We will declare war on third rate countries like Iraq to look tough when bombing camels with million dollar missiles and blow up old automobiles with untrained forces. But when it comes to real war. We just do not have the balls anymore. Even Bush knew it, he stuck with Iraq even though NK has said to the world they were developing real WMDs and actually had nuclear materials, we still attacked Iraq which had none. So I predict NK will get away with it again.
It's easy to "have the balls" when the ones at stake are not your own. Just ask W. What, exactly, would you like the US to do? Only fools rush into "real war" before every other viable alternative is exhausted. Has every other viable alternative been exhausted?
What we should do is either we go all out or we stop fucking around. Either we become a warrior nation and fight real wars, or lets pull all our soldiers out of the world and bring them back home and let the rest of the world pay for its security. But what we are doing right now is half assed and we are no better for it.
Ah, yes. The much favored all-or-nothing response. There's nothing quite like a shoot-from-the-hip simple solution to a complex problem. Why bother thinking when you can just gut-react? Unintended consequences be damned.
At this point no one on this board knows jack shit. SK made the claims that their boat was sunk by NK, which may or may not be true. US State, DoD, Japan, Russia,Australia, NZand the UK and many others know the facts due to the listening devices and subs in and around the peninsula.
I don't claim to have the facts. But, as a matter of course, I am not a fan of quick-draw, shoot-from-the-hip solutions to complex diplomatic matters. All-or-nothing has manic-depressive written all over it, with all the attendant consequences.
And the fact that pieces of a NK made torpedo were found nearby. There would not be such an international response if the facts didn't clearly support the claim. The only one disputing this is NK. Look at the facts.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64O3YU20100525 The following are key points from the text of the report issued by the North's KCNA news agency. "The Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea, accordingly, formally declares that from now on it will put into force the resolute measures to totally freeze the inter-Korean relations, totally abrogate the agreement on non-aggression between the north and the south and completely halt the inter-Korean cooperation. "In this connection, the following measures will be taken at the first phase: "1. All relations with the puppet authorities will be severed. "2. There will be neither dialogue nor contact between the authorities during (South Korean President) Lee Myung Bak's tenure of office. "3. The work of the Panmunjom Red Cross liaison representatives will be completely suspended. "4. All communication links between the north and the south will be cut off. "5. The Consultative Office for North-South Economic Cooperation in the Kaesong Industrial Zone will be frozen and dismantled and all the personnel concerned of the south side will be expelled without delay. "6. We will start all-out counterattack against the puppet group's 'psychological warfare against the north.' "7. The passage of south Korean ships and airliners through the territorial waters and air of our side will be totally banned. "8. All the issues arising in the inter-Korean relations will be handled under a wartime law. "There is no need to show any mercy or patience for such confrontation maniacs, sycophants and traitors and wicked warmongers as the (South Korean President) Lee Myung Bak group."