Ex-Clinton Officials: Nuke Threat Growing

[Emillereid]

By KEN GUGGENHEIM
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Nuclear bombs are likely to be used before the end of the decade if the United States doesn't do more to stop their spread, a group that advises Senate Democrats said Wednesday.



One key step would be to begin direct talks with North Korea to negotiate an end to its nuclear program, said the National Security Advisory Group, which includes former top officials of the Clinton administration.




Former Defense Secretary William Perry, the group's chairman, said North Korea could have six to eight nuclear bombs by the end of the year and could have "serial production" next year.



"We must anticipate, given North Korea's desperate economic condition, that some of the products of their nuclear program will be for sale to the highest bidder and could end up in an American city," Perry said at a news conference....

http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/D/DEMOCRATS_NUCLEAR?SITE=PAPHQ&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

I think they left out the country most likely to use nukes -- the good ole USA -- now that we're developing small, user friendly nukes. I think it's so hypocritical of the US and the Western powers in general to think it's ok for them to have nukes, but not for third world, brown folks. It's not like we have the best track record with regard to their use and unprovoked aggression. I would think the rest of the world would prefer to see us disarmed.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. EVERYONE needs to disarm

Bush is scared of N. Korea, because they aren't a weak country. I'm afraid he's going to brag and bluster and continue to ignore the threat until it's too late.

[SharonAnn]

2. Of course, he's never cleaned up his own messes. That's what

other people are for.

[MHS Chips]

3. I'm scared of N. Korea because its run by a psychopath!

We can deal with places like India, Pakistan, even Russia & China--all rational actors--but who knows what North Korea will do?

[SummerGrace]

6. The rest of the world probably

wonders about us since December 2000.

[Jackpine Radical]

11. I'm scared of the US because it's run by a gang of psychopaths.

We can deal with N Korea by reinstating the treaties we violated & abrogated. They started building nukes after Shrubco started poking them with a stick instead of negotiating. They (NK) don't especially want nukes--they want food, electricity, stuff like that, and saw the notion of becoming a nuclear threat as a way to get the things they need to sustain life.

Not that I think Kim Il Jung is a nice guy or anything, but it's psychologically hard to take anyone with a haircut that bad too seriously as an international threat.

[MattNC]

4. i'm still worried about Russia

There still hasn't been enough done to adequately protect their nuclear weapons facilities.

[gulliver]

5. Bush exaggerates small threats and understates big ones.

It's a political game with Bush, all expectations management and hype. The little SOB started the problem with North Korea with his Axis of Evil remark. Of course he has to understate that threat, he created it.

But is that good for the country or just Bush?

Bush is burning $4 billion a month and keeping more than half of the army committed occupying Iraq when they had nothing with which to threaten us. But to ask Bush, Saddam was another Hitler. Hype, hype, hype.

North Korea having 10 nuclear bombs by the end of the year is Bush's fault: squarely. That's 10 more nukes than they had under Clinton and 10 more than they would have had if Bush's dad's friends hadn't stolen the White House for him.

But don't expect Bush to say anything about a real danger to the country, especially a real danger he caused. To Bush, mistakes are things to be hidden -- maybe until it's too late and we really do see a mushroom cloud.

[MHS Chips]

7. Blaming Bush for North Korea is a stretch.

If Bush or Clinton or the USA never even existed, that guy in charge of N. Korea would still be a looney tune. But you're right on that he's got his priorities screwed up.

[gulliver]

9. Gotta judge a tree by its fruits.

If Bush hadn't threatened North Korea, this wouldn't be a problem. Clinton didn't, and they weren't. The loony factor is a constant in this equation. The variable is the administration.

[StandWatie]

10. the common N. Korean detraction is "paranoia"

Given the nightmarish quality of Korean history it makes much more sense and Bush's statements take on a quality that makes you either wonder if the Administration is actively goading them or incredibly stupid and possibly educated in history by Lindsay Graham.

[Jackpine Radical]

12. Bullshit.

NK became a serious threat only after Bush started screwing with them & violating treaties.

[goforit]

14. And it doesn't help having Clinton to bail him out ever damn second!!!

Clinton is in with the whole PNAC as well!!!

And He is TRUELY disappointing!!!

[AntiCoup2K4]

8. If NKorean missiles could hit DC, or Texas, Junior would take it seriously

...But as of now, all they can supposedly hit is the West Coast.

And Junior doesn't give a shit about anyone out here, because we won't vote for his ass anyway.

[goforit]

13. Well, If you don't put a TARGET over our heads like Bush is, we wouldn't

GEEEEEEEE

Didn't Rumsfeld's company give NK the hardware to
make the damn BOMBS!!!

Well you can start by policing these BIG DAMN corporations
that send the Stuff over to crazy dictatorships in the first place
including the psychotic dictator in this Banana Republic!!!

I do believe it is these DAMN ASS POLITICIANS in
this government that don't know their ass from their elbows
that are going to blow this whole world up!!!!

:wtf: is happenning to these Damn Democrats??????

They all have lost their way!!!!

[atreides1]

15. An Update

It has been reported by KITV News in Hawaii that the 25th ID is sending half of the 15,000 troop division to Afghanistan.

Now for those that don't know, the 25th ID is the back up division
for the 2nd ID which is responsible for the defense of South Korea.
Currently the 2nd ID only has 2 brigades, its 3rd Brigade was being
trained and equipped with the new Stryker light armored vehicle, and
will be deployed to Iraq as one of the units replacing the 3rd ID.

If the North decides to come over the border, US soldiers won't stand a chance, and with the exception of the Marines in Okinawa, there will
be few reinforcements for the US personnel.

[knight_of_the_star]

16. Will those marines even be deployed?

I'm getting the distinct feeling that the guys we have in SK are being hung out to dry.

[Nambe]

17. IMO, bush has done everything a pres could do to escilate....

arms developement of all kinds. Name a country that thinks they can trust him and you're naming a foolish leader.