Larger Than Life

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-p ... 067711.stm

Does anyone get the feeling that NK is testing out the (relatively) new American administration here?

_________________
Pobody's nerfect

Possible, though I just happen to believe N. Korea would have done this anyway. Like a babe throwing a temper-tantrum in the playpen, they pull stunts like this when they feel ignored & need the economic cuddling.

Though further issues abound in our dealings with Iran (as you know - Our ‘line’ has been harsher, sterner with) - as we are not without knowledge concerning the exchange of technology concerning Iran & N. Korea, or the possibility that China - whom we really fear, is guiding these events for advantage.

So, its’ a mess; Can the world view the U.S. as being ‘fair’ when we seem so unfair diplomatically? In this way, N. Korea will continue to carry on as they have, establishing policy we’ll find ourselves in the precarious position of having to abide in order that Iran may see its’ nuclear aims achieved. Mind you - Iran is merely in the development stages purifying uranium (for what they claim) ‘peaceful use’; N. Korea, on the other hand - makes no bones about being fully nuclear capable though at the same time MSM provides the doubt. . .What to do?

Joe (Bigsky770)

_________________
“Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedies.”

- - Groucho Marx

Those short range missile tests are just pin pricks. It's the underground nuke testing that worries me most.

_________________
My best advice to anyone who wants to raise a happy, mentally healthy child is: Keep him or her as far away from a church as you can.. (F. Zappa)
"How ironic... You eat vegetarian and speak baloney" -- Bucky Catt
Blackadder: Baldrick, have you no idea what irony is?
Baldrick: Yes, it's like goldy and bronzy only it's made out of iron.

Yes, but if they attach a nuke to a short-range missile they could wipe out Seoul at a stroke. Particularly worrying, given the news from yesterday, that I guess most have heard by now ...



Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-p ... 069457.stm

And this is hardly surprising either I guess ...

Alert level raised on North Korea

_________________
Pobody's nerfect

_________________
Lori

I want to know God's thoughts... the rest are details.

Albert Einstein

The heart of so great a mystery can never be reached by following one road only.

Nostradomas

In fact, at this very moment Kim is having a few beers and planning his next move ...

EDIT - Don't know why photobucket removed this picture ...

_________________
Pobody's nerfect

Doesn't this start to strike you as the boy that cried wolf?

_________________
My best advice to anyone who wants to raise a happy, mentally healthy child is: Keep him or her as far away from a church as you can.. (F. Zappa)
"How ironic... You eat vegetarian and speak baloney" -- Bucky Catt
Blackadder: Baldrick, have you no idea what irony is?
Baldrick: Yes, it's like goldy and bronzy only it's made out of iron.

Got two reports that the United States is @ DEFCON 2; Still trying to confirm this story further with affiliates. From this report it is claimed that S. Korea itself is @ 'level 4'. Turner squares this. Problem is, I'm trying to figure out the differences between "WATCHCON" & "DEFCON" scales. It is worthy to note (From Turner)



And:



Could these plans have been in the works? "Stars & Stripes:



More later. . .(if there's a 'later')

Joe (Bigsky770) *sigh*

_________________
“Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedies.”

- - Groucho Marx

_________________
Lori

I want to know God's thoughts... the rest are details.

Albert Einstein

The heart of so great a mystery can never be reached by following one road only.

Nostradomas

I think it's just the one report Joe. The report in "The Right Perspective" gives its source as the Macedonia International News Agency.

Still worrying nevertheless ...

_________________
Pobody's nerfect

It might be a mis-reading of an earlier report that the US was at WATCHCON 2 ...

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/05/28/ ... 243513479/

_________________
Pobody's nerfect

This may aid to clarify things a mite.

DEFCON Explains the Defcon levels, also has a clickable that tells you whats' the current level.

As for WATCHCON, I cannot find an adequate description which explains the levels used, how they're determined, yada-yada. . .

The only thing I can draw from this is that there may be some confusion concerning use. The United States (as you know) uses the 5 - level system of rating and is so named DEFCON (defense readiness condition). The S. Korean gov't also has a multi-level system used to class threats, WATCHCON. Problem is, I can't seem to find out much about it other than what is relayed in many of the articles we‘d already combed. The clickable @ Wiki displays LEVEL 4 (as you'd probably seen) for our DEFCON.

I'm not certain - Can only venture a guess, but I'm thinking perhaps the reporters afield are confusing one set of standards with the other, though they may not be so easily interchangeable as towards defining those threats. The confusion would be understandable considering that the U.S. maintains 35,000 troops in S. Korea - They're using the DEFCON levels but at the same time the S. Korean gov't is using their own WATCHCON system -w- their forces.

Just watching CNN televised and they claimed minutes ago that there is a 'high state of readiness' but will not clarify what that level/state is.

QUESTION 1: Would the DEFCON level displayed for the benefit of the public be necessarily believable? (anyone that believes they'd broadcaste the news would have to be awfully gullible, IMO)

QUESTION 2: In lieu of the fact that plans have been drawn for 'strategic first use' (as leaked to the L.A. Times / Turner points out in 2002) - With what recent actions of N. Korea showing intensified unannounced testing of both nuclear weapons & delivery would that not fit the criteria listed:



- -Make of the above what you will

Joe (Bigsky770)

_________________
“Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedies.”

- - Groucho Marx

Well all I can say right now is that if the US Army is at DEFCON 2, you wouldn't know it from watching our news in the UK atm. Headlines are still all about dodgy MPs being "creative" with their expense claims.

Must be much more important than WWIII about to start ...

_________________
Pobody's nerfect

Bottom line: MSM controls. . .Well, 'Maintream News'. Fluff-n-nonsense. Yah know. Watching TV, I know we have more rain coming, Susan Boyle is a continued success - and somethin' 'er other about? Haven't a clue. Television must tax the mind for those that rely on it solely. . .I know I couldn't.

Joe (Bigsky770)

_________________
“Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedies.”

- - Groucho Marx

As per news reports, N. Korea has launched a sixth missile:

US officials: North Korea may launch new missiles

By ERIC TALMADGE and ANNE GEARAN – 44 minutes ago
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea on Friday vowed to retaliate if punitive U.N. sanctions are imposed for its latest nuclear test, and U.S. officials said there are new signs Pyongyang may be planning more long-range missile launches. With tensions rising, the communist nation punctuated its barrage of rhetoric with yet another short-range missile launch — the sixth this week.

Perhaps more significantly, officials in Washington said there are indications of increased activity at a site used to fire long-range missiles.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because methods of gathering information about North Korea are sensitive. The officials also said an initial U.S. air sampling from near the underground test site was inconclusive.

Officials said the initial analysis doesn't prove the North successfully completed an atomic reaction. At least one more test is coming.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency said the latest test launch was a surface-to-air missile designed to defend against aircraft or other missile attacks. It said the missile was believed to be a modified version of the Russian SA-5.

The nuclear test and flurry of missile launches, coupled with the rhetoric from Pyongyang that it won't honor a 1953 truce ending the fighting in the Korean War, have raised tensions in the region and heightened concerns that the North may provoke a skirmish along the border or off its western coast — the site of deadly clashes in 1999 and 2002.

But officials said the heavily fortified border remains calm and U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Washington does not see the situation as a crisis warranting any more troops to augment the 28,000 U.S. forces already in South Korea.

Again, that LINK for the Rest of the Story: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/art ... wD98G52L00

. . .So tensions are bound to continue. ('till it breaks, that is). . .

Joe (Bigsky770)

_________________
“Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedies.”

- - Groucho Marx

Whoa.

North Korea Is Warned
by Gates on Testing


U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates delivers his speech during a plenary session of the
International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue security conference in
Singapore on Friday. Photo courtesy: How Hwee Young/European Pressphoto Agency

By ELISABETH BUMILLER
Published: May 29, 2009
SINGAPORE — Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates warned North Korea on Saturday that the United States would not accept it as a nuclear weapons state and would consider any transfer of nuclear material to other countries or terrorist groups a “grave threat” to the United States and its allies.

“We will not stand idly by as North Korea builds the capability to wreak destruction on any target in the region — or on us,” Mr. Gates told a major security conference here that has been dominated by North Korea’s test this week of a nuclear device and the firing of at least six short-range missiles, all in defiance of international sanctions. North Korea test-fired a missile on Friday, according to a South Korean defense official.

North Korea, Mr. Gates said, had a choice: “To continue as a destitute, international pariah, or chart a new course.”

Mr. Gates, who was speaking for the first time at the annual conference, called the Shangri-La Dialogue, as an emissary of his new commander in chief, said the new administration had limited patience with North Korea’s bellicose words and behavior.

“President Obama has offered an open hand to tyrannies that unclench their fists,” Mr. Gates said. “He is hopeful, but he is not naïve. Likewise, the United States and our allies are open to dialogue, but we will not bend to pressure or provocation.”

Military officials traveling with Mr. Gates said the tough talk was aimed at increasing worldwide pressure on North Korea as well as reassuring allies in the region, particularly Japan and South Korea, that the United States was committed to their defense should North Korea make good on talk of war this week. On Wednesday, North Korea threatened military strikes against the South.

The officials acknowledged that the United States had only limited information about what was happening inside North Korea and suspected but did not know for certain that its leader, Kim Jong-il, was in the midst of political maneuvers to make his youngest son, Kim Jong-un, his successor. The officials described the country’s leadership as unpredictable and bizarre.

Mr. Gates’s sharp language was met with some skepticism by at least one participant in the conference, a Hong Kong television commentator, who in a question-and-answer session after the defense secretary’s formal remarks noted that although Mr. Gates had declared that the United States would not recognize North Korea as a nuclear weapons state, it was already a “de facto nuclear weapons state.” The questioner asked about the next step for the United States and whether the long-running six-nation talks aimed at getting North Korea to abandon its nuclear program had failed.

Mr. Gates responded that the next step was political and that the United States would send a team to Asia to “reassess” how to go forward with the talks. He acknowledged, “It would be hard to point to them at this point as an example of success.”

Again, that LINK for the Rest of the Story: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/30/world ... l?ref=asia

Though the above may seem uncharacteristically harsh, Huffington Posts’ Eric C. Anderson provides insight for the way the present administration may be engaging this magilla, morever, how it may intend handling - - :



And:



Again, that LINK: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eric-c-an ... 09115.html

Eric could be essentially correct in this analysis. It may be that China - feeling the weight of always being the one sought for mediations with the ever recalcitrant N. Korea would be willing to stand aside from this one, affording the U.S. opportunity to ‘do what needs done’ disarming the despot. Crazy as it may sound, our continued perceptions (N. Korea forever the communist satellite), China’s role as protector - may not prove necessarily accurate. If true, President Obama may find his ability to resolve the issues of nuclear proliferation (N.Korea & Iran) in one bold move - In this case, war with the N. Korean reprobate - Who has displayed strides of the more militant in nature for nuclear advancement than their counterpart of the Middle East.

That said, the going surely wouldn’t be easy for the freshly-elected Obama; Elected upon the platform of ’change’, Barack H. Obama was seen as the more peaceable in respect to the likes of his predecessor George W. Bush - as you’re well aware, bogged-down with the legacy of a continued war in Iraq, being viewed as the more aggressive - a stamp which more likely then not lost the election for the Republican party. What effect? Would this carry for the immense populist support enjoyed by Obama? One could easily envisage an erosion of support, exceptional by any standard as the many who had caste their vote for the charismatic leader emend their reasoning - though it could be that he is merely handling the tasks that no-one previous dare. None withstanding - these problems could not have come at a worse time in respect to a global economy still suffering the strains of an ongoing deepening recession.

Thoughts?

Joe (Bigsky770)

_________________
“Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedies.”

- - Groucho Marx

perhaps these problems 'could not have come at a worse time,' but isn't it somewhat probable that If we are thinking in terms of geopolitical football that this might just be the situation that so many economically beleagured countries are, in fact, Looking For?

consider the 'old fashioned' humour wherein during an economic downturn (recession, depression, whatever) the Best way to turn things around is to have a War.

perhaps the Real Scope of the Issues facing the world are not being aired - only the surface stuff that can't be hidden from view. thus you have a whole bunch of world leaders 'playing out the script' for the cameras even while they're desperately seeking a 'solution' to the even worse problem they've been sitting on for months.

suddenly Kim Jong Il starts acting like a buffoon, thinkng he's going to be able to hold the world over a barrel for more handouts.

and the thoughts of those in charge turn from, "How do we keep this guy quiet?" to, "How can we use this situation to our advantage?"

as for preserving Obama's 'peaceful' image, just have him wait until NK does something really provocative - like another Pearl Harbour or the equivalent kind of incident ... then he can 'engage' without seeming like the 'aggressor.'

just some early morning pre-coffee musings ...

_________________
Which part of my part is your part? - Seth Bullock - Deadwood

Mez, There are times we see ‘coincidence’ and we wonder if it not be so coincidental. Think like a thief. For every trade made where someone loses, someone on the other side of that trade wins. I leave that for greater minds than mine to work out the particulars of. In closing I’ll say something (as conspiracy theory go) - Its’ not all that difficult to imagine why a controlling interest would wish to close down the ‘net - though they may cite alternate reasoning for the rationale; All information made available to ones’ fingertips - gathering info., comparing notes - not something they’d find particularly soothing, aye?

Joe (Bigsky770)

_________________
“Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedies.”

- - Groucho Marx

North Korea may haved loaded a ship with cruise missile containing Nuclear Warhead. Still looking for another source.

http://turnerradionetwork.blogspot.com/ ... -ship.html

Washington, DC (TRN) -- The U.S. National Reconnaissance Office which manages United States military spy satellites, issued an alert this morning regarding North Korea.

According to the alert, which was seen by the Turner Radio Network, U.S. spy satellites code named "Misty-2" and "Lacrosse -4" detected a "diffuse energy signature" emanating from an ocean shipping container loaded onto an ocean container ship at the port of Chiongjin .

Cont. Above Link.

_________________
Lori

I want to know God's thoughts... the rest are details.

Albert Einstein

The heart of so great a mystery can never be reached by following one road only.

Nostradomas

Got the following from The Washington Post, Lori:

North Korea May Test Missile Able to Hit U.S.

By Eric Talmadge
Associated Press
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
SEOUL, June 1 -- North Korea appears to be preparing to test an advanced missile designed to reach the United States, a U.S. official said Monday, ratcheting up tensions after its second underground nuclear test.

The communist country also reportedly bolstered its defenses and conducted amphibious assault exercises along its western shore, near disputed waters where deadly naval clashes with the South have occurred in the past decade.

Satellite images and other intelligence indicated that the North had transported its most advanced long-range missile to the new Dongchang-ni facility near China and that it could be ready for firing in the next week or so, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported.

A U.S. official confirmed the Yonhap report and said the missile was moved by train, although he did not comment on where it was moved to. Speaking on the condition of anonymity because the issue involved intelligence, he said it could be more than a week before the missile was ready to launch.

The activity at the launch site came as the U.N. Security Council considered punitive action for North Korea's May 25 nuclear test, and ahead of a June 16 summit in Washington between South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and President Obama.

Complicating the situation further, North Korea was set to put two American journalists, Laura Ling and Euna Lee, on trial Thursday on charges of entering the country illegally and engaging in "hostile acts."

The missile being prepared for launch was believed to be an intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of up to 4,000 miles, the JoongAng Ilbo newspaper reported, citing an unnamed South Korean official. That would put Alaska and U.S. bases on the Pacific island of Guam -- along with all of Japan -- within striking range.

Again, that LINK for the Rest of the Story: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 03608.html

The above article had been released within the last hour; This article, just 16 minutes ago, Reuters. Only thought that comes to mind? Either we're going to war (or not) - But it sure looks as though the press has the bases covered, i.e. READ appears imminent. *IF* we be headed this direction, and the present administration knows it is, this could explain the incredible amount of market manipulation underway many cannot seem to explain, (the thinking here, stabilize the markets by reinstalling confidence, ‘propping them’ in order to see us through a future heady time) - 'cause you know - when [it] finally hits, the mkts. will be rocked. If we at the least have the appearance of recovery, ‘tis better than none at all. Numbers can always be revised later anyway.

Joe (Bigsky770)

_________________
“Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedies.”

- - Groucho Marx