U.S. reducing rhetoric that feeds North Korean belligerence

CNN ^ | 4 Apr 2013 | Barbara Starr and Tom Cohen, CNN

[SkyPilot]

Washington (CNN) -- Recent announcements of American military deployments in response to belligerent statements by North Korea may have contributed to escalating tensions between the two countries, Pentagon officials told CNN on Thursday in explaining an effort to reduce U.S. rhetoric about the reclusive state.

"We accused the North Koreans of amping things up, now we are worried we did the same thing," one Defense Department official said.

They spoke on the same day a U.S. official first told CNN that communications intercepts indicated North Korea may be planning to launch a mobile ballistic missile in the coming days or weeks.

Classified images and communications intercepts show that North Korea has moved up to two mobile missiles, launchers and fuel tanks to its East coast, another American official with knowledge of the matter told CNN. South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin told a parliamentary committee in Seoul that the activity signaled an imminent test firing or military drill, according to the semi-official South Korean news agency Yonhap.

Amid Pyongyang bluster, missile launch feared

One U.S. official said it is believed any launch this time would be a test.

The activity is consistent with a Musudan missile, the official said.

The Musudan is based on a Soviet-era system and has a 2,500-mile (4,000-kilometer) range that can threaten South Korea, Japan and Southeast Asia, but not U.S. forces based on Guam.

As a vital ally to South Korea since the Korean war in the 1950s, the United States has pledged military backing to Seoul in the event of an attack by North Korea.

In addition, North Korea has been developing nuclear weapons technology, raising concerns of rapid proliferation in the region and even a possible nuclear strike by Pyongyang.

[SkyPilot]

The reason we are trying to back off is because of the Sequester and the 2011 Pentagon budget cut of $487 Billion - the new Hagel/Obama team has an agenda to gut the Pentagon even further. War threatens that agenda.

I don't want war - I have experienced 3 of them up close and personal. But, as Plato once said:

"Only the dead have seen the end of war."

Hagel gave a speech yesterday, his first major policy public forum since being sworn in as SECDEF. It was a disaster. He signaled his orders from Obama to destroy military budgets, healthcare for active duty, their families and veterans, retirement for our military heroes, weapon systems, civilian and military force strength, and infrastructure.

Hagel tells Pentagon to brace for more cost cutting

The takers of American society will take more. The defenders of America will be betrayed.

[Jim Robinson]

IOW, our communist idiot apologizes to their communist idiot. All is well in the world of communist idiots.

[ClearCase_guy]

So ... this is all our fault? We mouthed off and caused North Korea to threaten us with nuclear weapons? If we could just chill out and stop being so American, the world would be a more peaceful place? Is that it?

[surroundedbyblue]

LMAO! I shouldn’t laugh at such a grave situation, but if I don’t, I may lose my sanity.

[Chode]

do NOT taunt Happy FAT Ball...

[ConorMacNessa]

What a basket case this once great Nation has become! Cowered by the bluffing of a juvenile bully. Where are the adults?



"Riamh nár dhruid ó sbairn lann!"

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[Tzimisce]

Yeah - let’s give NK a “participate” trophy and call it good....

They go after Republicans harder than this. :(

[Sacajaweau]

Russia cleaned Obama's clock for "tempting" Kim....

Russia knows Kim is crazy....Obama thinks Kim is a rugrat

[SkyPilot]

God bless you Jim Robinson.

You are an American hero.

If you don't mind Jim, I want to pray for you right now. I am so grateful for this forum and what you have done for our nation.

Lord, I thank you for all of your wonderful grace upon those who believe in you. I humbly ask that you keep Jim and his family safe, and we know that you have a plan for us. Thank you God for that. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

[JoeProBono]

[2ndDivisionVet]

Alternate headline: Obama wimps out, Kim Jung-Un wins.

[no-to-illegals]

Amen

[no-to-illegals]

Reading of Light Up. Will know in about 25 minutes.

[jeffc]

Yeah, it's like when Nixon was accused of widening the Vietnam War by bombing NVA sanctuaries... in Cambodia! The "media", even then, were too stupid to figure out that the NVA were there first, so if anyone had "widened" the war, it was North Vietnam. But that didn't fit with their scenario of "getting" Nixon.

[Jim Robinson]

Obama has a back door communications line to these communist idiots. He’s convincing them that we’re really on the same team and just as soon as the democrats take over the majority in the congress after the 2014 elections, he’ll have a free hand to completely ignore the constitution. He’ll no longer be restricted by the republican congress or the pesky constitution and the world-wide collectivist utopia will be just around the corner.

[SkyPilot]

So ... this is all our fault? We mouthed off and caused North Korea to threaten us with nuclear weapons? If we could just chill out and stop being so American, the world would be a more peaceful place? Is that it?

I participated in the annual Spring/Summer military exercises in Korea. It was a very scary, but enlightening affair.

What we have to realize is that there is incredible EVIL going on in North Korea - and no one cares.

I say that with full guilt upon myself, because I didn't care either until I knew the truth. There are concentration camps in North Korea that dwarf those during WW II in scope, cruelty, numbers, and carnage.

The American people don't really care about this, and neither does the world community. I can tell you, however. that God cares. Immensely. If we go to war, I believe it is because God is acting.

I also believe, however, that the curses our nation is currently suffering under are of God - He is judging us for our sins.

[Jim Robinson]

Amen.

And thank you very much.

[Venturer]

Wait until you see the size of the check we will send them

[SkyPilot]

Obama has a back door communications line to these communist idiots. He’s convincing them that we’re really on the same team and just as soon as the democrats take over the majority in the congress after the 2014 elections, he’ll have a free hand to completely ignore the constitution. He’ll no longer be restricted by the republican congress or the pesky constitution and the world-wide collectivist utopia will be just around the corner.

We are on the verge of losing all of our freedoms. I am convinced that Obama won not only via fraud, but with legitimate votes that were worried that their new found government checks would be taken away.

I believe in disability for those who are so afflicted. It is the cornerstone of compassion, and a just society. It has been abused, and that abuse jeopardizes the care we need to give to the truly needy and disabled. Especially those who have served this nation.

[no-to-illegals]

Anything further?