I FEEL SAFER NOW

The Pentagon spokesman who commented recently on the North Korean threat to wipe out the US as being too silly for a serious response really made me feel safe- - - NOT!!

He further went on to say that it would take North Korea at least 3 to 5 years before they became a real threat. So, of course, it is OK to ignore them for the next 3 to 5 years??

I believe that we should take strong action before the North Koreans become a serious threat; say NOW. Even though it may be impolite to do such things as engage in self preservation; or, maybe, as I suggested before, we give in to their threats and start paying them tribute now so that they will come to respect and like us. They might even give us favored nation status in the future.

My real question is: WHO is running things in Washington and from what lunatic asylum were they found?

WHAT NEXT FOR N KOREA?

I realize that secrecy is important for military operations, but, diplomacy should be quite open. A statement by a senior Administration official regarding the safety of Hawaii is really not terribly assuring (ie "trust me everything is safe and under control) especially when there have been no visible actions to support this contention.

I still believe that the best defense for any organization is a good offense. And, there has been no indication that the US is even considering such a move. All of our so called preparations amounted to the deployment of a radar system near Hawaii! Where are the Carriers? What is the status of long range Air Force assets? and What is the status of ground troops in South Korea?

It seems to me that the US should have sufficient numbers of precision guided weapons to provide an early strike at selected North Korean sites (missile launch pads, storage facilites, nuclear development areas, and other high value targets).

Unfortunately, our diplomatic corps is silent, our Administration is waiting to react and not be proactive, and our people are (seem to be) helpless to really discount/disarm this third rate dictatorship. Who next wants to embarrass the US?

THINGS THAT MATTER

It is apparent that I am not effective in helping to direct how this Country is managed, so I thought that the following things should be considered (can't do anything about them either)

1 40,000 Americans are injured by toilets each year.

2 A coat hanger is 44 inches long when straightened.

3 A pack-a-day smoker will lose approximately 2 teeth every 10 years.

4 Alfred Hitchcock didn't have a belly button.

5 Apples, not caffeine, are more efficient at waking you up in the morning.

6 Babies are born without kneecaps. They don't appear until they are 2-6 years old

7 Forty people are sent to the hospital for dog bites every minute.

8 Humphrey Bogart was related to Princess Diana. They were 7th cousins.

9 If coloring weren't added to Coca-Cola, it would be green.

10 In most television commercials advertising milk, a mixture of white paint and a little thinner is used in place of the milk.

11 John Travolta turned down the starring roles in 'An Officer and a Gentleman' and 'Tootsie.'

12 Michael Jackson owns the rights to the South Carolina State anthem.

13 Most hospitals make money by selling the umbilical cords cut from women who give birth. They are used in vein transplant surgery.

14 Most of us have eaten a spider in our sleep.

15 Only 7 per cent of the population are lefties.

16 People do not get sick from cold weather; it's from being indoors a lot more

17 Prince Charles and Prince William NEVER travel on the same airplane, just in case there is a crash.

18 The average computer user blinks 7 times a minute.

19 The average housefly lives for one month.

20 The average person over 50 will have spent 5 years waiting in lines.

21 The first Harley Davidson motorcycle , built in 1903 , used a tomato can for a carburetor.

22 The only two animals that can see behind themselves without turning their heads are the rabbit and the parrot

23 The REAL reason ostriches stick their head in the sand is to search for water

24 The toothbrush was invented in 1498.

25 When you sneeze, all bodily functions stop , even your heart!

26 Your feet are bigger in the afternoon than any other time of day.

STILL NO ACTION!

I truly hope that the forces of this Country are really working to stifle and deter the efforts of some of the Countries in this world that are being controlled by seriously deranged people.

Specifically, the Leader of North Korea is tempting fate by trying to move the US to military action while his Country and its people are apparently starving to death. The US really needs to stop with great force the North Korean regime.

The time is ripe for the US to provide aid and comfort to the apparent rebellion that is starting to develop in Iran. Helping to oust and/or reform the present Government of that Country might very well lead to a greater chance at regional and world peace.

Unfortunately, I will probably be proven wrong and the US will remain on the sidelines and watch the turbulence in the world continue while we waste our resources in Pakistan and Afghanistan with no real gain in either place; just the return of some filled body bags and further disgrace for our military forces.

WHERE IS THE REST OF THE STORY?

Recently, a TV Personality (who I am reluctant to dignify by identifying him) made what appeared to me to be very offensive remarks towards a public official (Governor of Alaska) and her family. In addition, the TV person also disparaged the name and reputation of a baseball player, and by the remarks, the team that the player is employed with.

Rightfully, the Alaska Governor demanded an apology for the TV person's remarks, especially the ones directed towards her family member. Of course, the TV person declined to respond fully and offered another equally offensive remark (the original remark was intended for another member of the Governors family). Some other organizations have made comments in support of a need for an apology; but, probably none is forthcoming.

The really strange thing about this episode is that the other injured parties, specifically the baseball player whose reputation was sullied, and the Baseball organization (Yankees) have been (apparently) completely silent. Had I been the focus of an accusation of criminal activity I would feel obligated to respond in defense of my honor and integrity. This is not a free speech issue but a defamation of character issue that should be examined. NO MATTER THAT THE TV PERSONALITY WAS TRYING TO BE WHITTY!

NO BACKBONE

Anyone who is familiar with world history since WW2 realize that the North Korean Government plays a rather dangerous but usually successful game of "chicken" in order to achieve their goals. The only time that they (North Korea) have backed down was when they were confronted with the threat (and resolve) to use force.

The latest outrageous threat by the North Koreans involves the use of Nuclear weapons in an offensive war. The last real threat by any nation to do such a thing might have been between the Indian and Pakistani governments. I do not believe that they actually made good on those threats.

My question is; when is the World or even the US going to counter the North Korean's assertion with an overwhelming response to their rhetoric? The North Koreans will continue to escalate their remarks and threats until someone either caves in to their demands (give them food, money, whatever they want) or responds with a strong threat of force backed by real capability. The weak kneed United Nations can't even get a discredited sanction passed to show any resolve; the US seems incapable of doing anything except maybe send someone such as Al Gore to negotiate our way out of these threats. I doubt that Mr Gore can be or will be effective even if he explains how bad such actions such as Nuclear war may be towards the environment.

Unfortunately, it is time now, not in six months to a year, to respond with a real show of resolve. But, who will do it?

BAD IDEA!

It appears that the Chinese will be purchasing one of the GM auto divisions (Hummer). This is a very bad idea. Not so much that we will be getting some competition from the Chinese in auto sales; but, because there are almost certainly a great deal of intellectual property that will be part of the deal. This means that a significant portion of the US intelligence will be included. So, I guess, we are on the road to providing our most serious potential future adversaries with a great gift of technology. (and some secrets as well). 

This is another reason why the present administration's bailout and takeover strategy is not only bad, but also dangerous to our national security. 

IS NO ONE LISTENING OR AWARE OF THESE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES??