It's Not Too Late On Iran North Korea

Writing in the failing NY Times, former Obama Irritant Susan Rice revises her on-the-shelf "Surrender to Iran" speech and advises Trump it is not too late to surrender to North Korea's inexorable will. All we need to do is pipe down and accept (without legitimizing!) North Korea's new status as a nuclear power:

It’s Not Too Late on North Korea

By Susan Rice   Aug 10, 2017

North Korea’s substantial nuclear arsenal and improving intercontinental ballistic missile capacity pose a growing threat to America’s security. But we need not face an immediate crisis if we play our hand carefully.

Can, road, kick! The guiding message of the Obama Administration - tomorrow is another day!

We have long lived with successive Kims’ belligerent and colorful rhetoric — as ambassador to the United Nations in the Obama administration, I came to expect it whenever we passed resolutions. What is unprecedented and especially dangerous this time is the reaction of President Trump. Unscripted, the president said on Tuesday that if North Korea makes new threats to the United States, “they will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen.” These words risk tipping the Korean Peninsula into war, if the North’s leader, Kim Jong-un, believes them and acts precipitously.

Either Mr. Trump is issuing an empty threat of nuclear war, which will further erode American credibility and deterrence, or he actually intends war next time Mr. Kim behaves provocatively. The first scenario is folly, but a United States decision to start a pre-emptive war on the Korean Peninsula, in the absence of an imminent threat, would be lunacy.

However, a war in the Korean peninsula (even if NoKo missiles did not extend the theatre) would be horrible. Therefore:

But war is not necessary to achieve prevention, despite what some in the Trump administration seem to have concluded. History shows that we can, if we must, tolerate nuclear weapons in North Korea — the same way we tolerated the far greater threat of thousands of Soviet nuclear weapons during the Cold War.

It will require being pragmatic.

No prizes for guessing what "pragmatic" means.

First, though we can never legitimize North Korea as a nuclear power, we know it is highly unlikely to relinquish its sizable arsenal because Mr. Kim deems the weapons essential to his regime’s survival. The North can now reportedly reach United States territory with its ICBMs. The challenge is to ensure that it would never try.

So we accept, contain and deter Kim, who is not (we assess) suicidal. Currently.

Her suggestions include something I agree with:

Finally, we must begin a dialogue with China about additional efforts and contingencies on the peninsula, and revive diplomacy to test potential negotiated agreements that could verifiably limit or eliminate North Korea’s arsenal.

One might hope or imagine that Trump's rhetoric is aimed at rattling Chinese leadership. They have spent decades thinking the North Korean dynasty is a tolerable nuisance and far preferable to a unified, democratic Korea on their border. Maybe Trump as Madman can convince them to push harder for a middle ground, such as regime change that leaves calmer generals in charge without overthrowing the NoKo government? Possible? Naah - that would sound like a plan and we can't credit Trump's team with anything like that.

I also find myself in agreement here:

Rational, steady American leadership can avoid a crisis and counter a growing North Korean threat. It’s past time that the United States started exercising its power responsibly.

"Past time"? Roughly eight years past time.

Comments

[DrJ]

First!

[Captain Hate]

Shouldn't Rice be looking for a video maker to arrest for this?

[henry]

Nuke first, ask questions later.

The nuking will continue until McTurtle repeals Obamacare.

-- things I want to hear.

[lyle]

JiB: I've been meaning to inquire about a "family and FRIENDS" discount offer from you re the Puligny-Montrachet...😎

[Extraneus]

Perhaps her time would be better spent interviewing lawyers.

[Jim Eagle]

Hey? How did Korea get split apart anyway?

Don't ask the progs or Democrat security experts like Susan Rice. Ask who was the party in power in the USA in 1945 who negotiated the divide of Korea with the Soviet Union.

Juche and it fits with Democrat appeasement since they became a party of politics.

[Clarice Feldman]

https://www.facebook.com/clarice.feldman/posts/10211977739470895?notif_t=feedback_reaction_generic&notif_id=1502401085261490

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

This is why I cannot stand diplomatic speak, especially from democrats.

They act like if we say boo to a goose we might cause a war. Well, if the guy is that temperamental, maybe he (get this) SHOULDN'T HAVE NUCLEAR WEAPONS!

Go away, Ms. Rice. Work on your testimony or something.

[Clarice Feldman]

T M, whatever uppers you are taking, pls send me a couple.

[cboldt]

Youtube of Part 2 - Trump Presser - Aug 10, 2017

[Ralph L]

JiB, you do realize Lyle is probably off of wine for a while, if not permanently?

[Jim Eagle]

Ralph L,

I didn't realize it is permanent only temporary. Excuse me lyle if somehow I have over-tempted your predictament. We will strive to be an alcohol free blog from now on except for CH and rich's "odes to IPA".

[daddy]

“Even though she worked for Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee, she’s been very straight-arrow as a judge and she wouldn’t be impaneling a jury for the heck of it, or anything less than there being ample justification for it,” said a former federal lobbyist, referring to Howell’s previous work for Sen. Patrick Leahy. “She’s like Mueller: He wouldn’t ask for it unless he had more than enough evidence to justify it, and she wouldn’t have granted it unless he did.”

I am confident that whomever Mueller brings charges against she'll give as fair a Trial as the one Ted Stevens got.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

daddy,

A friend alerted me to Tammy Bruce being dragooned onto The Speicalists to discuss North Korea with one of our favorites, Kat Timpf.

She said she would like to know what Tammy was REALLY thinking as Kat blathered on.

I will have to find the replay!

[Extraneus]

Thanks for the link 2, cboldt. A few shady comments* but still total confidence.

*Like in response to the question about how we could improve the nuclear arsenal in 6 months, which obviously a patriot wouldn't have asked.

[daddy]

Is Kim on the JV squad along with ISIS, ISIL Daesh?

[Captain Hate]

Tammy will be broadcasting at 8 tonight and might talk about it.

[joan]

"Past time? Eight years past time."

You're correct about that!

[joan]

Oops, I apologize. I left out the "roughly" on eight years.

[daddy]

Hi Miss M.

I think I'd be embarrassed to go on a TV Show with her.

Anyone know who's taken over for Eric Boling?

[glenda]

Really? So the "unmasking" expert, that willingly spies on political enemies and lies to the American people,(conveniently blaming a token Jew, as usual)..to coverup abandoning American patriots, to prop up the Muslim Brotherhood spring and another "I think I'm the greatest ..NOT" McCain being used by CIA to fund terrorists for donor$$ ...that Susan Rice..??

Who believes, or trusts this repeat of failing to recognize and eliminate America's enemies. North Korea, Russia, China, IRAN, ISIS all enhanced their power--raising dangerous and threatening situations, worldwide!!
And the left progressive world is responsible. Not Trump ..

The failure of The UN, State, trade policies, open border/unlimited immigration and the Senate or an accountable to the constitution DOJ , enabled the Mullahs and Kimmy-boy to spread--along with the race/class/religious bigotry they feed on--to divide us. Not Trump.

The cabal seems to be desperate, knowing the old status-quo is gone as trustworthy to the people. Politicians like Clinton, Romney, McCain, Obama, will never ever win a free fair election--so, they are willing to lie, cheat, prosecute, blackmail--start wars, now?? No No No !!!
The Failing NYTimes is calling Wendy Sherman to create another Dictator/Terrorist lottery , to allow every tyrant in the world nuclear weapons, and paid for by the US taxpayer--she's been doing it since the 1990's with Clinton, Inc., --I hear a lawyer named Comey is available to sell out Americans, if she & Rice & Yates& Power need assistance !! /s

[lurkersusie]

In Sarah Palin's defamation lawsuit against @nytimes, judge has just ordered that writer of editorial appear & testify under oath.

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/times-editorial-writers-summoned-sarah-palin-defamation-case-article-1.3401075

[joan]

FYI: CH, you mentioned Susan Collins' wavery voice (and head, which I don't think you commented on). I believe she might have Essential Tremor. One of my aunts had this affliction. I'm only posting this because I think it's interesting. Also, I think it's interesting that (as far as I know) I've never seen her condition mentioned by the media. Anyway, as I said, just fyi.

Of course it could have been discussed on here before and I missed it.

http://www.webmd.com/parkinsons-disease/tc/differences-between-essential-tremor-and-parkinsons-disease-topic-overview

[Jim Eagle]

How to improve our nuclear readiness and response in 6 months? Really, you are such a f#$king snowflake to even ask that question?te
Simple.Tell Savannah River and Paducah to ramp up. Hanford needs to go production instead of remidiation. Same for Oak Ridge.
r
But more importantly let your SAC, now AirForce Strike Command, know you have a new CIC and we are not only on alert standby but we are in a readiness close to defcon 2. Let the hammers hammer and the axes cut.

[Extraneus]

judge has just ordered that writer of editorial appear & testify under oath

Heh.

[Beasts of England]

A Puligny-Montrachet friends and family discount? Well, if you insist... :)

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

I try not use this word but occasionally fail, but what a goddamned idiot. How did we survive these fools?

--What is unprecedented and especially dangerous this time is the reaction of President Trump.--

No. What is unprecedented and especially dangerous this time is now Kim has small enough warheads to fit on his new missiles to hit our mainland, [both extent because you dumbasses kicked the damned can for eight years as did your predecessors] you shit for brains imbecile. Hence Trump's reaction.

--History shows that we can, if we must, tolerate nuclear weapons in North Korea — the same way we tolerated the far greater threat of thousands of Soviet nuclear weapons during the Cold War.--

We had to tolerate them in the Soviet Union. We do not have to in North Korea. It would be a huge undertaking, not some surgical strike, but it would eliminate a serious, possibly existential threat from an unpredictable source.

--Finally, we must begin a dialogue with China about additional efforts and contingencies on the peninsula, and revive diplomacy to test potential negotiated agreements that could verifiably limit or eliminate North Korea’s arsenal.--

That can only happen under two circumstances;
1. The threat of US military action is credible and possibly imminent or;
2. a devastating trade war with China that will cause it enough pain to act. Short of those two nothing will cause Peking to give up its rook.

--Rational, steady American leadership can avoid a crisis and counter a growing North Korean threat. It’s past time that the United States started exercising its power responsibly.--

Steadily irrational and irresponsible American behindership produced the crisis of an evil enemy on the verge of possessing nuclear ICBMs pointed at us while simultaneously doing little to counter the threat from an EMP or advancing our anti missile capabilities.

But we do have trannies in the barracks. Hurrah!

[Threadkiller]

Anyone know who's taken over for Eric Boling?

Some other dick.

[lyle]

Moi? "Permanently" off wine?!? Bite your tongue, Ralph L! 😎

As it turns out, I'm easing off the oxi dosing each passing day so I can return to le verre parfait de vin chaque jour until my doc tells me my liver can't take it any longer.

[lyle]

Which, BTW, (my liver) is going strong. God knows I've had enough blood work done lately to underscore THAT point.

[exdemocrat]

regarding TM's preposterous suggestion that the admin has a plan for pushing the Chinese to rein in their pitbull, POTUS gave clear reference to that plan - one that Sundance at CTH has discussed repeatedly - at about minute 7 of today's presser linked by MM on the previous thread:

https://twitter.com/cspan/status/895736029684133888

In essence, the plan is simple: convince China it has just two options: a good one, or one that is appalling for them.

[exdemocrat]

*for them* being the key, of course

[henry]

The Un's latest promise:

"mercilessly wipe out the provocateurs making desperate attempts to stifle socialist country" and adds that "the U.S. will suffer a shameful defeat and final doom if it persists in extreme military adventure, sanctions and pressure."

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-08-10/north-korea-responds-vows-mercilessly-wipe-out-provocateurs-us-will-suffer-final-doo

[DrJ]

Un sounds a lot like Saddam before the second Gulf war started.

[narciso.]

I was reminded thanks to crowdstrike, Obama stuitxneted north Korea. One of the few times
They were not guilty.

[Clarice Feldman]

Following up, lurkersusie:https://pjmedia.com/instapundit/272554/

[Skoot]

Gen McInerny on Hannity earlier said we should let the Norks know if a single artillery shell comes into Soeul we will send a full nuclear response to which Hannity says "What about the fallout, won't millions be killed?"

McInerny:"Well yeah, but they'll be mostly North Koreans."

My kind of General :)

[narciso.]

I think the cannibal tendendecies of judge rakoff shouldn't stop him from rendering a just verdict.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Here's an interesting comment on the presser, North Korea and Obama over on the Conservative Treehouse. Hat tip to the author: Jimmyjack.

One thing I’d like to add to this. I keep seeing on twitter etc everyone is shocked, shocked I tell you – that Obama knew about NK mini nukes in 2013 and “was too weak to do anything about it”. I don’t doubt for a second that he is a weakling however this (IMHO) was purely strategic by Obama, not an act of stupidity of weakness.

Obama allowed the NK to have their nukes bc he knew he would be giving Iran tons of cash to buy them off the Norks. NK’s launches have been sales demos for the Iranians not legitimate threats to the US.

See how that works???

Meanwhile the “Obama is so stupid and weak he doesn’t know what he is doing” widespread belief provides him cover for his nefarious actions. Never forget how much Obama hates the US. He knew exactly what he was doing.

That explains the pallets of cash, if you ask me.

[narciso.]

Btw the latina coulter with serious judgment gussies gave birth to her one time significant others kid.

[Jim Eagle]

Lyle and BOE,

When I get my discount I'll ask for yours. Last time I checked my SIL's was $325 a bottle here. For a freaking Chablis!

[Threadkiller]

To bad The Founder's never thought of an eligibility firewall to keep a dual-citizen out of the Oval Office before he set up Iran-Contra 2, Nuclear Boogaloo.

But... Yeargh.

[lurkersusie]

That explains the pallets of cash, if you ask me.

How much was the kickback?

[Jane]

Joan,

Thanks for that explanation about Collins voice. I brought it up once somewhere I don't remember where and was shamed for asking. Well maybe not totally shamed – curiosities often kills this cat.

[Catsmeat]

I wonder if anyone in North Korea finds his or her government's absurd doomsday rhetoric funny, and I wonder if anyone ever has the nerve to laugh. No on the second probably, but I do hope the human spirit is alive somewhere in that hellhole, as it was in the Gulag.

[Beasts of England]

You present a salient point, JiB. :)

[Ralph L]

I've always associated gout with too much rich food and port wine, but WebMD says beer is worse than wine.
I once had poison ivy on my foot swell up and hurt like hell with the slightest movement for a few days. Finally went to the doc in the box when it became infected. Not something I ever, ever want to repeat. Hope you have good painkillers and don't need them long.

[Threadkiller]

The Nork-bots probably only hear about the doomsday rhetoric coming from the crazy roundeyes.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

lurkersusie,

Excellent question!

My answer is probably 25%. We need to see money transfers, lock boxes in Switzerland, bond purchases, etc.

[lyle]

$3+ skins/btl. is a bit rich for my humble means, JiB, but I'm pretty sure that's a mere trifling for a man of Beasts' pecuniary wherewithal...😉

[lyle]

My PCP tells me the gout connection to rich foods/red wine is utter BS, Ralph L. It can apparently beset you, ex nihilo, and bite your ass bigly.

[Captain Hate]

She said she would like to know what Tammy was REALLY thinking as Kat blathered on.

She said she was glad to have the opportunity to correct something Kat said.

[narciso.]

Its good that manafort has switched his wilier cutler atty

http://babalublog.com/2017/08/10/whoops-why-was-north-koreas-chief-of-foreign-intelligence-and-cyber-warfare-recently-welcomed-in-cuba

[Jim Eagle]

Neuropathy is often misdiagnosed as gout. I have spinal stenosis in L2-5. Ergo neuropathy in the feet. Having knee replacement doesn't help nor the spinal epidural. Next is to insert a wire, sort of like jumping a connection.

Gets worse with age, of course, unlike wine.

[lyle]

Hey, CH, I've been meaning to thank you again for that Richard Thompson link a few weeks ago. I've plumb worn it out on my late nite listening playlist. The title/hook to is oddly apropos with my foot issues of late.

[exdemocrat]

at last! an admission of POTUS' collusion with Vlad!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iMDkx1RLcQ#action=share

[anonamom]

My understanding is that Susan Collins has spasmotic dysphonia, just like Diane Rehm.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spasmodic_dysphonia

[-peter]

Can't keep up with the threads, so if someone else has posted this, I apologize. Judge Jed Rakoff is the District Court judge assigned to the Sarah Palin case. Rakoff is the biggest blowhard on the federal bench in New York. A guy who makes everything unnecessarily complicated because he is just so smart. Article at Powerline about the current status of the case: http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2017/08/you-heard-it-here-first-ny-times-editors-deny-reading-their-own-newspaper.php

[lyle]

Neuropathy doesn't cause swelling, though, does it?

[narciso.]

Picked a wrong week to quit anything

https://faustasblog.com/2017/08/mexico-national-soccer-team-captain-sanctioned-by-us-treasury/

In their defense I woyldnt admit reading their paper either, but is their jib

[-peter]

So basically the New York Times' defense is that the editors who wrote the slanderous article about Palin weren't acting with actual malice because they did not read their own paper. Can you blame them? I don't read it.

[Stephanie]

Countdown. 23 days.

[maryrose]

Ext:
I'll have you know I was a hall monitor in high school.
Repost to your heart's content!
Clarice: your links have been informative and helpful to me,

[maryrose]

Peter:
Just the fact that the reporter who wrote it has to be humbled and forced to testify warms my heart.

[maryrose]

Attention all lawyers:
Do honest judges still exist?

[Captain Hate]

You're welcome, lyle; that's from around the time I first became aware of him from the album "Across a Crowded Room", still one of my faves. I've seen him in concert multiple tImes, solo and with a band (as is the case with Marshall Crenshaw, even though he uses electronics on an acoustic guitar so he can play riffs and fills over a rhythm line, I GREATLY prefer him getting those skronky Fender sounds plugged in with a band) and, even though he's surely a lib (and Sufi Mooooslim, who the fundies consider on par with the rest of us infidels), his between song comments are absolutely hilarious.

Per Tammy, all of MeAgain's staff hates her. She is embarking on a multi city tour to try and boost her brand to justify all the jack the Peacock network threw at her. Maybe she should do more fart videos.

[narciso.]

This was the detail I noted some time ago:
www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3576209/posts

[Clarice Feldman]

Thanks, maryrose. If true, it's a fair trade for all your posts.

[Clarice Feldman]

peter, a lot of lawyers would pay to cross examine those editors for Palin.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

Diamond and Silk say that youtube has "demonetized" 95% of their videos.
Of course every numbskull in comments is yelling CENSORSHIP!

[narciso.]

Nudge nudge say in more:

https://www.mediaite.com/tv/fox-news-host-confronts-gorka-for-undercutting-tillerson-forget-backstabbing-you-frontstabbed-him/

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Ignatz,

It was only a matter of time until YouTube did that. They have thrown in with the left and so no unpersons shall be allowed to make any money on their platform.

It's not censorship, but it does make me glad I don't depend on YouTube for income, and it makes me confident in my decision to no longer pay for cable.

Facebook is increasingly doing stuff like that as well.

[narciso.]

Why we can't have nice things
www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-texas-idUSKBN1AQ1YE?il=0

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

Youtube was bought by the left; ALPHABET soup.

[henry]

Lyle, JiB, I have suffered gout since I was 22, and now have neuropathy setting in (numb kind, not pain kind). Gout is stronger. Red wine / rich food are no problem. Cheap beer (esp PBR) is instant death.

[glasater]

A Japanese woman who is a friend explains the hierarchy of Japan/China/S Korea and it goes something like this:

Japan pretty much looks down on all other Asian countries. Big island Japanese look down on Okinawans..who are Japanese but identify a little more with China.

EVERYONE in Japan looks down on Koreans be they of either of South or North variety.

China hates Japan and looks down on any Koreans.

What a dynamic!

Also, I remember reading a few years ago that the North Korean people have dealt with malnutrition for literally generations that their mental capacity has been greatly diminished.

[lyle]

Wow, sorry to hear that, henry. I just got a full tilt, two week boogie that I wouldn't wish on anyone. Well, I can think of a few deserving jerks...

[narciso.]

That must have been painful at that age,

[narciso.]

What could go wrong:

libertyunyielding.com/2017/08/10/libertyunyielding.com/2017/08/10/denmark-pushes-

[Threadkiller]

Do honest judges still exist?

Up until November of last year, the Afterbirthers declared that they were all honest WRT lack of standing being synonymous with a holding on Natural Born Citizenship.

Reporters like Savanah Guthrie were honest as well.

#SomethingChanged

[henry]

Narciso, the pain doesn't diminish based on age. Unfortunately, the frequency increases with age.

Lyle, two weeks is a normal attack. If you sense it soon enough, you can preempt the attack with lots of ibuprofen (assuming your liver survives).

[Threadkiller]

I am a gouter as well. One time it was so bad I found stinging nettle in my canyon and purposely rubbed it on the inflamed joint in my foot.

It felt like a concentrated electric storm. 30 min later the swelling went down by half.

Google it.

[James D.]

all of MeAgain's staff hates her.

Why does that not surprise me in the slightest?

[Threadkiller]

Steady diet of Allopurinol for me henry.

[Threadkiller]

I am not surprised that The Magpie has a staff.

#JennerJerky

[henry]

TK, both my dad and brother did the allopurinol thing. They had as many attacks as I did. If it worked as advertised, they would have none. (Unscientific opinion plus not big on popping pills daily). I hope it works for you.

[Threadkiller]

Yeah, I worried about that, henry. I have cut back on the alcohol significantly at the same time.

So either treatment is giving me relief.

[henry]

The stinging nettles info is interesting... A general anti-inflammatory with potassium calcium and magnesium. (Take that Oxford comma, and regular comma too).

[lyle]

Ibuprofen is now verboten for me post surgery. My doc has me on colchicine. Can't wait for this to end.

[henry]

FWIW, my dad did not drink alcohol. But we are all a bit different. I'm glad you found relief TK.

[lyle]

My dad was a gouter I just learned from my aunt and he did not drink.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

I am sorry so many of you are suffering from gout! My mother had it once and it was horrible!

Hope you all feel better.

Nytol!

[henry]

The colchicine is supposed to end a gout attack overnight. My dad used quite a bit of it.

[Captain Hate]

lyle, in case you're interested here is close to the complete Richard Thompson concert that the one cut you liked came from:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PLA3E097D4F74842F1&params=OAFIAVgB&v=UbbSJWTLs7U&mode=NORMAL

It was around 85 (back when cute girl backup singers had shag doos) and in support of his new album, although per usual the set list has lots of songs from others. His playing and sense of music knocked me on my ass and I've been a fan ever since.

[Clarice Feldman]

Cook County residents are finally fed up with tax fleecing:http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/08/cook-co-commissioners-file-pop-tax-repeal-after-taxpayers-revolt.html

[Threadkiller]

Thanks, henry.

[henry]

Clarice, Cook County got sued by the Feds on that bev tax per a tweet I saw this morning. Nice spin by the crooks pols though.

[Ralph L]

A fairly small amount (1-3 a day) of Ibuprofen gave my dad a bleeding duodenal ulcer which nearly killed him. But he was 87 and not drinking enough fluids (which gave him painful muscle cramps).

[Clarice Feldman]

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/450300/donald-trump-opposition-political-civil-war?utm_source=TheDeplorables

[Clarice Feldman]

henry, on what basis did the feds sue over the beverage tax? As I understand it Philly and other blue city revenue reapers have done the same thing?