Secretary of Defense Robert Gates predicted North Korea would launch a missile soon and said there’s nothing the United States can do about it.
“I would say we’re not prepared to do anything about it,” said Gates during an appearance on “Fox News Sunday.”
STRASBOURG, France – Welcomed with thunderous cheers, President Barack Obama told a European audience on Friday that he is setting a dramatic goal of “a world without nuclear weapons.”
The new American president opened a town-hall style gathering with the declaration, saying he would outline details in Prague in the coming days.
“Even with the Cold War now over, the spread of nuclear weapons or the theft of nuclear material could lead to the extermination of any city on the planet,” Obama said, previewing a planned speech.
By Sunday morning:
Brilliant. And what do we have to do about it? Same as we did before the launch: More words. More talk. More international outrage. More nothing. Same as it ever was.
Is anyone really colored amazed by this? This is what happens when the world has no teeth; when the U.S. does have the teeth, but chooses to muzzle its bite. CJ nails it, spot on:
North Korea launched a missile over the nation of Japan today in violation of U.N. Security Resolution 1718. UNSR1718 is basically a bunch of talking about what N. Korean shouldn’t do about its nuclear program. And if it does those things banned in the resolution, the U.N. will – stop talking to them!! Oooooh. No wonder they continued to build their missile and research nuclear technology. What are the repercussions? Nothing.
In response to the launch of the missile, President Obama took bold actions. He just released a statement promising to “immediately consult with our allies in the region, including Japan and the Republic of Korea, and members of the U.N. Security Council to bring this matter before the Council.”
What a great idea! Get with the U.N. to talk some more. As much as that’s worked in the past, it’s bound to make some very important headway now. I mean, all N. Korea wants is for someone to talk to over tea and crumpets. Why else would they continue to flaunt resolution after resolution? Why else would they blatantly ignore calls to cease testing the ballistic missile and pursue nuclear weapons?
To underscore that the United States means business, President Obama made the following threats to North Korea:
“I urge North Korea to abide fully by the resolutions of the U.N. Security Council and to refrain from further provocative actions.” And if you don’t, we’ll urge you again. And again. And again.
Well, if you want to eliminate nuclear weapons from the world, Mr. President, you’re off to a helluva good start.
Time to send in Team America Hans Blix to save the world from nuclear proliferation:
A former fetus, the “wordsmith from nantucket” was born in Phoenix, Arizona in 1968. Adopted at birth, wordsmith grew up a military brat. He achieved his B.A. in English from the University of California, Los Angeles (graduating in the top 97% of his class), where he also competed rings for the UCLA mens gymnastics team. The events of 9/11 woke him from his political slumber and malaise. Currently a personal trainer and gymnastics coach.
The wordsmith has never been to Nantucket.