Wednesday - July 05, 2006

The Rockets Red Glare

Yesterday, on the 4th of July, the US launched Discovery. Within minutes, the shuttle with seven astronauts aboard, was over Europe cruising along at 14,000 mph and over a hundred miles above Earth headed toward a rendezvous with the International Space Station. There were no warheads aboard, only scientific experiments and supplies for the crew of the ISS. Science and the discovery of the universe took another step forward.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, a pissant Commie dictator tried once again to blackmail the rest of the world with missile launches of its own. Missiles capable of carrying destructive warheads. Fortunately, the North Koreans are stupid, ignorant morons and the six missiles failed soon after launch and crashed into the Sea Of Japan. Regardless, the Japanese are upset and so is the rest of the world. Don’t look for the UN to do anything anytime soon.

Why do we allow these insane madmen like the North Koreans to continue to threaten the rest of the world with their madness? Wouldn’t we all be better off flying around space, learning new things and discovering our region of the universe? It is past time for humanity to put these childish acts like the North Koreans are doing behind us - even if it means spanking the child in question before proceeding. It’s time to send the NoKo’s a message in no uncertain terms.

North Korea Tests Long-Range Missile
Controversial Rocket Fails as Other Types Are Fired
U.N. Session Set After U.S., Japan Condemn Action
_{Wednesday, July 5, 2006}

North Korea test-fired at least six missiles yesterday, including its long-range Taepodong-2, senior U.S. officials said, defying strong warnings from the United States and regional powers in Asia.

The controversial long-range missile failed less than a minute after launch, falling into the Sea of Japan, along with the other, less-sophisticated missiles. Diplomatic and military officials played down any imminent threat, but Stephen J. Hadley, President Bush’s national security adviser, called the display of firepower on the Fourth of July “provocative behavior.”

In addition to prompting swift condemnation in Washington and Japan, the launches set off a flurry of diplomatic consultations. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice began calling Asian capitals that were waking to the news, and the U.N. Security Council was set to take up the matter today. Meanwhile, a special U.S. envoy, Christopher R. Hill, was dispatched to consult with allies.

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso said Tokyo was likely to impose economic sanctions against North Korea in response to the missile tests; Japanese authorities said they would begin by banning North Korean ships from Japanese ports for six months or more.

In Pyongyang, an official from North Korea’s communist government met with Japanese reporters and acknowledged the missile launches. Japan’s NHK television quoted Foreign Ministry official Lee Byong Dok as saying: “This is an issue of national sovereignty, and other countries do not have the right to judge. We are not bound by any agreement regarding missiles.”

Over the past several weeks, U.S. intelligence officials had warned of a possible long-range missile test by North Korea, and the issue became the subject of increasingly acrimonious exchanges between the United States and North Korea. Pyongyang’s main benefactors, China and South Korea, as well as Japan and other nations had urged the North not to proceed with a test. Last night, Hadley said the launch “just shows the defiance of the international community by North Korea.”

The tests could further isolate North Korea and tilt U.S. policy in favor of Bush administration hard-liners who have argued that stronger sanctions are the only way to bring North Korea back to the table in stalled disarmament talks.

In Japan, U.S. Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer told reporters that he and Japanese officials had discussed the possibility of getting the U.N. Security Council to impose economic sanctions on Pyongyang.

- More on this story at the WASHINGTON POST ...

Posted by The Skipper     on 07/05/2006 at 08:25 AM   
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Not that very many people ever read this far down, but this blog was the creation of Allan Kelly and his friend Vilmar. Vilmar moved on to his own blog some time ago, and Allan ran this place alone until his sudden and unexpected death partway through 2006. We all miss him. A lot. Even though he is gone this site will always still be more than a little bit his. We who are left to carry on the BMEWS tradition owe him a great debt of gratitude, and we hope to be able to pay that back by following his last advice to us all:

1. Keep a firm grasp of Right and Wrong
2. Stay involved with government on every level and don't let those bastards get away with a thing
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4. Keep talking to each other, whether here or elsewhere

It's been a long strange trip without you Skipper, but thanks for pointing us in the right direction and giving us a swift kick in the behind to get us going. Keep lookin' down on us, will ya? Thanks.

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