Posted on 04/04/2013 6:38:56 PM PDT by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Nah. That's not it. As Ollie North pointed out, the administration's response to the Nork provocations was like they were replaying Kennedy's "Seven Days In May" -- broadcasting all the defensive precautions that were being put in place and magnifying the threat.
When, in fact, the best way to deal with the Norks and their Junior Birdman leader is to publicly ignore them. It's like dealing with children -- they misbehave because they want attention. Don't give it to them.
Take the appropriate defensive precautions, of course. But do it quietly, so as not to inflate their self-importance.
Point given and is looking quiet.
Princess Rodman already delivered the message. He wants a personal meeting/concert/party with The One.
If Obammy would invite the “Child Dictator” to the Man-Child King’s hut to see the Memphis Soul revue featuring Justins Timerlakes and Herself the Queen Latifah, he might be appeased and war could be averted in our time!
“It’s like dealing with children — they misbehave because they want attention. Don’t give it to them.
Take the appropriate defensive precautions, of course. But do it quietly, so as not to inflate their self-importance.”
This is the BEST advice I’ve ever read for dealing with Bath-House Barry and company!
Insanity! These idiots always find a way to blame the US!
WHAT KIND OF A JACKASS, SELF-REFLECTIVE, CONFESSING/CONTRITE PENTAGON STATEMENT IS THIS!!?? We owe nobody an apology. This is insane.
What I don’t understand is what North Korea expects would be the American response to a use of nuclear missiles against the United States (or even against U.S. bases in other countries)? Has anyone ever bothered to ask the clown who runs that country?
North Korea might indeed have to power to do serious harm to the U.S., but not anything comparable to what the U.S. could do to it. I assume our response to a nuclear attack on the U.S. would be to destroy North Korea, to wipe it out, and put an end to its existence as a country. (Who knows, though, maybe Obama would merely file a complaint with the United Nations. ;-)
Have we reduced our store of nuclear weapons so far that we can’t do a large-scale nuclear attack on North Korea and still have enough remaining to be a deterrent to other possible enemies? The threat of massive retaliation prevented nuclear war for over half a century, does that deterrent no longer exist?
‘might indeed have to power’ should be ‘might indeed have the power’
???
So doesn’t a missile launch create an opportunity for target practice? A real test?
Or is the US scared of publicity if they miss?
Translated from its native "ObamaButtKissingMedia-ish", this says: "Obama wusses out and becomes Kim Jung Un's bitch".
You can laugh all you want, just make sure you have your Faraday cage ready. NK wouldn’t be this aggressive if Reagan, Bush or even Clinton were President. They see weakness and are exploiting it!
OB One Homosexy will put on his pink cape, click his ruby red slippers make a few apologies send some 'aid' and all will be right with the world again.
LOL!!!
Hoo boy.
Yeah, actually that’s pretty much what they are saying...
And now they’ll start teaching the kiddies how everything bad thing that happens to America we brought it on ourselves....oh WAIT! They’re ALREADY doing that!
Makes me sick to my stomach.
“does that deterrent no longer exist”
No. Obama pledged that he’ll never use nuclear weapons.
We never did anything! THEY are the ones who have threatened to hit us with missiles and nukes. THEY are the ones who made a video showing New York, Obama, the White House, and DC in flames. THEY are the ones who have a map with target cities in the U.S. THEY are the ones who declared an end to the armistice with South Korea, cut off the communication line, blocked the workers out, and made a video showing how they would conquer South Korea and take Americans there hostage. THEY are the ones moving missiles and proclaiming the war could start at any time. What have WE done except say and show we are capable of defending ourselves? Yet we’re apologizing? It’s like we’ve gone mad.
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.