US To Attack N Korea Near End of October?

[CVX]

Buried in an article in this week's International Herald Tribune, without any particular emphasis, was this significant item of information:

The United States has scheduled naval exercises off the coast of North Korea at the end of October.

Why is this scheduled then? Why so close to the election of November 2?

[Kelly Black]

I can't seem to find anything about the late October exercises in any 'reliable' news source. I searched the Internet and saw references to the International Herald Tribune, not exactly what I consider to be the standard bearer of objectivity, but got tired of searching for the specific article on their site.

The U.S. and South Korea have conducted joint exercises for 50 years, often causing tensions to rise when North Korea felt targeted. The U.S. is holding naval exercises off the coast of Australia next month, specifically to train sailors to stop the movement of nuclear weapons components into and out of, say, NORTH KOREA. This exercise is specifically designed as an open warning to North Korea, so it may be the source of the October rumor?

Although I disagree with how G.W. is handling many parts of the current World War, and, yes, he has his faults, I think it would be off-base to suggest he would invade North Korea for a chance at a boost at the polls. Not only that, I think it would be a total departure from how the administration has dealt with N.K. in the past.

Here's a link to something I wrote some time ago about N. Korea and the U.S. approach to it, just to clarify what I see the policy to have been, at least up until October 2004 :-)

http://www.kellyblack.net/government...terrorism.html

(And no, my site isn't the model of objectivity, either: but then, it's not exactly a news source.)

[capt_buzzard]

Now I would not trust these North Korean guys one bit. NO WAY.

[plazul]

It's interesting that the Bush Administration is now saying that it will withdraw troops from South Korea. But there are indications that something is in the works in response to Kim's fast track nuclear weapons program and I believe that any action against North Korea will have to be vetted with Russia and China. I'm sure that both nations now privately admit that Kim's mental health is rapidly deteriorating and that he should be removed.

In addition to arms sales, North Korea gets much of its revenue from manufactured goods that are shipped to China and laundered as made in China merchandise. If Kim were deposed China would want to continue to be the primary conduit for North Korean commerce and they would want to establish another, more benevolent, dictatorship as opposed to a South Korean style democracy.

We're in a dangerous period not because the Bush Administration is planning anything but because of what Kim is most certainly thinking going into the American presidential election. He is paranoid enough to believe that Bush might manufacture an incident or present false intelligence information to justify a preemptive strike at the strongest member of the Axis of evil .

[capt_buzzard]

I really don't think that America can go on attacking other countries just when it seems fit. I would be very afraid that China or Iran would fire on the US.

[Warsai]

In the event that North Korea launches a preemptive strike on the US because they believe we were going to strike them, would they deploy a nuclear weapon? If Kerry gets elected, would they merely have negotiations?

[capt_buzzard]

Some people (The Anti War Groups) believe that the US should be taught a lesson in fear. The US have never experienced war on the own doorstep like the rest of us. And if they were to experience a few more 9/11s perhaps they would start bombing all over the place or become a nation of peace.

[plazul]

Originally Posted by Warsai

In the event that North Korea launches a preemptive strike on the US because they believe we were going to strike them, would they deploy a nuclear weapon? If Kerry gets elected, would they merely have negotiations?

I believe that the international community is seriously back channeling on what to do about North Korea.

Both Russia and China have supplied arms to Kim but they had nothing to do with him acquiring a nuclear capabillity.

I think it's highly probable that regardless of who's President the US will attempt to assassinate Kim with a cruise missile attack or through some other means. Then China and Russia will feign outrage while taking steps to install a new dictator.

[Tombstone]

Originally Posted by capt_buzzard

Some people (The Anti War Groups) believe that the US should be taught a lesson in fear. The US have never experienced war on the own doorstep like the rest of us. And if they were to experience a few more 9/11s perhaps they would start bombing all over the place or become a nation of peace.

I'll have to speak up on this. I totally disagree. Most "Anti War Groups" have chronic amnesia. Let's look at the wars on our doorstep:

The American Revolution

From 1775- Until 1782 the Americans faced off against the largest empire in the world. Led by General Washington.

The War of 1812

Some call it the Second War of Independence, for when it ended and the US had fought Great Britain to a stalemate, Americas independence was assured.

Mexican-American War

The Civil War

It was Americas bloodiest war as brother fought brother.

The Spanish-American War (Probably should drop this - Cuba mainly)

America became a world power with its victory over the Spanish in this war.

World War II - Pearl Harbor


In addition, to completely negate and marginalize our involvement with all of the European conflicts is silly.

To say that our hundreds of thousands of American dead did not "count" just because they were not fighting in San Francisco is ludicrous. I have several long dead relatives who died in Italy, France, and Germany. They certainly weren't there for a picnic. A very real loss and a huge impact on my parents' families.

The day we are attacked on our own soil, will be the day that our enemy will lament. The last time you saw the United States pissed was during World War 2. We rallied within months from being a wannabe isolationist Country to a world powerhouse that "had to" respond and fight a World War on several fronts.

Regardless of what you read in the "press" don't ever under-estimate the patriotic feelings we have in this Country and our love of freedom.

[Enuf]

Originally Posted by plazul

I believe that the international community is seriously back channeling on what to do about North Korea.

Both Russia and China have supplied arms to Kim but they had nothing to do with him acquiring a nuclear capabillity.

I think it's highly probable that regardless of who's President the US will attempt to assassinate Kim with a cruise missile attack or through some other means. Then China and Russia will feign outrage while taking steps to install a new dictator.

After 9/11 the US did pass a bill permitting the assationation of other nations leaders. I think that it is something that hasn't been openly done since ww2