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jpljr77

(1,004 posts)
Tue Aug 8, 2017, 03:58 PM Aug 2017

But seriously on North Korea ... what's going on here?

There are clearly drumbeats, we've all seen this play out before. And this is more than the Iran silliness of the past few years. This is the loudest it's been since the Iraq run-up.

So WTF?

I can think of three factors driving this seeming rush to war:

1. The administration is trying to deflect attention away from its utter failure. (wag the dog scenario)
2. Trump is so thin-skinned, he can't take the particular brand of North Korean disrespect and assiness that they've been throwing around for years, even though other U.S. presidents took it in stride and acted like adults when a Dear Leader is acting like a toddler.
3. North Korea really is near a tipping point in its nuclear program, and given its instability and desperation, military force might be required to prevent them from obtaining the capability of launching a rocket armed with a legit nuclear warhead.

Of course, it can be a combination of the three.

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WhiskeyGrinder

(22,146 posts)
1. It's No. 3 combined with a desperate wish for some kind of win for the president.
Tue Aug 8, 2017, 03:59 PM
Aug 2017

I would also say it's a factor of having amateurs running the show. "Strategic patience" wasn't really the best policy ever either, but at least actual mature adults were the ones implementing the police. Unfortunately, this is a game the U.S. can't win the way it wants to -- whether Trump is president or not.

get the red out

(13,459 posts)
2. All of the above
Tue Aug 8, 2017, 04:01 PM
Aug 2017

Just my opinion.

But if we had an actual President, with an actual State Department, could they have possibly struck some deal with NK before it reached this point? I don't know.

WhiskeyGrinder

(22,146 posts)
3. The seeds of where we are now were planted years ago, and "striking a deal" has been unacceptable
Tue Aug 8, 2017, 04:03 PM
Aug 2017

for years. Instead, we've been floating along on wishful thinking, denial and mockery, hoping somehow the Chinese will swoop in and save us. And here we are!

underpants

(182,279 posts)
4. W&Co inflamed the situation. Also I think NK is getting some help from someone
Tue Aug 8, 2017, 04:04 PM
Aug 2017

For an operation that had failure after failure to suddenly develop this quickly doesn't make sense.

haele

(12,581 posts)
7. Well, if we had real leadership, they wouldn't be poking at Kim the IIIrd.
Tue Aug 8, 2017, 04:15 PM
Aug 2017

They'd be working overtime to deescalate the paranoia and certainly wouldn't be playing popinjay chicken because "It's just DPRK, and they're a small third world country we can jerk around."

There's a reason Kim III (aka the Paranoid Emper-iod) has been pushing the development of ICBMs and Cyber warfare.
He wouldn't have been half this far along if he hadn't been feeling threatened or belittled by "big bullies" USA and ROK.

BTW, not all military officers have an understanding about what the responsibilities of maintaining a Nuclear Program are. Admirals and (heaven help me for calling them Military) Air Force Officers are not at all eager at all to pull the trigger, and someone I knew who used to train people to sit in the silos waiting for orders was pretty sure that there was going to be a lot of soul searching done before anyone would turn the key, no matter who was sitting at the seat.

The people who sit at the consoles next to the key and button mechanism know there is no such thing as a limited Nuclear War. Once those birds fly, it's "game over" for real. There's no coming back.

People who haven't sat waiting on station for days on end don't have a realistic understanding on that.

Haele

 

Trust Buster

(7,299 posts)
5. We are being lied to. Last week the government announced that North Korean missiles can reach
Tue Aug 8, 2017, 04:11 PM
Aug 2017

the U.S. This week ? Viola, North Korea can miniaturize nuclear weapons to fit on those missiles. Only a fool is blind to what is going on here. Only a fool would fall for this Bush/Cheney ploy again. Wake up people.

get the red out

(13,459 posts)
11. Will Trump attack them
Tue Aug 8, 2017, 04:30 PM
Aug 2017

Is that what he is building up to? Wanting to be a war-time President on a grand scale?

Zoonart

(11,750 posts)
6. Makes more sense of this Mattis memo I posted yesterday...
Tue Aug 8, 2017, 04:15 PM
Aug 2017

Just found this on Kos. Seems to have been authenticated. Some odd phrasing and getting attention on twitter.
Something Up?

Here is the memo text in a format you can c/p from, if you wish to do so in your replies…

………………………………………………...
MEMORANDUM FOR ALL DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES
August 4, 2017
Re: Ethical Standards for All Hands
Those entrusted by our nation with carrying out violence, those entrustedwith the lives of our troops, and those entrusted with enormous sums of taxpayer money must set an honorable example in all we do.
I expect every member of the Department to play the ethical midfield. I need you to be aggressive and show initiative without running the ethical sidelines, where even one missstep will have you out of bounds.
I want our focus to be on the essence of ethical conduct: doing what is right at all times, regardless of the circumstances or whether anyone is watching.

To ensure each of us is ready to do what is right, without hesitation, when ethical dilemmas arise, we must train and prepare ourselves and our subordinates. Our prior reflection and our choice to live by an ethical code will reinforce what we stand for, so we remain morally strong especially in the face of adversity.

Through our example and through coaching of all hands, we will ensure ethical standards are maintained. Never forget our willingness to take the oath of office and to accept The associated responsibilities means that even citizens who have never met us trust us to do the right thing, never abusing our position nor looking the other way when we see something wrong.

I am proud to serve alongside you.

Grammy23

(5,808 posts)
8. The specter of the Russia probe has got trump's anal sphincter tighter than a rubber band.
Tue Aug 8, 2017, 04:17 PM
Aug 2017

He can only do so much with other deflections. But oh, the horror of a nuclear flash. Now that has got some zip to it. Nothing focuses the mind like the prospect of being incinerated in a nuclear fireball. Russia will the last thing on our minds, doncha think??

Corgigal

(9,291 posts)
9. Just talking with hubby here
Tue Aug 8, 2017, 04:19 PM
Aug 2017

Why is the news reporting on any of this? Do any of us citizens have an input to any of this information? We know it's true, how?

I have no idea what is being planed and we're the last to know. Going on TV and sable rattle at foreign countries make us look like an idiot.

News media, stop thinking about ratings. Do you have no idea on how many ill people we have sitting here in America that don't take much to push them to do bizarre and irrational things?

I turned my TV off. I have smart podcasts to listen to. You're not playing with my CNS today.

WhiskeyGrinder

(22,146 posts)
12. If you're interested in podcasts, I strongly recommend the Arms Control Wonk podcast.
Tue Aug 8, 2017, 04:34 PM
Aug 2017

They've been calling a weaponized ICBM for weeks now. This is not a surprise to anyone; the only surprise is how long our government wanted to stay in denial.

 

stevenleser

(32,886 posts)
14. Number three, unfortunately. Kim and Trump deserve to be tied to each other
Tue Aug 8, 2017, 05:58 PM
Aug 2017

throughout the rest of history.

I'm sure events will play out to make it so.

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