North Korea is Nuclear

The North Korean government has announced a successful detonatin of a nuclear device. Let us take a moment to let that sink in.

Will this spark an arms race in the region? Which country will feel threatened and withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty next? This is a very real possibility and I don't like that France has the bomb for Christ's sake. I sure as hell do not like an overtly nuclear NorK.

Now, on the Chosin we have a credible threat to an ally. Our military is preoccupied in Iraq in a war predicated on lies and fixed intelligence, and the North Koreans have tested a nuclear weapon.

Right now, with US troop strength down by an entire batallion due to death and serious injury, we have no troops to put on the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) the heavily mined area on the 38th Parallel that has served as a buffer in the "cold peace" that has kept the two Koreas from one anothers throats for fifty-plus years.

At 0135 GMT, the world changed. This is a big deal, people. A huge deal. It is a threat to the Armistice that has held for so very long.

The U.S. Geological Survey verified a 4.2 magnitude quake at 0135 GMT. This is in keeping with the subterranean detonation of a 400 Kilo Ton device.

I am sure the right will try to find some way to blame this on Clinton. Hell, to hear them tell it, the last Ice Age was his fault. And John Kerry was a coward. I can't help their Kool-Aid addiction.

But this can be hung around Bush's scrawny neck.

It has been common knowledge in the intel community for several years that NorK had the inspiration, had invested the perspiration and were waiting for motivation.

An American military, unable to respond with troops on the DMZ and missing a full batallion of troop strength due to injuries and deaths suffered in Iraq was their motivation. And the American military is over-extended because of Bush and the neocon's rush to invade Iraq and fight a pre-emptive war based on phonied up intel that was fixed to the policy of making war on Iraq.

I am betting China is putting troops on the border, threatening to cut off the billion tons of oil and coal that power North Lorea, curtail food aid and impose other sanctions. China tried to disuade them, and failed. You know Beijing is pissed about losing face with a country that hasn't the ability to take care of it's own and isn't rich in allies either. But Kim Jong Il isn't exacly a stupid little madman. He knows damn good and well that his country is a buffer for the Chinese against creeping American influence in the region.

And I bet that Japanese diplomats are enroute right now.

The next 24-48 hours are going to be interesting.

UPDATE: Thanks to Pale Rider for reminding me that we have lost nearly an entire Division of troops. A Division is comprised of three Batallions and commanded by a Lt. General. My appologies to all Army personnel for misusing the terms.