A Little History Can Be a Dangerous Thing

[tw]

Originally posted by joemama
North Korea has a ballistic missile that most credible sources concede - is able to reach North America. They have several nuclear weapons thus far, and are manufacturing more, now. They are much more of a threat than Iraq was, and their leader is just as ruthless as Hussein. They have a real hatred for Japan - since Japan has been the jumping off point for all of the American military agression in Asia, and I think that they would love to nuke Tokyo.

Much of this 1st paragraph is more right wing rhetoric than real world fact. Right wing does not understand that political warfare in N Korea is more vicious than Collin Powell verses Rumsfeld. N Korea's Kim Jung Il is not necessarily in full power. Where would America be if Gen Curtis LeMay had his people in all government positions? Entire 1st Marine Division would be nuclear toast on beaches of Cuba.

Some facts we do know. N Korea is desperate to become part of a world trading community. But N Korean right wing military leaders also believe (have been raised as little children to believe) that the world wants to conquer N Korea at a first sign of weakness. Now you tell me. How does a nation become part of a world community and still entertain their fears?

Lie. Claim all kinds of mass weapons that don't exist or that don't exist in signficant numbers, or that exist but don't work very well. As a major world weapons supplier, and a country that earns 25% just from weapons, then make even better weapons. Show off those weapons and exaggerate their abilities. Powerful publicity means more sales (such as Scuds to Yemen). Powerful pubilicity demands that even the US must have respect. If you don't get that respect and access to world trade, then rachet up the tension, make even more deadly looking weapons, and lie even more about what you have. These are the people that Kim Jung Il must answer to. When America rattles sabers, then these are the people who become more powerful in N Korea.

It is silly rhetoric to claim that N Korea only wants to destroy everyone. A serious power struggle is inside N Korea just to determine how to gain world respect. Many power brokers that Kim Jung Il must answer to have no idea how the world really works. What the world has seen is how these myopic power brokers respond to threats. Confront them directly, and nuclear war is inevitable. Virtually the entire population of S Korea understands that which is why they fear US government more than N Korea. Based upon how the Vulcans advocate solutions, then S Korea and Japan both have much to fear from the US.

Dealing with N Korea as a nation that must be attacked is silly - a Pickett's Charge solution. A MacAurthur noted, only the unintelligent commander advocates a frontal attack. Intelligent diplomacy is more powerful and devious than a million man army and nuclear bombs. Ironic, even George Jr began to see the light when White House said the N Korean translation was mistranslated - so as to let N Korea back off their statement. George Jr did what intelligent Presidents like Kennedy did to keep tensions from getting taut. That was the first time George Jr has shown any indication that he might understand the N Korean standoff for what it really is.

We would not be here if the Republican neanderthals in Congress had not undermined the entire Sunshine policy and the Carter / Clinton agreement that had started to bring N Korea into the world. Their testosterone attitude when N Korea was willing to end major weapons programs only resulted in creating new nuclear weapons programs. We restarted aggressive weaspons programs by empowering those myopic N Korean power brokers. It would have cost us almost nothing - a monthly shipment of oil and construction on two electric power stations. Right wing Republicans quashed deliveries for up to 5 years, thereby empowering N Korean right wing power brokers. No wonder N Korean hard liners are now back in power - and now telling Kim Jung Il what he will do.

Diplomatic trick is to have American diplomats who understand. Who are the hard liners? What N Koreans favor Sunshine? America policy must empower the latter at the expense of the former. Classic carrot and stick. Holbrook did exactly that in Serbia because his boss understood the world. Right wingers don't understand how successful diplomacy can be if the White House is intelligent. Can Kelly do same as Holbrook especially when right wing extremists such as Rumsfeld and Ashcroft are on the attack of Powell? It all depends on the intelligence of George Jr - whether he is smart enough to understand a diplomatic campaign OR will be enticed by the neanderthal solution of war.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Kim Jong Il is not easily influenced. I do no think he is going to back down simply because China expresses reservations.

He did back down when China "accidentally" shut off his oil for 3 days. He then patiently waited his turn to be a pain in the ass.