Well, here we go, boys and girls!

[Veeger]

North Korea Test Launches Long-Range Missile, and at least Two Smaller Missiles (http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/07/04/korea.missile/index.html)

Just reported on CNN.com. No news yet, as far as I know, of any response from the White House, but you can be sure President Bush won't be happy with this.

[Black.Ice]

I saw this on Yahoo as well. Interesting stuff. I can't really comment more, because there isn't much more info?

But, I doubt this will have any immediate implications other than worsening the immediate issue with North Korea.

[sololop]

I knew if there was going to be another "issue" it would involve north korea.

[100thlurker]

If Bush pushes for another war...

I'm pretty sure he's gonna be joining one of the few presidents assasinated.

[B.A.Baracus]

I thought it was four skuds, not long range, and they landed off the coast of one of Japans islands. Meh, maybe that was a different test.
Anyway I don't know what he hopes to achieve from these provocative actions, besides having his country taken away from him, and bombed into the ground.

[kongurous]

I saw a Daily Show episode on this. Taepodong is pronounced Tie (like what you wear around your neck) oh (like omfg) dong (do I need to explain it?)

Say that fast. You'll get it.

[SarahK]

north korea has nukes...

[B.A.Baracus]

north korea has nukes...
Not that we know of, they have been launching skuds and long range missiles. They are desperate to feel American dick in between their sweet commie cheeks.

[SHISHKABOB]

REALLY?!?! What amazing divination skills you have SarahK!


We really need to end N. Korea and finish off the rest of those commies.

[kongurous]

north korea has nukes...

Skuds and long-range missiles, a nuke does not make. Still, I wouldn't put it past them to have one in hiding:concern:

On a side note, Hitler needs some ice skates.

[B.A.Baracus]

We really need to end N. Korea and finish off the rest of those commies.

That would mean ending China too, not a small task.

On a side note, Hitler needs some ice skates.

Yes he does, but who doesnt?

[SuiCidAl-KiSmEt]

I had to do a report on this last school year. N. Korea is expected to have 0 or less then 7 nukes. America has 5,735 active nukes. I think they'll be worried once they luanch even 1 nuclear weapon at us.

[Modred]

I would imagine that the plan in the upper echelons of North Korean government is to simply appear as a threat capable of making a serious impact against the US. Once this is established, the combination of seemingly reckless policy regarding their weapons and the threat of mutually assured destruction would probably keep both sides in line, allowing a more level bargaining table between N. Korea and the US.

Even if N. Korea were to launch a nuclear weapon against the United States, the US could face serious roadblocks to a nuclear retaliation. Both China and South Korea would suffer ill effects of a nuclear attack on N. Korea, even if neither of those nations were directly hit by one of the weapons. I'm quite certain that would damage our relationships with both nations.

[SHISHKABOB]

I don't think that we would nuke them back anyway. Didn't we and other powerful countries with nuclear weapons sign a treaty of some sorts to not use nuclear weapons? Oh well. If we did get nuked, N. Korea would get a serious can of whoopass in their ass.

[Modred]

I don't think that we would nuke them back anyway. Didn't we and other powerful countries with nuclear weapons sign a treaty of some sorts to not use nuclear weapons? Oh well. If we did get nuked, N. Korea would get a serious can of whoopass in their ass.
Are you referring to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty? As a note, neither N. Korea nor Israel are party to it (N. Korea withdrew and I don't believe Israel ever signed it), so technically N. Korea cannot be held in violation of it.

Iran, on the other hand, signed the treaty and has no withdrawn, so they are in violation of international law should they acquire nuclear weapons.

[Aquarian]

Actually, it isn't spelled sKud but sCud.

North Korea is looking for trouble.

[Veeger]

Babs, they launched 4 skud missiles later in the day yesterday (evening, our time), for a total of seven test launches in a single day.

They're probably just trying to pretend they have the power to defend themselves (which is laughable). They do have nuclear weapons, but as was mentioned earlier, they do not have very many. If they have more than 10 I would be impressed, though I'm sure they are hiding some, that would only be logical in my opinion. If I was in control of a small nation, you're damned right I would have a few nukes hidden away, just in case someone did try to do something stupid to me or my country.

However, I would not be threatening to use them, as Korea has already done. What we don't need is some 3rd world, pee-on country trying to threaten us with Nuclear weapons. What are they going to do? Fire five of those missiles, and hope that they don't self-destruct over the sea of Japan like the one yesterday? That'll go over really well as we turn them into a parking lot, won't it?

And what if they don't mess up, what'll they hit? California. Will you miss it? I mean, really. They can have it! (sorry, PC -- LMAO) Meanwhile, we'll go in, and probably have an easier time getting rid of that regime than we are having with Iraq at the moment.

I think Kim Jong Il realizes that, and he won't risk that. He might be a touch crazy, but he is not a fool. He has proven his leadership and intelligence many times in the past: he would have lost his power many times, otherwise. He just wants to keep us on edge.

In short, I'm not overly worried about this: but we do need to keep an eye on them. They're not crazy, but they are sneaky.

[Seal]

dictators are intelligent. is that news?
if they threw a group of ICBMs into a few larger US of A cities, they have done more damage than their country is worth, thus they have already "won" that war. it doesnt matter how badly they get decimated after.

[Veeger]

Yes, that's true. However, they can only reach Cailfornia at the moment. And whether or not they can cause more damage than their country is worth doesn't mean they are stupid enough to do it.

It would certainly be a last resort, and I'm sure if we do decide to go in preemptively our first targets will be their launch platforms. They won't be able to launch at that point.

[ScottieIWU]

Seems to me like the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons is a joke.

Hell, maybe I'll start my own nuclear weapons program based out of my basement. All I need is some weapons-grade plutonium. If I do that, maybe people will start taking me seriously and let me annex my town into a new country and then I can start making ridiculous demands that completely outweigh the actual international influence my country has.

I hate nuclear weapons. They make everything so complicated.

[Nuts]

Non-proliferation only works when enforced. Until the U.N. starts putting some muscle behind their requests, we're going to continue down this same path. The U.S. is gun shy at the moment, so someone else is going to have to step up and give us a green light...then let the ass whooping begin.

[Veeger]

Nah. If you do that, SWAT will cut off all power to your house and invade while you sleep, and take you into custody, thereby neutralizing the threat.

Which is the same thing we will to do Kim if he attemps anything foolish. Which is precisely why I don't think he will. We still need to watch him, because I could be dead wrong, but the chances of him not doing it vastly outweigh the possibility of him doing so.

Until the U.N. starts putting some muscle behind their requests, we're going to continue down this same path.

Or else, we will be very, very angry with you! And we will write you a letter telling you how angry we are!. -- Hans Blix, Team America