N Korea reportedly preparing to launch long-range missile capable of reaching Alaska
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SushiSake3
"North Korea is preparing to launch its most advanced missile, believed to be capable of reaching Alaska, from its west coast near China, news reports said Monday."
If Sarah Palin spots it from her window, will that make her a long-range missile expert? :-)
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mareo2
Yawn... Again? You know... the more he do it, the less impact he get from the people. Is dificult for Elvis to compete with the global recession for get the attention of the world.
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LostinNagoya
Ya betcha! My only doubt is if she knows that there are two koreas, which one lauched it, and actually what the hell is a korea? hehe.
Now seriously: you guys can well be in the epicenter of where WW4 started. North Korea vs Japan vs China vs Russia vs US vs the rest of the world.
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SuperLib
OK, all Sushi mocking aside, one does have to wonder what North Korea's ultimate goal is with their actions. What is it that they want, and how do they think endless missile tests will get it for them?
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DarkKnghtZ
N Korea is like a whining child throwing a temper tantrum. They are pushing and pushing and pushing and eventually someone is going to have to bitch slap them back in place. This country poses absolutely no threat to any real military and is only trying to push peoples buttons. I say cut off all the assistance and see how they like being self sufficient. (Impossible)
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Beelzebub
Sigh. Here we go again.
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IfeelImust
Woosh an plop in the pacific! What a waste of money.
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timorborder
I think there is a line in the sand which sooner or later North Korea is going to cross. That line is any action that could be perceived as a direct threat to the US. Up until, denonating warheads underground has had a certain propoganda benefit for Elvis in Pyongyang. However, if and when they can prove themselves able to hit Continental North America, North Korea will be playing with fire no matter how shonky their technology might be.
If North Korea lands one close to Alaska, perhaps the US might see fit to start holding submarine missile launch drills off the coast of North Korea (in international waters of course). Indeed, for maximum propaganda value, I would recommend the US Navy to roll out the red carpet to international media organizations.
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Sarge
Sushi: "If Sarah Palin spots it from her window, will that make her a long-range missile expert?"
You mean, if Tina Fey spots it from her window, will that make her a long-range missile expert?
Yeah, if only John McCain and Sarah Palin had been elected, the North Korean problem just might have been resolved, but with Barack Obama and Joe Biden in charge, you just know they ain't gonna do nothin' bout N.Korea.
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Beelzebub
Hey Sarge, if you're going to blame Democrats for messing up on Korea, why don't you blame Harry Truman, since he was in the White House when the war began. (He also fired MacArthur.) Of course during the 36 years of Republican administrations that have held the office since the cease-fire went into effect in 1953, no solution has been forthcoming either. How do you explain that?
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skipthesong
I'm trying to find out if this is the greatest step have ever taken. Does anyone know if this is the biggest? This is the first time I've heard it getting this far.
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franz75
teleprompter & sarge: republicans shown us how to deal with countries and WMDs. Thanks. I'll take the other one this time.
I'll be careful with NK but it should be wiped out...
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teleprompter
Right. Right. European soft power will win the day.
Stick another bumper sticker on the VW.
Yeah, that'll show the Stalinists.
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franz75
teleprompter: we both agree that talking with NorthKorea doesn't work. Assuming than McCain&Palin would have solved the problem long ago is pure fantasy. "Shoot first, think next" has shown it's limit.
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nandakandamanda
zzzzzzZZZZZZZ....
Oh, them again? I had just forgotten about NK. It must have been a good two days ago that they were jumping up and down. So, what's this? They're getting a firework ready for the June 16th talks. Whoopee doo.
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usaexpat
bulls#%t capable of crashing in the Sea of Japan is more like it. Does it make me a bad person to advocate the complete destruction of North Korea? You can't reason with them and the population is brainwashed into the cult of Kim so the only solution is to bomb them to dust.
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yabits
The answer to your question is "yes."
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Sarge
"the only solution is to bomb them to dust"
What? And kill and maim hundreds of thousands or millions of men, women and children?
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usaexpat
yabits and sarge: the other choice is to continue this charade of negotions, sanctions, condemnations, and whatever for the rest of time. Has any progress been made in the last 50 years? I guess that leaves my option or the status quo.
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yabits
No, there is another way. Following it, you'll avoid massive loss of life and the radioactive mess that will affect the area for decades to come.
Within a few decades there can be a reunited Korean peninsula following the path of a market economy and democratic institutions. But it will not come about by attacking North Korea now.
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nandakandamanda
Quote from above: "Experts said the preparations were especially significant because the North has never launched a long-range missile from the northwestern base. Kim Tae-woo, vice president of Seoul’s state-run Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, said he thinks the North chose the site because of its proximity to China, making it more risky for the U.S. to strike."
Nanda thinks they want to get it as high as possible before Japan or the US has a crack at shooting it down this time. They may even be hoping that they (read their Russian & Chinese masters) can study close-up the effectiveness of the US's anti-missile defense/defence systems.
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vajra
If China doesn't step up to put pressure on N. Korea over any attempt to launch an ICBM toward the pacific from near it's borders; then US should take it out - period .
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Sarge
"US should take it out"
Taking out missiles in flight is very tricky business.
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OssanAmerica
I actually hope they are succesful and trigger a serious reaction from us that should have been coming a long time ago. They keep talking about being attacked by us, good let's give them their wish. Millions of civilians don't have to die, we can destroy their military capability along with their missle sites. Let's give China 48 hrs notice for them to think about effecting a regime change themselves before we do.
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WilliB
Ossan:
Nonsense! From the Obama government, they will trigger a lot of hot air, followed by more concessions (which is the purpose of the whole show, anyway).
Obama is much too busy apologizing to aggressive thugs all over the world to do something about NK.
Now, a naval blockade that would stopped NK´s military exports to islamist aggressor countries and assorted terrorists, that would seriously put a spanner in the Dear Leaders works. Bush tried that once and was lambasted for it.
Snowball´s chance in hell that Obama-Clinton do anything like that. What we get is hot air. Wait and see.
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rajakumar
Just ignore north korea,China controls all things north korean finally.
India's which has marxist parties, had walmart US branch opened this month, finally in 2009,even though India is a big english speaking nation.
China mandarin speakers,opened Wal Marts years ahead of India.
Capitalism is coming to north korea. Once is comes,then north korean army will be out of work. There is not enough jobs,let north koreans and others have their army/defense jobs for now.
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rajakumar
Correction- Once it comes,then north korean army will be out of work.
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OssanAmerica
As I said I "hope". I voted for McCain.
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SuperLib
Well is this leading up to something or is it just more of the same?
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smithinjapan
“If North Korea turns its back on dialogue and peace and dares to carry out military threats and provocations, the Republic of Korea will never tolerate that,” Lee said in his regular radio address. “I want to make clear that there won’t be any compromise on things that threaten our nation’s security.”
Yeah, well... things were a lot better under Roh, despite any monetary scandals. Clearly Lee's word was not only lost IMMEDIATELY after election, but his promises to 'get tough' on NK have -- to put it mildly -- put his country in the crapper. Measure the threat from NK pre and post Lee's election.
Ossan: "Millions of civilians don't have to die, we can destroy their military capability along with their missle sites."
It would never be that easy, sadly, even if worse came to worst. Millions of 'civilians' would have to die because they are all under conscript from 17 to 27 years of age (men), and even after that they are all in the reserve army. It would never be 'hey, let's blow this silo and end this thing!', it would be, 'oh... damn... that one silo we shot has sent 1.2 million troops heading for Seoul!'
"As I said I "hope". I voted for McCain."
And no surprise your comments get shot down as badly as McCain did (both in Viet Nam and the last election). :)
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smithinjapan
SuperLib: "Well is this leading up to something or is it just more of the same?"
If nobody rushes in and attacks, my guess is more of the same. If they DO attack, my guess is a whole lot of new... and no good. For once we actually have to listen to China, who are the only sound advisors this time with the 'keep cool heads' statements they are issuing.
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OssanAmerica
Conscripts or reserves no matter what age, if they are in uniform they are not "civilians". Duh.
McCain got shot down after 22 successful missions. You normally do as soon as you start writing. :P
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ca1ic0cat
This really is getting tedious. You have to wonder what the point is. How far is NK going to take this? It would seem that they aren't getting the response they want, that's for sure.
The next question is, does Japan or the USA shoot this one down? Probably not. I guess the best way to deal with a child pitching a fit is to ignore the brat until they get tired. Of course most brats don't have an army and nukes to throw around the house....
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SuperLib
Measure the threat from NK pre and post Obama's election.
I've seen you blame Lee for KJI's behavior quite a few times. I don't agree with your statement anymore than I'd agree with blaming Obama for KJI's behavior. Lee simply wanted to see movement from North Korea if they were to continue receiving free aid. You can't hold a sensible person responsible for the reaction of an irrational person.
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smithinjapan
SuperLib: "I've seen you blame Lee for KJI's behavior quite a few times."
No, what you've seen is me saying that Lee's stance hasn't HELPED the issue. You've also seen me say that Roh's stance and pushing the Sunshine Policy, though it ultimately failed, was by contrast the closest N and SK came to reconciliation. I've never blamed anyone but NK for NK's attitude.
"You can't hold a sensible person responsible for the reaction of an irrational person."
True, but you CAN point out that it's more helpful to put water on a fire than pouring gasoline. Lee has been in power for more than a year, during which time conditions have deteriorated IMMENSELY thanks in part to his hard-line stance. Let's face it, clearly the hard-line is not working, and North Korea is more than thumbing its nose at people who make it.
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smithinjapan
Ossan: "Conscripts or reserves no matter what age, if they are in uniform they are not "civilians". Duh"
My point, clearly lost on you, is that it wouldn't be as 'easy breezy' as you claim it would be, given that a huge percentage of the population is forced into military duty, and that 1.2 million people would start marching on Seoul once you fired the first rockets. Your 'bring em on' attitude is a huge part of the problem, and would most certainly result in the full-scale destruction of NK and a BIG part (not size-wise, but importance) of the South, not to mention casualties on both sides. Yes, millions would die, regardless of how you try to pretty it up and cheer it on.
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adaydream
North Korea is going to really piss someone off. Kim is going to hit someone by accident/or not and this will start to the end. < :-)
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grafton
smithinjapan at 09:58 AM JST - 2nd June
"You can't hold a sensible person responsible for the reaction of an irrational person." “True, but you CAN point out that it's more helpful to put water on a fire than pouring gasoline”
What a pointless none-comparison. We all saw Roh getting nowhere with the sunshine (only for NK top people) policy. Maybe Lee had just had enough of his country being taken for a ride by a madman. Have you got some idea how long you think that the blackmail should have been paid? At some point it had to stop, better that it be now before NK are really in a position to fire nuclear missiles. By some reports NK can put up to 7 million under arms & that is a frightening prospect, but not as frightening or as deadly as them firing nuclear weapons. At what point is it time to stop waiting?
You might also remember that that country hasn’t sufficient food reserves to keep a war going for very long. No, I do not advocate a war with NK as I am sure you know from my previous posts. I have no more wish for the people of NK to be killed that I have any other country. But all your posts advocate paying the blackmailer until he becomes your friend, & a policy that has not worked & has only given him time to build nuclear weapons. Now you want to give time to build delivery systems too. If I trust any one I trust Lee, at least he know Korea better than you do.
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Altria
Putin should have a word with Kim Jong and warn him that its not a good idea to rear your head and go into America's airspace, cos Sarah Palin will shoot you down like a wo-, er dog. You betcha!
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teleprompter
What an embarrassment Kimmie is to all the other socialists out there.
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dragonczar
The most urgent concern by pentagon at present is how to retreat their 28000 troops out of the ROK, if the conflict goes hot! They dont have a chance to fight when the 10000 guns above the 38th parallel roared!
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dragonczar
Well done, North Korea! David confront the goliath! Korea is a country for all Koreans not a state of United states! If Lincoln can unified those confederate states by war, then how can you tell the Koreans your country should be divided and let foreign troops occupying! America was just hypocritic when the facts that matters their interests!
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dragonczar
America needs China money, neither the republicans or democrats dared to challenge China over North Korea orgies! And China needs a bulldog North Korea to strike the nerves of US,japan alliances!
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SuperLib
What you're saying is that South Korea isn't helping the situation by not letting North Korea take advantage of them anymore. It's like the kid at school not giving his lunch money to the bully anymore and watching the bully get enraged, then describing the situation by saying the kid threw gas on the fire and made things worse. It's just....odd.
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SuperLib
I think dragonczar's attitude represents everything that the world is not looking forward to when they see China as a future economic power. The world didn't like US power, they're going to hate China.
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dragonczar
America has a naive believe that they can use forces over other countries, dividing north south Korea and placing her troops to show a hegamony power and that will made them feel safe and sleep tight at mid-night!In Hollywood movies asians were potrayed as savages and depised!That was a complete wrong understanding and dangerously reckless! China has shown the only method to bring the arrogance uncle sam no more ignoring Chinese is to have certain knowledges of retailiations! It wasnt because america awarding MFN to China generously like a charity but China has the option to use nuclear power that US 'containment strategy' doesnt work! Good job, north Korea, america's arrogance need to be smacked and sit down and talk of US troops withdrawn out of asia that they occupied too long!
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dragonczar
The world didn't like US power, they're going to hate China.
That maybe true before Bush-era!But absolutely not afterwards!
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dragonczar
Let's give China 48 hrs notice for them to think about effecting a regime change themselves before we do.
That was too good to be true, the third 'vietnam' in US history and as long as it takes!
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nandakandamanda
When Korea is united and strong, and the people of one end have dropped their blind indoctrination, then some of the present Chinese leadership will not be so happy, I guess. To have Korea divided like this is more in China's interest, wouldn't you agree, dragonczar?
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dragonczar
I think america was hypocritic and dishonest because Bush encouraging India to develope nuclear weapons aiming at China by awarding India with US nuclear technologies in the pretext of civilian using without India's complying the signature of non nuclear proliferation treaty. And America wants China to curb North Korea's nuclear missles aiming at US soils with rude and unappropiate threatening manner! That was ridiculous and unacceptable! The only method that US can curbing north Korea's nuclear developmemt was in China's hand and if america didnt show any respects or correction of Bush's faults and mistakes he made two years ag, the north korean nuclear crisis shall never solved!
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SuperLib
Anyone here support dragon's remarks or can we all agree that he's pretty much an outcast?
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teleprompter
dragonczar - what would the patriot Lei Feng say?
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