Monday May 28, 2012

JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

Gates says U.S. can do nothing about N Korean missile

World Mar. 30, 2009 - 05:32AM JST ( 10 )

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smithinjapanMar. 30, 2009 - 12:26PM JST

Doh! Throws a wet blanket on Japan's plans, anyway. And as I said, NKorea is slowly pitting little differences between the countries. Now Japan scrambling it's defences and threatening to shoot the thing down while the US 'can do nothing' makes any blame for shooting down a satellite (if that's what it is) fall solely on Japan.

The Japanese government needs to wait and see like the US has said it will. Being prepared is fine, but if they actually fire on the rocket/satellite, well... in light of the fact that NK is preparing a second launch shortly after and has said any attempt to shoot down the satellite is an act of war... you put the math together (in terms of stupidity).

"Gates said he believes that economic penalties against North Korea are more likely than diplomacy to result in progress for U.S. policies toward the North."

Well, look for more of the same as what's happening as a result. That's what got us here, and here is where we are.
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Helter_SkelterMar. 30, 2009 - 02:02PM JST

Gates says U.S. can do nothing about N Korean missile

The correct headline should read "Gates says U.S. chooses to do nothing about N Korean missile".
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smithinjapanMar. 30, 2009 - 03:05PM JST

Helter: "The correct headline should read "Gates says U.S. chooses to do nothing about N Korean missile".

Sadly, and particularly with English used by Americans, 'can' has come to mean less 'ability' and more 'willingness'. Hence, the headline is perfect in its ambiguity, for legally they actually CANNOT do anything without giving NKorea the grounds for making it a conflict, and figuratively they are unwilling to do anything as a result of the legal bindings.

Saying 'chooses' implies that, with Iraq, they could just side-step international law by interfering, and set the potential for massive conflict.
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TexasAggieMar. 30, 2009 - 04:30PM JST

If the situation calls for it, Obama will have to respond quickly. Hope the POTUS doesn't choose that moment to break down.
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SuperLibMar. 30, 2009 - 04:50PM JST

smithinjapan: and particularly with English used by Americans

Insulting Americans in general has become quite a common practice for you in your responses. Are you sure you're as objective as you claim to be?
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cleoMar. 30, 2009 - 05:00PM JST

If it isn't an insult to point out that Brits and Americans mean different places when they say things like 'first floor', 'pavement', 'subway' etc., how can it be an insult to point out that some auxiliary verbs are used differently too?

Or are some people just too, too touchy?
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NessieMar. 30, 2009 - 06:34PM JST

A fine time to finally opt to recognize international law. Doh!
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teleprompterMar. 30, 2009 - 07:11PM JST

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article5994905.ece

"Missile experts from Iran are in North Korea to help Pyongyang prepare for a rocket launch, according to reports."

Whaddya know - it's like there is some kinda 'axis of evil' out there or something.
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unscrejectsMar. 30, 2009 - 10:07PM JST

The shoot down technology doesn't work. Why make a fool of yourself aiming for the flying bus and miss it with the world's media attention in full focus? Hey, unless Kim gives you the exact flight path and speed of the sucker you're going to make him look good on his prime time news.
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HonestDictatorMar. 31, 2009 - 03:56AM JST

I'm all for the "wait and see" considering this issue. Unfortunately if NKorea makes an aggressive move and the "rocket to space" is nothing but a missile then all hell and fury will be legally waged against them depending on whom and where it falls. That there "rocket" had better go straight up and out away from the planet and never have intentions of coming back.