Heads Up! President Bush Addresses the Nation 09:45AM ET

Fox News | 10/9/2006 | staff

[Steel Wolf]

But it doesn't mean we have no options. A steel fist doesn't necessarily mean mounting an invasion. There are less overt ways to take direct action, and I suspect those will start soon. I'm thinking things like infiltration teams for assassinations and sabotage -- and Li'l Kim's fuzzy head on a platter. Take out the regime, and the rest of NK will roll over.

Those are options that aren't on the table. Assassination of foreign leaders is illegal, and the U.S. won't engage in it. Period. Full stop.

While regime change would solve our problems, it's simply not an operational possibility. Especially when that regime has nuclear weapons. A decapitating strike that misses would invite retaliation, possibly of a 'legacy killing' type.

Testing a nuclear weapon is the single greatest thing Kim Jong Il ever did to stabilize his regime. We won't dare lay a hand on him now.

[Cementjungle]

Now Fox News is blaming Bush for this!

[RockinRight]

That only works if we can convince the South Koreans to join us. The Korean people are so desperate for reunification they'd rather do business with a newly-nuclear commie dictator than allow their bretheren to starve.

[ichabod1]

I'm thinking things like infiltration teams for assassinations and sabotage

That's what i thought. Wishful thinking.

[maryz]

What did Kristol say (for those without TVs)?

I didn't catch the whole thing, but he suggested something about getting China to open its border with North Korea and allow refugees. We would feed and shelter them.

[maica]

Roger Ailes stated goal for the Fox News organization is to become the largest outlet of TV news, period. So we are seeing much more "mainstream" commentary. It will be interesting to see the outcome of his project - If he can attract 'mainstream' viewers in large numbers. I guess 10 years of a network that was 'on our side' is all we can be thankful for.

[BluH2o]

China has lost face by its client stepping this far out of line. As such, they may assist.

There are reports China has moved military resources to their border with North Korea.
This could presage an invasion of NK ...

[RockinRight]

I think W realizes that publicly declaring "we are going to nuke the bastards into the Stone Age" doesn't make for a good speech.

[craig_eddy]

But there's no axis of evil, is there?

[MNJohnnie]

Gee could the usual suspects get the facts straight ONE time? The people who have been blocking military action are the South Koreans. Seoul. South Korea's Capital, which is their equivalent of New York City and Washington DC for us, is inside North Korean artillery range. Just how hung ho do you suppose the South Koreans are going to be to take action when they know their major city is going to be the primary retaliatory strike point?

Contrary to the provincial American notion that no one can do anything without the US holding their hands, the SK Military could of taken action any time to stop this. They choose not too. Do you REALLY think we should take action that our major allies in the region are asking us NOT to?

[veronica]

This is why the Foley thing isn't the coup de grace for the GOP that the press is making it out to be. World events favor Bush in that he owns the world stage. All the Dems can do at times like this is seethe. LOL.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

po·di·um (pd-m)
n. pl. po·di·a (-d-) or po·di·ums

1. An elevated platform, as for an orchestra conductor or public speaker.
2. A stand for holding the notes of a public speaker; a lectern.
3. Architecture.
1. A low wall serving as a foundation.
2. A wall circling the arena of an ancient amphitheater.
4. Biology. A structure resembling or functioning as a foot.


lec·tern (lktrn) n.

1. A reading desk with a slanted top holding the books from which scriptural passages are read during a church service.
2. A stand that serves as a support for the notes or books of a speaker.

[WoofDog123]

"President Bush said and PROMISED AMERICA that North Korea WOULD NOT be allowed to have Nuclear Weapons. "

it has been believed that they have them for some number of years, at least in limited quantity. However, in the media age of politics this was plausibly deniable until they tested.

The main problem with this test is the public pressure and response it forces from all involved nations who have wished this problem away for over a decade.

[johnny7]

Bolton's been on my mind since last week... and I agree... things don't look/sound good.

[maryz]

will lead to the country collapsing due to starvation.

I thought the people of North Korea were already near starvation -- as opposed to the elites and the military, of course.

[RockinRight]

I've thought of that too, but starving, unarmed people can't well overthrow a government. I wonder if there are enough North Koreans in exile in SK or elsewhere willing to take the plunge to get this started.

[SE Mom]

Thanks for that SW:)

Hate it when I'm office bound and important stuff happens!

[r9etb]

Are there enough fed-up North Koreans in exile to organize an overthrow of Lil' Kim?

There are enough power-hungry folks in NK to off him. Assassinations and sabotage will up the ante, and create opportunities.

Kim's regime, in recent years, has reminded me of what little I know about Chinese court politics -- dragon ladies positioning their offspring as "favored sons," etc. Lots of turmoil boiling just under the surface. I think the Chinese probably have the best understanding of how and where to exploit this -- and I think they will.

[SeaBiscuit]

"We will continue to protect ourselves and our interests" ..when GWB said that, his eyes were deadly serious.

Prayers up..

[Steel Wolf]

Like I said, choke the regime to death. Make it so that things carrying on the way they are will lead to the country collapsing due to starvation. Either they will die, or the people or army will rise up in rebellion.

That's easy for us to say. We don't have to worry about the threat of a collapsing, nuclear armed police state across the border. The South Koreans won't let it happen.

Besides, many South Koreans are secretly proud that the Korean people are now a nuclear power. Don't underestimate the unification mindset of the Koreans, or their ability to rationalize away the threat.