N. Korea Suggests It Can Strike U.S. First

[Buckeyefan 1]

Yahoo news 3/21/06

SEOUL, South Korea -
North Korea suggested Tuesday it had the ability to launch a pre-emptive attack on the United States, according to the North's official news agency. A Foreign Ministry spokesman said the North had built atomic weapons to counter the U.S. nuclear threat.

"As we declared, our strong revolutionary might put in place all measures to counter possible U.S. pre-emptive strike," the spokesman said, according to the Korean Central News Agency. "Pre-emptive strike is not the monopoly of the United States."

Last week, the communist country warned that it had the right to launch a pre-emptive strike, saying it would strengthen its war footing before joint
South Korea-U.S. military exercises scheduled for this weekend.

The spokesman also said it would be a "wise" step for the United States to cooperate on nuclear issues with North Korea in the same way it does with India.

Earlier this month,
President Bush signed an accord in India that would open some of its atomic reactors to international inspections in exchange for U.S. nuclear know-how and atomic fuel.

The accord was reached even though New Delhi has not signed the international Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. North Korea has withdrawn from the treaty.

I don't know if I agree with Bush "in signing an accord in India that would open some of its atomic reactors to international inspections in exchange for U.S. nuclear know-how and atomic fuel."

Didn't the US do this already in the middle east - seeing it backfire? Seems like adding fuel to the inferno.

 

[gmichael]

First?

Isn't, who can strike last that counts the most?

 

[Johnd]

The world would be a far better place without any nuclear weapons. And, the question "Isn't, who can strike last that counts the most?" is not only rhetorical, imho, but dangerous. Those that lived through the nuclear proliferation throughout the eighties know better; there is no winning a nuclear war. It's unfortunate more people don't think of it that way. Worst of all, North Korea, with it's maniacal leader Kim Jung Il, is the most dangerous threat to regional, and world safety.

 

[gmichael]

The world would be a far better place without any nuclear weapons. And, the question "Isn't, who can strike last that counts the most?" is not only rhetorical, imho, but dangerous. Those that lived through the nuclear proliferation throughout the eighties know better; there is no winning a nuclear war. It's unfortunate more people don't think of it that way. Worst of all, North Korea, with it's maniacal leader Kim Jung Il, is the most dangerous threat to regional, and world safety.

So sorry, just meant as a joke. And I did live through the 80's. And the 70's, and the 60's.

 

[Johnd]

Understood. Me too. It's just that nuclear weapons and Kim Jung Il are rather serious matters. But thanks for the clarification.

 

[gene]

The world would be a far better place without any nuclear weapons.

I agree. I wish Superman would come and take all nukes of the world and throw them at the sun

 

[gmichael]

You are right. Sorry about goofing off on such a serious matter. It is a scary world out there. I still remember the drills they taught us in grammar school. We had air raid drills as well as fire drills. Do they still do this? Not that hiding under a desk would really help.

Doesn't Kim Jung Il know that they would also not win anything? As much damage as they would do to us they would get more in return. What would he get out of that? The satisfaction of knowing that he gave the class bully a black eye just before he dies?

I don't understand the whole idea of trying to stop a country from getting nuclear information. OK, I take that back. I do understand the idea. But the information is out there already. We can't put the genie back in the bottle. By trying to force nations to do as we want, we are only pissing them off to the point that we will be their first target when they finally get there. And they will get there. We can only slow them down, not stop them. We should focus more on helping them to understand the great responsibility the comes with it.

 

[Johnd]

And the fallout shelters...like that's going to save you.

 

[Johnd]

I don't understand the whole idea of trying to stop a country from getting nuclear information. OK, I take that back. I do understand the idea. But the information is out there already. We can't put the genie back in the bottle. By trying to force nations to do as we want, we are only pissing them off to the point that we will be their first target when they finally get there. And they will get there. We can only slow them down, not stop them. We should focus more on helping them to understand the great responsibility the comes with it.

It's not nuclear information that I have a problem with...it's nuclear weapons information. I believe nuclear energy, while not the most safe, or responsible (as far as the waste, it's very clean energy, other than the solid waste that remains (for half lives)). This problem is exasperated by the disgruntled nuclear scientists from those now bankrupt eastern block countries. We should allow all those scientists to come to the US and pay them well for their knowledge and expertise with nuclear energy...so that they are unable to help rogue, or any countries with their own nuclear weapons agenda.

 

[BMO]

Although North Korea " may " have nuclear weapons, they won't be using any. There just reminding the World," don,t forget about us " durring this time of Iran histeria.
They most likely feel that they'll be left out of the loop for handouts as Iran takes center stage in it's quest for The Weapon.
We usualy ( the USA ) throw huge amounts of money at those who obtain some nuclear capibility, for a treaty to make us all feel better. Then we catch them in a lie and clamp down. ( cut them off ) North Korea has been caught, so now there missle increased there range from going to Japan to the USA all in the quest for a piece of the pie. MONEY

 

[Johnd]

Although North Korea " may " have nuclear weapons, they won't be using any.

I wouldn't bet on it. And it's not really North Korea that I'm worried about...it's Kim Jung Il...he's truly a madman that doesn't care. Just look at how he treats (mistreats) his own people. He makes Sadam look like a caregiver. The world needs to be very wary, and cautious with Kim Jung Il.

 

[majorloser]

I wouldn't bet on it. And it's not really North Korea that I'm worried about...it's Kim Jung Il...he's truly a madman that doesn't care. Just look at how he treats (mistreats) his own people. He makes Sadam look like a caregiver. The world needs to be very wary, and cautious with Kim Jung Il.

It's a shame somebody didn't take out Korea's reactors before they went on line like Israel did to Iraq. And that was a power plant the French were building for Sadam.


As far as our plants, 104 nuke plants provide over 20% of our power. Coal powered plants account for about 50% and natural gas is about 20%. The rest is mostly hydro electric. We rely on nuke power whether we like it or not.

 

[Sleestack]

I wouldn't bet on it. And it's not really North Korea that I'm worried about...it's Kim Jung Il...he's truly a madman that doesn't care. Just look at how he treats (mistreats) his own people. He makes Sadam look like a caregiver. The world needs to be very wary, and cautious with Kim Jung Il.

You are correct. The man is unpredictable except for the fact that you can always bet he has self preservation and satisfaction high on his list of priorities. He would let his entire country die if it meant he would secure another shipment of Chivas Regal and the newest S Class Mercedes.

 

[shokhead]

Whoever wants to try to zap us knows it will only do it one time.

 

[Johnd]

Whoever wants to try to zap us knows it will only do it one time.

Yes, and since there is no Star Wars (the real one, not the movie...as in strategic defense initiative propogated by President Ronald Reagan, for those who are unfamiliar), that is the problem. A nuclear war will only happen once...for all of us.

 

[gmichael]

I see a thousand points of light.

 

[Johnd]

You were alive (and aware) in the eighties!

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

Nothing like the threat of global annihilation to spread a few more STDs around......

 

[shokhead]

Yes, and since there is no Star Wars (the real one, not the movie...as in strategic defense initiative propogated by President Ronald Reagan, for those who are unfamiliar), that is the problem. A nuclear war will only happen once...for all of us.

I'm more worried about bird flu then nuke flu.

 

[gmichael]

You were alive (and aware) in the eighties!

Sometimes. And half the time, I knew what I was going to say next.