Posted on 03/29/2009 10:23:13 AM PDT by Steelfish
Gates: U.S. Not Prepared to Respond to North Korea Missile Launch
The defense secretary told "FOX News Sunday" that the United States can do nothing to stop North Korea from thumbing its nose at the international community by test-firing a long-range missile.
By Bill Sammon FOXNews.com Sunday, March 29, 2009
The United States can do nothing to stop North Korea from breaking international law in the next 10 days by firing a missile that is unlikely to be shot down by the U.S. or its allies, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Sunday.
Appearing on "FOX News Sunday," Gates said North Korea "probably will" fire the missile, prompting host Chris Wallace to ask: "And there's nothing we can do about it?"
"No," Gates answered, adding, "I would say we're not prepared to do anything about it."
Last week, Admiral Timothy Keating, commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific, said the U.S. is "fully prepared" to shoot down the missile. But Gates said such a response is unlikely.
"I think if we had an aberrant missile, one that was headed for Hawaii, that looked like it was headed for Hawaii or something like that, we might consider it," Gates said. "But I don't think we have any plans to do anything like that at this point."
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Keep in mind Obama wants to scrap missile defense.
If Gates had any honor, he would resign in protest, saying, “The job Secretary of Defense has no meaning if we’re not going to take any actions in our own defense.”
But I guess the old saying “no honor among thieves” is operative here.
Yeah, vaporize that dratted kenyan birth certificate.
Might consider doing something? Take your time, you have about 30 seconds.
Clearly, you need to make up your mind before the event. The U.S. could take down this launch if they we want. The only thing we lack is the want to part.
The late Bill Casey (Gates’ mentor) is no doubt turning in his grave, ashamed of his one time protege’.
You’re right, if Gates had any honor, he would be resigning today.
I kind of like the idea of some other country taking care of it.
Did we really expect anything else. We are now a nation of Pu$$y$!
The word “retaliation”... has been dropped from the Obamaland dictionary.
Hmmm, guess if a missle hit’s Hawaii, seeing that Birth Certificate won’t be an issue.
And it's for this reason that the US will not intercept the NK missile...something well within our capability.
The POLITICAL implications track down two distinct lines:
1. NK would probably escalate and that scares the hell out of Obama and his national security staff. They DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
2. IF the US were to shoot down a NK missile there is NO WAY he would be able to scrap the system politically. "What do you MEAN it doesn't work?
The BEST outcome would be for the Japanese to shoot it down...exposing Obama as a neophyte pussy, signaling US technical competence and the REALITY of a reliable missile defense...AND putting the NKs on notice that they have some tough nuts to crack.
If Japan shoots down this missile, China will put NK back on the leash...COUNT ON IT.
Makes me think of Joel Rosenberg’s book, “Dead Heat”. If you haven’t read it, get it and read it. Could be very prescient
That sure would take care of any “birth certificate questions now wouldn’t it????
Even though you voted for him, Hawaii, they still might let a missile hit you. But they would certainly consider shooting it down. Maybe.
Red states? You are toast.
Good post. We now have a commander in chief whose policies embolden our enemies.
The word will come from Obama to shoot it down or not.
You are mistaken if you think the President isn’t the one who makes that decision. In his case, whomever is telling him what to do will.
That just jumped out of the text, didn't it?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.