[the_Watchman]

colossal idiocy ?

This author seems to have a very short memory. Both battle groups served as tripwires to impede the invasion of Communist forces.

[The Electrician]

From the article: Their purpose is to die in the first hours of a North Korean invasion -- setting off a tripwire that forces the United States to enter the war.

So, Krauthammer is not unaware of the "tripwire" role.