North Korean Believed to Be Nuclear Capable – Concerns Regarding Stability of Young Dictator – Upping the Ante in a Game of Nuclear Chicken

The Atomic Bomb dropped on Nagasaki, as horrifying as this event was in terms of loss of life, it is not comparable to the capabilities of these weapons today - image from atomcentral.com

The New York Times is Reporting that the North Korean’s may have nuclear missile capability, based on U.S. intelligence estimates. It is suggested that although capable of attaching a nuclear warhead to a ballistic missile, the reliability would be “low and there are doubts that the weapon would detonate on the right target. Apparently, the information was given to the Administration and members of Congress yesterday.

Reuters has a somewhat different take on the development noting that the Pentagon’s report of a nuclear capable North Korea, is being dismissed by “U.S. Officials” and South Korea, where it is believed war is not “eminent”. In addition, it was there is the capability, yet, “Washington's greatest concern, the official said, was the possibility of unexpected developments linked to the inexperience of North Korea's 30-year-old leader, Kim Jong-un. "Kim Jong-un's youth and inexperience make him very vulnerable to miscalculation. Our greatest concern is a miscalculation and where that may lead," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.”

Meanwhile, Secretary of State John Kerry, is on his way to South Korea and China to request the Chinese add a bit of muscle to the game, and take a “tough stance” against their protégé and neighbor, North Korea.

The North Korean’s, are apparently undaunted by the hand that feeds them (China), as footage by the Guardian, UK, shows North Korean’s troops carrying out drills on the Chinese Border.
It is, without question, time for less “tough stances” and “veiled threats” from those opponents of the North Korean’s, and turning to a more visible show of force, along with the methods already deployed by several nations used to hopefully deflect a nuclear warhead, mounted on a missile. This game of chicken that is being played out by the North Korean Regime under “Mini-me, Un” is starting to look like less of a game. What if strongly worded condemnations by the U.S., the UN and all the weight that body carries, wont’ do the trick. What happens if the new Chinese leadership fails to deliver a message that is not quite strongly worded enough? What if, the current leader, inexperience aside, might not give a whit about what havoc he may cause in the name of his obviously gigantic ego? If one looks at the barbaric North Korean’s lifestyle, one might begin to understand that there is little compassion, or common sense involved in that nation which we now find, has nuclear capability.

The UK Mirror obtained images and videos (here) of life in North Korea, and specifically the treatment of children, and those the regime controls as slaves. Political prisoners (or those who have family members how may oppose, or may have escaped to South Korea (China at one point, returned them to a certain death, that may have stopped with the new administration.) It is common in North Korean, should an individual commit a crime against the “government” to take every relative , down to distant cousins, and put them labor camps. The photographs are chilling – and leads on to believe a nation capable of committing crimes against its citizens, for decades, (albeit given strongly worded condemnation), might not care if it lobs a nuclear capable missile at – pick a neighbor. The Wall Street Journal offers this list of options for the North Koreans to launch:

vKN-01: Short-range anti-ship cruise missile. Range estimated at 160 kilometers. Believed to be an improved version of the Soviet Termit missile.

KN-02: Short-range, solid-fueled, highly accurate mobile missile. Modified copy of the Soviet OTR-21; unknown number in service. Believed to have been deployed in the late 1990s or early 2000s.

Hwasong-5 (Scud-B): Initial Scud modification. Short-range, road-mobile, liquid-fueled. Estimated range of 300 kilometers (can reach throughout South Korea), and capable of delivering a 1,000-kilogram payload. Tested successfully. It’s believed 150 to 200 units have been deployed on mobile launchers. Delivered to Iran for Iraq-Iran war.

Hwasong-6 (Scud-C): Later Scud modification. Increased range of 500 kilometers and smaller payload of 700 to 800 kilograms. Said to be the most widely deployed missile, with at least 400 units in service.

Rodong-1/-2: Midange missile with an estimated range of about 1,300 kilometers and payload of 700 kilograms; capable of reaching across Japan; presumed capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

*Musudan: Road-mobile missile that physically resembles a 1960s-era Soviet submarine missile called the SS-N-6. Estimated range of 3,000 to 4,000 kilometers, with a payload of 650 kilograms, so capable of direct strikes on South Korea, Japan and Guam—putting U.S. military bases at risk. Reports of its existence first appeared in the Western press in the mid-2000s, and the world outside North Korea got its first good look in 2010, when Musudans rolled in a military parade in Pyongyang. No test-firing yet.

Taepodong-2: Multistage missile, believed to be a potential intercontinental ballistic missile with possible strategic capability against continental U.S. Estimated range of more than 6,700 kilometers. Still in development stage. No test-firing yet.

Intercontinental ballistic missiles: The possibility of North Korea’s developing an ICBM capable of delivering a chemical, biological, or nuclear warhead to the U.S. continent remains a grave concern. Given repeated test failures, most missile experts believe Pyongyang is far from achieving this goal. A year ago North Korea displayed a new long-range missile, the KN-08, that some experts believe may be part of an ICBM development process. Others suspect it’s a fake.

Therefore, what we know is that the North Korean’s can drop a nuclear weapon on South Korea and Japan, they may have a missile capable of reaching Guam and U.S. bases, and they also “may have” missiles capable of reaching into the United Sates. However, the later is suggested to either be in development or even possibly a fabrication. That said, until yesterday, it was also suggested that the North Korean’s did not have the capability to go nuclear.

The question remains, in this crazy politically correct world, where the reliance on diplomacy is the first order, and should that fail, there really does not appear to be a second option. Unless it is the direct threat of the U.S. or one of the allies (including China) of attempting to out-crazy the young North Korean Leader. Either way, previous to the briefing to the Administration and the Congress, it appeared North Korea was all bluff and bluster, and it may well remain that way. In a perfect world, a nation that starves its children and its people, has no wherewithal to turn on the electricity at night, may just not have the wherewithal to put together a functional nuclear weapon. Perhaps that is more likely the case, and the bluff and bluster is what it is, a child looking for attention and approval from its peers. That is what we can pray for, as the alterative would be unimaginable. Although it is known that globally nuclear tests are performed, a nuclear strike by North Korea on another nation, would have the effect of retaliation, and once Pandora’s box is open, the earth as we know it would be changed.

Having grown up in an error where school children were taught to “duck and cover” under a school desk in the event of an Atomic Bomb being dropped on the U.S., the memory of bomb shelters in every home, and the level of preparedness (which would have been inadequate in any case), by the populace then, compared to now, is somewhat unnerving. It is not so much the fact that a nuclear missile is even likely to strike the U.S.; it is the fact that anyone, regardless of how insane, might consider lobbing one in the direction of a neighbor, no matter which corner of our globe, is truly horrific.

Rand Paul Speaks at Howard University In DC – Apparent Goal – Introduce and Educate - The Press and the Reality of “Minority Outreach” in 2013

Richard Nixon, fought for racial equality - who knew? Image Amazon - Link to book Amazon.com

From Politico: Rand Paul, Senator from the State of Kentucky and potential 2016 GOP Candidate, spoke at “one of the nation’s oldest black schools,” yesterday. According to Politico, the Students insisted that they knew the history of the Republican Party, and some suggested that they would have preferred the Senator to tell them what the Party would do for them now. (There were two student references that Politico used in the article that were looking for the future not the past.) Politico also pointed out that Paul was the first Republican to speak at the school since 2009. The speaker then was Michael Steele, prior to that in 1994, Colin Powell spoke at Howard. (Politico)

Understanding that there is a lack of history taught, in general, in this nation, may be why Senator Paul thought that might be a good place to start. Most students, regardless of race, or ethnicity, are not even aware of what the political schematics were throughout the 1800’s, let alone, the 1960’s and 1970’s. The fact that Martin Luther King, Jr., was a Republican is not known, nor was the fact that school desegregation the focus of the Nixon administration- that’s recent History.

The article points out that Paul did not know the name of the first African American Senator, Edward Brookes, as the students pointed out – Also, Brookes had the distinction of being the first African American Senator from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a Republican who served two terms in the Senate..

From the New York Daily News, one finds that Paul’s reception by the students was cool , based on ideology, however, more welcoming than portrayed in other pieces – the students giving him credit for showing up.

The fact that, to most the nation appears racially divided, is of import – the divide stems from generations of disillusionment – and the utter lack of regard from both major political parties, to seriously recognize the need to include, not compete for, the African American and Latino/Hispanic, German, Irish, Korean, Filipino, etc. voter. It is the fact that, the civil rights movement had support from both parties (eventually), and one could think that in today’s society, the divide would have disappeared altogether; given that we are so “enlightened” as a culture. Yet, there are those who believe that those on the left side of the political spectrum, “own” certain ethnic groups, including the majority of voters – women, and that party is the Democrat Party. One might argue, that given history, the party with members who supported inclusions of all the aforementioned was, indeed, the Republican Party, yet, for some unknown reason, marketing and branding, has reversed the historical truth, and with a little help from the media, one is given the impressions that Republican’s are all old white men, who are rich on top of their other crimes, and Democrats are the kind, benevolent, bringers of liberty. Neither is true today, or was it true historically. Today, both parties are not what they were 50 years ago, and “the people” regardless of race, creed, ethnicity or gender, are used in a certain sense as political capital- the Democrats own certain Demographics (ethnicity) and the Republicans’ own the Right Wing Evangelicals (at least that is the common belief – i.e. low information voter).

Where does Senator Rand Paul fit into this schematic? He is clearly a politician, however, unlike one’s Average McCain, he is a stalwart defender of the Constitution, and a Libertarian leaning Republican – in other words, he’s more focused on what the laws of the land intended rather than on being politically correct in a re-electable sort of way, rather being true to the people who sent him to D.C. in the first place. Paul has company in a few of his Senate Counterparts; Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Mike Lee to name a few, but it is a very few, we, as a nation, should expect that level of enthusiasm from every single individual we send to D.C. to Represent our needs. We should not always agree with the decisions that these individuals make on behalf of the Peoples they serve, as each state is unique and has a variety of problems. But, the key is that those who operate outside the “norms” in D.C. should be applauded.

Reading the news, one is under the impression that all Blacks, Latino’s, etc. (oh and that majority, Women) are deeply wedded to the Progressive Democrat Party.

A recent panel of Conservative African American’s spoke about how they perceive themselves, and the African American Community – this took place on Fox News’ Hannity program, with the video below.



The predominant theme, one that should be forefront, is the fact that those African American’s who choose to change political affiliation or to be conservative, are ostracized by the media and are persecuted for their personal choice of political party and political thought. (All this of course, not reported by the very dismal American Media as we know it today).

In a utopian world, or the world that should have been the product of the struggles of the 1950’s, 1960’s and 1970’s, by so many people, contributing to eradicate racism across this great county, it would be immaterial if one were black, brown, purple, German, Mexican, Irish, Cuban. In the world as it should be the only focus from the peoples of the United States, would be to create, improve, and have the opportunity to build, personally and for our families and neighbors, a successful life. Perhaps a house, with two cats, a dog, and a few kids kicking around would be the image that comes to mind. The nation, and every nation, regardless of how enlightened, and or wealthy, has poverty in its presence, but unlike any other nation, our nation does not see poverty as a hindrance to one bettering oneself – it involves hard work, determination and an eye on the prize so to speak, of one-day having the “American Dream”. That is what has become lost in a society that is focused on what the government can provide for them, rather than what they can do for the country (JFK). This “sense of entitlement” is not race specific or gender specific, but generationally specific – one of the speakers in the video above, although speaking specifically about the African American Community, might have been speaking of all those caught in the trap of poverty in today’s United States – as they are slaves – in the matter of being “owned” by one party, in the sense of lack of opportunity that is drummed into children as some sort of mantra. It is worth watching, even if some readers might find the Network and the Host unbearable, the content is an eye opener.

We’ve lost our way, somewhere between 1980 to today – some were blinded by the idea that all was well, the fight had been fought, everyone was now on equal footing – those of us, who felt that way, were asleep at the switch. Political forces moved to destroy what gains were made, to divide and conquer in the name of power for themselves rather than power for the people. Only through good gestures and education can this be reversed, so that all people, regardless of which side of the “tracks” they find themselves on, have the opportunity to cross to the other side.

Rand Paul understands this, and good for him for trying, even if he stumbled, even if he spoke of the past not the present (one can bet he will do so next time), and one should take the time to listen to the voices of all the people asking for more opportunity for themselves, their children and their grandchildren.

North Korea – Bluff, Hype, Histrionics – Attempting to Judge the Irrational

The Border between North Korea and China - border crossings at the river closed today to tourists - not businessmen. Image from rfa.org

From the Washington Post article headlined - “North Korea’s warning to foreigners in South is second threat this week” – speaks to the second warning for foreigners to leave South Korea immediately – due to imminent war. Several news outlets have suggested that the North Korean’s would be launching missiles today, as they had moved said missiles to the eastern coast of Korea. The Japanese are on high alert and the Post article attempts to explain the rationale and potential reality of a threat by North Korean’s Young Un.

It’s not possible to explain or to attempt to determine what one earth is going to happen given the variety of the unknowns involved in a nation that is basically dark to the rest of the world.

The Threats:

From the Independent (Ireland) a slightly more alarming headline: “Get ready for thermonuclear war, North Korea tells world”:

North Korea urged foreigners to flee South Korea to avoid "thermonuclear war" as signs grew that it was preparing a possible missile test. Delivering another warning, North Korea vowed to wage a "merciless sacred retaliatory war" if provoked by its enemies. Kim Jong-un's regime will be "technically" ready to fire a medium-range missile as soon as today, the South Korean media reported. "According to intelligence analysis of North Korea's missile movements, it is believed to have completed preparations for a launch," an unnamed military official told Yonhap, the South Korean news agency. Last week, North Korea began moving a Musudan medium-range missile to its east coast, the location for previous test firings. Some experts believe that North Korea is planning a show of strength for April 15, the anniversary of the birth of Kim Il-sung, the founder of the nation, a date officially known as 'The Day of the Sun'. Japan announced that PAC-3 missile interceptors had been deployed to protect Tokyo. Two US destroyers armed with missile-defence systems – and two similarly equipped warships from the South Korean navy – are in place off the Korean coast.

The Chinese are taking things a bit more cautiously according to the Indian Express Some larger border crossings between North Korea and China have been closed to tourists, but not to business travelersgiving the North Korean’s a sense that they are being taken seriously by the Chinese, yet, not so much as to interfere with business.

One would think therefore, if the North Korean’s were close to destroying interests in the area that would in any way affect the Chinese, there would be an immediate reaction from China. Not strongly worded condemnations, or sanctions, rather, one might see the Chinese put an end to the nonsense by means one can only imagine. China is one of the North’s only allies, and one that has the cash to supply the North with food, fuel and weapons aplenty. North Korea may bluff and bluster and annoy the planet from their perch near the North Pole, but, in reality the Chinese would be pulling the final strings. China of itself is somewhat of a mystery, and it would be difficult for the East to ascertain what might be going on behinds the scenes. Therefore, that begs the question: If the Chinese aren’t on the border or “inviting” young Un visit China for an extended period of time, then one might suppose that the saber rattling is, for all intents and purposes “show and tell”. Alternately, if the Chinese have lost control of the North, then one might have a crazy man about to start a nuclear war – because he can. Yet should young Un fire a nuclear missile that actually hit a target of import - how long would the Chinese allow him unfettered reign?

The Council of Foreign Relations has an outline of the relationship between nations at crf.org/chine/chine-north-Korea-relationship, in which it outlines the dependence of the Korean State on China, the history of the relationship, and the lengths to which the Chinese have gone to strongly condemn any foolishness coming from their neighbor. The basis for the article – expert analysis of the relationship as well as the potential for any serious problems arising – given the close proximity of the Chinese and the value they place on North Korea – it is worth reading.

There may be a reason to take the young dictator in Chief a bit seriously, but then again, there are the Chinese. One might suspect that Wednesday will come and go without much incident – or, should the Young Un of North Korea behave irrationally (One might be reminded of the Caesar - Nero), then China would, in all likelihood, respond in force.

Then again, assuming the experts are wrong, and looking at the “face” of relationships between North Korea and China, have not compensated for a crazy person on the Throne in North Korea, with an untested Chinese leader next door. It makes for great headlines. The truth is, all is speculation, and the society, as closed as it is in the Eastern nations, makes speculation the rule, not the exception. What is not disputed is the debt owed to the Chinese by the North Korean State and its monarchial dictatorship. The very basis of North Korea’s survival being dependent on the Chinese gives one the impression that this is a lot of bluff and bluster.