North Korea jerks the world’s chain once more
The North Korean young’un, Kim Jong-Un, is making his bid to sit at the big people’s table. His country has just announced its third test of a nuclear bomb, this one considerably larger than those that preceded it (although still about half as powerful as the bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945).
The test inspired the usual round of diplomatic condemnation, employing rhetoric that was calibrated to communicate exactly the preferred degree of offense. The Obama administration described the test as a “highly provocative act”; the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency used the somewhat less critical “deeply regrettable,” while China merely communicated its “staunch opposition” to the test.
China probably does staunchly oppose having a half-mad nuclear upstart on its border, but its other options are even less attractive. The rest of the world already refuses to do business with North Korea, and China could follow suit by cutting off badly needed oil and other supplies to its southern neighbor. However, doing so might greatly increase the flow of refugees across its border and could destabilize the Kim regime.
China has no interest whatsoever in provoking that degree of turmoil on its border, particularly when it would likely end in a reunified Korea under a U.S.-aligned government.
And while some American politicians may make noises about needing a more aggressive response, that too is just noise. International sanctions on North Korea have already been turned up to “11″; you can’t cut trade to less than nothing. And if you employ any sort of military option, you do so knowing that it will probably result in all-out war leading to the death of millions.
Like the Chinese, we have concluded that as bad as it is, the status quo is still better than the likely alternative.
– Jay Bookman
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267 comments Add your comment
curious
February 12th, 2013
10:33 am
Any recommendations how to stop North Korea and Iran?
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 12th, 2013
10:34 am
Not to worry about North Korea Jay. While stuff like that is going on Obama is coming here for some real heady stuff !!!
Headline AJC: “Obama visit puts Georgia pre-K in national spotlight”
“The president arrives Thursday to promote an initiative to give low-income preschoolers an earlier start.”
Joe Hussein Mama
February 12th, 2013
10:34 am
Michael — “While I agree that a slow development would be preferable, you have to realize that my point was that this was/is going to happen. North Korea had then and has now, no intention of not making the bomb. They just hid it better under Clinton, and were more blatant under Bush. Please don’t forget that they have continued to be just as blatant with it under President Obama.”
Of course they have. Since they managed to assemble one and test it in 2006, there’s no longer any incentive for them to return to the old Agreed Framework program. In fact, since that first test in 2006, they’ve acted as if *they* were calling the shots. They did so when Bush was in the White House and they’re continuing to do so now that Obama’s there. And I imagine they’ll treat Obama’s successor the same way. As I said earlier, the tin-pot dictators of the world have learned their lesson well: once you get nukes, the US won’t push you around any more.
But more to the point, since you’ve conceded that an NK nuke was *inevitable,* I’m not sure why you’re disagreeing with me. If crazoid nuke development is *inevitable,* then it is incumbent upon us to do everything possible to *slow down* the weapons programs of crazoids, don’t you agree? If not, I’d like to know what you propose as an alternative.
“It is my opinion that after the Bush (H. W.) Presidency, when Clinton and Bush (W) allowed India and Pakistan to develop the bomb, we lost our ability to say who gets what in the world of nuclear weapons. We the whole of the Western “Free World” have become a paper tiger in respect to nuclear non-proliferation. This administration has done a no better job than the previous two in actually stopping rogue states from obtaining nuclear weapons.”
FWIW, it’s not *explicitly* our job to do that — it’s more the job of the UN Security Council and the IAEA. That said, I think we quietly do a lot of the heavy lifting behind the scenese.
“Short of war, which mind you I am in no way supporting, there is no way to stop North Korea or Iran from building bombs. There leaders don’t care about sanctions, nor the hardships that are imposed on the population as a result. Time we protect ourselves and let the rest of the world sort this out.”
What do you recommend? Some sort of ABM shield? That wouldn’t necessarily help against sub-launched missiles, cruise missiles or weapons secreted aboard civilian vessels (sailed into commercial harbors and then detonated). I’m genuinely curious about your recommendation.
“Unfortunately, while we are still the biggest kid on the block, we have neither the resources nor the man power to keep all the other kids in-line.”
Agreed. I’m all for slowing the bad guys down as much as possible while we get as much defensive research done *ourselves* as possible.
Paul
February 12th, 2013
10:35 am
g’morning, kayaker 71
“the mistakes we are making in our health care system. He was trapped….. he couldn’t get away without looking like more of a dunce than normal. Can’t call this guy a racist like many Bozo critics are called. Nothing but pragmatic good sense to fix a problem without spending us into the poorhouse.”
I listened to the doctor’s speech. So glad to hear you agree with him that we, as a country, need to establish health savings accounts for all the poor people in our country and we, through the federal government, need to fund those millions of HSAs.
You never cease to surprise, kayaker 71.
Latrina
February 12th, 2013
10:36 am
The pic of Kim Jong-Un up top, almost looks like he’s doing it Gangnam style.
And where the heck does he get his haircuts?
Thulsa Doom
February 12th, 2013
10:36 am
“Threaten them with a Tea Party invasion…”
I dunno. I don’t see an army of middle aged folks in lawn chairs as being a very formidable invasion force.
Itchy Finger
February 12th, 2013
10:36 am
Joe Hussein Mama:
That’s been debunked time and time again. If you’ve got a specific criticism about something he’s done, fine — tell us *specifically* what’s got you upset. But please don’t retreat to that debunked crap about ‘apology tour.’
Yep its been debunked….. But if you have proof otherwise I’ll take a look… Its right there on video the bowing….
http://video.foxnews.com/v/1523373286001/the-real-obama-the-apology-tour/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRA9zNQxg1A
moonbat betty
February 12th, 2013
10:37 am
“Any recommendations how to stop North Korea and Iran?”
I say we infect them with MTV and be done with them!
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
February 12th, 2013
10:37 am
Fred
Saw your link both downstairs and here.
Damn.
Joe Hussein Mama
February 12th, 2013
10:38 am
W. Lynch — “Couldn’t it be said that North Korea’s development of a nuclear weapon could be justified by the same rationale as the pro gun lobby that the only way to prevent a bad guy with a bomb is for a good guy to have a bomb?”
I suspect that’s what the NK government would say.
Granny "Impolite" Godzilla
February 12th, 2013
10:39 am
Thulsa Doom
February 12th, 2013
10:32 am
“Again, Do you want to make war on North Korea?”
Granny Godzilla,
Absolutely not. For what reason would we go to war with them? Nothing productive is going to come of it and we risk a much wider, more costly, and potentially catastrophic war with China. Are you hung up with the mindset that we cons are just itching to start another war?
.
.
.
.
No just curious. It became more curious when you did not respond.
That said, diplomacy is out and war is out….
So in your opinion what should be done?
Itchy Finger
February 12th, 2013
10:40 am
Looks like the Menendez scandal is heating up… Oh wait were we talking about obama’s failure on North Korea…
http://dailycaller.com/2013/02/11/news-reports-bob-menendez-visited-donors-dominican-resort-home-in-2006/#ixzz2KcnV58k6
willie lynch
February 12th, 2013
10:40 am
Joe Hussein Mama
February 12th, 2013
10:38 am
And we do find the regime in North Korea a couple of cans short of a six pack don’t we?
Mr Right
February 12th, 2013
10:40 am
Did ya’ll know Chriss Dorner had left wing ties? If he was some right wing nut the news folks would be all over it like on some of the shootings blaming the tea party within hours!
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 12th, 2013
10:41 am
curious:
“Any recommendations how to stop North Korea and Iran?”
That same question was being asked in 1939 about some other folks.
Thulsa Doom
February 12th, 2013
10:42 am
“I say we infect them with MTV and be done with them!”
Either that or threaten them with Debbie Wasserman Schultz tirades.
Itchy Finger
February 12th, 2013
10:42 am
Thulsa Doom
“Threaten them with a Tea Party invasion…”
I dunno. I don’t see an army of middle aged folks in lawn chairs as being a very formidable invasion force.
How about the left wing loon Occupy Wall St slugs that the dems embraced….
kayaker 71
February 12th, 2013
10:42 am
Neither of these two countries, Iran or NK, understand nor do they appreciate arbitration and compromise. Witness the many years at the 38th parallel negotiating the end of the Korean War. It like speaking Spanish to someone who doesn’t understand. Raw power rules the day in those countries….. Russia, Syria, Iraq, Iran, NK and numerous banana republics in Africa….. that’s all they comprehend.
Granny "Impolite" Godzilla
February 12th, 2013
10:43 am
Itchy Finger
February 12th, 2013
10:40 am
Looks like the Menendez scandal is heating up… Oh wait were we talking about obama’s failure on North Korea…
http://dailycaller.com/2013/02/11/news-reports-bob-menendez-visited-donors-dominican-resort-home-in-2006/#ixzz2KcnV58k6
or not
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/02/peter_williams_robert_menendez_tipster.php?ref=fpa
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 12th, 2013
10:43 am
“I suspect that’s what the NK government would say.”
And that’s why the FBI is allowed to have guns and felons aren’t.
Next.
Itchy Finger
February 12th, 2013
10:43 am
Mr Right
Did ya’ll know Chriss Dorner had left wing ties? If he was some right wing nut the news folks would be all over it like on some of the shootings blaming the tea party within hours!
Yeah funny how Jay hasn’t even mentioned anything about this…
curious
February 12th, 2013
10:43 am
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
“That same question was being asked in 1939 about some other folks.”
So, what are you suggesting?
GT
February 12th, 2013
10:43 am
The real deterrent is to ignore them, still boycott everything that has to do with them, but don’t return phone calls. This bomb is half the power of Hiroshima, they use it and they will see what a real bomb looks like close up. These hard responses on the behalf of the right are not signs of strength they are signs of fear, it encourages these people. They are like a child dropping stuff to watch his parents pick it up.
If I were president I might even have a little fun with it. Call Kim Jong-Un up direct ask him out to lunch, tell him he wants to help him in his atomic experiment. Tell him the president wants to send a few of our best scientist over to speed things up. “I have just taken a poll and blowing North Korea off the face of the earth will just about guarantees Democrat dominance in my lifetime”. Might help China’s thinking too, next time they feel like hacking I just might hit that same button I used to pick up 80% approval ratings again, try for 100%. Why let the next president get all the glory, lets get this thing moving, what do you need, I’ll have it Fed Exed in the morning.
barking frog
February 12th, 2013
10:44 am
Sanctions have worked stupendously well with Cuba.
Itchy Finger
February 12th, 2013
10:45 am
Maybe obama can send Bill Ayers over there… Just idea’s out there to help the President….
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 12th, 2013
10:46 am
Itchy:
Translation: HYPOCRISY !
willie lynch
February 12th, 2013
10:46 am
kayaker 71
February 12th, 2013
10:42 am
“Raw power rules the day in those countries….. Russia, Syria, Iraq, Iran, NK and numerous banana republics in Africa….. that’s all they comprehend.”
That’s exactly why these countries are trying to arm themselves. The most aggressive nation over the past 30 years has be the good ole U.S of A.
the dog
February 12th, 2013
10:46 am
Thulsa-isn’t there a kindergarten, senior center or soup kitchen where you could be helping out today? Oh wait
Marty Huggins'
February 12th, 2013
10:46 am
Has anyone noticed how much Kim Jong-Un looks like the daemon character from the movie “Little Nickey”.
You know the demon that had breast growing out of his head????
Thulsa Doom
February 12th, 2013
10:47 am
“… news folks would be all over it like on some of the shootings blaming the tea party within hours!”
Well now you do realize that if its not W’s fault then its surely the Tea Party folks fault. And if its not their fault its Rush, Hannity, Beck, O’reilly, Boortz, or Fox new’s fault. That reminds me. I need to get out the daily rant so here it comes.
YOU CONS ARE ALL A BUNCH OF FOXBOT, RUSHBOT LISTENING A$$HAT HATING BLAH BLAH BLAH!!!! I added the caps for that extra dash of frothy at the mouth angry that the libs tend to have after jay feeds them some raw red meat.
DannyX
February 12th, 2013
10:47 am
“Threaten them with a Tea Party invasion…”
Lol. The keyboard warriors were very helpful in the fight against Iraq. Who can forget their secret weapon, the quote that struck fear into them, “Lets blog about them here so we don’t have to fight them over there.”
Its time to attack North Korea all you keyboard warriors, start the battle with a new offensive, rice will now be known as “freedom rice.” That will show them.
Go get ‘em Teaboard warriors.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 12th, 2013
10:47 am
curious:
I’m not suggesting anything …………. I am “saying” that nothing will be done until it “HAS” to be done and then more will die than would have initially because of inaction.
It’s just the way it is.
Matt321
February 12th, 2013
10:48 am
So they still haven’t managed to perfect 1945 technology, eh? And they are nowhere near perfecting the 1960’s technology of putting the bomb on a guided missile? And we still could rain hellfire on North Korea and destroy their entire country in a matter of minutes if they tried anything stupid?
Anyway, we’ve tried sanctions for decades now – when are we going to get serious about negotiating with North Korea, and offer them the incentives they need to stop the stupid war-footing they’ve been on for 60 years? I’m not talking about capitulation – I’m talking about how North Korea desperately needs things like food and medicine. They also want guaranteed security. While it’s distasteful to grant something like that to a terrible regime that brainwashes its people, that’s the status quo – why not try something different? What we’re doing isn’t working – what’s the definition of insanity again?
Thulsa Doom
February 12th, 2013
10:49 am
the dog,
Isn’t there a toilet in your McDonald’s restaurant that you need to be scrubbing? Be sure to wash your hands before you come back and serve some fries.
Granny "Impolite" Godzilla
February 12th, 2013
10:49 am
Thulsa Doom
diplomacy is out and war is out….
So in your opinion what should be done?
the dog
February 12th, 2013
10:51 am
Poor Doom-you can run but you can’t hide from what you have written. I wouldn’t mind being a toilet scrubber at McDonalds if that was my job. Is that too good for the likes of you?
stands for decibels
February 12th, 2013
10:51 am
Does anyone else think we are finally going to see sanity from the republicans tonight, when Rubio speaks? I heard rand Paul is supposed to give the tea party speech but I think considering the last election Rubio is going to have a lot riding on this speech, so is there a chance we’ll get truth and moderation?
No. And, no.
THBAEOSATSQ.
—
PS: Here is the best preview of tonight’s SOTU I’ve found online, yet:
[W]e’re getting a State of the Union Speech by a deficit-obsessed centrist, rebutted by an arch-right Goldwater conservative, who is himself outdone by an Objectivist nut. And this is supposed to represent the complement of American viewpoints.
barking frog
February 12th, 2013
10:52 am
I forget, why do we hate North Korea ?
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 12th, 2013
10:53 am
“That’s exactly why these countries are trying to arm themselves. The most aggressive nation over the past 30 years has be the good ole U.S of A.”
Kind of like the FBI is aggressive against organized crime and that’s why they try to arm themselves.
Thulsa Doom
February 12th, 2013
10:53 am
“Go get ‘em Teaboard warriors.”
Naw man. We need the OWS folks for this invasion. They’re much better at tearing stuff up and destroying things. And instead of pooping on police cars they would find the challenge of pooping on a tank much more formidable. We would just have to hope that they don’t turn on America and bow down and worship the N. Korean dictator as their newest savior.
Fly-On-The-Wall
February 12th, 2013
10:53 am
You poor cons still believe in the NeoCon view of the world – attack anyone we don’t like or anyone who has something we want. We’re the biggest, baddest dude on the block and nobody can tell us what to do.
And that’s how you end up with Iraq, Afganistan, and trillions in debt. But hey, you sure looked tough when you were pounding your chest.
mm
February 12th, 2013
10:53 am
“but I do know that the good guys do not murder 16 year-old american citizens, innocents at wedding celebrations , or first responders at said crime scenes.”
Says the guy that voted for the idiot that allowed 3000 Americans to be slaughtered in the twin towers.
Skip
February 12th, 2013
10:55 am
Isn’t a nuke just a big drone?
Granny "Impolite" Godzilla
February 12th, 2013
10:55 am
Ted Nugent Sheets
Just saying that makes me want to put on rubber gloves…..
moonbat betty
February 12th, 2013
10:57 am
For some reason, that picture of the Jonger makes me want to throw a pie in his face.
stands,
Too bad the rude pundit doesn’t have a preview of the speeches tonight.
JamVet
February 12th, 2013
10:58 am
How about the left wing loon Occupy Wall St slugs that the dems embraced….
The veterans, cops, school teachers, working moms and middle class white collar workers that played a huge role in helping expose the GOP as irrational and servile Wall Street sycophants?
The type of Americans that Frederick Douglass wrote about in the 1850s?
The Americans who helped crush the GOP in last November’s election?
How about them?
Occupy that.
Thulsa Doom
February 12th, 2013
10:58 am
“I wouldn’t mind being a toilet scrubber at McDonalds if that was my job.”
the dog,
And that pretty much sums up the difference between you and me.
Thulsa Doom
February 12th, 2013
11:01 am
“For some reason, that picture of the Jonger makes me want to throw a pie in his face”
Naw. Throwing pies in someone’s face is something that only happens to conservative speakers at college campuses. College liberals love themseleves some free speech- but only when its their free speech of course.
Regnad Kcin
February 12th, 2013
11:01 am
“World apology tour?
BINGO!!!!!!!!!!”
Dam, I still needed “college transcripts.”
Tom Middleton
February 12th, 2013
11:02 am
Imho, China will take care of North Korea; we won’t have to. With China evolving as an economy and government and seeking to expand its salability around the world, the time will come when it will see North Korea as the bastard child standing in the way.
I mean, when it comes to the competition of who best frees the human spirit, I’m afraid North Korea has already lost!
alittlecommonsense
February 12th, 2013
11:04 am
“Says the guy that voted for the idiot that allowed 3000 Americans to be slaughtered in the twin towers”
You are talking about Clinton right? Because 95% of the planning of that event (when it could have been stopped) was during the Clinton administration. Blaming Bush for it is ridiculous.
Michael
February 12th, 2013
11:04 am
Joe Hussein Mama,
As to the issue of protecting ourselves, I have several proposals. First would be some form of and ABM shield based out of Alaska and Washington state. Secondly, would be to take a serious look at our power grids and begin to harden them against the threat of EMP. The EMP threat to me is the greatest that we face from nuclear armed states like North Korea. Given the number of nuclear weapons we have, I do not see any state, attempting to win a direct exchange against us. However, crippling us with an EMP seems right up the alley of most logical attack. Lastly, I would enhance the maritime border and monitoring of vessels for hidden nuclear materials. While I know that none of this is guaranteed to protect us. Maybe, letting the rest of the world deal with it while we focus on what we can do, would by us time.
Jefferson
February 12th, 2013
11:05 am
Go call a country one of the “axis of evil’ and expect them to kiss you butt, reckon’ that would work
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 12th, 2013
11:05 am
Fly-On-The-Wall
“And that’s how you end up with Iraq, Afganistan, and trillions in debt. But hey, you sure looked tough when you were pounding your chest.”
And that’s how you end up with a free Europe, Japan, South Korea, etc., etc.
As usual, “kept by better men than yourself”.
MANGLER
February 12th, 2013
11:06 am
I can see all of the NK nuclear sites on Google Maps now. Take those over in conjunction with China, and then ride into downtown Pyonyang, knock on the palace door and hand him a foreclosure notice with Chase home finance as a logo. He’ll spend 4 years battling them in court, and his credit worthiness will be destroyed for at least 7.
the dog
February 12th, 2013
11:07 am
Doomy-Somehow scrubbing toilets IF that were my job as I wrote before would be far more honorable than cheating widows out of the paltry earnings for life insurance. But that is the difference between you and me. I have honor, you have none.
Tom Middleton
February 12th, 2013
11:08 am
Imho, China will take care of North Korea; we won’t have to. With China evolving as an economy and government and seeking to expand its salability around the world, the time will come when it will see North Korea as the bastid child standing in the way.
I mean, when it comes to the competition of who best frees the human spirit, I’m afraid North Korea has already lost!
Joe Hussein Mama
February 12th, 2013
11:09 am
I. Finger — “Yep its been debunked….. But if you have proof otherwise I’ll take a look… Its right there on video the bowing…. ”
Bowing does not an apology tour make.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/23/politics/fact-check-apology-tour
Again, if you have a specific criticism, I’m all ears.
Tom Middleton
February 12th, 2013
11:09 am
Sorry, Jay. I didn’t catch that you unmoderated the above.
curious
February 12th, 2013
11:11 am
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
“It’s just the way it is.”
That being the case, why wring our hands over North Korea? The only territory they have expressed an interest in is S. Korea. Let’s equip S. Korea with a few nuclear weapons and create a permanent stand off between the two until they jointly decide to resolve their differences.
Jefferson
February 12th, 2013
11:14 am
Does the UN have a 2nd ammendment ?
willie lynch
February 12th, 2013
11:14 am
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 12th, 2013
10:53 am
Well who’s the FBI and who’s organized crime in this scenario?
Michael
February 12th, 2013
11:17 am
Curious,
While an interesting idea, we can see how well that is working with India and Pakistan. I for one am not a proponent of arming anyone else with nukes. Bad enough we were the ones who opened Pandora’s Box on this. (Although someone else surely would have) However, creating another nuclear standoff with a madman seems counter-productive. Remember, that we averted a number of nuclear exchanges with Russia only because of brave men on both sides who disregarded standing orders to launch.
Nero
February 12th, 2013
11:24 am
Not overly concerned. On a lucky day, even with the wind a their back, they may be able to target somewhere on the West coast. No big loss there.
Itchy Finger
February 12th, 2013
11:56 am
JamVet
How about the left wing loon Occupy Wall St slugs that the dems embraced….
The veterans, cops, school teachers, working moms and middle class white collar workers that played a huge role in helping expose the GOP as irrational and servile Wall Street sycophants?
The type of Americans that Frederick Douglass wrote about in the 1850s?
The Americans who helped crush the GOP in last November’s election?
How about them?
Occupy that.
You must have been asleep during that whole mess.. I only saw slugs at these events….
Itchy Finger
February 12th, 2013
12:01 pm
Joe Hussein Mama
I. Finger — “Yep its been debunked….. But if you have proof otherwise I’ll take a look… Its right there on video the bowing…. ”
Bowing does not an apology tour make.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/23/politics/fact-check-apology-tour
Again, if you have a specific criticism, I’m all ears.
Hmm.. CNN… One of the leading obama cheerleaders… Yep its debunked….
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 12th, 2013
12:59 pm
willie lynch:
If you can’t tell you’re beyond help.