled by Muslim kings.

juno-932501...so you want to be the world leader but you don't want to provide humanitarian assistance to countries in need?  What does money to Africa have anything to do with a Korean missle launch?  USAID was in place long before the current president.  If you want to be a "world leader" then you do have to provide assistance to countries in need.  You can not always do it by force.

countryman903729...so the Saudi Prince is a "Muslim king".  The fact remains that he is a king.  Would it be OK to bow to him if he were a Christian king?  Let's not forget that Saudi Arabia has been a good friend to the U.S. for a long time.  They pump extra oil when you need it, and let you use their country as a base for military operations.  If they were not then maybe the U.S. would be paying market price for gas like the rest of us do.

GladYouMoved2Africa, The African continent is a black hole for U.S. aid. The countries there can't elect functioning governments, the ones who try revert to anarchy in short order. If the people will not rise up and overthrow their government/dictators what effect do you think throwing money at them from a distance will have? We have gotten precious little return on the dollar for all the billions upon billions we have already spent there. I say enough is enough.

Humanitarian support is not supposed to give you a return on your dollar.  But it does eventually.  We're not throwing money from a distance, some of us are here administering it.  The boundaries that divide Africa as we know it today are arbitary and were set up by the colonial powers.  Most of these places have existed as countries for a very short period of time.  Functional goverments take time.  Do you think the U.S. is a functional goverment without graft or corruption?  The U.S. has it's nose in Sudan because of the future oil it thinks it can suck out of the ground.  The U.S. put into power, and supported the dictator of Zaire for 30 years because of the mineral riches and potential military bases it could place there.  Three U.S. presidents hosted him at the White House.  There's plenty of other examples.  I'm glad I moved to Africa too. 

When 'humanitarian aid' is thrown back at us as hate, it's time to stop sending it! If you actually look at Africa, the 'countries' have not been a part of any colonial power for 50 years or so. If you also follow the historical development of Africa, you'll see that the countries did much better under colonial control than they have since it was stopped and the locals took control. Aid from the US should only go to countries that are friendly to the US. If they want to stand against the US then they can get their aid from whoever they stand with. Why should enemies receive aid? Why should those attacking our allies get our aid? A bit of world reality needs to be present with our government!!

One of the things that President Bush did while in office was to sent tons of money to Africa to try to help fight the spread of AIDS....No other President had done that. Did he get any props for that?

Lots on comments on this thread:

1) North Korea isn't interested in bombing us. They are interested in selling missile technology to other countries. Selling weapons and nuclear technology to other countries is their second highest source of foreign capital after counterfeiting. We need to emphasize over and over that their bomb fizzled and every long-range missile fizzled. This will halp keep their clients --- Iran, Syria, Libya, et al guessing as to whether they could depend on their weapons. In the first Gulf War, the North Koreans had helped "enhance: the range of the Iraqi Scuds. Every single one of them broke apart in mid-air.

2) Bush inheritied a situation where North Korea was pretty much contained. They had swapped stopping their nuclear powerplant and missile-technology for promises of foreign wheat and nuclear inspection. Bush backed out of all that. China's capital with North Korea was greatly reduced when we broke our agreements. It is going to be tough to put back in place --- given the paranoid nature of the North Koreans and their worsening economy, more than likely impossible to get back where we were 10 years ago.

3) It is very difficult to get more than "agreements" based on "handshakes and nods" from the North Koreans. The country was split in two at the 38th Parallel at the Potsdam Conference during WWII. Since then we have fought one War over it that and it is still split roughly at the 38th Parallel. Technically, the United States (and Britian, New Zealand, Australia, Turkey and a couple more countries) are still at a state of declared war with North Korea. There is only an armistice and not even a truce in place. Generally countries at war do not recognize permanent agreements with each other as binding. We certainly don't.

4) Bombing or attacking North Korea sounds like a very good idea until you look at the map and see that Seoul is only 30 miles from the DMZ. It would be very, very, very easy for North Korea to take out Seoul in case we did anything overt that they did not like. There is very little that we could do to stop them at that range. Military defensive philospphy currently requires at least 100km "buffer" to stop a coordinated attack. Also in close range are about 30,000 U.S. troops. In the event of any attack on North Korea, you can kiss those guys goodbye.

5) Surprisingly, North Korea's military is well-trained, fairly well-equipped, and have very, very hardened defensive positions. They have not only constructed fortifications along the DMZ that can withstand nulear attack and hyperbaric weapons and bunker buster bombs, but have honeycombed the DMZ with tunnels big enough to drive tanks through.

6) They are strictly a one-trick pony. They have a huge and bellicose military. If they were to lose that, they would literally have nothing. No political structure, no economy, no relations with any other country, no nothing at all. The country would go immediately into complete chaos --- nuclear-, missile-, and heavilily militarized chaos --- think Mad Max on steroids. That would lead us in a huge number of undesirable directions, the most benign of which would be something like the remnants of the Komintang Army in Burma after the Communists took over.

7) Our military is tired after constant redeployments. Its equipment is worn out and in need of replacement or refurbishment. The North Koreans know that we simply do not have sufficient ground forces to begin to threaten them. The South Koreans have a sizeable army, but would take 6-9 months to mibilize up to North Korea's size and equipment level. The Japanese have a small army that is constitutionally defense-oriented. The Chinbese are not threatened and are currently quite happy to do nothing and watch the North Koreans act as a buffer and keep the South Koreans, the Japanese, and the Americans occupied.

This is a tough one. Easy answers like, "bomb them" or "shoot it down" are silly and ill-informed.

Chris-Mark. Not exactly corrent. What happened was that Bush ASKED for millions in AIDS aid for Africa. Congress approved millions. That money was not spent, but rather USAID distributed considerable money from the Bill and Amanda Gates Foundation and claimed it was from the government. The BAGF no longer lets USAID distribute funds on their behalf. Presumably the AIDS money for Africa was used in Iraq.

Iran has threatened no one. Israels opinion on Iran is just that, their opinion.

Israel has nukes. If Iran wants to have a balance of power so Israel can't threaten them, that's their business. So Israel should just STFU!

The little KMart suit model Imanutjob has threatened to "wipe Israel off the map" on multiple occasions.Israel has never threatened Iran or any other Arab state but I guess to someone from Vancouver defending yourself is not acceptable.Iran or North Korea having nukes is not a "balance of power" it's a disaster waiting to happen.

Bruce in Vancouver: Balance of power? If Iran gets nukes they will use them! I don't call that a balance of power! Are you sure you are not a French Canadian?

He Bruce.... put your white flag away..... sometimes men have to deal with thugs like Iran. God Bless Israel for having the courage to deal with thugs when you need too.

Many agencies have translated the fine Iranian president's threatening words. Fact.

Just how deep in the sand is your head planted? I'm glad you live in Canada, we have enough embarrassment in the US at present, you'd only add to it.

Bruce in Vancouver: What it's all aboot is that when they get their first nuclear weapons, Iran is most likely not going to launch them on the top of a rocket. They will be given to some one in a box, to be driven into an Israeli city in the back of a van. Then Iran can say " nuclear weapon? What nuclear weapon? We don't know anything about that."

Bruce, how can you be so, uummmm stupid ?

Bruce the Anti-Semitic Canadian says...

"You're still peddling that story from the Jew media? That was an intentional mistranslation by the media. He never said anything like that. So there was no threat.

Even if Iran had nukes, it would be suicide for them to attack another nuclear armed country, so why would they do it?"

Not to bright are ya..huh Bruce? I don't know...why would a Muslim strap a bomb on their body and walk on a bus full of people going to work and kids going to school and blow it up? Canadian idiots (like yourself) walking around this planet morning Hitlers demise should be less interested in...WHY? they would do it...and more interested in how many times they would do it given the chance.....You are trying to put reason on a people who are completely unreasonable. I can only hope that if Iran does get nukes....Your town is the first place they pop one...

Bruce in Vancouver should change his name to Ahmed bin Wuss in Vancouver.

Well Bruce, When a nuke from NK falls on Vancouver,let us know.Oh wait,i almost forgot, we defend Canada..So, maybe you will be safe..No need to thank us...Most Canadians are good people,just a few are clueless...

One nuke will pretty much destroy Israel because of it's tiny phycal size. Iran, on the other hand, is physically large enough to survive. If Israel has to stop Iran by force, that means that all the Islam countries will attack Israel and destroy it, which will mean a MAJOR war in the mideast... caused by a US president unwilling to do more than smile and read a teleprompter. If Iran gets a nuke and it results in war, that war will be directly the responsibility of Obama and his incompetence.

JB,

While you are right that a nuclear strike would destroy Israel, you are forgetting one important thing....GEOGRAPHY! Look at a map of the middle east! Israel is surrounded by muslim nations who have been trying since 1948 to destroy the Jewish State. They would be directly killing their own people in the blast, let alone the fall out. Try some logic...even though the people who hate Israel do not seem logical.

Every one of the Muslims killed in such an attack would be morned as martyrs.

Google the word: "Escalation".God help this planet Earth.

They would have done it already (Israel that is) except we denied them the opportunity to fly over Iraq. They have new plans, but I am not sure of just what they are. They are keeping a bit mum--even the folks I know.

George King - Google the word: "Escalation".God help this planet Earth.

Let's see. Israel attacks Iran (1/3 World Oil) say with nuclear weapons deployed by aircraft (with heavy losses, same reason we had multiple Aircraft dedicated to a target, and since this would be the only delivery platform Israel has), not to mention the collateral damage to Turkey, Iraq, Afghanistan. The Chinese get pissed because they are trading Russian Designed Nuclear Technology and weapons in exchange for Oil. The Chinese products including Oil Based Plastics sent to the US has a radioactive half life of thousands of years. The pissed off Chinese start actively supporting (providing with their proven Missiles and Nuclear Weapons) North Korea to make the US concentrate on a different part of the world and now that their Oil supply is cut off, demand the US and UN takes actions against Israel. The Islamic Countries World Wide take actions against the US refusal to do anything. Especially the Shiites from Iran (Persians, note they are not Arabs like the Sunnis) in Iraq. This galvanizes the Chinese and Islamic Countries against the US and Israel. The Russian Federation also gets pissed at the US because they also get Oil from Iran. So now we have the Chinese, Russian Federation and Islamic Nations (based on religion, so Africa, Philipines, Iraq, Egypt, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Abkhazia, Turkey, Saudia Arabia, Kuwait, Syria, Jordan, Dubai, etc.)(did I forget anyone) versus US, South Korea and Israel.

Don't know which side the Europeans (pressure from Russia, Oil and Natural Gas), Canadians (Oil Laundrying from Iraq), Mexicans (Oil Laundrying from Iraq), South America, Japanese will go to.

So "Escalation" would be an understatement.

You're right. America voted for weak and they got it.

Obama is too busy apologizing and calling the US arrogant in his rounds in Europe at present, to deal with North Korea.

Have you seen/heard the clips? Embarrassing, truly embarrassing.

Lies.

I don't know Elvis. The reports are from Obama's pals, the media that got him elected.

Bruce, you are a racist bigot. (that covers all the bases.)

So we should go to war with Korea? I guess its ok as long as your not doing any of the fighting and you can sit safely behind your computer.

Cris..as soon as you reach the age and your parents let you out of the house alone why don't you go and show us how.

Hey be smart....be smart. And I suppose you have all the answers, huh? Your just another sheep, so BAAAAAAA.

A country like N.Korea or Iran getting nukes is not laughable, it's not pathetic, it's freakin' scary. Do you really think The guy with the cheap suits and skimpy beard cares if his country gets wasted? They'll all be martyrs. And the loonie in NK is killing his own people now by slow starvation. You really think he even knows what would happen? He's sure China will support him, and they might at that.

Nukes are not toys that demented children should be allowed to play with.

And the arguments that we are the only country to use them are sperious. No one knew what would happen, and 2 bombs saved countless American lives by eliminating the need to invade Japan.

Laugh all you want, but remember NK is close to reaching American territory with these missles. I for one would rather see them stopped now before it's too late.

Only a self absorbed egomaniac would give them self a name like..."Be Smart"...I suppose "Be Smart" means lining up behind every other pie faced Liberal and acting as if they have all the answers...when the truth is...you are groping from one issue to the next either throwing a ton of cash at it...or ignoring it altogether...Far to long we have heard Liberals like yourself speak from your self-promoted agenda, dragging down what was the core idea behind what this Country was Founded on being...That is a "Republic" not a Socialist pseudo-Euro-trash sheep pen. I will repeat the words that man in the preceding comment made...Be smart...Be smart....

Also must be tough for you righties to be jelous of the man you hate so much. Time to take your tinfoil hats in for an adjustment especially if you think the electorate is buying your snarky obama comments. Trying to pull the rug ut from under the guy who is trying to pull us out of the worst situation any President in modern history has faced that was created by your party is as unamerican as it gets. The fact that all of you clowns who just loined Newsvine right after this statement was released tells us all just where you are coming from. All you have to do is click on your name to see your latest posts and find out if you are a troll or not.

"We will lose on legislation. But we will win the message war every day, and every week, until November 2010," said Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., an outspoken conservative who has participated on the GOP message teams. "Our goal is to bring down approval numbers for [Speaker Nancy] Pelosi and for House Democrats. That will take repetition. This is a marathon, not a sprint

spreadex,

We are not jealous of Obama, we are not jealous of liberals and their mamby pamby outlook.

"Trying to pull the rug out from under the guy who is trying to pull us out of the worst situation any President in modern history has faced that was created by your party is as unamerican as it gets."

How old are you? If you followed current events you would know that facts prove you wrong. Currently the economy has only sunk to the levels of the early 1980's. Does that mean 25 years ago is not modern history? The economy will have to sink a lot further to reach the depths it was in in 1974.

"The fact that all of you clowns who just loined Newsvine right after this statement was released tells us all just where you are coming from."

Many of us are coming from educated and informed positions, unlike you who regurgitates the MSNBC line. Do us a favor. Go back to your video games until tomorrow when you have to go back to high school.

Yes the Republicans will lose on legislation...For Gods sake kid, look at the numbers! The democrats do not need 1 republican vote to pass whatever they want.

Chevs

You can not be a taxpayer

psmitty:

"So we should go to war with Korea? I guess its ok as long as your not doing any of the fighting and you can sit safely behind your computer."

---------------------
Like most people, I find it more effective to sit in front of the computer. Makes it a little easier to see the monitor!

Little Kim has pulled this type of stunt every 4 or 5 years no matter which party was in the White House.

Gee Fred, do you think the odds are more or less that the issues would be pressed by North Korea if you had a leader in the US that you know would act?

It's not a party thing, it is a courage thing. Who has the guts to defend America and her allies. (Hint - It isn't who is presently at the helm. He's too busy in Europe calling the US arrogant and apologizing for everything).

Fred. True Kim pulls this act often. But Rush gave GW a free pass. Now that Rush is venting at Oboma on a daily basis, his dittoheads are all fired up. Most of these dittoheads are not capable of original thought.

So why is it our job to keep North Korea in check? Smart Voter I'm assuming you feel that we should go to war with Korea? Should we risk going to war with China (destroying the planet in the process) just to flex our muscle and prove how big and tough the US is? Would the loss of millions of lives be worth it or would we be better off in letting cooler heads prevail? Hopefully your as smart as your log in name and can provide a good counter argument.

psmitty2005 - We say we'll go to the security council if they launch..... .BIG DEAL. UN resolutions have already been brought, albeit hindered by permanent members of the council.

So if we're going to back-up prohibiting them from proliferation, let them know where they stand and where we stand. No, this doesn't mean war, this does not necessarily mean boots on the ground, we have immense capabilities.

I say smoke it on the launch pad or just after lift-off to send a real "strong" message.

As much as you'd like to sit around the campfire and sing songs and roast marshmallows, fact is many thug nations like North Korea, Iran, Syria and thug entities like the Taliban, Hamas, Al-Qaida understand one thing..... getting their backsides kicked.

Fact is, Iraq could have been taken care of much quicker if we weren't hell bent on extending the olive branch too quickly to folks that have multi-generational hatred of the West.

You don't need wars necessarily, selective covert ops, maybe a few thugs disappearing, blowing a few rockets into little bites, and lots of targeted strikes in Iran flattening their centrifuges is a good start.

I'm guessing I wouldn't get your vote for president?

Smart Voter,

I'm not one of the warmongers on the Vine but I can't argue against shooting it down. Wasn't sure if your approach was an all out assault on N Korea for breaking the UN's mandate. With that being said...since this is a regional problem and not a direct threat to the US...then Obama would be right in going to the UN and getting the other members to take action (meaningful) against korea. Way too often we take unilateral actions and while the rest of the world sits on their hands. Its not our job to protect the world from all the crazies. As far as voting for you...it would all depend. To me I'd rather have a president who has a cool head and prefers dialogue/diplomacy as a first option as apose to a hot head with a big ego thats guanranteed to get a lot of people killed.

psmitty-2005- Not at all an all out assault. It is a threat to our allies in the region, so we have a vested interest.

My position in summary is this and I agree with you mostly, you do exercise dialogue, defined protocol, and diplomacy to a point then you have to back it up.

The real test and measure of greatness in a free country is not talking too long before proving you will back it up. That's all I'm saying. Take too long and you lose your creditability, you become a paper tiger.

To your point on being the world's protector, we have to measure our trading interests, energy sources, etc. before prematurely turning a blind eye. For example, when gas was $4 / gal. we demanded to drill domestically, and Obama has now shelved that because prices are temporarily down and appeasing the tree huggers, which is a huge mistake that will bite us. You couple that with a regional conflict in the middle east and we've got trouble here, due to dependence on resources there. Think about it. Easy to say we can't police everywhere, but different in practice. Has to be a balance

What do yo expect from a little pissant country that calls everyone else militaristic because they are worried about launching a missile nobody wants them to launch to begin with. Kim is a 2 bit petty tyrant, but a tyrant with chutzpah!

No the wienie just left the presidency and we refused the one you put up to replace him.

Again another bit of wit form spredex...Do you ever add anything to the conversation? You spout off here post after post but never say anything...This isn't a personal attack on you just an observation..

elvis buckwheat

If you knew what you were typing about I would fall out of my recliner in shock! (I'm using a laptop =)) ).

Rush Limbaugh did not give GW a free pass. Limbaugh is a conservativat that means in matters of religion, spending, and policy in general, he disagreed with GW through and through. GW was not a conservative, he was a moderate who leaned a bit to the right.

For us adults here, get off subjects you know nothing about, please.

We took care of Iraq and planning an exit soon. I say Iran or NK will be next after we regroup our military....but then again, we have Obama.

Sure, right away idiot. Well, let us just call up Jack Bauer and see what he's doing tonight, shall we?

Right BE Smart.. Finger waving is a real deterrent...I bet Kim is shaking in his elevator shoes....What's you solution?

Good point jay. A lot worst could've happened if we didn't do anything in the 60's. Let's not forget what happened in Pearl Harbor. We didn't want to enter the world war. And by doing so, we were silently attacked.....behind our back. This is why I don't blame our military playing the police of the world. Cuz no matter what we do, there are countries that will always hate us and will do anything to do us harm.

Nice thought Jay, but we have been making things difficult via boycotts etc. with NK for a long time. They only exist because China is propping them up.

Bush would not have done anything either. North Korea knows we are fully committed, hell we are over committed in Iraq, Afghanistan, and all the other countries we keep a presence in. The military is stretched as thin as it will go, our equipment needs to be replaced, and we will need more funding no one wants to spend right now. So you will see many countries thumb their nose at us because there is little we can do, even if we decided to attack Korea we would need to immediately draft a hundred thousand people to train, and we do not have the weapons or the equipment to "man" these additional troops. I suppose we could go cry to the impotent organization the UN, wouldn't they love that. BTW, sanctions have failed for exactly the reason ChevsMark stated, China continues to support them.

basti27

Good point jay. A lot worst could've happened if we didn't do anything in the 60's. Let's not forget what happened in Pearl Harbor. We didn't want to enter the world war. And by doing so, we were silently attacked.....behind our back. This is why I don't blame our military playing the police of the world. Cuz no matter what we do, there are countries that will always hate us and will do anything to do us harm.

Pearl Harbor is not a good example, ask William Randolf Hurst how much money he made with "Yellow Journalism" after all the "Japs" (Americans of Japanese Ancestory) assets (all of Southern California, especially the farms, created by Japanese intensive agriculture) were seized and sold by his real estate companies (after persuding the President to stop the Oil from Standard Oil of California (majority shareholder), already paid for, from being shipped to "them Japs, let the stinking yellow bastards freeze to death" and allowing the known (since 1940, thru British and Dutch capture of the Japanese encode/decode diplomatic codes, and the "Winds Messasges") Pearl Harbor to occur since all previous attempts to get the isolationist US into the War at Europe)(recently declassified Library of Congress, Military Records and previously classified written Testimony of those involved (most now deceased))(example: ever wonder why General MacArthur was assigned to the Philipines prior to WWII and why he was using little boats with .50 caliber machineguns and shooting at Japanese Destroyers going to and from China, the Japanese just ignored him, this was one of the failed attempts to instigate War and would allow Declaration of War with Japan, Germany and Italy as insisted through Ambassador Joseph Kennedy by Winston Churchill, especially after Dunkirk, and the British finding out about German Operation Sea Lion).

The US Navy Sailor that encoded and decoded Ambassador Kennedy's messages was released from British Prison in the 1990s, prior to WWII he tried to warn Congress that secretly the President and Churchill wanted the US to actively enter the War In Europe "before England falls" (the US was already supplying tons of Military Equipment). Ambassador Kennedy found out and stripped his diplomatic immunity and gave him to the British for prosecution and prision under there "Official Secrets Laws" (longer that US Laws).

Also factors in allowing the Attack on Pearl Harbor:

American Casualties. It was believed that most would not be on board the ships and would be on shore at Church Services. The Negroes (Blacks) were not a consideration below decks with the coal furnaces (note: remember during this time they were not even thought of as human, and considered property)(research geneology of the lists of those killed at Pearl Harbor). The problem was since this was considered a "back water", no action theater, and a place to send people to retire or serve out the remainder of their time. Most were drunk or recovering from hangovers after attending parties in Honolulu as shore leave was common and not the exception.

The equipment.

The "Battleships" were not modern "Battleships", they were 1911-1917 Battlerams. Modern Battleships burned Oil not Coal. This is evident from the bow of the ship. The majority of the modern ships were on "extended" exercises, especially the Aircraft Carriers and modern Cruisers, convienently scheduled to end just after the attacks.

The Army Air Corps Aircraft were considered obsoleted. P-40s. With the designs for modern aircraft already considered for production with many to be supplied to the British and Russians.

The uniforms and small arms. WWI leftovers. Especially the helmets. Bolt action rifles.

The batteries, shore to ship artillery, no air defense as that was not considered as possible warfare (WWI mentality).

Intelligence:

We did not want the Japanese know that we had already since 1939 broken the Japanese Diplomatic Codes. Allowing the US to know all of Admiral Yamamotos Plans for the next few years, Winds Messages, etc..

With all that said, during the 9/11 attacks of the WTC. On television a senior Senator from the Intelligence Commitee said, "This is the Second Pearl Harbor".

I gathered all my people together and told them, "Gear up boys, we're going to War". Had them update all their papers (wills, allotments, next of kin, etc.), immunizations, issued additional gear (having been there before). Developed Plans. Met again and briefed the Operations Order. Days later we were on the ground in Northern Iraq organizing the Kurdistanis to fight the Iraqis, under Law H.R.4655, 1998. This would preoccupy the main Iraqis Military while the main US Forces attacked thru Kuwait.

Add to #13.6.

......while the main US Forces attacked thru Kuwait. Much later after they formulated an Operations Order and consolidated enough forces (shipped from Europe, REFORGER Stocks and Pre positioned Stocks).

Just so that you know that I know why we went to Iraq. The main goal of this was the Northern (to be seized by the Kurdistanis) and Southern (to be secured by the US Main Forces) Oil Fields. Especially, since the US lost 2/3 of Daily Oil from Venezula pre 9/11.

Since the Israelis Air Strike,1981, Northern Baghdad destroyed the Iraqis Nuclear Capability.

Also no Chemical Weapons: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/steel_box.htm

You know what H&C? You may be right about the NK missiles exploding on the launch pad; that would be funny!

what would be even better is if it has one of their defective nukes on it and pops soon after.

you have a point there , all the billions that Reagan spent on the star wars technology, that missile wont make it to far off that launch pad and NK will be scratching their heads wondering what went wrong. maybe that sounds a little far out there but with the publicly known countermeasures we have you can bet we have a top secret ace in the hole.

Good post Kornerstone. How much do you want to bet that Boeing 747 with the humongus laser in it's nose is on standby alert, or actually in the air over the China Sea right now!

I feel ya Jay. All of these clowns are making noise over nothing. It'll be forgotten by all by tomorrow.

You got that right Jay. If it was a threat CINCPAC at Pearl and PACAF at Hickam would be going nutzo!

Yeah....I'm certain that you would be the first persons the military contact to advise you on their Sub activity and Air activity....We should all know that because jeeps and boats are not running all around like crazy...just like the movies...that there is no activity for all the blind people to see...Grow up guys....

Oh, and I'm sure a military tactical genius like yourself would know differently. What I stated was merely a logical assumption. I never stated that it would be seen by the ordinary public. Before telling others to grow up, make sure you know what you yourself are talking about! Do you have any military experience that gives you special insight? If so, please share it with the rest of us.

Well...since you did ask. I am a 15 year veteran of all three of the conflicts that have happened in the middle east since 1991.

Starting in 1991.. I was with the 4th Squadron of the 3rd Armor division of 7 Calvary in "Phase Line Bullet" confrontation during "Desert Storm". I was in a Bradley as a gunner. After that conflict was over I stayed in Country for an additional 14 months as Men and Materials were de-mobilized and moved to stationary bases or back to the States...So I understand what ...Mobilizing and Preparation is.

I Re-enlisted back into the 7th Cavalry. Not getting an opportunity to go to Europe during the Bosnian Campaign...instead I was sent to Somalia to be apart of that action. Left Somalia in the withdraw under Clinton screw-up and came home for additional training...I was deployed to Kuwait in December of 2003. From that Location I fought with the 1st of the 7th from February to July during Iraqi Freedom...I served in the Al-Rashid District of Baghdad in many confrontations. We Moved North to secure "Route Irish" in an exhausting and horrible action that took many of my friends lives. I was removed from Iraq and deployed to Afghanistan because of experience at my job grade and needed replacements for leave guys. I was in Afghanistan for 13 months. I cannot say all of the engagements I was involved with there...suffice it to say it was a wild and crazy time for my life and those who were with me. I am glad to have survived it but did not do so without being injured.

I came back to the States for 4 Months on active relief and then deployed back to Iraq. Was placed back to my same squad in whom most were different people. Was deployed to Fallujah with the 2nd under the 39th BTC in "Ghost Battalion" in the battle of Fallujah...was hit again but stayed in Country...Bad seen in that neck of the woods...

I came home in early 2005 and left the Military with Honor in July of that year.

So yes...I do understand young man.......now, as I said before...Grow up!

Sorry to dissapoint you Derek, but I spent 20 years as a U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman with duty ranging from Vietnam to the ist Gulf War with numerous conflicts in between as a Corpsman assigned to the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific.. I retired out of Pearl Harbor, HI with Honor as well in August of 1993.

Towards the end of Vietnam I flew as a medevac Corpsman off the U.S.S. Okinawa in and out of the country trying to keep the shattered remains of human beings alive until they could reach proper facilities, and had one chopper shot out from under me with a subsequent crash landing in a rice paddy under enemy fire until a rescue chopper could be brought in. I saw more horrors in 6 months than most people see in a lifetime. I still have the nightmares to go with it! So I think it is safe to say I've seen my share, just as I'm sure you have.

I think we both understand young man.... I think that since we each just have different opinions, and we should just call a truce and let it go at that. Agreed? I do repect your point of view and all I ask is that you do the same.

Have a nice day.

Make no mistake Core man Ed...I'm no more disappointed now, than I was when I read your comment above. It is not that I completely "disagree" about what you said...I just do not think Hickam (or perhaps do ot understand) why Hickam would be going "Nut's" because of a launch in N.K. The reason being, in my visits to that area and its support areas I never saw or was aware of interception abilities...that may have changed in light of 911.

The point I was making is that any action taken against the missile would have had to occur within seconds of its launch...after that, as I am certain you are aware, it will have reach multiple times the sonic range and likely be UN-uninterceptable until re-entry. There was nothing on Hickam at the time of my visits ther that would assist in shooting that missile down. I feel it would also be a far fetched thought that N.K. would target Hawaii knowing the US retaliation (if Obama got from in front of the Cameras long enough to employ one) would be staggering at best and Parking lot creation at worst.

I respect your actions and long service record Sir. I also apologize for referring to you as a "young man" in a non-courteous manner, please forgive me...although I do hope you remain a "young man" at heart and in action for your entire life. I... as you respect you point of view and know it came with much hard earned effort and horrifying hardship...something many of those on these comment blogs fail to realize and understand. I do not hold that against them because what we have done is not for everyone (thank God) Please accept my apology and my appreciation for your long service. May God bless you and your loved ones.

Derek USA/USMC (Ret.) 1990-05

My thanks to you sir. The point I was making about PACAF at Hickam and at CINCPAC in Pearl Harbor was simply that PACAF is responsible for all Air Force assets in the Pacific as CINCPAC is for all Naval ones. I meant that they would be reacting to the potential scenarios that could play out if said assets should have to become involved militarily. I have to confess that I did say what I did half in jest, but obviously in retrospect, I should have stated that. Again my thanks to you as well. Semper Fi! And God bless you and yours as well.

The little right wing cowards have to beat their weak little chests now and again and then dissapear when it is time to defend the country with their blood.

Spreadex, I'm not sure who you are referring to. If it is myself and Derek, then you did not read the above posts very well. I have shed my blood defending the country that I love. Have you?

If it is not me you are referring to, accept my apologies and have a nice day.

Ed-NavDoc, Derek-738794,

Thank you Gentlemen for your service to your Nation. Too often people on this site pontificate from a position of ingornance regarding what really goes on on the battlefield. Unfortunatly, armchair quarterbacking is easy.

Only those of us who have been there can know. (USN Ret. 1970-1994)

Just by coincidence, is that giant white floating golf ball ABM Radar at Pearl right now.

Derek-738794 at the end of Desert Storm if you were near the 1st and 2nd Cavalry. You might want to have VA check for chemical agent exposure (they should know which types, the civilians don't know how to check). It deals with a Combat Engineer unit blowing up ammunition magazines in a Iraqis ammunition storage area (without doing a survey) the magazines are designed to vent force upward to prevent sympathetic detonation of nearby magazines, this threw the chemical agents thousands of feet into the air and the downwind hit the 1st and 2nd Cav. A friend of mine died of enlarged heart (nerve agent symptom) he was one of the Combat Engineers (Officer). One of my other friends (Senior NCO, 2nd Cav) got hit by blister agent, big tennis ball sized water blisters, ended up with multiple skin peels to get rid of it, ended up looking pink.

ChevsMark, Ed-NavDoc, Derek-738794, thanks for being part of the "family".

Veteran x 2. Recalled repeatedly. Too old for this (Vietnam Era till ------>).

Sorry Brothers for the bad atttitude. Got divorced (divorce papers via mail) wife ran off with boyfriend, emptied bank accounts and everything in house; family court awarded her everything. Haven't gotten drunk since 1985 (Bad example for Officers) and no "legal" alcohol here (or the other places I was before).

spreadex if you are referring to me how about coming here and see what they (Al Quada) do to the Red Cressant Aid Workers. You want to know, just don't get caught or it will be you. They strip them. They tie them up with their own clothes. Pound a fist sized rock into their mouth with a bigger rock. Cut their eye lids off. Tie tournequets around their upper arms and legs and cut them off. You should see the little children here that I teach between missions at the school that we helped the villagers build, hands cut off.

Agreed, what I'm concerned with is the proposals to drastically cut defense spending at a time where there are so many "hot spots".

there are NO (none), zero, "hot spots"..... there are however a bunch of people who depend on war like posturing to get money in their pockets and keep you rightwing freaks shaking in your boots so they can keep STEALING all OUR money... there is not one threat to our country now or for the last 60 yrs.... we actually go looking for them just to make money for the war machine... get some education...please

take your own advice Brad...Right wing "Freaks" as you have called them have made it possible for Liberal-Nut Jobs (Like You) to be able to consistently run off at the mouth without fear of being hanged.....And since huge Government, bailouts and high taxes are the legacy of your so called..."Smart Libro-kooks" look to your own groups of gut suckers to find where most of the money in this Country goes. Since I doubt seriously that you are a rich man...It is unlikely that you have given as much as many of those "Right Wingers" you speak of. Some of whom have given in one month of their tax payments what you have given your whole life. It is not that they are all rich, but they do promote the ability and the dream of people owning companies without your Fedzilla tearing them apart...I'll give you a free piece of advice...Brad... Every time you can read something stupid you believe in...Thank a teacher....Every time you can repeat what you have read without being shot...thank a solider and the people who sent him...

Derek
Just curious. You outtline your military experience as 1/7th Cavalry, but signed of USMC RET.. How is that? 17th Cavalry is Army.

Then you also notice in my sign off I use Retired...how many years do you need in the Military to retire?....its 20 if you are uncertain. I began me military Career at the age of 21 in 1987 in the USMC Reserve. I had very limited active duty during that time for many personal reasons. You can see where I stateted USA (United Sates Army) and USMC (United States Marine Corps) Retired using "USA" first since it the traditional way since I discharged from the Army and not the Corp... When re-enlisting I followed my cousin back into the service in the Army, it is very easy when not looking for reserve status in time of War (my father was in the Navy, CG and Air Force) it is not uncommon in a long service history... his being 31 years. My cousin with whom I re-upped with could did not get accepted to the USMC...we both went into the Army instead. I also did not say I was in the 17th...I said I was in the 1st of the 7th. (7th Cavalry being my Home) I moved between 3 different units during that time (15 years). The 1st of the 7th. The 4th of the 7th and the 2nd of the 7th in 39th BTC being the last in "Ghost Battalion" I was Stationed in "Camp Cook" North of Baghdad. Ghost is also known as the "Gary Owens" or Ruff Riders"...I can give you the names of the 25 or so CO's I served under if you wish...But since I do not know you, nor owe you an explanation of anything. I don't believe I will. Since you asked me....were you in the service at all?...Or, are you trying for a Gotcha Moment?......If you have any direct questions to ask me about when and where I was...contact me via the site system...tell me who and where you served and I will oblige, Be careful calling people out if you have not served however....it is bad form.

hmmmmm, Shut him up eh Derek? =))

Sorry, I just got home from church, just curious, not accusing you of anything. I know guys who served in more branches than just the army or marines. I missed putting the slash in on the 1/7, although, I think there was or is a 17th out there. It has been 35 years since I was in. Thanks or your service. Was not calling you out, just curious.

Derek-738794, guess now they figured out "needs of the Military" does not just mean one branch. At the higher Officer level "Joint" Service is almost manditory.

P.R.-737366 , the 17, I know of is JSOC TF 17, so yes there is/was a 17.

So we wait until this guy CAN successfully launch missiles how long do we wait. Seems to me Kim Jong Il is proud no one will do anything other than ignore him until he has the technology he needs.

He will have to wait too long time. He's not an eternal himself. Why wouldn't US position AMDS in Japan instead of Europe?

Interesting DKS, I believe if the world believed Japan is on defence only, That would give a false sence of security to countries like N-Korea. Then if they open up hostilities, Japan would have the eliment of surprise. I am sure they have stratigic capabilities that are otherwise unknown to most.

DKS...THANK-U!!!! HIT IT ON THE HEAD!!!!

DKS, It's not a treaty. It's in their Constitution. Something to do with getting hammered in WWII. They foreswore offensive warfare. That's why their military is referred to as the Japan Self-Defense Force.

Like the IDF? In the past, they've attacked us!

DKS...a very interesting and valid thought. However the commenter above is correct...The Japanese have written non- aggressive military actions into their constitution. I cannot say because I do not know what that all is about or why. I know it is true (the constitutional ban of military) because I have read about it and seen a documentary about it on History Channel. I believethe only forces they can have is what they call a homeland protection or something of that nature.

I believe if there ever was a bunch to have on your side in a war the Japanese are a good selection. They were a tenacious and even radical opponent in WW2 and it took popping 2 nukes to stand them down. Otherwise we would have had to invade the Japanese home islands at an enormous loss of life on both sides. I do not love what they did...but...they are the 2nd biggest economy on the planet and there men can fight like a son-of-a-bitch when they feel cornered. I would not be against fighting with them next to me. And certainly would not hate them helping with the finances. Never happen though...ww2 really blew their minds just like most of the European Countries minds were blown by it. It is why they are so skittish and anti-aggressive even when they are under attack by terrorists in their own cities.

Derek-738794 - written non- aggressive military actions into their constitution. I believe the only forces they can have is what they call a homeland protection or something of that nature.

Defensive Only, no offensive capabilities. "Japan (Japanese) Defense Force". Yes, after WWII they turned from lions into sheep (pacifists). Realize that after WWII many things became illegal like the samurai mentality, swords, etc. just like in Germany it is still illegal to use any Nazi symbol or wear a WWII German Uniform.

North Korean missiles suck, they don't blow.

canemah: real intelligent post!!

Bernie, go home! Take a nap, sober up, then try to act intelligent.

China wont stop North Korea from attacking South Korea. They have that whole communist little brother thing going on. They arent happy with them all the time, but I doubt theyd actually do anything direct.

I don't think Obama should be blamed for NK situation. The case was mishandled by previous administration. And what can US do now? Not a lot of choice. Practically nothing.

It is not about blame. It is about what will we do. Hillary said there would be "serious consequences." President Obama called it a "provocative act" and a "threat." So now the whole country and the world are watching. Are we simply a paper tiger now, with empty threats or will we do something? If we were not going to actually do anything, then Hillary should never have said there would be "severe consequences."

North Korea has been a problem since the Korean war people... Mikki, blaming Bush jr is crazy... NK has broke agreement after agreement, that includes the biggie it made with Clinton, oh we will stop our nuclear program for millions of US tax dollars, and years later NK is nuclear, probably with the help of our tax dollars... NK can not be trusted, and with Russia and China backing them, they will be just like Iran! Obama has bet everything on our Economy, so US will not take any action towards either country. We can not afford it, if he does, the economy continues to suck, just as it has supporting the Iraq and Afgan wars. I will not go into the financial scandal that both parties made millions in campaign money. The US will let Isreal deal with Iran, because Isreal does not play political games... Obama will be a Clinton, allowing the UN to handle the crisis, just like he did with Iraq, and Africa... Bush jr. had to step in and deal with Iraq, and millions continue to die in Africa... Dems commitee everything to death, republicans take action... Not saying one is right or wrong, but this is what happens when we have a crisis, other than the financial crisis bill come about, they all approved that mess to cover up their own greed!

a year from now they'll still be blaming Bush. I guess if Obama takes action that will show we're not a paper tiger, but if it were Bush taking action, he would be called a Warmonger.

There is alot of Evil out there folks and it doesn't make a damn bit of difference who our president is, it's what our president does. I suspect this one will do nothing because it will hurt his poll numbers and "rock star" status. Another Clinton, another typical lib.