North Korea Just Fired off Missles

IMHO I think we should've been in North Korea instead of Iraq this whole time. When we suspected weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, N. Korea was bragging about what they had.

It wasn't a secret that they were trying to test a system like that for a long time.

So true!!

It's still scary, watching Fox News right this very moment, they've fired now 6 missles...5 short range, one long range, the long range failed 30 seconds into launch. The first missle was fired at the same time that the Shuttle was launched.

It's frightening and as a former military member I wholeheartedly agree that we should have been over there however, I think the hesitation was there due to what happened in previous wars on that side and knowing that they have chemical weapons that they would use.....I don't honestly know what the plan would have been for going in....know what I mean?

It's more complicated.

Plus there's more countries involved or I suppose we would have more help though if we went toward N.Korea, I know that Japan is demanding the UN do something about it.

But if they fire a long range nuclear weapon at the United States Pacific coast....do you think we should fire nuclear weapons back....

I don't believe so but I'm wondering where other people stand on this.

Also according to the Geneva Conventions we cannot use WMD on any country due to the harm to innocents.

It's no secret that the leader of North Korea is a lunatic. He wants power at all costs. There are analysts who are saying that he almost always does what he does to get something, whether that is food or technology or other concessions. The long range missle that could potentially reach the US failed, although that doesn't mean that we're not in direct danger yet.

The fact is that NORAD is on full alert, and most likely at least some military bases are too. Kim Jong Il is unpredictable at best, and it really wouldn't surprise me if he does attack the US as soon as he's capable of doing so. Yes, it scares the hell out of me, especially since he's bragging about nukes. It wouldn't be anything to him to wipe out the west coast, or mid-west if his missiles could reach that far. He's beyond egocentric.

And considering Earl worked on nuclear weapons when he was in the Air Force, this news has pretty much ruined our Independence Day celebration. He knows what could happen if this lunatic does acquire the weapons he wants and uses them.

Like I said I proudly served my country in the Air Force for 7 years (original enlistment was 6 years and I extended for one for my deployment).

What most people don't understand is that our military forces are thinned incredibly out...And there are too many places that we have them. There aren't enough at home.

And the ones that are in are feeling taxed and to the limit, too many military members are coming home strained from the deployments and also, I should add....the military force is so sparse thanks to Clinton in the first place.

He was the one that shut down over 50% of the military bases and cut funding in half or more during his presidency.

And yes I also agree that too many American's seem to have forgotten what happened on 9/11 and have become far too relaxed....and there is something coming (not to be a fatalyst once more) but if it isn't N. Korea, it's going to be another terrorist attack.

Mark my words. I hate to say that but it's true.

And we need to do something about this now....I just don't think sanctioning anyone is going to do anything to stop this.

I've said this in another thread.....but I truly think that we are fastly approaching a third world war.....

...and the VA system is on the verge of budgetary collapse due to Bush.

Anyway. It's scary. From what I read some people think it's either a tactic to get to talk only with the US (right now we won't, only with the other countries who were part of the stalled talks a few years ago) or to show their power after they launched the other missiles a few years back that also failed. He wants attention and I guess he's getting it. I agree, if they tried to nuke us there would almost undoubtedly be... well, I'd want to nuke them back but doing so would be about the worst possible thing to do. There are so many treaties and alliances out there that suddenly there would be nukes flying everywhere and it's the end of the world as we know it. That's sort of how the first world war started.

Don't we still have troops in the DMZ in Korea? I know we did about 4 years ago.

Regardless.....I think that the world is getting closer and closer to having a new world war. It's been building, and with Al Quada and Hamas and N. Korea and Lord only knows who else that hates us and the rest of our allies.

It's going to come to a head. And we just don't have the manpower to deal with it. And now with too many of our troops coming back with PTSD issues from the Iraqi war......they won't keep them in the military (believe me I know). We'll lose more of our manpower and along with that recruitment is low and it takes at least 3-4 months to train any one new military member.

We are going to be pretty much....well screwballed. (is that okay to say??? I don't know).

I'm going to keep this quick and simple to the point. Yes I know a lot about nuclear missiles and the weapons themselves. What North Korea did is flat out ballsy and then some. What I will say is this:

1. It is not a time to panic. However, to me Kim Jong Il is throwing a fit. If anyone noticed, he threaten all out nuclear war, which is interesting since he only has 5-10 weapons at best and no real reliable way to deliver it stateside. However, Japan and South Korea have to worry, like they have already. Japan is already on full Alert, at least according to CNN this hour.

2. They are using liquid fueled rockets. Not the best thing to use for most IRBM or ICBM. We pulled ours in the mid-80's after an incident that nearly killed a couple of Airman (I think one died due to his injuries).

3. Clinton in 1995 almost ordered our troops in to Korea to take on North Korea. That almost happened. Read anything by William Perry to confirm this and plus, I know this first hand. We were about to go. I know quite a few airman that were on alert to go to Korea for support and such. The reason why the US and it allies didn't is that Kim Jong Il would have noticed the massive troop movements along with supplies and ordered a invasion of the south while the pants were down. To answer the question, we still have troops in Korea and all along the Korean Border. We always will. Last I heard there are 20,000 troops stationed there alone, more in Japan.

4. North and South Korea are in a state of war. Only a cease fire was signed. There was NEVER a peace treaty or anything of the like when the Korean War “ended.†Again, these two countries are in a state of war. Plain and Simple.

5. Will anything happen after all of this? Probably not. The UN barely raised a finger today. The Security Council will be called. But with China in the round table with the 16, sanctions are going to light, if any. Russia is a mixed bag and Kofi-Ann will just be a wimp about it. North Korea knows this and that's why they throw fits and do this when they aren't being paid attention to.

Just regarding the VA system. I'm in the middle of a VA benefits claim myself...and though it's backed up due to the increase of claims (and I get the American Legion mailings for Veteran's as well) I don't think there's been a problem with the funding for the system, just an influx of claims.

I too think we have continuously kept troops in the DMZ. I have no idea the number that was never my job to keep up with, not to mention having troops stationed in Japan. (two people I know personally). If they are firing missles at Japan or our coast they are still targetting our people...because there are several American's that work out of Japan, that are stationed in Japan. And I think that needs to be addressed too.

But I think praying for a resolution....though a good idea....everything happens for a reason and if you are a Christian person (not to bring religion into this as well....) it is sorta been prophesized by the bible that a mass war would occur (Not to mention also by Nostradamus and others).

So this whole thing is frightening.

Update on this thread, N.Korea has fired a 7th missle. They are stating that any UN Sanctions would be considered an act of war. They are also stating that any attack on their soil would be met with response from Nuclear Weapons.

And the UN expects that N.Korea will continue to fire missles. Japan's military is on high alert, China is very concerned. In fact I think and am pretty sure that the entire world is incredibly concerned.

Statements like that are like daring the world to go to war with him. Perhaps he doesn't remember that other countries have long range missiles too - and ours actually WORK!

I think that the countries which do have nuclear weapons are allowed to keep them understanding that they should never be used...

The VA system is doing its best to help all of our veterans, but many of them have been closed and reorganized. The one near me was shut down, and it had one of the largest drug rehab programs, which has now moved 45 miles away and many people can't get to it. Also, Bush wants to privatize alot of it, which cuts out many many jobs. They've done this in Florida and other places. More and more people are using it because they used to go to to other hospitals / doctors but can't afford it anymore. And it's not getting any extra funding. I'm not saying you're going to go to get your check and there won't be one. I'm saying that the VA system is getting less and less resources to do its job, especially concerning health care. The one my sister works at had to stop paying the private buses that used to bring veterans to it to run, so it now drops them off across the street. Keep in mind many of them are disabled and this was a vital service they used daily. But the hospital couldn't afford it anymore. Hijack over, pm me if you'd like to discuss it further.

Kim Jong Il does seem like he's throwing a tantrum. And I'm glad that we aren't giving him what he wants. Ms Rice is being sent as a delegate instead of Bush himself going, which is a good move. We won't talk to them directly and will only do so with the company of the other countries. I think we're actually handling it very well so far. It's obviously a dangerous situation, especially for the other countries (S Korea, China, Japan, Russia, etc) moreso than for us, since he can only reach Alaska or some bases in the S Pacific. If he can get one to work!

I'm worried because it mentioned on the BBC site that perhaps N Korea was trying to show off it's product for potential buyers. Like, look what these missiles can do, now how much will you pay me for them? That is most concerning because he will obviously sell it to whoever has the money, terrorist groups certainly included. And from the mid-east even the short- or mid- range missiles could hit Israel, Egypt, parts of Europe, Moscow, etc.

Can we just send him some prozac? Zoloft? Perhaps he was never spanked as a child...

I think we should just take a sniper and shoot him. But that would prolly cause more problems then it's worth huh?

He needs something......He acts like a 2 year old throwing a temper tantrum.

But this time I guess it's a bit more frightening.....well I just have this feeling that if N.Korea doesn't do something that someone will to create this mass terrorist thing.....scary as all to me.

But the US people have gotten too relaxed, that's generally the time that something big happens.

It is crazy to think that everything happening could wind up in a 3rd World War.
I remember being in London a few years ago and talking to someone in a local pub. He said that he could see the same thing that happened with England happen to the United States.
I.e.: Remember back in history when England was an larger nation than just the island? It had a bunch of territories in Africa, Asia, etc. Now many of those colonies are independent nations. They no longer rely on England.
Whose to say that what is happening now could bring down the United States as the great nation we currently know.

I agree that US citizens are a lot more lax than after 9/11, but there is a lot more going on behind the scenes (and I'm not talking just about the government) that what the average citizen sees. I do admit though, its hard to stay alert and on terror mode 24 hours a day.

Can you post a link to the story that contains these statements, please? I have been searching all over and can't find it. We are discussing this in our office.

I am getting all my information from Fox News.

Here's the more recent Story:

U.N. Council Meets regarding N.Korea

Let me see if I can find the one headline I saw earlier:

Well I can't find the little scrolly headlines I was seeing on the actual Fox News channel earlier. But here's their main world news page with alot of the coverage.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/index.html

"Yep step right to Kin Jong Il Missile Outlet. Here's a dandy for you, our long range missile, warranty expires after 20 seconds of flight time as Iran and Pakistan found out when they failed after launching 40-60 seconds of flight."

I honestly think that this is far reaching on the behalf of the BBC to say this. Terrorists don't have the money nor the facilities to have a missile site(s). It takes a lot to set them up, liquid fueled, especially. And if we did, we would know it fast. A bit of the materials and needed supplies are very specialty. I honestly thinking they are the laughing stock for the most part on the IRBM and ICBM front.

One other thing, about the long range missile that the DRPK that tried to launch. Yes they may have the fuel range to make it to the states, however, I wonder about the guidance systems. How old are they and on top of that, are they using old soviet era systems which weren't that accurate at all. That's something to think about also. They may launch it, but the guidance system that is so old my just plop itself into the ocean and not even do anything.

Thanks. I was looking for where those 2 statements in particular were mentioned. I couldn't find it.... Thanks anyway

Here's the thing about "potential customers", I can't find what I found originally. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5149868.stm Here it's a quote. "The North had several objectives in this launch. One was to test the design of the new missile to show themselves and potential customers that it would work. That has obviously failed"

I'm not losing any sleep over N Korea actually being able to hit anything. What is most worrisome is the other possible outcomes, such as how China will react if we do anything militarily. I find China/US relations tenuous at best, we're certainly not allies in the true sense of the word.

North Korea is a true paper tiger. There is so much fraud in the military research facilities that anything they claim to be able to do have to be resumed false.