“...But they’re not all ruled by a homicidal nut....”
funny - you actually believe the mainstream media and the neo-cons ?
North Korea maybe a sad sack stinkhole, but it’s not worth any effort to worry about. Let the Japs and Flips and South Koreans deal with the DPRK.
America First - means take care of ourselves first
North Korea could tomorrow annihilate Seoul South Korea, and displays by a number of means that it would like to do so. This would have a direct effect on trade with the U.S. and a direct effect on Americans. This would have an indirect effect on U.S. trade with China and others along the Pacific Rim, and a concomitant effect on Americans.
North Korea could tomorrow use military force to target and destroy sea traffic in the Sea Lanes along the coasts of ROK, Japan, China, and Taiwan. This would have a direct effect on U.S. trade and the movement of petroleum and goods and trade around the world. Americans in large numbers would be affected the next day.
North Korea could, within about one year, threaten Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Long Beach California by direct missile attack. North Korea brags about their intentions to do so. If these cities or U.S. land nearby were struck by operational DPRK warheads, Americans would die. Perhaps in the thousands. The economic impact would be significant.
Even if DPRK never launches a weaponized missile against west coast, their proven ability to do so would have economic and political consequence which would affect the daily lives of Americans, as well as other around the world.
North Korea sells its weapon and missile technology to other parties, such as Iran.
The United States has an interest in every place on earth. The actions of powers in every place on earth affects the lives of Americans. Some more than others, of course, and most not requiring our rattling of sabers.
Saber rattling has its own risks of course.
But if the U.S. President does not take care of places like Syria, Yemen, North Korea, and Iran, then the U.S. President is not taking care of Americans.
And if the U.S. President does not take care of places like Canada or Britain or Australia or China, then the U.S. President is not taking care of Americans.
And one last thing... There are dozens and dozens of small to midsized nations and national groups around the world flexing their regional muscles to become the local bully. Strikes by U.S. Presidents against Syria and Afghanistan and North Korean serve notice to these varmits and give them pause before striking against regional parties and interests which affect the U.S. The world has gotten worse, or rather, the interests of the U.S. have been hurt substantially because we've had Presidents and Secretaries of State who ignored these bad actors who acted against our interest.
So you don’t think he’s a homicidal nut? And if you do, he’s a danger to the USA if he gets the means to reach us with nukes. I respect your opinion. I just don’t agree. War usually occurs because not enough was done to prevent it early on when it was possible.History is replete with examples. In this case,if we do nothing, we will get nuked eventually. Oh, and don’t expect anyone else to stop the maniac. We have gotten to the point where there are no comfortable solutions, only terrible ones.