Kim Jong il is no nut. Nor is he "crazy" in the literal sense. The man is smart and had the know how to turn his country into an industrialized nation. However, yes, there is something wrong when he can produce nuclear arms while his people are starving. I'm not thoroughly convinced that there will be no "fallout" of any type, whether of his test or from other countries. Remember also, that the US placed sanctions against NK for counterfeiting U.S. dollars, illegal drug trade (heroin); and he has sold enriched uranium to Libya.

The United Nations said that it would invoke Chapter 7 of the UN Charter which gives them rights to use whatever means necessary to restore international peace...

Kim Jong il is no nut. Nor is he "crazy" in the literal sense. The man is smart and had the know how to turn his country into an industrialized nation. However, yes, there is something wrong when he can produce nuclear arms while his people are starving. I'm not thoroughly convinced that there will be no "fallout" of any type, whether of his test or from other countries. Remember also, that the US placed sanctions against NK for counterfeiting U.S. dollars, illegal drug trade (heroin); and he has sold enriched uranium to Libya.

The United Nations said that it would invoke Chapter 7 of the UN Charter which gives them rights to use whatever means necessary to restore international peace and security.

The question is... did they really damage security? Further, will invoking Chapter 7 really solve anything? Will additional sanctions solve anything or just make Kim angrier, thereby giving him reason to continue to play with his nukes? Which personally, I believe he's now looking for ANY excuse.

Example: he was ticked at the South for shooting at the North's military that were crossing the DMZ on Saturday, and warned the South of "catastrophic consequences." Making it look like reason enough to test his nuke on Sunday (or Monday his time). Showing off his muscle.

The fact that the North continues to make incursions into the demilitarized zones btwn North and South, might be reason enough to invoke Chapter 7, if damage can't be qualified or quantified through his recent nuke test.

It will be interesting to hear what the outcome will be given the fact that many countries have 'spoken' and talked amongst themselves and to Kim about the reprecussions. However, Kim is the only one thus far that has 'walked his talk.'

Sorry Debbyski, I was browsing my latest comments and just read this.

My answer: Both. I'm not in favor of what Kim is doing, not by any means. But I also think that it is fruitless to 'talk' with him. Kim has tunnel vision and an ulterior motive. On one hand I believe Bush is right to not have one on one talks with Kim merely because Kim is looking to place blame. He wants a reason to blast us and I tend to believe that he really doesn't want to talk.

On the other hand, I don't think sanctions are the way to go but I have no other ideas for remedy. IE: what will work. I do believe that Kim should be focusing on working out how the North and South can be a single state again. But...

Sorry Debbyski, I was browsing my latest comments and just read this.

My answer: Both. I'm not in favor of what Kim is doing, not by any means. But I also think that it is fruitless to 'talk' with him. Kim has tunnel vision and an ulterior motive. On one hand I believe Bush is right to not have one on one talks with Kim merely because Kim is looking to place blame. He wants a reason to blast us and I tend to believe that he really doesn't want to talk.

On the other hand, I don't think sanctions are the way to go but I have no other ideas for remedy. IE: what will work. I do believe that Kim should be focusing on working out how the North and South can be a single state again. But as long as he's rigid in communism, I doubt that it will ever be.

I think was ticks me off about Kim, is his blatant disregard for the impoverished in that country. We find this happens all around the world but he's willing to risk it and not help it. He's spent the money on his military; he's governed who gets the food and who doesn't. The fact that he has produced counterfeit american dollars should tick us off and may be one of the reasons that Bush is inflexible.

It's hard to say "ok. we're happy you have a nuclear weapon" knowing that it will provoke even more bs. Maybe the US should just leave it alone. Ignore Kim. Not our problem. Let someone else pick up the ball and run with it so he can get back to the politics in the U.S.

Lots of thoughts ...